December!
Inviting all Cheetah, Monkey, and llama lovers! Why not add some caring for animals and wildlife to all the sparkling and festive activities?
Tracking animals in snow
A woodland or park coated in snow is one of winter’s most magical images. Take a closer look at the footprints that animals leave as they move across the snow-covered grounds, and you might glimpse into the secretive lives of some animals there. Snow is great for revealing movements, but you can also find tracks in wet mud or sand.
Here is a link to different animal tracks in the snow.
International Cheetah Day 4th December
The cheetah is the fastest land animal. Spread awareness of this amazing animal as it races against extinction.
Running fast and keeping balance is not easy. Cheetahs have a clever body that helps them; their flat, long tail functions almost like a boat’s rudder.
National Llama Day – 9th December
Celebrate these charming, intelligent, and strong-willed members of the camel family. Llmas are domesticated animals that live in South America. They will tell their companions off by spitting at them, but they can form strong bonds with humans – there are even therapy llamas!
International Animal Rights Day – 10th December
Raise awareness about animal rights and ways to protect endangered species. This day coincides with Human Rights Day, so it is a great opportunity to discuss ways to combat cruelty and advocate for laws to protect all living things on Earth. Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). There are several animal rights declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.
International Monkey Day – 14th December
Explore all things simian (all animals traditionally called monkeys and apes, including tarsiers and lemurs.
Have a wonderful December!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.