Penguin Awareness Day!

Edward Adrian Wilson (1872–1912)
Plate 1 from ‘National Antarctic Expedition.
1903-1904

I’m a day late but I just found out that yesterday was Penguin Awareness Day! Yet, I was also a bit ahead of myself as a few weeks ago we celebrated penguins at the Whales, Tales and Sails program at the New Bedford Whaling Historic Park.

We had a great time! I wore black and white that day and of course we had a penguin parade, waddling like penguins and hopping from ice flow to ice flow.  Here are some of the fun things we did that day. I located these songs and fingerplays on many sites throughout the Internet, without attribution. Feel free to use them in your work.


FINGERPLAYS/ACTION RHYMES

I used this along with a flannel board. The children had fun counting along.

Six Little Penguins

Six little penguins off an iceberg did dive,

One bumped his head and then there were five.

Five little penguins swam the ocean floor,

One saw a whale, and then there were four.

Four little penguins twirled around, WHEE!

One spun off and then there were three.

Three little penguins with nothing to do,

One went fishing and then there were two.

Two little penguins having lots of fun,

One slid away and then there was one.

One little penguin when the day was done,

Went home to sleep and then there was none.

SONG

Penguin Action Song (Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a little penguin (penguin walk)

In the sea (arms make waves)
I can swim (pretend to swim)
As fast as can be (faster)
When I catch a fish (pretend to grab a fish)
Just look at me

I’m as proud as can be (stand up proudly)

I’m a little penguin (penguin walk)

On the ice (point to ground)
I think cold (point to head)
Is very nice (wrap arms around chest)
Then I hop around first once, (hop)
Then twice (hope twice)
Yes, I think ice is very nice (nod head & smile)

Waddling Penguins

Penguins, penguins having fun.
Waddling in the winter sun.
Waddling fast and waddling slow.
Waddling to and waddling fro.
Penguins, penguins having fUn,
Waddling in the winter sun.

STORY STRETCHERS

If You’re a Penguin and You Know It (Tune: If You’re Happy and You know It)

If you’re a penguin and you know it flap your wings (flap your wings)

If you’re a penguin and you know it flap your wings
If you’re a penguin and you know and you really want to show it
If you’re a penguin and you know it flap your wings!

If you’re a penguin and you know it waddle your feet (waddle around)

If you’re a penguin and you know it eat a fish (yum yum)
If you’re a penguin and you know it go for a swim (swimming motions)
If you’re a penguin and you know it splash around (splashing motions)

BOOKS

Little Penguin’s Tale by Audrey Wood – The children loved this story, filled with vibrant illustrations.
https://www.booksource.com/products/little-penguins-tale__0152474765.aspx

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence Atwater
https://parnassusbooks.net/book/9780316058438

Brightly – Chill Out with these 8 Endearing Books About Penguins  https://www.readbrightly.com/kids-books-about-penguins/

Books About Penguins for Preschool    
https://playtolearnpreschool.us/books-about-penguins/

Goodreads – Picture Books with Penguins 
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/723.Picture_Books_with_Penguins

CRAFTS

The Best Ideas for Kids – 15 Adorable Penguin Crafts for Kids
https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/penguin-crafts/

Penguin Craft made
during lapsit program

Freekidscrafts.com – This was the penguin craft the children made. It was so cute and easy for them to do. This craft is no longer on the freekidscrafts website, but I was able to find the template on the Wayback Machine. Here is the link. 
https://web.archive.org/web/20120204163855/http://www.freekidscrafts.com/egg_shaped_penguin-e204.html

ColoringPages101.com – Ninety-five penguin coloring pages. You are sure to find something you love!
https://www.coloringpages101.com/search/PENGUINS    

DLTK-Kids.com – Penguin Toilet Paper Roll Craft
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mpenguin.html

Kidzone – Penguin activities, facts, and photos.   
https://www.kidzone.ws/animals/penguins/index.htm

CURRICULUM

National Geographic for Kids
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/search?q=PENGUINS&location=srp&type=manual

Penguin Activities and Videos for Kindergarten and First Grade  
https://deannajump.com/penguin-activities/

Sciencekids.com.nz – Animal facts: Fun penguin facts for kids.  https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/penguin.html

RECIPES

Marshmallow Penguins
https://www.eatsamazing.co.uk/christmas/christmas-treat-recipes/marshmallow-penguins-fun-food-tutorial

Penguin Slice and Bake Cookies
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/penguin-slice-and-bake-cookies-4531396

SONGS

19 Penguin Songs for Preschoolers
https://preschooleducation.com/songs/penguin-songs-for-preschoolers/

Penguins Songs and Rhymes – Wonderful PDF file filled with fun.
https://www.srsd119.ca/departments/teacherinformation/SSS/PreK%20Info/Penguins.pdf

SOMETHING EXTRA

Penguin Webcam via the California Academy of Science – Have fun watching the delightful creatures throughout the day.
https://www.calacademy.org/learn-explore/animal-webcams/live-penguin-cams

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links. At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2013 (Updated 2026) ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper, is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com  or karenchace.stories@gmail.com .  Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I appreciate your support and personal integrity.