Materials
Roll of white poster or butcher paper
Pencils
Tempera paint and brushes
Instructions
What to do
1. Spread a sheet of butcher paper about 6' (2 m) in length on the floor.
2. Talk to the children about what animals they have seen at a zoo or read about being in a zoo.
Tell the children that they are going to design their own zoo on the butcher paper.
3. Divide the children into small groups and encourage them to choose the part of the mural they
would like to design. Have them start with pencil and encourage them to spread out so they
can have lots of room to work.
4. When the children are satisfied with their design, invite them to paint their portion of the
mural.
5. Display the mural in a hallway or on a large wall.
More to do
Dramatic play: Have the children set up an imaginary zoo in the classroom and let them play the
roles of zookeepers, visitors, and animals.
Math: Sort small plastic animals by kind or size.
More art: Make murals in circus, community, or transportation themes.
