15 Tacky the Penguin Activities Kids Will Love After Storytime

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Looking for fun ways to extend storytime after reading about Tacky? This collection of Tacky the Penguin activities helps bring the book beyond the page with hands-on ideas, simple printables, and playful games that naturally connect to the story.

You’ll find options for preschoolers through early elementary kids, making these activities easy to use in the classroom or at home. If you’re planning a themed unit or looking for related ideas, be sure to explore these penguin activities as well for additional extensions and playful learning opportunities.

Collage of children’s craft activities themed around Tacky the Penguin, including paper penguin letter games, a dot marker activity sheet, painted silhouette reindeer, and a sensory bin with penguin figurines and a Tacky book.

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Tacky the Penguin Ideas

Tacky the penguin finished examples two versions

Paper Tacky the Penguin

Kids can make their own silly penguin pal inspired by Tacky's story using a simple template and basic supplies. Children cut and glue pieces of colorful construction paper to assemble a penguin, then decorate it with markers to give Tacky his signature bright shirt and bow tie.

Best of all, it requires only paper, glue, and creativity, making this activity an easy way to celebrate what makes Tacky unique.

www.stirthewonder.com

Tacky the Penguin Sensory Bin

Extend the story beyond the book with a penguin sensory bin full of arctic fun. Fill a container with “snowy” materials, such as cotton balls or crinkled paper, and add some penguin toys so kids can explore different textures.

This playful, hands-on activity lets children use their senses and imagination to connect with Tacky's world after reading the story.

Related: Penguin Color By Numbers

fun-a-day.com

Ice and Penguin Shape Sorting Mats

Printable penguin shape mats turn shape practice into a playful winter game. Each cute penguin shows a different shape, helping kids match circles, squares, triangles, and more in a fun Arctic scene.

After reading about Tacky, families can use this activity to continue the penguin theme while incorporating a bit of shape learning.

Also try: Penguin Tracing Worksheets

iheartcraftythings.com

Paper Tacky the Penguin

Little penguin fans will enjoy dressing up their own paper penguin inspired by Tacky's silly style. Using a printable template, kids cut out a penguin from cardstock and personalize it by adding a wild patterned shirt and a bow tie made of fun scrapbook paper.

Googly eyes and hand-drawn buttons bring their penguin to life, making this project an entertaining way to celebrate Tacky's goofy charm.

Related: Penguin Activity Sheets

crystalandcomp.com

Tacky the Penguin Printables

Bringing Tacky to life beyond the book, this printable activity pack offers a variety of fun, educational pages. It includes activities such as coloring sheets, connect-the-dot puzzles, and word tracing that allow kids to engage with the story in a hands-on way.

Children will have a blast coloring Tacky and his friends while practicing early skills, blending learning with play after story time.

Also try: Penguin Do A Dots

Penguin Worksheets

Keep the learning going with a collection of free penguin worksheets that make practice fun. Kids can work on tracing, matching, counting, and more with cheerful penguin pals on each page.

They're an easy add-on after reading Tacky the Penguin, helping reinforce early skills in a playful, on-theme way.

www.schooltimesnippets.com

Making Patterns with Tacky the Penguin

Little ones create colorful patterns by giving each penguin a bow tie in this clever hands-on math activity. Using a free printable and mini bow ties made from pipe cleaners, kids can practice sequencing patterns (like ABAB) on cute paper penguin cards, just like Tacky and his friends wear.

It's a playful blend of storytime and early math skills that keeps children engaged and thinking creatively after reading the book.

Related: Penguin Paper Strip Craft

fun-a-day.com

Penguin Sensory Bin (with Instant Snow)

Setting up a penguin sensory bin is an easy way to create a mini Arctic world for kids. Just add some instant snow (or a pile of cotton balls) and a few little penguin toys to a bin, and children can make their penguins “slide” on the snow or “swim” in a pretend icy pond.

This simple, hands-on play extends the winter fun of Tacky's story into a tactile and imaginative experience.

Also try: Penguin Math Worksheets

thewiseowlfactory.com

Printable for Three Cheers for Tacky

A free printable activity for Three Cheers for Tacky keeps the fun going beyond the initial read-aloud. It might include a word game or a quick writing prompt that encourages kids to recall story details or cheer on Tacky in their own words.

After enjoying the book, this is an easy way to get children thinking about the story's themes while having a bit of extra fun.

Related: Puffy Paint Penguin Craft

homeschoolpreschool.net

Feed the Penguin Game

Turn learning letters into a playtime adventure by “feeding” a hungry penguin. In this DIY game, kids drop paper fish (each labeled with a letter) into a penguin's mouth, practicing the alphabet as they play.

Children will be excited to help a penguin gobble up letters, making this activity a fun extension of Tacky's story time that combines movement with learning.

Also try: Penguin Handprint Craft

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Giant Stick Macaroni Penguins

Using jumbo sticks and a few other supplies, kids can create an adorable macaroni penguin (a real penguin species with funky yellow feathers). The project utilizes simple materials, such as felt for flippers and beaks, googly eyes for added personality, and even bits of newspaper to create a unique, textured belly for the penguin.

After reading about Tacky, making a macaroni penguin is a terrific way to introduce children to a different kind of penguin and continue the fun.

www.craftplaylearn.com

Paper Penguin and Writing Activity

After enjoying Tacky's story, children can create their own paper penguin and even write about their new feathered friend. They'll use a printable template to cut and glue a cute penguin, then practice early writing by adding a short story or description about their character.

The combination of art and writing makes this a significant extension of the penguin theme, blending art with literacy in a meaningful way.

Also try: Yarn Penguin Craft

www.naturalbeachliving.com

Penguin Emotions and Feelings Activity

Help little ones explore feelings with an adorable set of penguin emotion cards. Each card features a penguin with a distinct expression (happy, sad, silly, etc.), allowing kids to practice naming and understanding a range of emotions.

Use them after reading Tacky the Penguin to talk about how the characters felt and help children connect those feelings to the cute penguin faces.

Related: Torn Paper Penguin Craft

booksandgiggles.com

Penguin Hats (with Fun Facts)

Let kids become penguins with a free printable crown activity that also teaches fun facts. Children color and assemble their own penguin headband, and they'll discover five cool penguin facts printed on it as they put it together.

After hearing Tacky's tale, this wearable art is a perfect way to keep the penguin excitement going while sneaking in a bit of science learning.

Also try: Penguin Photo Craft

www.livinglifeandlearning.com

Penguin Sensory Bin

Create a mini Antarctic adventure with a simple penguin sensory bin using basic household materials. Fill a tub with cotton balls for snow and a bowl of water (or blue beads) for the sea, then add some toy penguins for swimming and sliding fun.

This imaginative play setup is a fantastic follow-up to Tacky the Penguin, letting kids continue the penguin fun through hands-on exploration.

Related: Paper Cup Penguin Craft

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

19 Fun Snowman Activities For Kids
25+ Winter Animal Activities for Kids to Learn and Play
41 Adorable Winter Animal Crafts For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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