Are You A Lion: Sensory Story

A Lion Themed Dressing Up Sensory Story

Are you a lion is one of our dressing up sensory stories. Unlike our full sensory stories there is limited narrative. The idea is for during the story the individual becomes the Lion. You read the line then offer the item. Consent is really important. Allow the individual to indicate acceptance of the item before putting it on them. You can easily adapt this to use resources and materials you have available. It can be used with PMLD, EYFS or SLD learners. It would be a brilliant addition to playing a game of sleeping lions.

Are You a Lion?

You might be a lion if you have…
A golden mane that flows
(Wear a yellow wig or mane headband)

You might be a lion if you have…
Big padded paws
(Slip on some furry gloves)

You might be a lion if you have…
Soft tawny fur all over
(Wrap yourself in a brown or tan blanket)

You might be a lion if you have…
Eyes that twinkle bright
(Put on some fun lion eye stickers)

You might be a lion if you have…
A long swishy tail
(Attach a tail to your pants or belt)

You might be a lion if you have…
A loud roaring voice
(Use a toy microphone or big mack to roar)

You might be a lion if you have…
Sharp white teeth
(Wear some play teeth or use paper cutouts)

You might be a lion if you have…
A big wet nose
(Stick on a black nose sticker)

You might be a lion if you have…
Strong sturdy legs
(Step into some knee pads or leg warmers)

You might be a lion if you have…
Mighty, furry feet
(Put on some fuzzy slippers)

ROAR, You are a Lion!!

Resources for Dressing Up as a Lion:

• Yellow Wig or Mane Headband: Create a lion’s mane using a wig or headband with yarn.
• Furry Gloves: Use gloves to mimic the padded paws of a lion.
• Brown or Tan Blanket: A simple way to create the appearance of a lion’s fur.
• Lion Eye Stickers: Craft or buy stickers to represent sparkling lion eyes.
• Lion Tail: Easily attachable tails can be found or made with yarn and felt.
• Toy Microphone: Amplify your roar with a fun toy microphone.
• Play Teeth or Paper Cutouts: Use these for a fierce lion’s smile.
• Black Nose Sticker: A small sticker or face paint can create a lion’s nose.
• Knee Pads or Leg Warmers: These can emulate the strong legs of a lion.
• Fuzzy Slippers: Perfect for recreating the lion’s mighty feet.

Download Are You a Lion Story as a free PDF.

Extension Lion Activities for EYFS

The children absolutely love this story, so why not keep the lion magic going? Here are five brilliant follow-up activities that work beautifully:

1. Lion Art Gallery Get messy with golden handprint manes! Press little hands into yellow and orange paint, then stamp around a lion face drawn on paper. The children adore seeing their handprints become flowing manes. You could also try fork painting for texture – just dip plastic forks in paint and drag across paper for that wild, scruffy lion look.

2. Roaring Loud, Whispering Quiet This one’s fantastic for exploring volume and sounds. Start with whisper-quiet meows, then build up through talking voices to massive ROARS! You can use instruments too – shakers for quiet padding paws, drums for thunderous roars. The children giggle themselves silly during this one.

3. Lion Snack Safari Make golden “lion mane” pasta (think curly fusilli with a bit of turmeric for colour) or create lion face biscuits using round crackers, cheese triangles for ears, and raisins for features. Nothing beats learning you can actually eat!

4. Our Class Pride Book Take photos of each child in their lion costume from the story, then let them draw or stick pictures around their photo. Add their own words about being a lion – you’ll be amazed at what they come up with! “I am brave like a lion” or “My roar is LOUD!”

5. Sleeping Lions with a Twist Everyone knows sleeping lions, but try “Lions on Safari” instead. Children prowl around the room like lions hunting, then when you call “sunset,” they curl up in their dens (hoops or cushions). Add different movements like tip-toeing lions, stretching lions, or prowling lions.

Have fun transforming into a lion! 🦁