You know, the other day I was sitting at the kitchen table with my little one, and we had scraps of paper, glue everywhere, and a very questionable “cow” made out of a paper plate. It wasn’t perfect (honestly, it barely looked like a cow), but my toddler was so proud of it that I couldn’t stop smiling. That’s the magic of Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers — it’s not really about creating something Pinterest-perfect, it’s about those messy hands, giggles, and tiny sparks of creativity.
If you’ve ever tried to keep a toddler entertained for more than five minutes, you know it’s no small task. Crafts make it easier, and the farm theme? Well, kids already love cows, pigs, and chickens, so it’s a win-win. In this post, I’ll share simple, fun, and toddler-friendly farm craft ideas that are easy to set up and totally worth the little mess.
Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers
Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers are a fun and educational way to engage young children in creative activities while teaching them about animals they might encounter on a farm.
Paper Plate Cow Craft
Honestly, paper plate crafts are my absolute favorite with toddlers because they’re so forgiving and fun. The cow craft is a classic, and I’ve done it countless times with little ones. I usually let them paint the plate white first, then add black spots. I’ve found that letting them use sponges or even their fingers to make the spots makes it more hands-on and hilarious—kids end up with paint everywhere, and honestly, that’s half the fun.
Once the paint dries, we cut out ears, a snout, and little horns from construction paper. Glue everything together and add googly eyes—it instantly comes alive. Toddlers love naming their cows, and in my experience, giving them freedom to choose crazy colors instead of sticking to real cow colors sparks so much creativity. The first time I did this, a kid made a pink and purple cow, and honestly, it was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
Handprint Piggy Craft
I’ve found handprint crafts to be magical because toddlers feel so proud seeing their actual hand become art. For the piggy, I just trace their hand on pink construction paper, and voila—the main shape is done. Honestly, toddlers love pressing their hands down; it’s instant giggles every single time.
Then comes the face—tiny paper circles for eyes, a snout, and floppy ears. I let them glue everything themselves, and honestly, watching glue everywhere is chaos, but the reaction at the end is priceless. One time, a kid gave their pig a blue nose, and honestly, I loved it—it made the pig unique and personal. These little imperfections are exactly why handprint crafts are so special; it’s not just about making a pig, it’s about making a memory.
Cotton Ball Sheep Craft
Sheep crafts are super fun, mainly because cotton balls feel amazing to little hands. I usually start by cutting out a sheep body from cardstock. I’ve found toddlers love dipping glue sticks into piles of cotton balls—it’s messy, but it’s tactile and engaging. Honestly, watching them stuff all the cotton on gives me flashbacks to my own childhood crafts, and I love it.
After the fluffy part, we add little construction paper legs, a face, and sometimes googly eyes. I always let the toddlers decide if the sheep should be fluffy all over or just patchy, and honestly, the patchy ones are hilarious—they come up with the funniest patterns. One little girl made a rainbow sheep, and honestly, I had to snap a photo. The joy on their faces seeing it come together is worth every speck of glue on my floor.
Paper Bag Chicken Craft
Paper bag crafts are honestly a lifesaver. The chicken is one I do when I want a craft that’s simple but still feels exciting. I usually give the kids a brown paper bag and let them color or paint it first. I’ve found toddlers love the idea that their bag will transform into an animal. Honestly, seeing their little faces light up when the bag turns into a chicken never gets old.
We then cut out wings, a beak, and a comb, and they glue it all on themselves. In my experience, letting them stuff a little tissue inside the bag to give it shape makes it more “real” and squishy. One time, a kid made the chicken bright pink with polka dots—honestly, I was surprised but it looked so joyful. These crafts are simple but leave huge smiles on little faces.
Popsicle Stick Horse Craft
Popsicle sticks are honestly underrated—they’re cheap, easy, and toddlers love stacking and gluing them. For a horse, I usually let the kids paint the sticks first. I’ve found that letting them mix colors makes it personal and hilarious; one kid once made a rainbow horse, and honestly, it looked like it galloped straight out of a cartoon.
We then glue the sticks together to form the body and add paper ears, a mane, and googly eyes. I like letting toddlers do the mane themselves using yarn—it’s messy, but that’s part of the fun. Honestly, nothing beats their proud little faces when the horse stands upright. They even try to make it “run” on the table, and I can’t help but laugh. It’s simple, hands-on, and sparks so much imagination.
