World Animal Day is celebrated on October 4 every year. It is
a day to remember the animals with whom we share our world and to create
awareness about their well-being.
But when children gather together at school, at home, during a family
function, or at any celebration, instead of giving them a long talk about
animals, why not make the occasion fun, interactive and memorable?
Here are a few simple activities that can be organised with very little
preparation.
1.
Guess the Animal
Start with a simple guessing game.
Tell the children:
“I am thinking of an animal. I will give you some clues. You have to
guess.”
For example:
I have four legs.
I am very big.
I have a long trunk.
I love water.
I use my trunk to pick up food.
Answer: Elephant!
The child who guesses correctly can give the clues for the next animal.
2. Make the Animal Sound
Divide the children into small groups. Give each group an animal
secretly.
They have to make the sound of the animal, while the other
children guess.
Lion, dog, cat, cow, elephant, monkey, rooster, frog and donkey can all
make this game lively.
For older children, make it more challenging: no sounds—only actions!
3. Animal Charades
Write the names of different animals on small pieces of paper and put
them in a bowl.
One child picks a paper and acts out the animal without speaking. The
others have to guess.
For older children, add another challenge:
“Show us the animal and what it eats.”
It can be both funny and entertaining.
4. Move Like an Animal
This is especially enjoyable for younger children.
Call out:
“Walk like an elephant!”
“Hop like a frog!”
“Waddle like a penguin!”
“Jump like a rabbit!”
“Slither like a snake!”
“Stretch like a cat!”
Then suddenly call out:
“FREEZE!”
Everyone has to freeze in that position.
5. Animal, Habitat and Food
We can also make children think while they play.
Give one child an animal. For example:
Tiger
The next child says:
Habitat – Forest
The next child:
Food – Meat
For older children, add one more:
Special feature – Stripes
It becomes:
Animal → Habitat → Food → Special feature
The same can be done with a camel, elephant, penguin, monkey, deer or
any other animal.
6. If Animals Could Talk
After all the laughter and games, it is time to make the children think.
Ask them:
“If animals could talk to us for one minute, what do you think they
would say?”
A bird might say:
“Please don't destroy my trees.”
A street dog might say:
“Please don't hurt me.”
An elephant might say:
“Please leave my forest alone.”
There is no right or wrong answer. Let children use their imagination.
One Kind Thing for an Animal
Now ask every child:
“What is one kind thing you can do for an animal?”
They may say:
- Keep
water outside for birds.
- Never
throw stones at animals.
- Don't
disturb birds' nests.
- Don't
litter.
- Be
gentle with pets.
- Help
an injured animal by informing an adult.
- Protect
trees and plants.
You can write their answers on a board as an “Animal Kindness Wall.”
End with a Promise
Finally, ask the children to complete this sentence:
“This World Animal Day, I promise to __________.”
It could be something as simple as:
“I will be kind to animals.”
Let everyone say together:
“Animals share our world. We will share it kindly.”
World Animal Day need not be a day of speeches and lectures. With a few
simple games, children can laugh, move, guess, imagine and learn—and,
most importantly, develop empathy towards the animals around them.
Sometimes, a small game and a simple promise can be the beginning of a
kinder attitude towards the world we share with animals.
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