Live Programs and Classroom Resources
Bring the Smithsonian into your preschool or Head Start classroom! We explore popular Pre-K themes like colors, foods, homes, and more with live virtual field trips to the National Zoo and fun classroom activities.
Each 30-minute virtual field trip features music, movement, and amazing animals to introduce these topics. Then extend the learning with playful, easy-to-use activities from across the Smithsonian that meet early learning standards.
Community Helpers ›
In this field trip, children will learn about community helpers, who they are, and how they help take care of a community.
Community
Beaver, Meerkat, Western lowland gorilla
Music and Sound All Around ›
In this field trip, children will learn about the importance of music and sound for both people and animals. What sounds do animals make and why? What objects can make sounds, and how can you play them to create music?
Music and Sound
Siamang, Kunekune pig, Gorilla
Big, Small, Let's Measure Them All ›
In this field trip, children will practice identifying what is big, medium, and small. In addition, kids will become familiar with other measurement terms such as longer, shorter, taller, bigger, and smaller.
Size and Measurement
Asian elephant, Black and rufous elephant shrew
Happy Birthday! ›
Join us as we celebrate Head Start's birthday and America's 250th birthday!
Birthday
Bald eagle, California sea lion, Eastern screech owl
Recorded Programs and Resources
Three Cheers for Trees ›
During this field trip, children will explore the amazing qualities of trees and learn how they benefit both animals and humans every day, from providing shelter and food to serving as a useful material for various objects. It's a TREE-tastic program!
Trees
Two-toed sloth, Red-rumped agouti
Let's Celebrate! ›
Join the National Zoo as we celebrate Head Start's 60th birthday with the help of Giant pandas and meerkats! Discover how not only the zoo celebrates birthdays but also how people across the world celebrate special moments!
Celebrations
Panda, Meerkats
National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
IT-ATL 7; IT-ATL 8; IT-SE 13; IT-LC 11; IT-C 3; IT-PMP 6; IT-PMP 7; IT-PMP 8; P-ATL 11; P-ATL 13; P-SE 11; P-PMP 3
Colorful Creatures ›
What reptiles and amphibians are colorful? How do these animals use these colors to help them?
Color
Corn snake; Fiji island iguana
National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Asian Art, National Postal Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Gardens
IT-C 10; P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Healthy Teeth ›
Why do animals need teeth? How do they use their teeth? And how do they keep them healthy just like we do?
Teeth
Elephants, Sloth Bears
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
IT-PMP 9; P-PMP 4; P-SCI 1; P-SCI 2; P-SCI 3; P-SCI 6
Fancy Food ›
Food
Red ruffed lemur, California sea lion
National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Museum of American History; National Museum of Asian Art; National Museum of Natural History
IT-C 1; IT-C 3, IT-PMP 4; IT-PMP 11; P-SCI 2; P-PMP 1; P-PMP 5
Home Builders ›
How and why do animals and humans create a safe and comfortable home for themselves and their families?
Home
National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum
IT-SE 13; P-SE 11
Our Bodies and the Five Senses ›
How do the animals at our Kids' Farm keep their bodies healthy year-round?
Our Bodies and the Five Senses
National Portrait Gallery
Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Do Sea Lions Wear Sunglasses? ›
How do animals stay comfortable in different weather and habitats?
Weather and Space
National Air and Space Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Me, You, and Elephants, Too! ›
Join the herd as we learn about identity and community with our Asian elephants!
Identity and Community
National Postal Museum, National Museum of American History, National Portrail Gallery, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Pre-Math With Cheetahs ›
Counting with colorful creatures is the best way to learn pre-math concepts!
Early Math Concepts
National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
ELOF P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Happy Bird-Day, Head Start! ›
Celebrate Head Start's birthday with the flock-stars of the National Zoo: the flamingos! But wait, where's Pinky? Can you help us find her in the Zoo?
Elephant March ›
Can elephants do yoga? What about the hokey-pokey? Join in the fun with the National Zoo's Asian elephants.
Cats of All Kinds ›
Lions, tigers, spots, and stripes. Meet the cats of the National Zoo!
Small Mammal Sing-Along ›
What makes a mammal a mammal? Sherman the armadillo and Manny the tamandua help us sing, dance, and play as we learn!
Featured Resources
Head Start Asks the Smithsonian
Head Start classrooms nationwide asked us their questions about cats of all kinds. How loud is a lion's roar? Do big cats chase butterflies? Let's find out the answers with educators from across the Smithsonian!