Paper Plate Duck Craft
Paper plate ducks are one of my favorites because toddlers can’t resist flipping things over and creating wings. I usually start by folding a plate in half for the body. I’ve found that letting them color it in bright yellows and oranges makes them excited; honestly, they take way more creative liberty than I do.
Then we add a beak, googly eyes, and little feet from construction paper. One time, a kid insisted the duck needed a polka-dot bow tie, and honestly, I loved it—it added personality instantly. In my opinion, the best part is letting toddlers “name” their duck and make up little stories about it. Watching them play pretend with their own art brings the craft alive in a way that simple instructions never could.
Animal Footprint Art
I honestly think footprint art is magical because it captures a moment in time—the tiny size of their foot! I usually use washable paint and press their foot onto paper to create shapes of different animals. I’ve found toddlers love seeing their footprints transform into elephants, lions, or even imaginary creatures. It’s messy, sure, but totally worth it.
Then we add extra details with crayons or markers. Honestly, the first time I did this, a toddler laughed so hard seeing their foot become a giraffe neck—it was priceless. In my opinion, these crafts are perfect keepsakes; parents love them because they literally freeze a memory. Plus, toddlers feel so proud seeing their own footprint become art. It’s creative, personal, and honestly, very cute.
Egg Carton Farm Animals
Egg cartons are one of those materials that just scream “fun with toddlers.” I usually cut out individual cups and let the kids paint them first. I’ve found that toddlers love squishing paint onto the cardboard—it feels fun and squishy in a weird way. Honestly, the first time I tried this, we ended up with a lot of abstract “animals,” but the kids loved every single one.
Then we add construction paper ears, legs, and tails depending on the animal. One kid made a purple pig and a green chicken, and honestly, I just went with it—it was adorable. I like to encourage imagination over realism. Toddlers’ creativity is wild, and honestly, letting them do their own thing often leads to the funniest, cutest farm scenes. It’s hands-on, colorful, and super flexible.
DIY Barn Craft
Building a little barn is honestly one of my favorite farm crafts because it feels so architectural yet simple. I usually use cardboard boxes, and I’ve found toddlers love painting them red. Honestly, it’s a little messy, but they’re so proud once the barn takes shape. Watching them pick colors for the roof or doors is adorable—they take it very seriously, in their own way.
Then we add paper doors, windows, and tiny animals inside. One toddler made the barn look like a rainbow castle—honestly, it was hilarious but so creative. In my opinion, letting them decide the layout and details sparks their imagination more than anything else. I always tell parents to keep extra scraps around; toddlers love experimenting. The first time I did this craft, the kids ended up making an entire farm scene around the barn, and honestly, it was pure chaos in the best way.
Clay Farm Animals
Clay is honestly a game-changer for toddlers who love tactile crafts. I usually use air-dry clay because it’s safe and easy to shape. I’ve found toddlers enjoy squishing it into shapes of cows, pigs, and horses—honestly, the messier, the better. It’s so fun to watch them create their “own” animals, even if they don’t look exactly like real ones.
Then we add details with small tools, toothpicks, or even fingers. One toddler made a pig with five legs and honestly, it was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I let them paint the animals after drying, and honestly, watching them mix colors freely is magical. Clay gives toddlers a hands-on, sensory experience that paper crafts can’t match. In my opinion, the pride they feel holding a clay animal they made themselves is just priceless.
Animal Stamps
Toddlers can use stamps to make adorable farm animal patterns on paper.
Materials Used:
Animal stamps (or homemade stamps)
Ink pad
Construction paper
Markers for extra details
Steps:
Buy or create farm animal stamps with simple shapes (like a pig, cow, or chicken).
Let your toddler stamp farm animals onto construction paper.
Encourage them to use different colors and arrange the stamps to create a farm scene.
They can also add details with markers, like hay or barns.
Cardboard Cow Craft
Using old cardboard, toddlers can make a fun, sturdy cow craft.
Materials Used:
Cardboard
White and black paint
Construction paper (pink for nose)
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Cut a large piece of cardboard into the shape of a cow’s head and body.
Paint the head and body white, and add black spots to make it look like a cow.
Cut out paper ears and glue them to the top of the head.
