Earth day is coming and it's the perfect time to teach our children all about our planet, conservation, and the precious wildlife that surrounds us! Check out this list of favorite resources for kids all about animals, zoos, and conservation- including everything from books and documentaries to video games and children’s shows! The suggestions here cover a variety of ages. Please preview any materials before sharing with your child(ren).

All links provided on this page are accurate at time of publication and lead to an option to either purchase the product or provide more information. I do not profit or benefit from purchases made at these links.

Documentaries About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation:

• The Zoo from Animal Planet
• The Zoo: San Diego from Animal Planet
• Secrets of the Zoo from National Geographic
• Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom from National Geographic
• Crikey! It’s the Irwins from Animal Planet
• Planet Earth (I & II) from BBC
• Africa from BBC
• Our Planet on Netflix
• Life from BBC
• The Jeff Corwin Experience from Animal Planet
• Xploration Animal Science
• Seven Worlds, One Planet from BBC Earth

Shows for Kids About Wild Animals and Caring for Earth:

• Wild Kratts
• Go Diego Go
• Izzy's Koala World
• Nature Cat

YouTube Channels for Lovers of the Zoo and Cute Animals:

• Lehigh Valley Zoo- behind the scenes videos from our local Lehigh Valley Zoo crew
• The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens– a combination of sweet animal videos and behind the scenes look at care and conservation
• San Diego Zoo– live cameras and zoo animal videos
• Smithsonian’s National Zoo– tours and a creative and informative look at animals
• Dodo Kids– playful and uplifting animal videos
• Leo the Wildlife Ranger– animal education for young children
• Nat Geo Kids/ National Geographic– a collection of upbeat nature and science videos
• BBC Earth Kids/ BBC Earth– interesting and informative videos for a wide range of ages

Books About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation for All Ages:

• A Day in the Life Series from Neon Squid
• Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty
• Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live by Lita Judge
• Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Series by Mary Pope Osborne 
• Animal Facts: By the Numbers by Steve Jenkins
• Creature Features by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• What Do You Do if You Work at the Zoo by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Guardians of the Planet: How to be an Eco-Hero by Clive Gifford and Jonathan Woodward
• Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs by David A Steen and Chiara Fedele
• Jane’s Endangered Animal Guide by J.J. Johnson and Christin Simms
• American Girl Love the Earth: Understanding Climate Change, Standing up for Solutions, and Living an Earth-friendly LIfe by Mel Hammond
• Recycle and Remake: Creative Projects for Eco Kids by DK
• Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives and Features of Wild Animals Around the World by Julia Rothman
• Animalium (Welcome to the Museum) by Jenny Broom
• Bear Grylls Sticker Activity Books by Bear Grylls
• Life Cycles: Everything from Start to Finish by DK and Sam Falconer
• An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by DK
• 100 Things to Know About Saving the Planet from Usborne
• Lots of Things to Know About Animals by James Maclaine
• Can We Really Help the Polar Bears? by Katie Daynes
• Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature by AJ Wood and Mike Jolley
• I Like Animals… What Jobs Are There? by Steve Martin
• Search the Zoo, Find the Animals by Bethanie Hestermann
• Zoo Time by D.S. Park
• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine D Hughes
• Discovery: Roar at the Zoo! by Thea Feldman

Wildlife and Nature Magazines:

• Ranger Rick (multiple options available for a range of ages)
• National Geographic (multiple options available for a range of ages)
• National Wildlife

Board Games with an Animal Theme:

• New York Zoo
• Ark Nova
• Animal Trivia Challenge
• Concept Kids: Animals
• The Champion of the Wild
• Ecologies
• Taiga Memory Board Game

Video Games with a Zoo Theme:

• Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection (Also available on XBOX)
• Planet Zoo
• Zoo Builder in Minecraft
• Let’s Build A Zoo (Also available on Nintendo Switch)
• Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo (Also available on Nintendo Switch)

Web Resources with Information About Zoos, Animals, and Conservation:

• Curiosity Stream– a streaming service focused on factual entertainment 
• The Association of Zoos and Aquariums– animal care, wildlife preservation and trafficking 
• World Wildlife Fund– wildlife conservation and restoration 
• United States Environmental Protection Agency– environmental protection and preservation 
• Animalia– online animal encyclopedia
• National Geographic– animal facts, games, and videos 
• Defenders of Wildlife– protection of native animals and plants in their communities 
• Zooborns– baby animals 

Other Ideas:

• Ask your local librarian for information and local resources (Check the Directory for more information on libraries in our area!)
• Check the websites of your nearest zoo (Lehigh Valley Zoo!) for special programs and educational offerings, check zoo websites around the world for information, maps, and other resources 
• Search online for wildlife preserves, state and national parks, and nature centers in your area

Keep an eye on the Calendar for upcoming Earth Day activities and Subscribe for local updates and more helpful resources!