KS1 (ENG), KS2 (ENG), KS1 (NI), KS2 (NI), CfE L1 (SCO), CfE L2 (SCO), PS2 (WAL), PS3 (WAL), KS3 (ENG), KS3 (NI), CfE L4 (SCO), CfE L3 (SCO), KS3 (WAL)
We have gathered together resources from Art UK and our partner museums around the theme of animals, birds and insects.
Use these to find out about creatures and their habitats and for art activity inspiration to use in the classroom or at home.
Top tip! Use these resources to celebrate Earth Day or to support you in joining the Art Fund's The Wild Escape project.
Discover our animal-themed activity and lesson plan resources.
Resources for primary students
Create your own animal artwork adventure
The Superpower of Looking: Henry Rousseau's Surprised 1891
Hybrid creature made from found objects
Resources for secondary students
Animals and us: Kenny Hunter's animal sculptures
Laura Ford's mixed media sculptures
The Kelpies: ancient myth in modern art
Design and make a winged sculpture
Search for wild things in art
Find animal, bird or insect-themed artworks for lesson planning.
Type the name of the wild thing you are interested in studying into the Art UK search box.
Amgueddfa Cymru / National Museum Cardiff
Amgueddfa Cymru has lots of fun animal-related activities to use in the classroom. Here is a selection of the activities that you can download from their website:
Create busy bee fingerprint art
Make your own wildlife decoder
Top tip! Use this 'Make a Zine' activity template for your The Wild Escape animal story!
Birmingham Museums
Explore urban nature with Birmingham Museums. Use these resource downloads to identify animals, birds and insects and their habitats.
Explore Urban Nature resources
Bristol Museums
Go back in time and meet some of the dinosaurs in Bristol Museums' collection.
Online exhibition: discover Doris the Pliosaurus
The British Museum
Discover artworks depicting animals, birds and insects from all around the world.
Read stories and explore animal-themed highlights from the British Museum's collection, and download their Natural World teaching resource for lesson and activity ideas.
Explore animals in the collection
Download classroom resource: the natural world
Derby Museums
There are lots of animal-themed resources on the Derby Museums website to inspire lesson plans or for lifelong learners to have a go at.
Children's activity pack
(Ages 5–11)
Take a quiz and find an animal friend!
(Ages 5–11)
Or find tips for drawing insects and birds in these video tutorials...
(Ages 13+ and adult learners)
Drawing for relaxation: insects
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Listen to animal stories inspired by the collection – and be inspired to write your own! (These resources are designed for the very young but can be enjoyed by all ages.)
The hedgehog that needed a rest
The story of the horse and the lion
The story of Vanessa and the butterfly
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Explore animals and their habitats with this resource from the Horniman Museum and Gardens. Use it to create a trail if you are visiting the museum or for learning about animals and their habitats in the classroom.
Explore the habitats resource
(All ages)
Imperial War Museum
Did you know that animals play an important role in wartime? Discover some real-life stories of amazing animals with these IWM resources.
Explore Amazing Animals resources
(Primary and secondary students)
Leeds Museums & Galleries
Explore wellbeing and creativity resources inspired by animals in Leeds museums and galleries. Activity ideas range from yoga poses inspired by animals to making a shadow puppet theatre.
ZSL London Zoo
Discover a wide range of fascinating science and art and design curriculum-linked animal activities for teaching in the classroom or at home. Learn about animal habitats and behaviour, explore ecosystems, design a zoo... and more!
Explore London Zoo teaching resources
(Primary, secondary, 16+ and SEND)
Discover facts about animals at London Zoo
(All ages)
National Army Museum
Read stories about remarkable animals and pets who have helped soldiers during wartime. Use these as lesson inspiration or download animal activities to use at home or in the classroom.
Download: mini mission animal adventures
(Ages 3–11)
Download: camouflage creature resource
(Ages 7–11)
The National Gallery
Discover animal and insect artworks and be inspired by a tiger-themed collage activity.
A creepy crawl through the collection
Create a jungle-inspired collage
National Museums Scotland
Find stories, activities and resources on the NMS website to help you explore a wide range of themes relating to animals, insects, birds and the wider natural world. Use the resources in the classroom, at home or as part of a museum visit.
Learning resources for schools
Reading Museum
Reading Museum's online activity cart has lots of animal-themed art activities and games that you can download and use in the classroom or at home.
Find activities in the animal activity cart
(Ages 4–11)
Tate
Discover animals in art and ideas for activities to use in your classroom with this Tate teaching resource.
Bird Swallowing a Fish
c.1913–1914 & cast 1964
Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891–1915) (posthumous cast)
