How many stripes do you see?
This activity will help build your child’s fine motor skills while learning more about zebras. Start off by introducing a book about zebras to your child to pique their curiosity. Then, it’s time to get crafty! Use tape to create stripes on a piece of paper and then have your child cut the paper into the shape of a zebra. Once finished, create a whole family of zebras or even create other animals with dots or stripes!
📚 Books to explore: How the Zebra Got Its Stripes by Justine Fontes; Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham; and On Beyond Zebra! by Dr. Seuss.
🦓 Count your findings. Take the time to count the stripes the zebra has.
🐅 Fun with a friend. Challenge your child to make another animal with stripes or dots.
Materials
For this activity you will need:
Safety scissors
Black tape
White paper
Markers
Learning Outcomes
Domain
Physical
Skills
Fine motor
Indicators:
Cutting paper with scissors
Instructions
Step 1:
Have your child tape down stripes on a white piece of paper.
Step 2:
When your child is happy with their stripes, have them cut out the shape of a zebra from the paper.
Step 3:
Draw on the eyes and add any final touches with a marker.
Step 4:
Enjoy!
⬆️ For older preschoolers: Let them do all of the steps on their own or create different types of animals.
⬇️ For younger toddlers: Pre-cut some tape pieces for your child then have your child direct you while you cut out the shape of a zebra.
Playful Questions
What other animal is like a zebra?
What noise do you think a zebra makes?
What colors are a zebra?
What do you think a zebra eats?
Where do zebras live in the wild?
