Resource Roundup: Lion Edition 🦁

🦁 Roar into the World of Lions with Our Ultimate Resource Roundup!
Does your child loves reading, watching, gaming, or hands-on creating? Then this lion-themed collection is for them! 

Inside this month's Lion Resource Roundup, you'll find:

• 📚 Age-appropriate book recommendations for ages 3–12, from picture books to nonfiction picks

• 🎥 Kid-friendly YouTube shows and lion documentaries that bring the savanna to life

• 🎮 A  look at Planet Zoo — a highly recommended simulation game where kids can design and care for their own lion habitat (perfect for ages 8+)

• 🎨 A savanna-inspired art project to spark creativity through color, texture, and wild imagination

• 🎓 Real-world conservation insights from the Lion Recovery Fund, helping kids understand the importance of protecting keystone species like lions

Whether you're building a full lion unit study or just want a fun weekend activity, this roundup is your go-to guide for making lion learning unforgettable.

Activities

🦁 For Younger Kids (Ages 3–6):

Lion I Spy is a playful way to build early learning skills through visual exploration:

• 🔍 Strengthens focus and attention to detail with hidden lion-themed surprises

• 🐾 Supports animal recognition and observation skills

🧠 For Older Kids (Ages 7–12):

Our all-new Zoo Packet: Lion Edition takes learning to the next level with eng

aging, age-appropriate challenges:

• 📖 Dive into in-depth lion facts and real-world conservation topics

• ✏️ Tackle creative writing prompts and research-based activities

• 📸 Step into the role of a wildlife photographer or field scientist

• ✅ Includes animal checklists, critical thinking tasks, and savanna-inspired projects

🎨 Savanna Scene Art Project

Create your own glowing savanna sunset with animal silhouettes—perfect for lion-themed learning!

You’ll Need:

• Crayons, watercolors or colored pencils

• Blending tool (cotton swab, finger, or brush)

• Sketch/thick paper

• Toy animals or printed silhouettes

• Pencil & black marker

Steps:

1. Create a sunset with:black/brown at the bottom, yellow next, orange in the middle, red at the top.

2. Blend the colors smoothly. Let dry if painted.

3. Shine light on a toy animal to cast a shadow or go outside on a sunny day and let the sun cast a shadow.

4. Trace the shadow and fill in with black marker.

5. (Optional) Add trees, hills, or label animal species!

It's Time to Read

🐾 Ages 3–5 (Preschool to Early K)

• 📘 How Loud Is a Lion? by Clare Beaton
  — A beautifully stitched fabric collage book with rhymes and facts about African animals, ending with a surprise lion roar!

• 📘 Roar: A Story for Little Ones by Margaret Mayo
  — A rhythmic, read-aloud animal book that includes lions and introduces kids to a wide range of wild creatures.

🦁 Ages 6–8 (Grades 1–3)

• 📗 Lions (National Geographic Readers) by Laura Marsh
  — A levelled reader with exciting facts, vocabulary building, and stunning wildlife photography.

• 📗 A Lion in the Meadow by Margaret Mahy
  — A charming fantasy about imagination, friendship, and the blurry line between reality and make-believe.

👑 Ages 9–12 (Grades 4–6)

• 📙 Mission: Lion Rescue by National Geographic Kids
  — Combines real-world action and animal profiles, empowering kids to take part in wildlife protection.

On The Screen

Wild Kratts - Lion King and Queen of the Jungle – For preschool learners

Protect The Pride, Support Communities Living Alongside Lions by Wildlife Conservation Network

🐾The PBS Wild Kratts Card Collecting Game lets kids collect, trade, and play with cards featuring real-life animals from the hit TV show! Each card includes fun facts, powers, and colorful, science-inspired art. Players can challenge friends, complete missions, and learn amazing animal abilities.

🦋 Collect butterfly powers
🐅 Play tiger challenges
🐢 Match turtles to habitats

Ages 5–10 (younger kids can play with help).
🌟 Encourages curiosity, teaches real science, builds strategy and teamwork skills—all while connecting screen-free play to Wild Kratts!

✅ Builds social skills through trading and teamwork
✅ Connects screen-free play to the beloved Wild Kratts series

🐾 Planet Zoo is a creative game where kids build and run their own zoo with real-life animals from around the world! Design habitats, care for animals, and learn what they need to thrive.

🦁 Build a lion’s savanna
🐘 Create an elephant watering hole
🐧 Keep penguins cool

Ages 8–13 (younger kids can play with help).
🌟 Encourages empathy, teaches science and geography, sparks creativity, builds problem-solving skills, and offers a relaxing sandbox mode.

✅ Promotes critical thinking and budgeting skills
✅ Connects gaming fun with real-world animal care and conservation

Extra Resources

As we celebrate the mighty lion as July’s Animal of the Month, we’re also proud to spotlight the vital work of the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF). Led by the Wildlife Conservation Network, the LRF is on a mission to double the wild lion population across Africa by protecting habitats, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and supporting community-led conservation efforts. With 100% of every donation going directly to on-the-ground projects, the LRF is making a real difference—not just for lions, but for the entire ecosystems they help balance. 

The LRF also offers inspiring educational resources, including videos and field stories that help families and classrooms better understand the importance of lions and the challenges they face. It’s a powerful reminder for kids (and grown-ups!) that when we protect a keystone species, we help protect the wild as a whole.

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👒 Safari Hat

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