Now you can bring home the love of animals with FREE teaching guides from Disneynature.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher like I am, or suddenly find yourself thrust into the world of finding educational resources to use at home with your own family, all children love learning about animals and thanks to Disneynature, you can make that passion come alive right from your own home with these FREE Teaching Guides From Disneynature.
I’ve put together some of my very favorite Disneynature educational materials which include curriculum, lesson plans and fun activities that can be used in conjunction with the Disneynature series of films as well as continue the viewing experience for families and students while inspiring a desire to protect the planet through connections to nature.
The best part is that many of the Disneynature movies are available right now thanks to Disney+. Add to that the free animal cams that you can also access for free all without ever having to leave the house, and you have the perfect way to make the magic of learning about animals come alive for you and your family.
Disneynature was announced on April 21, 2008, a day before Earth Day, with a starting slate of seven films. Walt Disney was a driving force in combining a love of animals and education and incorporating them early on into his animated films and later into the Disney Parks.
Prior to the creation of Disneynature; Bambi (1942) featured forest life and was a hit. From 1948 through 1960, the company produced the True-Life Adventures series, which won several Academy Awards. Outside of film work, Disney parks were involved with one of the original opening attractions at Disneyland in 1955 with the World Famous Jungle Cruise and the addition of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at
Walt Disney World, making it possible for guests to experience animals first hand through a wide variety of mediums truly was a fulfillment of Walt’s dream when he said: “I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things… ”
Here’s our collection that will help you to bring home the love of animals with FREE teaching guides from Disneynature along with a wide variety of activity packets to help you to extend the learning for you and your family. Simply right-click to download them for FREE right to your own computer and let the learning begin:
Earth
An epic story of adventure, starring some of the most magnificent and courageous creatures alive, awaits you on Earth. Disneynature brings you a remarkable story, narrated by James Earl Jones,
of three animal families on a journey across our planet – polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales.
Oceans
Journey into the depths of a wonderland filled with mystery, beauty, and power. Oceans is a spectacular story, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, about remarkable creatures under the sea.
It’s an unprecedented look at the lives of these elusive deepwater creatures through their own eyes. Incredible state-of-the-art-underwater filmmaking will take your breath away as you migrate with whales, swim alongside a great white shark and race with dolphins at play.
Wings of Life
Wings of Life is a stunning adventure full of intrigue, drama and mesmerizing beauty. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a
celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible – and increasingly threatened – creatures.
African Cats
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor, and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna.
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit, and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons.
Chimpanzee
Journey deep into the African rainforest and meet Oscar, an adorable young chimp with an entertaining approach to life, and a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds.
The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps who love creating mayhem. Full of curiosity, a zest for discovery, joy and a love for mimicking others, Oscar — and his family — navigate the complex territory of the forest. It’s an inspiring and life-changing adventure, narrated by Tim Allen, that overflows with courage and charm that will capture your heart.
Bears
Showcasing a year in the life of a bear family — mother Sky teaches her two impressionable cubs, Amber and Scout, about life’s most important lessons.
Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop, their journey begins as winter ends. Emerging from hibernation, the three face the bitter cold and an exciting but very risky outside world. Astonishing footage captures the fast-moving action and suspense of an endearing family learning to live life to its fullest in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses.
Monkey Kingdom
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in Monkey Kingdom, Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities – and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world.
When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Born In China
With “Born In China”, Disneynature, in its ongoing quest to bring the natural world to the big screen as never before, presented its most ambitious project to date, taking moviegoers on a grand journey into the wilds of China.
“Born In China” follows the adventures of three animal families — the majestic panda, the savvy golden monkey and the elusive snow leopard. Featuring stunning imagery, the film navigates the vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of a red-crowned crane, showcasing remarkably intimate family moments captured on film for the first time ever.
Penguins
“Penguins” is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.
None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he’s targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.
Dolphin Reef And Elephant
And just in time to help kick-off the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Disney+ is introducing not one but two new movies to the Disneynature series featuring two unforgettable journeys with Disneynature’s Elephant, narrated by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, and Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef, narrated by Natalie Portman, on April 3, only on Disney+ that showcase two incredible stories that showcase just how far family can take you.
“Elephant” follows African elephant Shani and her spirited son Jomo as their herd makes an epic journey hundreds of miles across the vast Kalahari Desert. Led by their great matriarch, Gaia, the family faces brutal heat, dwindling resources, and persistent predators, as they follow in their ancestor’s footsteps on a quest to reach a lush, green paradise.
“Dolphin Reef” dives under the sea to frolic with some of the planet’s most engaging animals: dolphins. Created with Disneynature’s signature storytelling style, the film introduces Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin who can’t quite decide if it’s time to grow up and take on new responsibilities. Dolphin society is tricky, and the coral reef that Echo and his family call home depend on all of its inhabitants to keep it healthy. But Echo has a tough time resisting the many adventures the ocean has to offer.
Please take a moment to appreciate our planet and the beauty all around us. From icy glaciers and desert plains to coral reefs and rainforests, this world is truly an incredible place. And thanks to Disneynature, we get a close-up look at some of the planet’s most magnificent species and their habitats.
What animals would you like to see added next to the Disneynature series and what is your favorite way to introduce and bring home the love of learning about animals with our free teaching guides from Disneynature?
Gayle is an educator, storyteller and lifelong learner with a passion for spontaneous travel. Here you’ll find practical tips and creative hacks with the hope of helping you to create your own extraordinary life experiences - without breaking the bank.
Prior to the creation of Disneynature; Bambi (1942) featured forest life and was a hit. From 1948 through 1960, the company produced the True-Life Adventures series, which won several Academy Awards. Outside of film work, Disney parks were involved with one of the original opening attractions at Disneyland in 1955 with the World Famous Jungle Cruise and the addition of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in Monkey Kingdom, Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities – and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world.
Led by their great matriarch, Gaia, the family faces brutal heat, dwindling resources, and persistent predators, as they follow in their ancestor’s footsteps on a quest to reach a lush, green paradise.
