Primary schools programme

We are able to welcome one class (of up to thirty children) into our Unicorn Room at a time. Please choose from the following and call 0844 9670832 to make a booking.

There are a variety of resources which can be used to support a visit to Whipsnade Zoo. Links to these can be found under the session titles. For a full list please go to the Primary resources page.

For Foundation Stage

Animal story time (Nursery and Reception)
Gather round the waterhole to hear the story of the African animals who rely on it. Join in with sound effects and actions as we follow the changing seasons and the drama they inspire.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (203 KB)
Visit the story time animals and others from Africa (map for adults) (3.1 MB)
Visit the story time animals (map for pupils) (2.7 MB)

We are animals (Nursery, Reception, Year 1)
Are all hairy animals different or do they share some features? Using a hands-on approach small groups compare themselves with other animals and find similarities as well as differences.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (189 KB)

Touch and talk (Reception, Year 1 and 2)
A great opportunity to spend time touching and looking more closely at animal skins, skulls and other biofacts, asking questions and discussing ideas with classmates. A general hands-on session or one that reflects current study at school can be arranged. More information, including popular themes, is available on the website. Please discuss your chosen theme at the time of booking.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (183 KB)

We would like to know in advance if any members of your class have learning, physical or sensory difficulties, allergies or illnesses which might affect their enjoyment of the visit. We will then do our best to tailor sessions to meet the particular needs of your class: please email hannah.thompson@zsl.org to discuss the best way to do this

For Key Stage 1

We are animals (Nursery, Reception, Year 1)
Are all hairy animals different or do they share some features? Using a hands-on approach small groups compare themselves with other animals and find similarities as well as differences.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (189 KB)

Colour and camouflage (Year 1 and 2)
How do animals use colour and pattern in their daily lives? Explore various resources in this hands-on session to find out how colour helps animals to survive and then design your own beetles to take away with you.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (190 KB)
To support this session: Animal patterns spotter card: An activity for use during your visit (8.6 MB)
To support this session: Animal patterns spotter card answer sheet (15.2 MB)

Hairy and scaly (Year 1 and 2)
Explore different body coverings and find out how the qualities of mammals’ hair and reptiles’ scales help them to survive.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (193 KB)
We provide notes to help accompanying adults support children's conversation during the session. A copy is provided here for those who would like to prepare in advance: Adults' support notes for use during Hairy and scaly sessions (2.7 MB)

Defend yourself! (Year 1 and 2)
Through a selection of feely-boxes and other hands-on opportunities, explore different methods of self defence. Collect tips from the animal kingdom then work in small groups to design a well-defended animal.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (187 KB)

What is alive? (Year 1 and 2)
What is the difference between a cuddly toy and a live animal? Using an example of each, along with biofacts and images, we consider the processes that mean an animal is alive.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (190 KB)

On the edge (Year 2)
Find out more about threats to endangered species and what can be done to help by exploring various biofacts and printed materials. Collect information here to design a poster at home or at school and enter our annual poster competition.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (188 KB)
To support this session: The Edge-Factor: An activity for use before, during and after your visit (1.3 MB)
To support this session: The Edge-Factor playing card template (122 KB)
Themed notes for adults to support learning about endangered species (2.8 MB)

Touch and talk (Reception, Year 1 and 2)
A great opportunity to spend time touching and looking more closely at animal skins, skulls and other biofacts, asking questions and discussing ideas with classmates. A general hands-on session or one that reflects current study at school can be arranged. More information, including popular themes, is available on the website. Please discuss your chosen theme at the time of booking.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (185 KB)

We would like to know in advance if any members of your class have learning, physical or sensory difficulties, allergies or illnesses which might affect their enjoyment of the visit. We will then do our best to tailor sessions to meet the particular needs of your class: please email hannah.thompson@zsl.org to discuss the best way to do this.

For Key Stage 2

Out in the Zoo: Predator/prey New for the summer term!
Learn about lions and zebras in this interactive session which is delivered outside, near to the animals' enclosures. Through hands-on activities, dressing up and games classes explore the animals' adaptations.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (142 KB)

Teeth and diets: investigate!
This investigation challenges teams who have already studied teeth to identify mystery skulls, using clues and hands-on experience.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (196 KB)

Habitats and adaptations
Classes extend their pervious study of habitats to discover more about animals’ adaptations through hands-on study of skulls, skins and other biofacts.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (196 KB)

On the edge
Find out more about threats to endangered species and what can be done to help by exploring various biofacts and printed materials. Collect information here to design a poster at home or at school and enter our annual poster competition.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (188 KB)
To support this session: The Edge-Factor: An activity for use before, during and after your visit (1.3 MB)
To support this session: The Edge-Factor playing card template (122 KB)
Themed notes for adults to support learning about endangered species (2.8 MB)

Zoo art
Explore the living world as an inspiration for creative group work in this new session. Use support materials provided to carry out preliminary work in the Zoo before coming together to create original works of art.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (187 KB)
Support materials - fish project (435 KB)
Support materials - invertebrates project (319 KB)

Puzzles for parrots
When the Whipsnade parrots are not out flying we provide them with “enrichment”: activities which encourage them to use their feet, beaks, senses and brains to solve puzzles. Help us with this important part of our work by planning and making an item of enrichment.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (197 KB)

Whose poo?
With links to the study of teeth, food chains and habitats this activity will appeal to all learners who enjoy a fun challenge! Explore some biofacts and information about key species and use what you find out to complete the challenge: whose poo?
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (55 KB)

Investigate vertebrates
Use hands-on experience with a variety of skins, bones and other biofacts to establish the characteristic features of the five vertebrate classes.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (189 KB)

Touch and talk
A great opportunity to spend time touching and looking more closely at animal skins, skulls and other biofacts, asking questions and discussing ideas with classmates. A general hands-on session or one that reflects current study at school can be arranged. More information, including popular themes, is available on the website. Please discuss your chosen theme at the time of booking.
Find out more - Teachers' Notes (185 KB)

We would like to know in advance if any members of your class have learning, physical or sensory difficulties, allergies or illnesses which might affect their enjoyment of the visit. We will then do our best to tailor sessions to meet the particular needs of your class: please email hannah.thompson@zsl.org to discuss the best way to do this.