Paint with corn, make haystack rice krispie treats, play “hide the animals” with rice, and more!
F A R M week is here! Just in time for spring, and heading into summer. I’ve decided after much deliberation (as a teacher, summer has always been the front runner) that spring is my favorite season, with all of the blooming flowers, baby animals, and peeks of crisp sunshine. There are so many ways to incorporate learning about farm life – either in the spring (spring break, anyone?) or long summer days, and you’ll find everything you need for a fun-filled week of on-the-farm learning right here. Also, check out my Pinterest Farm Theme Page for tons more ideas.
Let’s get started with some discussion questions to discover what your kids are most interested in learning more about, and use them to guide your teaching and Pinterest-ing. I did farm week with my two-year-old, so the learning is tailored to younger ages, but all questions are adaptable:
- What are the names of all of the farm animals you can think of?
- What kinds of jobs do people who live or work on a farm do?
- Where do we get our fruits and vegetables? Produce? Livestock?
- What kinds of machines do we find on a farm, and what do they do?
- If we were to take a walk through a farm, what noises would we hear, and what would we see?
R E A D I N G
Now, if you’re like my family, you already have a dozen farm books lying around or hidden on your bookshelves, so get to digging! Another reason themes are fun is that it gives you a reason to rotate books, toys, and various activities so kiddos don’t lose interest. Here are some from our collection, and some we found at the local library:
- Buildings on the Farm by Teddy Borth: “This title introduces little readers to buildings they can find on the farm. Complete with a More Facts section and bolded glossary terms. Readers will gather basic information about farm buildings through easy-to-read, simple text alongside beautiful full-bleed photographs. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.”
- One Egg by Louise Spilsbury: “Follow the journey from egg to chicken. Learn how cute baby chicks make their way into the world.”
- Tractor Mac Colors on the Farm by Billy Steers: “Tractor Mac and his vehicle and animal friends, including Sibley the horse, Pete the pig, and Goat Walter, show kids around Stony Meadow Farm in order to observe the colors of various objects found on the farm.”
- Sheep on the Farm by Rose Carraway: “Examines the anatomy, lifestyle, and eating habits of farm sheep.” There were a few other versions of this at our library, too, featuring various farm animals.
- Baby Touch & Feel Farm: “Babies can explore different textures and expand their senses as they discover this padded board book’s tactile elements…Featuring woolly sheep and other farm favorites, this book promotes sensory development and early language skills and is the perfect size for tiny hands to hold.”
- Food from Farms (World of Farming) by Nancy Dickmann: “There are many different kinds of farms, and some farms produce only vegetables while others produce just fruit, and still others produce types of meat or poultry. Find out about the different kinds of foods that are raised on farms around the world in this introduction to the world of farming.”
A R T
Farm art can be so messy and amazing and fun! Use foods found on the farm (we tried corn) to paint, draw your favorite farm animals using whatever materials you have in the house, or try one of our “Pinspired” projects below!
- Corn Painting by Fun-A-Day: I have to say this is one of my favorite kids art projects yet. And, as an art teacher, I can tell you it’s a painting project, not a craft! Yay! We didn’t have corn cob holders nor tempera paint, so we made due with our hands and Mom’s thicker, fancier acrylics. The little guy’s attention span on this one lasted much longer than expected! A success.
- Barn Popsicle Stick Craft: Farm Small World by Crayon Box Chronicles: This is a great idea for older kids who are ready to put together 3-D structures using glue. There is also a modification for youngsters, where you can use the materials for sensory play. Check it out! So cool!
- Fingerprint Sheep by Crafty Morning: Just like it sounds and just as cute, too. Black construction paper (or marker), white paint, little fingers, and you’re good to go.
- Cheerio Corn on the Cob by Glued to My Crafts: This one is a quick and easy set up and just needs construction paper and Cheerios! My two-year-old was able to do it, and go to practice fine-motor skills while using tiny scissors.
S E N S O R Y + S T E M (science. technology. engineering. math.)
- Hide the Animals: Quick Sensory Bin by Busy Toddler: What a simple and lovely way to play and learn! All you need is a muffin tin, a box of uncooked rice, and a few of those small, plastic toy animals. Add a spoon for scooping and fine-motor skill practice. My little one spent almost an hour on the kitchen floor while I made dinner, tongue sticking out in concentration, burying and transferring his little farm friends.
- Try this Animal Habitat Sorting Activity by Sara J Creations to get kids thinking about which animals live in which habitats. A good conversation starter to get them asking questions about all animals and their ecosystems.
- There are lots of great farm-themed preschool ideas on this blog, but you’ve got to try this Milk a Cow Activity by Mrs. Plemon’s Kindergarten. Fill a latex-free glove with a white paint and water mixture, puncture the fingertips with small holes, and get that udder-like effect of milking a real cow!
C O O K I N G
Get your kids to help in the kitchen with some good, home cookin’! Try out some fun, farm-themed treats, too.
- Haystack Krispie Treats by Views from a Step Stool: Just like Rice Krispie Treats, but made with dried Chow Mein Noodles instead of Rice Krispies! This blogger suggests making this easy, kid-friendly treat to go along with reading Little Blue Truck, a farm favorite.
- Try this super easy, Homemade Butter Recipe from Buggy & Buddy, which involves heavy whipping cream, a jar, and your wiggly children shakin’ what their mommas gave ‘em.
- Now that you’ve churned your own butter, make a farm-fresh, home cooked meal from local ingredients. Breakfast is a perfect option- Teach your babes about how eggs come from chickens, milk comes from cows, and bacon comes from pigs, all while they help out in the kitchen. Don’t forget to top that fresh wheat toast with your homemade butter!
Yum!
F I E L D T R I P S
Farm field trips are everywhere! Take a little drive to the country, visit a petting farm in your area, or check out the zoo! If you’re in the greater Seattle area, consider visiting the Forest Park Petting Zoo in Everett, which features a large, fenced farm area with roaming bunnies, chickens, and goats, and even free pony rides! It was a lot of fun to watch my toddler cautiously walk up to the sweet baby animals, and become braver and braver each time. This was the first time we visited Forest Park, and there is so much to do! After the petting zoo, head over to the giant spray park, playground, or swimming pool to picnic and play.
We also had a stop at the Imagine Children’s Museum (also in Everett) to hang in the farm area, where kids can sit on a tractor or a horse, learn about milking cows and raising baby pigs, and play farm-themed games.
Another idea is to reach out to relatives, friends, or friends of friends who own farm animals and head over for a visit. So many people we know have chickens these days, it would be easy to bring them coffee or lunch and take a tour of their backyards while the little ones learn about caring for the animals. It wouldn’t be too hard to gain access to a partial or full farm out in the country after a little research, I’m sure. Have a fun time and a farm-filled week!
