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Gifts for penguin lovers, from aquarium encounters to Antarctic classics

Gifts for penguin lovers: a behind-the-scenes aquarium encounter, penguin rescue adoptions, Antarctic classics, Danish design and a penguin shaker.

  • 12 researched picks
  • $18 to $129
  • Updated September 2026
  • By Considered Gifts editorial desk

Before you shop

Most penguin lovers adore a bird they may never see in the wild. Penguins live from the Galápagos to the Antarctic ice, so for most fans the connection runs through aquariums, documentaries and books, plus a growing pile of penguin-shaped things. Many also follow real conservation stories, like that of the African penguin, whose numbers have fallen below 2.5 percent of their historic level. The gifts that land bring them closer to living penguins, or to the people who study and rescue them.

The common mistake is more penguin clutter: socks, mugs and another plush for someone who already has a shelf of them. A better angle is an experience or a cause. An AZA-accredited aquarium can put a penguin in front of them, and an adoption can fund rescue work in South Africa. If you want an object, choose one made with care, like a wooden penguin designed in 1954, or a book that goes deeper than a documentary.

Picks run from $18 to $129, and eight of the 12 cost $35 or less. Experiences and adoptions come first, then books, then things for the home and a few for kids. Several, like the Antarctic classics and a penguin cocktail shaker, suit a grown-up fan who is past plush toys.

How we chose

  • Brings them closer to living penguins through accredited aquariums, rescue work and research, not just penguin-shaped merchandise.
  • Encounters only at AZA-accredited aquariums, checked against the association’s current list.
  • Adoptions described only by what the organization says the gift includes and where the money goes.
  • Books and objects with substance: award-winning writing, real natural history and design that has lasted for decades.

Quick comparison

All 12 picks at a glance

Jump to any pick for the reasoning, who should skip it, and where to find it.

01Shedd Aquarium Penguin Encounter, ChicagoPenguin lovers ages 6 and up who live near Chicago or plan to visit$10002Penguins: The Ultimate Guide, Second EditionAny penguin fan who wants to know every species, not just emperors$3503SANCCOB Name-a-Penguin adoptionPenguin lovers who care about African penguins and want to help one bird$3404WWF Emperor Penguin symbolic adoption, $75 plush kitKids and grown-ups who want a plush penguin that comes with a donation$7505Architectmade Penguin by Hans Bunde, SmallDesign-minded penguin fans who want one well-made object, not a shelf of kitsch$12906Empire Antarctica by Gavin Francis, paperbackEmperor penguin fans who like first-person travel and science writing$1807The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-GarrardAdventure readers and anyone drawn to emperor penguins and polar history$1908The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell, paperbackPenguin fans who want a warm true story rather than natural history$2009The Woobles Pierre the Penguin Crochet KitCrafty penguin fans ages 12 and up who have never crocheted$3010Viski Irving Stainless Steel Penguin Cocktail ShakerPenguin fans who host, mix drinks or keep a bar cart$5111Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, hardcoverYoung penguin fans ages 3 to 7 and the adults who read to them$2012Cobble Hill Penguin Family 350-piece Family Pieces puzzleFamilies with a penguin-mad kid who want a puzzle adults and children can share$18

The picks

Each gift, and who it suits

  1. Animal encounterAbout $100

    Shedd Aquarium Penguin Encounter, Chicago

    Best for Penguin lovers ages 6 and up who live near Chicago or plan to visit

    It puts them face to face with a penguin, behind the scenes, for 45 minutes. They watch the bird explore, preen, play with toys and gulp fish, ask an animal care specialist questions and, with guidance, gently touch its dense, waterproof feathers. Shedd is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums through March 2029. Adults pay $99.95, children $89.95 and members $80.95, and aquarium admission is included. That beats a regular visit, where the penguins stay on the other side of the glass.

