Free I Spy Zoo Animals Printable for Kids

Whenever we need a quick activity that actually holds my son’s attention, this I Spy zoo animals printable does the trick—no prep, just playful learning.

Whether you’re planning a zoo-themed unit, looking for a quiet screen-free activity, or just need something fun to do on a rainy day, this printable fits right in.

It includes three versions of the same game, featuring 15 different animals—like elephants, lions, monkeys, tigers, and kangaroos—hidden throughout the page for kids to count and spot.

These free I spy printables are a great mix of early math, focus skills, and animal fun.

A black and white “I Spy Zoo Animals” printable worksheet with cartoon animals including giraffes, elephants, lions, and flamingos. The page is surrounded by a green beaded necklace and a box of Crayola crayons. At the bottom, bold text reads “Free Zoo Animals I Spy Printable.”

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Table of Contents

Zoo Animal I Spy Game – What’s Included

This printable comes with three versions of the same I Spy game, so you can choose the one that works best for your setting—or use all three to mix things up.

The first page includes a black and white version with answer boxes already completed—great for introducing the game to younger kids.

The second page is also black and white but without the answers. Kids count and record the totals themselves—ideal for building confidence and independence while still enjoying some coloring fun.

The final page uses the same layout but in full color, with no answers included. The bold visuals make it more engaging and just a bit trickier—perfect for kids who enjoy vibrant pages and a small challenge.

A black and white “I Spy Zoo Animals” printable worksheet featuring cute cartoon animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, crocodiles, and flamingos. The activity includes a visual key at the bottom for counting each animal, and it's placed on a white surface with a green beaded necklace and an open box of Crayola crayons nearby.

More Ways to Extend the Fun

Once kids get into the rhythm of spotting animals, it’s easy to build out the activity with a few simple add-ons.

Pair the printable with a favorite zoo-themed picture book and see if they can find the same animals in both.
Set up a mini “zoo station” with stuffed animals or plastic figures to match what they found on the page.
Use animal flashcards or fact books to learn one fun fact about each creature they spotted.
Have older kids create their own I Spy page by drawing or pasting animal pictures—great for creativity and focus.
Take it to the zoo to match animals on the spot.

These kinds of playful add-ons turn a quiet printable into a mini animal unit without much extra effort. And honestly, kids love feeling like they’re the ones leading the learning.

A colorful “I Spy Zoo Animals” printable activity sheet featuring illustrated animals like elephants, crocodiles, lions, zebras, flamingos, giraffes, and fish. The page includes a counting section at the bottom and is set on a white background with a green beaded necklace beside it, making it a fun and educational seek-and-find game for kids.

More Fun Zoo Themed Printables

If you’re building out a zoo-themed day or just looking for more screen-free options, we’ve got a few other printables that pair perfectly with this I Spy game.

Try our zoo scavenger hunt for an outdoor adventure or indoor movement break.
The zoo color by number pages are great for practicing number recognition while staying in the animal theme.
And for something a little more creative, the alphabet animals coloring pages combine early literacy and art in a fun, low-prep way.

A black and white “I Spy Zoo Animals” printable worksheet featuring cartoon animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, and crocodiles. The activity sheet includes a counting section at the bottom and is placed on a white surface next to a green beaded necklace and an open box of Crayola crayons, suggesting a fun coloring and counting activity for kids.

Favorite Books About Zoo Animals

If your kids get curious after spotting all the animals, pairing this activity with a good zoo-themed book can keep the interest going. These are a few favorites that we’ve read more than once:

Dear Zoo – A simple lift-the-flap book that younger kids love. Great for naming animals and talking about their traits.
Put Me in the Zoo – A fun classic that blends animals with silliness and early reading skills.
Good Night, Gorilla – A word-light story that kids can “read” through the pictures. Always gets giggles.
ZooBorns! – Full of real baby animals from zoos around the world. Great for animal lovers of all ages.

You can read one of these together after the I Spy game or even ask your child to pick an animal from the printable and look for it in the book.

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