Glue a pink nose, googly eyes, and draw the mouth to complete the face.
Attach the body to the head and add a tail using yarn or string.
Toilet Paper Roll Farm Animals
Reuse toilet paper rolls to make adorable farm animals that are both creative and eco-friendly.
Materials Used:
Toilet paper rolls
Construction paper (variety of colors)
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors, and markers
Pipe cleaners (for tails or legs)
Steps:
Use toilet paper rolls as the base of each animal.
Paint the roll with appropriate colors (e.g., pink for pigs, brown for cows).
Add ears, eyes, noses, and other facial features using paper or felt.
Attach pipe cleaners or fabric for tails and legs.
You can even make an entire set of farm animals!
Felt Farm Animals
Felt is perfect for creating soft, interactive farm animals for toddlers.
Materials Used:
Felt (variety of colors)
Scissors and fabric glue
Googly eyes
Markers for extra details
Steps:
Cut out farm animal shapes (like a pig, cow, or chicken) from different colored felt.
Attach the pieces together using a hot glue gun or fabric glue.
Add facial features with fabric glue or markers, and glue on googly eyes.
You can make them into puppets by gluing them onto craft sticks or attaching them to a piece of felt.
Paper Plate Horse Craft
This simple and fun horse craft is a great way for toddlers to use basic materials to create their own horse friend.
Materials Used:
Paper plate
Brown paint
Construction paper (for the mane and ears)
Googly eyes
Glue and scissors
Steps:
Paint the paper plate brown to form the horse’s face.
Cut out two small triangles from construction paper to make the horse’s ears and glue them to the top of the plate.
Cut strips of construction paper to create the mane, and glue them along the edge of the plate.
Add googly eyes and draw a mouth with a marker.
Use brown paper to cut out a tail and glue it to the back of the plate.
Cotton Ball Pig Craft
A fluffy and fun pig craft perfect for toddlers to practice gluing and creating textures.
Materials Used:
Cotton balls
Pink construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Glue cotton balls onto a piece of pink construction paper to create the pig’s body.
Cut out a pig’s face from pink construction paper and glue it to the top of the cotton ball body.
Glue googly eyes on the face and draw a nose and mouth with markers.
Cut out two small pink circles for ears and glue them to the top of the head.
Use a marker to draw curly lines for the pig’s tail.
Toilet Paper Roll Chicken Craft
A creative and easy chicken craft that toddlers will love making using a toilet paper roll.
Materials Used:
Toilet paper roll
Yellow paint
Orange construction paper
Red and yellow construction paper (for beak and comb)
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors
Steps:
Paint the toilet paper roll yellow and let it dry.
Cut out a small beak shape from orange construction paper and glue it to the front of the roll.
Cut out a comb and wattle shape from red and yellow paper and glue them on the top and side of the chicken’s head.
Glue googly eyes onto the roll.
Optionally, use a small piece of yellow paper for wings and glue them to the sides of the roll.
Paper Bag Farm Animal Puppets
Create farm animal puppets using simple paper bags that toddlers can decorate and play with.
Materials Used:
Paper bags
Construction paper (variety of colors)
Glue, scissors, and markers
Googly eyes
Yarn or fabric for tails
Steps:
Start with a paper bag for the puppet’s body.
Cut out ears, snouts, and other animal features from construction paper and glue them to the bag.
Use googly eyes to add life to the face.
Decorate the bag with markers to give it more personality, like adding spots or stripes.
Add yarn or fabric for tails if you’re making animals like cows, pigs, or sheep.
Paper Plate Lamb Craft
This fluffy lamb craft is great for toddlers to work on fine motor skills while creating a cute farm animal.
Materials Used:
Paper plate
White cotton balls
Black construction paper (for the legs and face)
Glue and scissors
Steps:
Paint or color the paper plate white to form the lamb’s body.
Glue cotton balls onto the plate for the fluffy texture of the lamb’s wool.
Cut out a small black circle for the lamb’s face and glue it to the center of the plate.
Cut out four black legs from construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the plate.
Add googly eyes and a small pink nose to complete the lamb’s face.
Cardboard Barn Craft
Using cardboard to build a farm barn is a perfect way to introduce toddlers to farm structures and encourage imaginative play.