    Skip it if
    They can’t get to Chicago, or they have a shellfish or seafood allergy; Shedd recommends that those guests skip this encounter.
    Before you buy
    Sessions start at 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with dates through December 2026. No refunds, but you can reschedule up to 10 days ahead. Bring socks; boots are provided.
    See it at Shedd AquariumOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  2. Natural history bookAbout $35

    Penguins: The Ultimate Guide, Second Edition

    Best for Any penguin fan who wants to know every species, not just emperors

    It introduces them to all 18 penguin species, including the shy and nocturnal ones that rarely get photographed. Tui De Roy, Mark Jones and Julie Cornthwaite spent more than two decades traveling to penguin colonies, from the lava shores of the Galápagos to the Antarctic. The updated second edition has more than 400 photos, species profiles, current science on conservation and tips on where to see penguins in the wild. The 240-page hardcover measures 9.25 by 11.5 inches and covers far more than any documentary can.

    Skip it if
    They already own the first edition and don’t need the updated science and new photos.
    Before you buy
    Princeton University Press lists the hardcover at $35. It is big enough to double as a coffee-table book.
    See it at Princeton University PressOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  3. Rescue adoptionAbout $34

    SANCCOB Name-a-Penguin adoption

    Best for Penguin lovers who care about African penguins and want to help one bird

    It lets them adopt and name a real African penguin in rehabilitation at SANCCOB, the South African seabird rescue center. The adoption comes with a certificate, valid for a year, showing a picture and details of the bird, plus a thank-you letter written as if from the penguin. SANCCOB calls the species critically endangered. Shedd Aquarium, a longtime partner, reports that after a 2000 oil spill, nearly 18,000 of the 20,000 oiled birds brought in were cleaned, rehabilitated and released. It is more personal than a general donation.

    Skip it if
    They want something to unwrap; the adoption is a certificate and a letter, with no plush or kit mentioned.
    Before you buy
    SANCCOB prices adoptions in rand: R600 to name a penguin in rehab, R300 to sponsor an egg, R1,000 for a resident bird. R600 is roughly $30 to $35.
    See it at SANCCOBOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  4. Symbolic adoptionAbout $75

    WWF Emperor Penguin symbolic adoption, $75 plush kit

    Best for Kids and grown-ups who want a plush penguin that comes with a donation

    It gives them a plush emperor penguin that doubles as a donation. The $75 kit includes a soft plush for ages 3 and up, a 5-by-7-inch adoption certificate, a double-sided species card with a photo and facts, a WWF gift bag and a personalized letter to the recipient. WWF says the donation provides general support, makes the giver a member, and that 83 percent of its spending goes to conservation worldwide. For a child, it beats a plush from the toy aisle.

    Skip it if
    They want every dollar to go to penguins; WWF’s adoptions fund its general conservation work.
    Before you buy
    Kits ship free within the US in 5 to 9 days, and WWF can’t ship abroad. Other levels run from a $25 photo and certificate to a $125 plush pair.
    See it at World Wildlife FundOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  5. Wooden figureAbout $129

    Architectmade Penguin by Hans Bunde, Small

    Best for Design-minded penguin fans who want one well-made object, not a shelf of kitsch

    It is a penguin figure that reads as design rather than clutter. Silversmith Hans Bunde made the first ones in 1954 as gifts for his daughters, and Architectmade still makes them by hand in beech. The back is hand-painted and the chest is left bare for the white belly, and a few simple curves do the rest. The Small stands about 7 inches tall. The design has lasted more than 70 years, which a novelty figurine won’t.

    Skip it if
    They like realistic wildlife art; this is a stylized midcentury piece, not a lifelike penguin.
    Before you buy
    The Mini costs $89 and the Large $199. A version in wenge and beech starts at $129 for the Mini.
    See it at ArchitectmadeOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  6. Antarctic memoirAbout $18

    Empire Antarctica by Gavin Francis, paperback

    Best for Emperor penguin fans who like first-person travel and science writing

    It takes them through a full Antarctic year beside an emperor penguin colony. Gavin Francis spent 14 months as the base doctor at Halley, a remote British research station, and his visits to a colony of about 60,000 emperors run through the book, from endless summer light to winter darkness at minus 50°C. The Economist called it an engaging memoir, and Kirkus found it rich in history, geography and science. It is a quieter, more personal read than an expedition epic.

