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National Penguin Day (January 20): A Fun & Cozy Way to Learn About Penguins

January 20 is National Penguin Day, and it’s the perfect excuse to slow down, cozy up, and spend some time learning about one of the most fascinating animals on Earth — penguins.

Penguins have a way of capturing kids’ attention instantly. From their waddling walk to their incredible ability to survive extreme cold, these flightless birds are full of surprises. Whether you celebrate for a single day or stretch the fun into a full week, penguins make an engaging winter learning theme for all ages.



Make It a Penguin Movie Night

One of the easiest ways to kick off National Penguin Day is with a movie night. Curl up with blankets and let your kids see penguins in action.

Two wonderful options:

  • March of the Penguins A breathtaking documentary that follows emperor penguins through their incredible journey — including the unforgettable moment when fathers balance eggs through the Antarctic winter.

  • March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step A family-friendly sequel that continues exploring penguin life, resilience, and survival in a way that’s accessible for kids.Only available on Hulu as of now though.


These films naturally spark curiosity and questions — the perfect bridge into deeper learning.


Read-Alouds That Bring Penguins to Life


I love pairing our learning with good books — especially in the winter when curling up together feels extra cozy. For National Penguin Day, a mix of storybooks and nonfiction works really well, giving kids both wonder and real understanding.


A few favorites to have on hand:


  • Mr. Popper’s Penguins — A classic that’s lighthearted and memorable, perfect for read-aloud time.

  • The Emperor’s Egg — A gentle, true look at how emperor penguins care for their egg during the harsh Antarctic winter.

  • March of the Penguins: A Penguin’s Story —  The official children’s companion to the documentary, this book retells the emperor penguins’ life cycle and incredible Antarctic journey in clear, child-friendly language, making it a lovely bridge between watching the film and deeper learning.

  • Penguins! — A solid nonfiction choice filled with real photographs and fascinating facts for curious learners.

  • Tacky the Penguin — Always a hit, and a sweet reminder that being different can be a gift.

These books naturally lead to great conversations — about habitats, family life, and how penguins are perfectly designed for the environments they live in.


Penguins of the World Unit Study


If you want to go beyond a movie and a few books and really sink into penguin learning without any stress, our Penguin Unit Study does exactly that. It’s thoughtfully designed so families can enjoy one theme together — from early learners through older kids — without separate lesson plans for every age.



Here’s what makes it unique:

  • Family-friendly learning that works for multiple ages at once

  • Real science content written in warm, inviting language

  • A delightful mix of information, hands-on exploration, and literacy activities

  • Activities that gently progress from basic skills (like tracing and matching) to deeper learning (habitats, anatomy, species study)

  • Designed to feel calm, meaningful, and truly enjoyable — not rushed or stressful

This unit is something you can come back to year after year, savoring all the things that make penguins fascinating.


What You’ll Find Inside (55 Pages!)


Penguin Science & Nature

• What Is a Penguin?

• Where Penguins Live (with a map activity)

• Penguin Anatomy pages

• How Penguins Stay Warm

• Penguin Life Cycle activities


• Fun Facts about penguins

Penguin Species Study

• Penguins of the World poster

• Flash cards & species spotlight pages

• Research & animal report pages


Literacy & Language Arts

• Early reader pages

• Gentle copywork

• Penguin-themed tracing and word work


Math, Games & Early Learning

• Counting and number practice

• Memory and puzzle pages

• Fine-motor tracing and coloring






Whether you pair a penguin movie night with read-aloud books or spend a week exploring penguin science together, National Penguin Day gives you an excuse to make winter learning feel warm and meaningful. Grab your blankets, some good books, and let those curious minds waddle into wonder.

 
 
 

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