Create a Small World Zoo for Preschoolers-Transform a Dramatic Play Set Into a Miniature World

Create a Small World Zoo for Preschoolers Using a Full-Size Dramatic Play Set

Small world play is a fantastic way for preschoolers to explore and learn about the world around them in a condensed, imaginative way. This week, we're showing you how to turn a full-size dramatic play set into a mini version that's perfect for small world play, and we’re doing it by creating a zoo!

Imagine building a zoo where your little ones can interact with miniature animals, habitats, and signs. The beauty of small world play is that it provides the same educational benefits as dramatic play but on a smaller scale—making it easier to set up, and just as fun!

Step 1: Gather Materials for Your Mini Zoo

To get started, you'll need a few key materials. We used our Zoo Dramatic Play Set as a base and combined it with play animals, blocks, faux greenery, and natural materials.

• Full-Size Dramatic Play Set: This set usually includes large signs, zoo entrance ways, and other props. These mini scale signs were achieved by  printing a full sized dramatic play set using a multiple pages per sheet printing technique. This allows you to keep the detail and context but in a format that fits a small space.
• Miniature Animals: Collect a variety of animals to represent the zoo’s inhabitants. Use figurines or even printed images that can be cut out and laminated for durability.
• Building Materials: Provide materials such as blocks, cardboard, or even fabric to create enclosures, pathways, and habitats. You can use textured fabrics (e.g., blue for water, green for grass, brown for dirt) to represent different environments.
• Creative Props: Encourage children to make their own props by giving them access to paper, recycled materials, and markers for crafting signs, trees, or other elements that will enhance the zoo.
  

Step 2: Let the Children Take the Lead

Now that you have the materials ready, it's time to let the children take charge of the zoo’s creation. Instead of setting up the entire play area for them, be a facilitator. Provide a box of building materials, signs, and animals, and let them decide how they want to arrange everything.
Encourage children to create different habitats for each animal. They can build enclosures with blocks, arrange mini trees and shrubs, or even design pathways for zoo visitors. Ask them to think about what each animal needs in its habitat: Does the elephant need more space? Does the lion need a bigger area to roam?

Step 3: Problem-Solving and Planning

As children build, they will naturally encounter challenges. Some animals might not fit into their enclosures, or they might decide they need more space. This is a great opportunity to foster executive functioning skills—children will plan and problem-solve as they modify their enclosures or rethink the layout of the zoo.
Encourage the children to draw or write down a list of materials they need to complete their zoo. They might want more blocks, extra fabric, or new signs for specific areas. This builds their ability to plan ahead, prioritize tasks, and work with others.

Children can build different habitats for each of the animals.

Step 4: Social Interaction and Communication

Small world play is an excellent way for children to develop social skills. As they work together, they’ll learn to take turns, listen to each other’s ideas, and respect the work of their peers. You can also help them practice new vocabulary by asking questions like, “What animals do we have in the lion's den?” or “What do giraffes eat?”
These interactions will also build math skills as children count how many animals are in each enclosure or use positional words to describe where things are (e.g., "The baby elephant is behind the mama elephant").

Allow children to create their own world. Instead of setting up the space for them, you can be the facilitator who provides them with the materials they'll need. Encourage them to write/draw a list of materials they'd like you to collect.

Step 5: Capture the Moment and Reflect

Once their small world zoo is up and running, take time to reflect on their hard work. Take photos of the completed zoo to allow children to share their creations with family and friends. You can also talk about the different animals and habitats they’ve created, reinforcing the learning experience.

Setting up a small world play area allows children to improve executive functioning skills, as they make and execute a plan.

As they build they will need to problem solve. Not all animals will fit in the zoo enclosures. They will need to decide if the enclosures need to be expanded, or if the animals will need to be relocated to a different area.

Small world play, as well as dramatic play, provides a wonderful opportunity for children to build social skills. They will need to work together to take turns, listen to their friends ideas, and respect the work of others.

Small world play allows young children use print rich materials

In addition to pre-made materials, be sure to provide children with opportunities to create their own props. Allow children to use their creativity by proving paper, and recycled materials to add to their pretend world.

Provide tape to allow them to attach, and display their signs.

Additional Tips for Success:

Children will build self confidence skills as they show off their fantastic creations. Be sure to take photos of their small worlds, which will allow them to share their work with friends and family.

Notice as children build math skills as they play. Build more skills by discussing how many animals are in each enclosure. Use positional words to describe their location, for example, "I see the baby cub is in front of the mother bear".

To encourage children to build a small world play zoo, provide them with a box of building materials, signs, and allow them to build!

Listen as children build new vocabulary through their play.  Ask children the 5-W questions to build new vocabulary, such as asking: "What is a baby giraffe called?",  or  "What do giraffes eat?"

Small world play allows children to re-create the places they have visited (or may visit one day) in their community, and act out the experiences they have there.

A zoo small world play set up, allows young children to explore the different needs of different animals.

Incorporate different colored, and textured fabric to create the look of water, grass, sand, or dirt.

Incorporate Nature: Consider adding natural elements like twigs, leaves, or small rocks to add texture and realism to the zoo enclosures.

Use Recycled Materials. Cardboard tubes, old bottle caps, and fabric scraps can be used to make props, like a water fountain or a zoo entrance. This not only encourages creativity but is also a great opportunity for children to learn about reusing materials.

Adapt & Expand: Once the basic zoo is built, encourage children to add new animals or attractions (like a gift shop or picnic area). This allows for ongoing creativity and expansion of their small world play.Adapt & Expand!

---

Pre-K Printables Club Members

Log in to download your products for free inside our shop listings!
Not a member? Learn more about how you can join here!

---

Shop for this product

Zoo Dramatic Play Pack

$5.00

Shop

Prefer to Shop on TPT?

Shop for this Zoo Dramatic Play Pack in our TPT Shop

You might also like

Free Zoo Lesson Theme Planning Page 

More Zoo Animal Preschool Activities

---