Materials Used:
Cardboard box
Red paint
White construction paper (for windows and doors)
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Take a cardboard box and cut it to create the shape of a barn (cut out a large square for the main part and a triangular top for the roof).
Paint the barn red and let it dry.
Cut out windows and doors from white construction paper and glue them onto the barn.
Decorate the barn with details like barnyard animals and haystacks using markers or cut-out shapes.
Once the barn is finished, toddlers can use it as a setting for their farm animal toys!
Farm Animal Matching Game
This fun activity helps toddlers learn about different farm animals while improving their matching skills.
Materials Used:
Construction paper
Scissors
Markers or stickers
Glue
Steps:
Cut out shapes from construction paper and draw or glue pictures of different farm animals on each shape (e.g., a cow, pig, chicken, etc.).
Create a second set of animal cards that match the first.
Place the cards face down and let the toddlers take turns flipping over two cards at a time to find matching pairs.
As they play, encourage them to say the animal names out loud for an added educational twist.
Paper Plate Hen Craft
This fun and colorful hen craft is easy for toddlers and helps develop creativity and motor skills.
Materials Used:
Paper plate
Yellow and red construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Paint the paper plate yellow to form the hen’s body.
Cut out a red comb and wattle from construction paper and glue them onto the top of the plate.
Add googly eyes and use a red marker to draw the beak and any other details on the hen’s face.
Cut out small wings and feet from yellow construction paper and glue them onto the body.
For extra fun, add small feathers or tissue paper for texture!
Farm Animal Stick Puppets
These easy-to-make stick puppets are a great way for toddlers to interact with their favorite farm animals in a fun, creative way.
Materials Used:
Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
Construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue and scissors
Markers
Steps:
Cut out different animal shapes from construction paper (like a cow, sheep, or pig).
Glue the animal shape onto a craft stick to form a puppet.
Add googly eyes, and use markers to draw on additional details like a smile, spots, or ears.
Once dry, toddlers can use the puppets for interactive play and pretend farm scenarios.
Popsicle Stick Cow Craft
Create a simple cow craft using popsicle sticks that toddlers can personalize with their own design.
Materials Used:
Popsicle sticks
White and black paint
Construction paper (for ears, nose, and horns)
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Lay out 6 popsicle sticks vertically and glue them together to form the cow’s body.
Paint the sticks white and let them dry.
Cut out two small black circles from construction paper for the cow’s spots and glue them on.
Create the cow’s ears, nose, and horns by cutting out shapes from construction paper and gluing them to the top of the popsicle sticks.
Use markers to add the cow’s eyes and mouth.
Paper Roll Farm Animals
Transform empty paper rolls into fun farm animals using simple supplies.
Materials Used:
Toilet paper rolls
Construction paper (variety of colors)
Glue, scissors, and markers
Googly eyes
Steps:
Choose an animal to create (such as a sheep, pig, or cow).
Cut construction paper to wrap around the toilet paper roll for the animal’s body.
Add details like ears, noses, and tails by cutting out shapes from construction paper and gluing them to the roll.
Glue on googly eyes and draw any extra facial features with markers.
Let the toddlers play with their animals or set them up in a pretend farm scene.
Foam Farm Animal Shapes
Foam sheets are great for creating soft, sturdy farm animal shapes that toddlers can assemble and decorate.
Materials Used:
Foam sheets (variety of colors)
Glue
Scissors
Markers
Steps:
Cut out shapes from foam sheets to create the bodies, heads, ears, and legs of different farm animals.
Glue the pieces together to form a complete animal (cow, pig, chicken, etc.).
Use markers to add extra details like eyes, spots, and mouths.
Once assembled, toddlers can use the animals for pretend play or display them on a wall or bulletin board.
Paper Roll Duck Craft
Turn a simple toilet paper roll into a cute duck with colorful construction paper and a little creativity.
Materials Used:
Toilet paper roll
Yellow construction paper
Orange construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue, scissors, and markers
Steps:
Cover the toilet paper roll with yellow construction paper and glue it in place.
Cut out an orange beak and feet from construction paper and glue them to the front and bottom of the roll.
Glue googly eyes onto the roll.
Use markers to add extra details, such as feathers or a tail.
Tips for Crafting with Toddlers
Safety First
Non-toxic Materials: Always choose paints, glues, and markers that are labeled non-toxic to ensure your toddler’s safety if they happen to put things in their mouths.