    Skip it if
    They want penguin facts and photos first; the Princeton guide is the reference pick.
    Before you buy
    Counterpoint’s paperback lists at $17.95 and runs 282 pages.
    See it at penguinrandomhouse.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  7. Expedition classicAbout $19

    The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard

    Best for Adventure readers and anyone drawn to emperor penguins and polar history

    It is the classic account of how far early scientists went for emperor penguins. Apsley Cherry-Garrard, one of the youngest members of Robert Falcon Scott’s last Antarctic expedition, joined to collect emperor penguin eggs, and he took part in the expedition’s notorious Winter Journey. He was also in the search party that found Scott’s team dead. The Penguin Classics paperback runs 640 pages, with an introduction by Caroline Alexander. It gives the penguin story a depth that a gift-shop book can’t.

    Skip it if
    They want a quick read; at 640 pages, this is a long and detailed expedition narrative.
    Before you buy
    Penguin Classics lists the paperback at $19.
    See it at penguinrandomhouse.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  8. MemoirAbout $20

    The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell, paperback

    Best for Penguin fans who want a warm true story rather than natural history

    It is the feel-good story on this list, and a true one. In 1975, Tom Michell, a 23-year-old English teacher, rescued an oil-covered penguin in Uruguay and took it back to the boarding school in Argentina where he taught. The bird, Juan Salvador, became his inseparable companion and a source of joy during Argentina’s political and economic turmoil. The book is now a feature film, and the new paperback runs 240 pages. It reads as a story from another era, not a model for keeping wild birds.

    Skip it if
    They prefer science to sentiment, or they have already seen the film and don’t reread stories.
    Before you buy
    The audiobook, read by Bill Nighy, runs about six hours.
    See it at penguinrandomhouse.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  9. Crochet kitAbout $30

    The Woobles Pierre the Penguin Crochet Kit

    Best for Crafty penguin fans ages 12 and up who have never crocheted

    It lets them make their own penguin while learning a new skill. The kit arrives pre-started, so they begin by practicing the main stitch, and the step-by-step video tutorials come in right- and left-handed versions. It includes beginner yarn, a 4 mm ergonomic hook, eyes, stuffing, a yarn needle, stitch markers and a PDF pattern, plus email help and virtual office hours. The finished penguin stands about 4.5 inches tall. A penguin they made means more than another store-bought plush.

    Skip it if
    They already crochet well and want a challenge, or they have no patience for small handwork.
    Before you buy
    The Woobles also sells Pierre in pastel and other limited colorways, plus a finger-loop version for crafters who would rather skip the hook.
    See it at The WooblesOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  10. Cocktail shakerAbout $51

    Viski Irving Stainless Steel Penguin Cocktail Shaker

    Best for Penguin fans who host, mix drinks or keep a bar cart

    This is the fun pick: a penguin that earns its place by mixing drinks. Viski’s Irving shaker is shaped like a bow-tied emperor penguin in stainless steel with a chrome shine. It holds 17 ounces, has a built-in strainer and a cap, and is dishwasher safe. Because it is a working shaker first, it gets used at parties instead of gathering dust like a penguin figurine.

    Skip it if
    They don’t make cocktails, or their bar tools all match and they like it that way.
    Before you buy
    Viski listed it in stock at $50.99. Pair it with a bottle they like for a host gift.
    See it at ViskiOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  11. Picture bookAbout $20

    Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, hardcover

    Best for Young penguin fans ages 3 to 7 and the adults who read to them

    It gives a young penguin fan a story about friendship with a penguin at its heart. A boy finds a penguin at his door, decides it must be lost and rows it all the way to the South Pole, telling it stories through storms and dark nights, before realizing what the penguin really needed. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, and it has been made into an animated TV special. The hardcover has 32 pages for ages 3 to 7.

