Free Zoo Scavenger Hunt Printable

A zoo scavenger hunt printable is a fun way to make any zoo visit more interactive and engaging.

Instead of just walking past exhibits, kids can search for animals, observe their behaviors, and check off what they find.

This printable includes two versions—one with pictures for younger kids and another with prompts for older ones.

These scavenger hunt printables encourage curiosity and learning, turning a simple trip to the zoo into an exciting adventure.

Colorful zoo scavenger hunt printable on a clipboard, featuring cartoon images of animals and zoo-related items like monkeys, giraffes, reptiles, penguins, butterflies, ice cream, and a zoo keeper. A second worksheet titled "Today I saw an animal" includes a bingo-style layout with descriptive prompts such as “that has a trunk” and “that can swim.” Text below reads “Free Zoo Scavenger Hunt Printable” from homeschoolof1.com.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Table of Contents

Scavenger hunt at the zoo

Turn a trip to the zoo into an exciting adventure with this fun activity!

Instead of simply walking past exhibits, kids will have fun searching for specific animals, observing their behaviors, and checking off what they find.

This scavenger hunt includes two versions—one with pictures for younger children and another with descriptive clues for older kids.

Whether you’re exploring a small local zoo or a large wildlife park, this activity adds an interactive and educational twist to the experience.

How to use

Getting started is simple! Download and print the two-page PDF.

To make the experience even easier, I recommend using a storage clipboard—it keeps papers secure and has a handy compartment for pens and pencils.

A simple marker or pencil is all kids need to check off what they find.

This printable is free for personal use. Scroll to the bottom of this post to get your copy and start exploring!

Explore even more fun with these animal life cycle activities, perfect for hands-on learning!

Zoo picture scavenger hunt

The first version is designed for younger kids, featuring 15 images of animals and objects commonly found at the zoo.

A colorful zoo scavenger hunt printable on a blue clipboard, featuring a grid of cartoon-style animals and zoo-related items. The grid includes images of monkeys, giraffes, reptiles, elephant, big cat, zebra, bear, penguins, turtle, butterflies, ice cream, fish, picnic area, zoo keeper, and birds. The title at the top reads “Zoo Scavenger Hunt” in orange and green text.

As they explore, they can mark off each one when they spot it:

Monkeys
Elephants
Bear
Butterflies
Picnic area
Giraffe
Big cat
Penguin
Ice Cream
Zookeeper
Reptiles
Zebra
Tortoise
Fish
Birds

This version is great for helping young children stay engaged while improving their observation skills.

Take the adventure to the farm with our farm scavenger hunt free printable, a great way to explore farm animals.

Zoo animal scavenger hunt

For older kids, the second version offers a fun challenge using descriptive prompts instead of pictures.

Encourage kids to observe closely and think critically about which animals fit each description. They can write down their answers or take photos of each one they find.

Today, I saw an animal…

that plays in trees
that has a trunk
that has stripes
that can swim
with scales
that is tall
that has a tail
that I love
that can fly
that eats meat
that has no legs
that has spots
that is small
that has horns
that has claws

This version encourages deeper engagement by prompting kids to think about animal traits and habitats, making it an excellent learning tool during a zoo visit.

Free animal printables

Make learning more engaging with these fun and educational free animal printables:

Kids can practice pattern recognition while exploring symmetry with a butterfly matching game printable.
The fascinating process of metamorphosis comes to life in butterfly life cycle worksheets, helping children understand each stage of transformation.
Creating penguin handprint art is a fun way to combine creativity with learning about these amazing birds.
Understanding how penguins grow is easy with penguin life cycle worksheets, which break down each stage of their development.
A simple handprint can be transformed into a striking design with zebra handprint art, making it a creative and memorable activity.
For even more hands-on learning, try our zoo color by number printables, perfect for combining art and animal-themed fun!

Add a creative twist to learning with our animal color by number printables, combining art and education!

Get the free zoo scavenger hunt pdf here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

Additional scavenger hunt printables

If your kids love scavenger hunts, there are plenty of other themed adventures to try!

WANT ALL OF OUR SCAVENGER HUNTS IN ONE PLACE?

GET OUR PRINTABLE BUNDLE NOW!

At the aquarium, kids can search for fascinating sea creatures with our aquarium scavenger hunt printable.
Get up close with butterflies while identifying different species in the butterfly scavenger hunt printable.
A garden scavenger hunt printable encourages kids to explore plants, insects, and garden tools in nature.
Take the fun outdoors with a camping scavenger hunt printable, perfect for spotting natural objects and essential camping gear.
The neighborhood scavenger hunt printable turns a simple walk into an exciting way to discover local landmarks and wildlife.
A day at the beach gets even more exciting with a beach treasure hunt printable, where kids can search for seashells, marine life, and hidden treasures.

These printables offer even more ways to make everyday adventures fun and educational!

Last Updated on 10 April 2025 by Clare Brown