Create a template, using only heart shapes of varying sizes, for children to cut out and form their penguin. Draw a heart for the main body of the penguin; a slightly smaller one for his white, stomach area; a small heart for his feet; two hearts whose points will form the penguin's wings; a heart for his head; and a heart for his beak. Draw all the heart shapes on a piece of paper, along with a representation of what the assembled penguin will look like. Photocopy the templates and distribute with child safe scissors, glue and a piece of construction paper for the students to assemble their penguin. This activity is ideal for the Valentine's Day season.
Dip each child's bare foot into a washable paint in the color of her choice. Press her foot onto a piece of paper to form the main body of the penguin (the heel will be the top, head area and the toes the bottom). Wash off the child's foot and allow the painting to dry. Once dry, supply the child with feathers, googly eyes, a felt triangle for a beak and glue so she can complete the footprint penguin.
Draw a large P on a piece of paper along with the word "penguin." Next to the P draw a basic, penguin shape that the students can later color. Add a background into the picture as well, such as a winter wonderland. Throughout the picture, work in more drawings of the letter P. Distribute copies of the work sheet to the class and ask them to color the image and to also circle all of the letter Ps that they find.
Cut a potato in half and distribute a half potato to each child in the class. Provide each child with a piece of construction paper along with flat trays of washable paints. Instruct the children to use the flat side of the potato as a stamp to form the penguin body. They can add details to the penguin, such as the beak, eyes, feet and wings to the basic shape as well.