– Maria Montessori
Introducing preschoolers to farm animals is a joyful way to connect them with nature, animal care, and the importance of farming in our daily lives. Montessori education encourages real-world experiences, and a farm unit brings this philosophy to life!
Introduction to Farm Animals
Start by introducing the concept of farms as places where people work to care for animals and grow food. Use real pictures, models, and if possible, a small world farm setup with figurines.
Discuss different types of farm animals like cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, and horses, and what they provide us (milk, eggs, wool, etc.)
📚 Bonus Enrichment Ideas
- Field Trip: Visit a local farm or petting zoo.
- Real Food Tasting: Try farm foods (milk, cheese, eggs) for sensory experience.
- Role Play: Set up a pretend farm station with toy barns, animals, and farmers.
Montessori-Inspired Activities
1. Practical Life Activites
Focus: Independence, coordination, real-world skills
Feeding Animal Models
Farm Animal Washing Station
Gathering Eggs
Milking the Cow (Practical Pouring Work)
2. Sensorial Activites
Focus: Senses exploration, discrimination of size, shape, color, texture
Farm Animal Sound Matching
Farm Animal Color Sorting
Farm Animal Size Sequencing
3. Math Activites
Focus: Numbers, counting, sorting, measuring, graphing.
Farm Animal Counting Mats
Sorting by Legs
4. Language Activities
Focus: Numbers, counting, sorting, measuring, graphing.
Farm Animal -Part Cards
- Materials: Picture, label, and definition cards
- Activity:: Match the cards and introduce names like cow, horse, goat, pig.
Farm Animal Riddle Games
Farm Animal Beginning Sounds
Tracing Farm Animal Names
5. Culture Activites
Focus: Geography, biology, real-world knowledge
Farm Animal Homes Matching
Farm Animal Babies Matching
Farm Products Sorting
Resources
📚 Books About Farm Animals (Perfect for Storytime)
🎥 Movies About Farm Animals (Gentle and Educational)
- “Charlotte’s Web” (2006 Animated/Live-Action)
Story about friendship and life on a farm, based on the beloved book. -
“Babe” (1995)
Heartwarming movie about a pig who wants to herd sheep. -
“Barnyard” (2006)
Funny, lighthearted animated movie about farm animal adventures (preview for appropriateness). -
“The Gruffalo’s Child” (Short Movie)
Although not farm-focused, it’s great for introducing nature and animal families gently.
📺 TV Shows & Episodes Featuring Farm Animals
-
Sesame Street – “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” skits
Tons of short skits featuring farm animals, sounds, and songs. -
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – “Mickey’s Farm Fun Fair”
Engages preschoolers in problem-solving with a farm theme. -
Puffin Rock (Netflix)
Though not farm-specific, it’s calm, nature-based, and introduces animals beautifully.
📺 YouTube Videos About Farm Animals
- “Old MacDonald Had a Farm“ — Classic and interactive!
- “Baa Baa Black Sheep” — Great for sheep discussions.
- “Five Little Ducks“ — Counting song with ducks.
- “Farmer in the Dell“ — Learn about different roles on a farm.
- “Down on Grandpa’s Farm“ — Explore animal names and sounds.
Websites
- National Geographic Kids – Farm Animals Section Real-life photos, fun facts, and child-friendly articles.
- PBS Kids – Games and Videos Explore simple games and videos related to farms and animals.
- DLTK Kids – Farm Activities Crafts, printable activities, coloring pages for farm units.
- Crayola – Farm Coloring Pages Free printable coloring pages of cows, pigs, chickens, and barns.
Arts and Crafts
🐄 1. Paper Plate Cow Craft
Materials: Paper plates, black construction paper, googly eyes, glue, scissors
Instructions:
Cut out black spots and glue them onto a white paper plate.
Add googly eyes, ears, and a pink oval for the nose.
Optional: Attach yarn for a tail!
🐖 . Piggy Nose Craft
Materials: Egg carton, string, pink paint or pink tissue paper, black marker, glue, hole punch
Instructions:
Cut the out egg holders in the carton. Paint the bottom pink or glue the pink tissue paper to the bottom of each container.
Punch holes in each side and tie a string to wear it like a nose.
Draw two black nostrils!
🥚 . Egg Carton Chicks
Materials: Egg cartons, yellow paint, orange paper, glue, googly eyes
Instructions:
Cut apart egg carton cups.
Paint them yellow.
Add a beak (orange paper) and googly eyes.
🐥 . Popsicle Stick Barn
Materials: Red popsicle sticks (or plain to paint), glue, white paper
Instructions:
Glue popsicle sticks into a barn shape.
Add white paper doors and windows.
Optional: Draw a farm scene around it.
🌾 . Tractor Footprint Art
Materials: Green paint, paper, markers
Instructions:
Paint the bottom of the child's foot and press onto paper.
Once dry, add tractor wheels and a driver with markers!
🐓 . Handprint Chicken
Materials: Paint (white or yellow), paper, markers
Instructions:
Paint the child’s hand and stamp it onto paper.
Once dry, add legs, a beak, and a comb (the red top of a chicken's head).
Write “Cluck, cluck!” under it.
🐴 . Horse Yarn Mane Craft
Materials: cardboard, Horse outline printable, brown paint, brown yarn, glue
Instructions:
Paint the horse outline brown.
Glue yarn pieces along the neck to make the horse’s mane.
Add googly eyes if desired.
🐑 . Cotton Ball Sheep
Materials: Black cardstock, cotton balls, glue
Instructions:
Cut a simple sheep body shape from cardstock.
Cover it with fluffy cotton balls.
Add a black paper face, ears, and legs.
🐣 . Farm Animal Puppets
Materials: brown lunch Paper bags, construction paper, markers, glue stick
Instructions:
Cut out animal parts to create the faces and bodies of the farm animals. glue the pieces to the brown paper bag. Draw features to make them come alive. Put on a puppet show!
🐐 . Farm Animal Masks
Materials: Printable templates or plain cardstock, paper plates, elastic string, crayons/paint, hole punch
Instructions:
Create masks for pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, or goats.
Color or paint, punch holes, and add string to wear.
Act out a farm scene!
By exploring farm life, you’re not just teaching facts—you’re nurturing a child’s sense of wonder, connection, and responsibility to the world. 🌍
🎉 Want even more farm-themed fun?
My Farm Animals Montessori Printables Pack is coming soon to Etsy! Stay tuned for engaging hands-on learning tools.
