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Zoo Rescue: Fun and Easy Game for Little Kids

May 26, 2021 by Leslie Leave a Comment

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Let’s play zoo rescue! It’s the perfect game for little kids and toddlers: simple, inexpensive, and played with items you probably have in your house already.

This game is a great way for your toddler to practice fine motor skills on a rainy day inside, and can even be adapted as a party game for toddlers, too. Keep reading to find out how to set up and play this fun and easy indoor activity that’s perfect for days when you’re stuck inside.

kitchen tongs reaching to grab a toy leopard with text overlay: zoo rescue toddler activity- easy 5 minute setup

It’s always a good day when you can get outside, but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate.

And toddlers are probably the hardest to keep entertained. Their attention spans are short, they’re full of energy, and they constantly want to be entertained.

I first learned this game when my son’s preschool teacher recommended it. He usually doesn’t stay focused on activities like this for very long, but he had so much fun playing zoo rescue that he even asked to play again later. Now that’s a winner in my book.

collage of zoo rescue supplies: laundry basket, small toy animals, scissors, yarn, and kitchen tongs

What You Need:

  • Laundry Basket
  • Yarn or Long Ribbon
  • Small animal toys in a variety of sizes
  • Kitchen tongs
  • Optional: Kitchen timer
overhead view of laundry basket with toy animals on the bottom

Set Up the Game:

Place small toy animals or stuffed animals inside the laundry basket.

We used animal toys in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes, including:

  • small stuffed animals
  • Lego animals
  • Wooden animals from other toy sets, and
  • Zoomorphs

overhead view of laundry basket with toys inside and yarn woven across the top

Weave the yarn through the holes at the top of the laundry basket, zig zagging it across the top to create an obstacle course. Cut and tie off the yarn when you’re done.

How to Play:

You and Your Child:

Give your child the kitchen tongs to act as their ‘game piece’. Then have him ‘rescue’ the animals one at a time by sticking the tongs between the yarn to pick each animal up.

collage of a child playing zoo rescue: the top image shows tongs picking up a toy snake, the bottom image shows a young boy holding the toy snake above the laundry basket

As a Party Game:

  1. Set up several mini zoo rescues using small boxes or mini laundry baskets (we get ours at the dollar store) and 1-2 stuffed animals.
  2. Give the kids one minute to rescue the animals from their cage. (You can use a timer, but some fast-paced kids party music would work really well for this too.)
  3. Whichever child rescues all their animals first wins!

Why I don’t recommend just having the kids take turns at a party: In my experience, little kids – especially kids under the age of 4 are too impatient to wait for everyone else. Keeping the atmosphere upbeat and exciting is your best way to avoid bored and inattentive kids.

Make it a Work Double Duty: Save yourself some time, and let the kids keep their basket and zoo rescue animals as their party favor. All you’ll need is a cute little tag to add to the basket, and you’ll be ready to go.

close up of kitchen tongs reaching to grab a stuffed lion

Adaptations:

  • Shorten the time allowed for 4-5 year olds, or remove the time constraints for 2-3 year olds
  • To make it more difficult for older kids: any time the tongs touch the yarn, the animal has to go back (like the classic game Operation)
  • Change the theme for different parties: Puppies, dinosaurs, kitties, unicorns – you can make this work for just about any animal theme.

Now it’s Your Turn

Hopefully, the next time you need an indoor activity or party idea for little kids – you’ll give zoo rescue a try – it might just save your sanity!

If you enjoyed this simple activity, you’ll love our 100 summer activities for kids, with ideas for every day of the week…rain or shine. Check out all the ideas, and grab your free downloadable version right here.


Signature2.jpg Want more party inspiration? Join me over at Facebook, and Twitter, for regular updates and fabulous finds from around the web.

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Filed Under: Blog, Kid Crafts and Activities, Party Games Tagged With: safari, Zoo

About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she was determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

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I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. Here you'll find crafts, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too! Read More
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Hi there! I’m Leslie! I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. At Playdates to Parties, you'll find crafts, ready-to-use cut files, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too!  {Read More}

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