Free Activities To Do At Omaha’s Zoo

My family never gets bored visiting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Just not possible at Omaha’s zoo – especially with new exhibits opening, it seems, every year like this year’s Asian Highlands.

But, it never hurts to spice things up. I mean, really, how many times can you watch your kid lick the glass at the penguin exhibit before you decide surely there’s got to be something else she could be doing at this moment?

Being a Pinterest devotee (to a fault, if you ask my husband), I found some wonderful and FREE activities to do at Omaha’s zoo. Check it out (and while I’ve got Pinterest on your mind, why don’t you swing on over and follow me? Click here.)

Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Activity Guides

One of the many printables available on the Omaha zoo’s website.

First thing’s first, head to the zoo’s resource page to find guides specific to Omaha’s zoo. There are activity booklets you can print out for visiting the aquarium, for instance, or for temporary exhibits, like the log book tied to the “Dinosaurs Alive” exhibit. There are 13 links to guides there!

Zoo Bingo

Here are free zoo bingo printables from Mother’s Niche suitable for the younger crowd.

Mom It Forward has a different free zoo printable that’s good for a little older kiddos.

Zoo Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt from Teaching’s a Hoot asks kids to find specific things, like an animal with a feather (so it helps if your child can read).

Blues Skies Ahead has a great scavenger hunt that helps with spelling and letter recognition (fun and learning, jackpot).

My favorite hunt of the bunch comes from Dating Divas (who got it from guest blogger, Sierra, from The Blue Robin Cottage. First thing’s first, she has a fun DIY binoculars tip that you’ll want to make for/with your kids.  Her hunt involves clues for each animal and it looks like it would be so much fun! Check it out.

Journal

Encourage reflection after your visit or while taking a rest break. Ready-Set-Read has a zoo journal page great for budding writers. It’s good on its own, but also part of a zoo themed pack, completely free and printable. There’s a lot in there from animal movement cards, animal number sorting game and early reader books.

No Printer Required Zoo Activities

–          Feed the koi – Always a favorite with my kids

–          Let your kids take pictures and see the zoo through their eyes

–          Bring binoculars (real or the homemade kind with toilet paper rolls)