Because of the strict standards set by the government of China, most zoos in the United States don't have giant pandas. Allow your students to have watch live video of the pandas on the San Diego Zoo's Panda Cam or at the Zoo Atlanta website, or watch brief videos of the pandas eating and playing. Kindergartners can better appreciate the giant pandas when they see how they react to their surroundings, eat bamboo and interact with their family members.
Kindergartners love craft time, especially crafts centered on animals that they are studying. Pass out printable coloring pages from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park that features a panda bear leaning against a tree or a cutout mask for the children to wear. Print the masks onto card stock, and cut one out for each child in your class. Attach each on a wooden craft stick for children to hold in front of their faces, or attach some stretchy string to the sides for a more traditional mask.
Although some animals and birds are found all over the world, other animals, such as the giant panda are only naturally found in one area. Show kindergartners a map of the world and point out where you live, and then point out where giant pandas come from, the mountain ranges of central China. Explain the climate and habitat of pandas, and explain why the rain and bamboo are so important to the giant pandas. Print out a map of China and let the kids color the area where pandas live.
Help kindergartners understand how large giant pandas are at maturity by bringing in physical examples. When giant pandas stand on all four legs, they are about 2 to 3 feet tall to their back (probably about the height of your kindergartner) and are about 6 feet tall when standing, about the height and weight of the average man. Draw a life-sized picture of a panda onto butcher paper and let the kids compare themselves to the drawing. Take photos of the kids next to the drawing so they can see just how big the giant panda is, and how small they are compared to it.