5 Lessons Zootopia Teaches Kids (And Adults)

Disney movies are not just heartwarming and funny with great characters, they are also filled with messages to inspire, remind and teach. Zootopia is filled with important messages about acceptance, self-examination and staying true to yourself. In a clever, light-hearted manner this world of animals embodies the best (and the worst) of humanity while teaching kids in a non-preachy tone how to make the world a better place.

When talking to Jason Bateman at the Zootopia press junket about these lessons he summed up the importance of movies like Zootopia for families beautifully with a perfect nod to Disney’s classic way of teaching lessons:

“It’s helpful to have these characters who talk about these heady issues. It helps the medicine go down,” Jason Bateman.

5 Lessons Zootopia Teaches Kids (And Adults)

Anyone Can Be Anything

As the mother of two strong, independent girls if my girls learn one thing from this movie, let it be this. Anyone can be anything. Anyone. I am lucky enough to be alive in a time when this is more true than ever and to have a father who taught me this truth. And I love the way Judy Hopps takes this on as her mantra showing the world that even a small bunny can be a cop. It isn’t easy for her or anyone else, but if you have your heart set… anyone can be anything.

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Look For Similarities Rather Than Differences In Others 

Never mind that this is a movie about animals, it is really a story about society. Animals (and people) come in all different shapes, sizes and colors and Judy Hopps has a beautiful way of seeing what makes them all the same. Upon entering the force she is ready to be BFF with the other cops even though she is a tiny bunny. And although she initially has some reservations about Nick because he is a fox, she comes to see past this prejudice. Zootopia may not be as perfect as she once thought it was, but by looking for common ground Judy Hopps is able to bring people together.

Take Responsibility for Your Actions

As the voice of Judy Hopps, Ginnifer Goodwin identified with many of Judy’s characteristics. One of the takeaways that she hopes her children will recognize in the movie is the importance of taking responsibility for ones actions. It is a noble characteristic to own one’s actions, and an important lesson for everyone.

Make The World A Better Place By Starting With You

From a small bunny Judy Hopps was on a mission to make the world a better place. In her mind being a police officer was the perfect way to do this. She is thrown when her first assignment on the force is as a traffic cop, but she dedicates herself to being the best darn traffic cop ever. But the turning point in the movie for Judy is when she realizes that the best way to make the world a better place is to start by making herself the best bunny she can be. By making herself the best she can be from the inside, by definition she also makes the world a better place.

Try Everything

The lyrics to Zootopia’s theme song Try Everything by Shakira aren’t just a catchy tune. They are smart and powerful, and I just can’t stop listening to it. 

I won’t give up, no I won’t give in ’til I reach the end, and then I’ll start again. 

Lyrics with a positive message, now that’s what I want my daughters singing along to.

I wanna try, even though I could fail. 

If you haven’t heard Try Everything yet, go give it a listen. I promise you will be tapping your toes. And for $1.29 grab the MP3 and put it on loop. I listened to it over and over until I had it memorized while writing this post. 

Take the family to see Zootopia. After the movie, talk to your kids about the lessons from the movie and what the animals learned about each other and themselves. 

Zootopia in theaters March 4.

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