Young children are notorious for their interest in anything messy. Put this enthusiasm to use by creating a hand print forest. Use masking tape to attach a long sheet of white paper, 5 or more feet long, to a wall. Split the children into three groups, each representing a layer of the forest. Designate a distinct shade of green paint for each group. Paint the pupils' hands, one group at a time, and let them make their prints. Begin with the group representing the lowest layer of flora. The pupils in the last group may need to stand on a step to reach the top layer of the forest.
After a lesson addressing the different types of animals that live in tropical forests, have the pupils make puppets based on their favorite animals. Give the children brown paper bags and demonstrate how they can use their hands to make them “talk.” Pass around paper cutouts, markers, crayons, googly eyes and other craft supplies the pupils can use to decorate their puppets. After the activity, ask pupils to volunteer to show their puppets in front of the class. As they state the types of animals they chose, offer additional fun facts about forest animals.
To prepare for this activity, send a letter home to parents requesting empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes. Distribute at least one one tube to each pupil. Create work stations that include torn strips of green construction paper, glue sticks and crayons. Show the pupils how to glue green strips, or leaves, onto the tubes, or tree trunks. Line a shelf or cover a designated table with the trees to display your indoor tropical rain forest.
Discuss the many varieties of unusual birds that inhabit tropical forests, such as toucans, macaws and owls. Prepare a variety of simple bird silhouette paper cutouts and allow each pupil to pick his favorite. Set up work stations with glue sticks, craft feathers, glitter, markers and other colorful craft items. Punch a hole in the top of each paper bird. String yarn through the holes and hang the birds from the ceiling, allowing them to “fly” around the classroom.