Lesson Title: A Scavenger Hunt at the Zoo

Wondering what to do on a zoo field trip?

Visiting your local zoo can be more than just an end-of-the-year trip! Designed for curious minds, this unique lesson plan combines the thrill of a zoo scavenger hunt for kids with the educational richness of exploring zoo animals, their habitats, and ecosystems. In teams, students navigate the zoo, completing interactive challenges and uncovering the secrets of nature's most fascinating creatures.

By leveraging technology to facilitate learning and interaction, students learn to collaborate, think critically, and engage in meaningful scavenger hunt activities. This adventure promises to deepen their understanding of the animal kingdom, help students connect real-life zoology, and engage students in a fun and educational way. Prepare to transform a day at the zoo into an unforgettable learning experience combining technology, teamwork, and the great outdoors.

Grade: 5 - 9

Subject: Science, Biology

Objectives of the Field Trip Scavenger Hunt to the Zoo

• Students will explore various animal exhibits at the zoo to learn about animal habitats, behaviors, and conservation efforts.
• By participating in a scavenger hunt activity using Goosechase, students will engage in an interactive and fun way to apply their learning and teamwork skills.

Materials Required for Zoo Field Trip Scavenger Hunt Activity

• Zoo maps
• Pens and clipboards (optional, for note-taking)
• Lesson plan handouts (including details on animals to focus on)
• A mobile device with the Goosechase app downloaded

In-class Preparation for Animal Scavenger Hunt

Introduction to Zoo 

• Introduce the students to the types of zoo animals they will encounter, their animal habitats, and interesting facts. Use videos, presentations, and discussions.
• Discuss the importance of zoos in conservation efforts, endangered species, and how individuals can contribute to wildlife conservation.
• Ask students which animals they are most looking forward to learning about.

Overview of the Activity

• Present different zoo animals such as giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, and alligators, as well as their habitats, biomes, and interesting facts.
• Use videos, presentations, and discussions to create interactive learning experiences about zoology, ecosystems, and animal behavior.
• Discuss the role of zoos in conservation, the protection of endangered species, and ways students can help wildlife preservation.
• Ask students which animals they are most excited to find on their trip to the zoo.
• Review goals for the zoo visit, emphasizing observation, critical thinking, and collaboration.
• Introduce the Goosechase Experience as a scavenger hunt for kids with scavenger hunt activities and no need for printable scavenger hunt resources.
• Encourage students to explore the zoo, find animals with wings or unique adaptations.
• The tasks include identifying animal behaviors, completing draw-it activities, and observing ecosystems, making the zoo field trip scavenger hunt fun and educational.

Animal Research 

• Assign each student or group an animal to research before the visit.
• Ask them to brainstorm questions they have and will attempt to answer during their visit.

Zoo Visit and Scavenger Hunt

• Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with scavenger hunt Missions. Ideas include:
  • Take a photo of a species with a unique adaptation and explain what it is.
  • Recording a video of a team member mimicking an animal behavior observed.
  • Answering quiz questions about the conservation status of certain animals.
  • Finding a zookeeper to answer a question about the daily life of an animal.

• App Set-Up 
  • Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues the morning of your Museum visit.

• Upon Arrival at the Zoo
  • Gather students for a brief orientation.
  • Review the day's schedule and map out the various animal enclosures to visit
  • Review safety guidelines and discuss expected behavior.
  • Encourage students to ask the staff questions and take advantage of educational resources.
• Scavenger Hunt Exploration
  • Students explore the zoo in their teams, completing various tasks and challenges related to the animals.
  • Encourage students to use their observation skills to find specific species, answer questions, and complete tasks on the Goosechase Mission list.
  • Emphasize the significance of teamwork and cooperation during the scavenger hunt.
  • Documentation of student observations are recorded within the Goosechase app and automatically saved to their camera roll.

Debrief & Reflection

• Gather students to discuss their experiences. Highlight their observations, interesting facts learned, favorite moments, and reflections on conservation.
• Have students complete a reflection worksheet that includes what they learned, their favorite part of the visit, and any questions they still have.

Zoo Scavenger Hunt Activities for Fun, Educational, and Freebies for Kids

Kids can use the zoo scavenger hunt during a field trip to the zoo in a fun, interactive way. They can work in teams or individually to explore exhibits and find specific zoo animals listed in the scavenger hunt. The best part? With Goosechase, there is no need for a printable scavenger hunt.

• Explore zoo animals using a free zoo scavenger hunt for preschool, kindergarten and homeschool kids using free online resources.
• Complete tasks like finding an animal with wings, spotting different animals, or identifying biomes.
• By drawing activities to sketch animals like lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, kangaroos, or alligators.
• Answer questions about habitats, behaviors, and ecosystems for interactive learning.
• Complete tasks like finding an animal with wings, spotting different animals, or identifying animals in various biomes.
• Record observations, check off tasks, and reflect on what they learned about zoo animals and conservation.
• Adapt activities for kids, preschoolers, or grades 3–6, making it accessible for all students.

Optional Fun and Educational Activities Upon Return to the Classroom

Presentation and Discussion

• Back in the classroom, students prepare short presentations on their scavenger hunt findings, focusing on their assigned animals, behaviors observed, and any conservation insights.
  • Encourage discussion on conservation efforts and how students can contribute to animal welfare and preservation.

Assessment:

• Assess students' participation and engagement during the visit, completion of any pre- or post-visit worksheets, and quality and creativity of the research project/presentation.

Want a copy of this lesson plan to use with your class? Click to download!

What is Goosechase EDU?

Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!

FAQs

What is this Zoo Scavenger Hunt?

A fun scavenger hunt for kids that combines exploring zoo animals with interactive scavenger hunt activities for your next trip to the zoo.

What to do on a field trip to the zoo?

Turn your trip to the zoo into an engaging field trip scavenger hunt using free zoo hunt resources and scavenger hunt ideas.

What can preschoolers learn using the zoo scavenger hunt?

Preschoolers can explore animal habitats, find different animals, and engage in fun and educational scavenger hunt activities while learning about zoology.

What are the latest ideas for a zoo field trip for a scavenger hunt?

For creative scavenger hunt ideas, check out free scavenger hunts in the Goosechase Experience library, and other scavenger hunt resources on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy.com.

Why is it important for kids to participate in scavenger hunts?

Through interactive scavenger hunt activities, kids develop observation, collaboration, and critical thinking skills while exploring zoo animals and ecosystems.