Africa is home to many unique animals and amazing environments, ranging from wild jungles to open savannahs. Teaching this topic to young ESL learners aged 3-6 can be both fun and interesting. Below are some video resources and songs that you might find helpful. Remember to frequently pause the videos to elicit vocabulary and simplify the content for young learners if necessary. The videos are divided into three categories:

1. Educational Videos

2. Songs

3. Games and Quizzes

Educational Videos

Kiddopedia: African Animals Names and Sounds for Kids to Learn | Learning African Animal Names for Children

This video is fantastic for teaching kids the names and sounds of African animals! It's clear and free of distractions, making it perfect for building vocabulary. Kids also enjoy mimicking the animal sounds while learning their names.

English Paradise Kids: African Animals for Children with pronunciation (and videos)

Similar to the previous video, this one showcases African animals without the accompanying sounds. Kids enjoy seeing the animals in their natural habitats and learning their names.

PlayfulPalsTube: JUNGLE & SAVANNA ANIMALS FOR KIDS|KIDS LEARNING|KID FRIENDLY LEARNING ANIMALS

While this video isn't specifically about African animals since it includes a tiger, it's still a useful resource packed with fascinating facts about a variety of incredible creatures.

Next Generation Science: African Savannah – Virtual Field Trip

Although the language may be complex for young learners, this video is still useful for introducing the savannah and Africa. You can pause the video to highlight the visuals and elicit the names of the animals and places being shown. Even if they don't fully understand the language, the video still provides a great learning opportunity.

Happy Okapi - ABC Phonics and Educational Videos: AFRICA for Kids: Interesting facts about Africa

Similar to the previous video, this one uses language that may be too complex for most young ESL learners. However, it's still useful for showcasing Africa. You can pause the video to simplify and highlight important aspects like "This is Africa," "Africa is big," "Africa has rivers," and "Africa has jungles." Using this video and these pauses to explain provide opportunities to introduce key vocabulary and concepts in a more accessible way.

Twinkl Education Publishing: What Animals live in the Savannah? | African Savannah Animals for Kids

Similar to the previous video, the language may be complicated for young learners to understand. but with the visuals, you can pause and simplify. 

Twinkl Education Publishing: What Animals live in the Savannah? Part 2 | More African Savannah Animals for Kids

Part 2 of the previous video! Woohoo!

Songs

Kidomind: African Safari Animals Song | Wild Animals Names and Sounds | African Safari Animals Vocabulary

This song should be played along with the video. I really enjoy this song and video because it combines listening to animal sounds with a visual game that kids love to play. The melody is repetitive and catchy, making it easy for young learners to follow along.

Lingokids Songs and Playlearning :SAVANNAH SONG For Kids | Animals Songs For Kids | Lingokids

Another fun song with lots of opportunity to mimic animal sounds with actions!

Dream English Kids: Word Power - Safari Animals - Dream English Kids

This video includes mostly African animals, with one or two exceptions. Like all Dream English songs, it is simple, catchy, and excellent for building ESL sentences. The repetitive melody is great for young learners.

Dream English Kids: What Do You See? Song | Wild Animals | Learn English Kids

Can't go too wrong with Dream English for simple catchy melodies for young ESL learners. I like to place flashcards around the classroom and have kids point to them as we sing the song with claps and actions. Although this song includes a tiger and a kangaroo, which are not specifically African animals, most of the animals featured are from Africa.

Pinkfong: This Is the Savanna | Animal Songs | Pinkfong Songs for Children

A short, fun song with some catchy "na na na na" parts that kids will love!

Molly Kidz TV: Safari - My Fun Day | Animal Song For Kids

A fun and nice song, but a little more difficult than the other songs.

Games and Quizzes

Kiddopedia: Show me the AFRICAN ANIMAL Game for Kids - Where is the animal?

Simple and clear. This video is great for kids to play along and find the animals. Remember to pause and repeat the names of the animals being mentioned, giving the kids time to answer.

Kiddos World TV: Guess the Animal Game and Learning to Count Animals

A fun game that's perfect for young learners! Guess the hidden animal from a small moving circle that reveals only a part of the hidden animal. The game also includes some counting to 10!

Fun Time With Soso: Guess The Jungle Animal Sound with Soso

Animal sound guessing games are excellent for young learners. Combining multi-sensory learning—auditory with visual elements—can be a powerful educational tool.

TLC English Learning: African Animals Guessing Game

Guess the African animal from the silhouette being drawn! Kids love to guess before the silhouette has been fully drawn!