Owls are fascinating creatures! We have a few that live in our neighborhood and I always am in awe of their wingspan as they swoop down from a tree. This post includes owl crafts, owl activities, and owl books for kids. In addition, I included some fun facts about owls! Enjoy!
List of Nocturnal Animals
Just for fun, I thought I’d provide a list of nocturnal animals. I did the research for my nocturnal / diurnal animal sort. So, I thought I’d share it with you!
List of Nocturnal Animals
- Racoon
- Kangaroo
- Owl
- Bat
- Badger
- Green Sea Turtle
- Snowshoe Hare
- Coyote
- Beaver
- Cat
- Cougar
- Koala
- Red Fox
- Tarantula
- Hyena
- Honey Badger
- Leopard
This list of nocturnal animals is not exhaustive! It is meant to give you a starting point. A site such as wikipedia and animalsake have loads of information.
Fun Facts About Owls
The more I study owls, the more obsessed I become with the nocturnal animal. So, here are a few facts to get your juices flowing! I researched these owl facts on the web but also with numerous owl books!
Did you know…
200+ species of owls exist in our world
A group of owls is called a parliament
Many have asymmetrical ears located at different heights on the owls head
Owls don’t have true “eyeballs.” Instead, they have tube-shaped eyes that are completely immobile
The Northern Hawk Owl can detect mainly by sight a tint vole up to half a mile away
Barn Owls swallow their prey (lots and lots of mice) whole.
Owls have flat faces and big eyes.
Owls are…
…nocturnal and solitary by nature
…have binocular vision, which means that their two eyes have overlapping fields of view, allowing a good perception of depth, much better than humans.
…can rotate their necks 270 degrees
…predators of other owls. For example, the Great Horned Owl is the top predator of the Barred Owl.
…zygodactyl, which means their feet have two forward-facing toes and two backward-facing toes. Owls can pivot one of their back toes forward to help them grip and walk. Not all zygodactyl animals can pivot in this way.
…famous for their hoots! However, not all owls hoot. For example, Barn Owls make hissing sounds, the Eastern Screech-Owl whinnies like a horse, and Saw-whet Owls sound like, well, an old whetstone sharpening a saw.
(Source: Audubon)
Songs about Owls
Educational Videos about Owls
What Makes Owls So Quiet and So Deadly?
Owl – A Funny Owls And Cute Owls Compilation
Owl Books for Kids
This list of books about owls includes fiction and non-fiction for toddlers and preschoolers’ learning enjoyment!
Who Cooks for You?
‘Who, who, who cooks for you?’ I remember my mother saying this when I was a child. We used to walk the trails in our woods, finding owl pellets, and imagining the majestic owls that prowled the dark sky while we were sleeping. This sweet story is about a little howl who is actually hungry and looking for someone to help him.
Owl Moon
Owl Moon makes a great bedtime story. It is a peaceful story of a father and his daughter connecting on a midnight walk through the woods. With the glowing snow and light of the moon, the forest becomes magic for a little girl. Great memories are made from the sound of a great owl ruling the woods at night.
Owls of The World: A Photographic Guide
This is a great non-fiction owl book! The photos are majestic and fun to browse. It also is extremely informative on the types of owls and giving a wealth of information on each. Perfect for adults and children.
The Barn Owls
By now you probably get the idea that I think owls are pretty amazing. Here is another romantic story, telling the life cycle of barn owls. For 100 years this owl, his family, and their ancestors have called this barn home. Making their life in the barn and hunting for food in the fields. This story sparks curiosity about the life of owls.
Molly the Owl: The True Story of a Common Barn Owl That Ends Up Being Not So Common After All
Being able to observe the lives of an owl family is not a common occurrence. Owls are very mysterious and generally prefer not to be watched. With so much mystery behind it, this true story of an owl family captivates the reader. I love this book. It is a beautiful story of family and love.
Owl Babies
Perfect beginning of school yearbook for kids! This adorable story with flourishing illustrations engages kids and adults! This book helps young children remember that mama always returns and she is always there. By the way, you have to check out this Owl Babies picture book animation!
Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
The Frog and Toad series holds a special place in my heart and my memories. So, I had to include Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel!
Owl Crafts & Activities
To accompany this list of children’s books below is a list of fantastic owls crafts and activities!
Upcycled Sweater Owl Babies
I love this activity for practical life work using the Owl Babies book. What a wonderful extension to the sewing sequence. If your kid really likes sewing, he might also enjoy this pumpkin sewing activity!
Snowy Owl Pine Cones
One of my favorite all-time children’s books is Owl Babies! This accompanying pinecone owl craft activity really solidifies the message of the book for kids. With cotton balls as your main material, it is a great fine motor activity as well!
Origami Owls
Preschoolers and beyond love origami and papercrafts, generally! I thought these decorated origami owls were so cute! It is an easy craft and generally mess-free. Origami is a relaxing and brain-stimulating activity.
Paper Owl Stick Puppets
I am a big fan of simple paper crafts that are open-ended and have a ton of room or creativity and variability! This owl paper craft stick puppets are just that! All you need is a variety of paper and your craft supplies.
Easy Stuffed Owls
There is a little extra fun in finding creative uses for things already in your house! This owl craft is another great fine motor activity with the cutting practice, gluing, and practicing to use of a stapler!
DIY Owl Costume
For any little owl lovers that need a new costume for their dress-up box! At $5 and simple, it is also the perfect Halloween costume.
Night Owl Painting
Many kids like to paint, but what I specifically like about this owl painting idea was teaching about night time. It would be a great activity to accompany learning about owls at night what nocturnal means.
Quilling Owl Craft
I’ve mentioned that a few of these activities are very fine motor friendly, so here is yet another owl activity to that point! It is true though that art is a fantastic activity for fine motor development!
Owl Corner Bookmark
Another owl origami activity! These adorable owl bookmarks were just too cute to pass up!
Stone & Shell Owl Craft
Saving the best for last! At least this is my favorite! I love the use of natural materials to make a craft. For this activity, you can start by scavenging outside for the perfect sticks and rocks to make owls.
Owl Paper Craft
I love this owl paper craft activity because it works fine motor skills AND each owlet has its own personality. What a fun activity for preschoolers!
I hope you enjoyed the ideas! For more fall fun, check out The Life Cycle of a Pumpkin – Fall Paper Plate Activity for Kids, and Super Awesome Skeleton Activities for Preschoolers! Oh, and check out 12 Super Fun & Absolutely Easy Zoology Activities for Kids for loads of ideas!
Marnie
P.S. I am obsessed with these owl coloring books for adults & kids! Check them out!!