November 24, 2025

Remembering Jane: An online activity guide for you and your family

by Caitlin Boyle
Photo: Guerin Blask / The New York Times

Dr. Jane Goodall taught the world that hope is not a feeling we wait for – it is something we create. Her life’s work showed that every person, no matter where they live or what they do, has the power to make a difference.

This activity guide invites you to reflect on her legacy, learn from her journey, and carry forward her message of compassion, curiosity, and action. Whether you are gathering as a community or taking quiet time alone, these prompts are designed to nurture both reflection and renewal, offering a way to honour Jane’s life by continuing her mission.

Learn About Jane

Jane’s story began in the forests of Gombe, but her message has reached every corner of the world. Through her books, scientific work, storytelling, and decades of global advocacy, she showed us what is possible when we look closely, listen deeply, and act with compassion.

This section invites you to revisit her journey and reconnect with the lessons she shared throughout her life. Jane often said that hope is a verb. For her, hope meant rolling up our sleeves, helping others, and protecting what we love. As you learn more about her story, reflect on how her life and her message continue to inspire your own.

Choose one book, film, or reading from this section. Share one insight or quote with someone in your life, keeping Jane’s message moving forward.

Read
  • The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (2021) – Her last book.
  • Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey (1999) – A reflection on her career and deeper meaning.
  • The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior (1986) – Her major scientific work.
  • In the Shadow of Man (1971) – An early classic about her years in Gombe.
Watch

Jane often said that storytelling can change the world. Through interviews, films, and recorded talks, we can continue to learn from her wisdom, humour, and deep connection to the natural world. These stories offer a way to stay close to her voice and the mission she dedicated her life to. 

Listen

Jane started her Hopecast podcast to highlight stories of changemakers who are turning hope into action. Choose an episode to listen to during a walk, your commute, or a moment of rest. Notice one idea that gives you comfort or courage and, if you can, pass it on to someone who might need it.

For Children and Families

Jane always believed that young people see the world with a special kind of clarity – full of wonder, possibility, and compassion. These activities and resources are here to help families nurture that spark and explore nature’s magic together. Choose one simple activity to try at home or outside. Let curiosity lead the way and celebrate every small discovery made along the path.

Take a Moment and Reflect

You might choose to write your reflections on paper, plant a tree in her honour, or share your thoughts with a friend. Small acts like these ripple outward, just as Jane’s life did. Use these prompts to guide journaling, conversation, or quiet reflection:

  • What did Jane Goodall mean to you?
  • Do you have a story or memory that connects you to Jane?
  • Is there a favourite story or quote of Jane’s that stays with you?
  • If you could spend an afternoon with Jane, what would you want to tell her?
  • Who or what helps you feel closer to Jane’s message today?
  • What is something you feel grateful for? What is something you feel hopeful about?
  • Write a letter to Jane. What would you want her to know about your hopes for the world?
  • What songs, foods, or places remind you of Jane?
  • Describe Jane as you knew her – through her books, her voice, or the difference she made.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.

Dr. Jane Goodall

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