    Skip it if
    There are no young children in their life, or they already have it; it first came out in 2005.
    Before you buy
    Penguin Random House lists the hardcover at $19.99. A Lost and Found jigsaw board book is also available for toddlers.
    See it at penguinrandomhouse.comOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

  12. Jigsaw puzzleAbout $18

    Cobble Hill Penguin Family 350-piece Family Pieces puzzle

    Best for Families with a penguin-mad kid who want a puzzle adults and children can share

    It gives a penguin-loving family a project everyone can work on at once. Cobble Hill’s Family Pieces puzzles use three piece sizes, large at one end, medium in the middle and small at the other, so puzzlers of different skill levels can work side by side. This one shows Linda Thompson’s painting of a penguin family huddled in falling snow and finishes at about 26.6 by 19.3 inches. A standard 1,000-piece puzzle would shut younger kids out.

    Skip it if
    They are a serious puzzler who wants 1,000 pieces or more, or there are no kids to share it with.
    Before you buy
    Cobble Hill lists it at $17.99. The maker says it also suits puzzlers moving up from 275 to 500-plus pieces.
    See it at Cobble HillOr compare prices on
    Google Shopping

Before you buy

Where this gift can go wrong

  • Penguin encounters at places without AZA accreditation. Check the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ current list before booking; Shedd, Georgia Aquarium and Aquarium of the Pacific are all on it.
  • Another plush or penguin mug for a fan who already has a shelf of them. If they collect, one well-made piece, like the Architectmade penguin, beats three novelty items.
  • Picking an adoption without reading what it funds. WWF’s adoptions support its general conservation work, while SANCCOB’s go to a rescue center for African penguins; match the program to what they care about.
  • Assuming every penguin fan loves emperors. There are 18 species, living from the Galápagos to Antarctica, and the African penguin nests in southern Africa; ask which one they love before choosing a book or adoption.

Useful answers

Questions people ask

Where can someone meet a penguin up close?

At an AZA-accredited aquarium that runs encounter programs. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago offers a 45-minute behind-the-scenes Penguin Encounter for ages 6 and up, from $80.95 for members to $99.95 for adults, with admission included. Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta runs a 30-minute African penguin encounter for ages 7 and up, priced by date and without general admission. The AZA’s list shows accredited aquariums near them.

Do penguin adoptions actually help penguins?

It depends on the program. WWF’s emperor penguin adoption is symbolic: WWF says the donation provides general support for its work, and that 83 percent of its spending goes to conservation. SANCCOB’s Name-a-Penguin adoption supports a South African rescue center that rehabilitates African penguins, which it calls critically endangered, and lets them name a bird in its care. Choose WWF for a plush kit and SANCCOB for direct rescue.

What is a good penguin book for adults?

Start with Penguins: The Ultimate Guide from Princeton University Press, which covers all 18 species with more than 400 photos. For a narrative, Empire Antarctica follows a doctor’s 14 months near a colony of about 60,000 emperor penguins, and The Worst Journey in the World is the classic account of Scott’s last expedition, by a man who joined it to collect emperor penguin eggs.

What is a good penguin gift for a man?

The same things that suit any penguin fan, matched to his interests. An adventure reader will get more from The Worst Journey in the World than from a penguin T-shirt, a home bartender will use Viski’s penguin cocktail shaker, and a design fan may prefer Architectmade’s 1954 wooden penguin to a novelty figurine. Shedd’s Penguin Encounter works for anyone 6 or older who can get to Chicago.

Research record

What we read

The sources that shaped this list, beyond the product pages linked with each pick. Last reviewed September 2026.

01Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Accredited members listaza.org02Shedd Aquarium: African penguins, a species at the survival crossroadssheddaquarium.org03Shedd Aquarium: Penguin Encountersheddaquarium.org04Georgia Aquarium: Penguin Encountergeorgiaaquarium.org05SANCCOB: Adopt a penguinadopt.sanccob.co.za

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Gift Notes

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