Child-Safe Scissors: Use blunt-tip, child-safe scissors and always supervise when toddlers are handling them. Avoid sharp objects that could pose a danger.
Avoid Small, Choking Hazards: Be mindful of small craft items (like beads or buttons) that can be a choking hazard. Stick to larger materials that are easier for toddlers to handle safely.
Keeping Crafts Simple
Adapt to Toddlers’ Skill Levels: Tailor crafts to your toddler’s abilities. For example, use large pieces of paper and simple shapes for cutting, and provide tools that are easy to manipulate.
Focus on the Process: Toddlers learn best through the process of creation rather than the final product. Encourage exploration and allow them to enjoy the sensory experience of crafting, even if the result isn’t perfect.
Incorporating Learning
Introduce Concepts: Crafts can be a great opportunity to introduce basic concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, and textures. For example, a simple collage using different colored paper can help with color recognition.
Fine Motor Development: Activities like tearing paper, sticking stickers, or threading large beads can enhance fine motor skills.
Language Building: Talking through the craft process helps toddlers build vocabulary. Describe the materials, shapes, and actions as they create to enhance their language skills.
Educational Benefits of Farm Animal Crafts
Farm animal crafts offer a fun and engaging way to teach toddlers important skills while fostering creativity. These activities not only allow young learners to explore different animals and their habitats but also help them develop various cognitive, motor, and emotional skills. Below are the key educational benefits that come from incorporating farm animal crafts into a child’s learning experience.
Enhancing Fine Motor Skills
Hand-eye coordination and dexterity are crucial in a toddler’s early development. Farm animal crafts, which often involve tasks such as gluing, cutting, and coloring, help improve these skills. Toddlers must use their hands to manipulate materials like scissors and glue sticks, which strengthens their coordination and fine motor control. As they handle these tools and materials, they gain greater control over their hand movements, which are necessary for later tasks such as writing, self-feeding, and buttoning clothes.
Learning About Farm Animals
Farm animal crafts provide an opportunity for toddlers to learn about various animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep. As children create these animals, they are also introduced to their names and the sounds they make, such as “moo,” “oink,” and “baa.” This sensory learning helps toddlers connect words with images and sounds, reinforcing their understanding of the natural world. Additionally, parents or teachers can introduce fun facts about each animal, such as how sheep have excellent memories or that pigs are actually very clean animals, which enriches the educational value of the activity.
Promoting Creativity and Imagination
Farm animal crafts encourage toddlers to express themselves through art. By choosing colors, adding details, and making creative decisions, children are given the freedom to experiment and showcase their individual personalities. These open-ended activities allow children to explore different ways of representing the animals and their environments, which nurtures problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. As toddlers create, they not only develop artistic skills but also expand their imagination and ability to think critically about their work.
Incorporating farm animal crafts into early childhood education supports various aspects of a child’s development, from motor skills to creativity. These activities foster a deeper understanding of the world around them, encouraging both cognitive and artistic growth.
FAQ
What materials do I need for Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers ?
For farm animal crafts, you’ll need simple, child-safe materials such as construction paper, cotton balls, glue sticks, crayons, markers, scissors (for adult use), googly eyes, and pipe cleaners. You can also use buttons, felt, and pom-poms for additional texture and decoration.
Are Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers?
Yes, most farm animal crafts are safe for toddlers as long as they are supervised. Always ensure that small items like buttons or googly eyes are kept out of reach for younger children to avoid choking hazards.
What are some easy Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers?
Some easy crafts include making a sheep with cotton balls, creating a paper plate cow face, or designing a pig using pink construction paper and googly eyes. These crafts often require minimal steps and can be completed in short sessions.
How can I incorporate learning into these Crafts Ideas For Toddlers?
You can use the craft activity to teach your toddler about different farm animals, their sounds, and where they live. For example, while making a cow craft, you can talk about the sound a cow makes (“moo!”) or where cows are found on a farm.
Can I do Farm Animals Crafts Ideas For Toddlers with multiple toddlers at once?
Yes! Many of these crafts can be adapted for group settings. You can prepare supplies in advance and guide the toddlers through simple steps. Group activities help with social interaction and learning to share materials.
Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.