Programs for Kids
The NHSPCA Humane Education department has always worked hard to provide interesting, educational, and fun opportunities for youth to interact with animals and learn about respect, compassion, and kindness for all living things. While a new “normal” continues to evolve, our Humane Education team has been striving to develop opportunities in a variety of interactive ways. We are very excited to be able to offer new educational programming that will be available for a variety of students’ educational, financial, and social needs while practicing responsible Covid-19 restrictions.
While we realize we won’t be able to see as many young faces in person this year due to ongoing construction on our campus and the current pandemic, we look forward to connecting with all of our animal loving young friends to keep them actively involved in the happenings at the NHSPCA.
NHSPCA In Your Home
Are you presently homeschooling your children? The NHSPCA will visit you virtually and provide fun and educational Zoom meetings. With a variety of programs available, your family can stay in contact with the NHSPCA and the classroom pets in a safe and responsible way. Lessons can be tailored for children aged 5-12.
NHSPCA in the Classroom
Are you an educator, in person or teaching remotely, who is looking to engage your students with fun and educational animal-themed presentations? We have lessons available on a variety of topics or we can custom design a lesson specifically for your needs. We can also host Zoom meet-and-greets presentations with the Humane Ed classroom pets!
Birthday in a Box
Celebrate your birthday at home among your own small group of friends and family with a box full of birthday fun from your animal friends at the NHSPCA. Each box includes cat or dog themed paper plates, cups and napkins along with a colorful plastic table covering and forks. The birthday child will receive a cat or dog stuffed animal to adopt, a cardboard pet carrier, an Adoption Certificate and supplies to make a beaded collar for your adopted pet! (Stuffed animals can be added for guests for an additional fee.) Party guests will have fun wearing dog or cat headbands while playing Animal Bingo. You’ll also receive a link to hear one of our classroom pets sing Happy Birthday to you!
Reading with the Animals
We can’t invite anyone into the shelter to read to the animals right now but that doesn’t mean everyone has to miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Children in grades K-8 who can read at any level are invited to set up a Zoom meeting with an animal of your choice for a 30 minute read-aloud. The child chooses the animal and the book and we’ll get it all set up! This program helps children improve their reading skills while also helping the animals by providing socialization and human interaction. Many children struggle with reading at school and often feel reluctant to practice at home with a parent. An animal is a completely non-judgmental listener.
Storytime with the Animals
We can’t invite you and your children into our classroom to hear us read stories right now but you can still enjoy listening online! Every Thursday morning at 10:30am, we host an animal story time video on the NHSPCA Facebook page read by one of our humane educators. The stories are geared towards children 3 to 6 years old- although any age animal lover will enjoy them. There will also be a coloring page and/or activity for you to print out that complements the story. Watching and listening is free- although donations to help support this program is greatly appreciated!
Animal Pen Pals
Or should we say PetPals!? Do you need some practice writing friendly letters? Are you missing all the news at the NHSPCA? More likely, are you missing all the animals? You choose an animal in our Humane Ed classroom to correspond with and we’ll send you a letter telling all about that animal. When you write back to that animal, we will read your letter and then write back to you! Letters may be exchanged through either email or postal service. When you sign up and choose your animal petpal, you will also receive a trading card featuring that animal friend.
Animal Lovers Book Club
We will virtually meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6-6:45pm to discuss each half of the book we choose. The program will last for 3 months and will review 3 books. Books can be picked up at the NHSPCA to borrow, or get one at your local library, or purchase one for yourself. This club will be led by one of our Humane Educators. Each book discussion will be followed by a pet visit!
Minimum per session is 2 readers.