Are you looking for a memorable and meaningful way to wrap up the school year with your students? The “Paint for Possums” initiative from the Save Our Wildlife Foundation Inc (SOWFI) offers a super-engaging hands-on project that combines art, teamwork, outdoor learning and wildlife awareness.
Why this project is perfect for your class:
Creative: Students design and decorate nest boxes for native possums, using paint, brushes and ideas of their own.
Educational: It opens up conversations about native wildlife, habitats, conservation and how our local actions matter.
Impactful: Each finished possum box goes on to provide a safe shelter for displaced or rescued possums in South Australia, directly connecting the classroom with real-life wildlife outcomes.
Fun & memorable: A relaxed end-of-term event they’ll enjoy and remember.
Provide non-toxic, water-based paints and brushes for your students (and other materials such as drop sheets, cleaning water/rags).
Set up a painting session: cover tables, play some tunes, let the class get creative.
Remind students: do not paint inside the box or the entry hole (to keep it possum-friendly).
Once the boxes are dry, either install them at your school grounds or donate them for local install by SOWFI/partners.
Celebrate! Take photos, have the students reflect on what they learned about wildlife and habitats, and share your masterpieces on social media tagging @saveourwildlifefoundation and using #PaintForPossums.
Teacher tips for success:
Use the painting session as a launch to talk about native possums—what they need to survive, how shelters help, and how humans can make a difference.
Encourage students to think of both design and function: how will the box blend into a tree? What colours or patterns might suit the surroundings?
If you have time, plan for “install day” where the class carries the finished box out to a tree (if your school yard permits) or invites a local wildlife educator to talk about the installation process.
Make it celebratory: finish with a ‘gallery walk’ of the boxes, perhaps invite parents or the school community to view them or vote on creative categories.
Document the project: collect before/after photos, write reflections, and share with the school newsletter or your social media feed. It aligns beautifully with outcomes in sustainability, design, science and wellbeing.
Next steps & ordering: Ready to get started? Contact SOWFI to order your kit and let them know you’re running it as a classroom project. The earlier you book, the better for timing and delivery.
Let’s turn end-of-year fun into real-world action for wildlife.
