This activity is available for purchase in the Simplicity Happens shop!

Today, I took my little ones to a nearby local farm. We saw a barn and bails of hay, horses, cows, chickens, and a plump, muddy pig basking in the sun. Best of all, my son had the opportunity to feed the goats. Needless to say, we had the best time ever! Therefore, this adorable farm activity is inspired by our farm trip.

The contents of this activity, such as text, graphics, images, information, as well as other material and content contained in this activity are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development.

This activity features language and cognitive development concepts children learn throughout their early childhood years as a toddler, preschooler, and within their early elementary school years. Specific age milestone information can be found with a simple internet search!

Let’s get to the activity!

First, let’s print and laminate the Farm Animals Activity Picture Scenes for matching and labeling. 

Labeling and Matching background scene

Next, cut out the animal picture cutouts.

Then, attach either dot adhesives (soft side) for use in your child’s interactive binder book or magnets for use on a magnet board to the back of the picture cutouts. Additionally, place dot adhesives (rough side) on the Farm Animals Activity background scene. Hole punch the top of the sheet for use in your child’s interactive binder book. Note: Adult Supervision is required. Use caution with the magnets, dot adhesives, and small pieces as they are not intended for use with children under the age of 3. Please use caution and supervise your child with the dot adhesives, magnets and small pieces when working on this activity. Only work on activities that you feel are safe for your child. Warning: Choking Hazard. Children under 3 should not participate in any activities that involve small pieces.

Is your child under 3? This activity includes a modified version of this activity available in bigger print for younger toddlers. Small pieces, magnets, and dot adhesives are not intended for use with the bigger print activities. Please remember that adult supervision is required with all activities shared and/or purchased on Simplicity Happens. Just a kind reminder to stay safe and have fun while learning with your little ones!

I put adhesive dots (soft side) on the back of the animal picture cutouts.

There are two pictures below. One is the “picture to picture” background scene for matching and labeling. The other is a blank background scene for your child’s own creations.

I placed adhesive dots (rough side) on the picture to picture background scene. I cut one dot into smaller pieces (for visibility) and placed them on each animal. I also recommend hole punching this background scene for later storage in your child’s interactive binder book.
I placed adhesive dots (rough side) on the blank background scene. I also hole punched the sheet for later storage in my son’s interactive binder book.

Now that it’s all set up and ready to go, it’s time to PLAY!

Matching

This activity can be used for matching farm vocabulary (picture to picture).

First, my son matches the farm pictures to the pictures on the background scene.

He matches the barn and the horse.
He matches the sheep.
He matches the pig.
He matches the mud puddle.
He matches the chicken and the goat.
Last, he matched the cow! Great job!

During the activity, I keep a record of his learning to support his knowledge during future play activities in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

This booklet includes over 40 tracking sheets for use with each playful activity in the Activity Garden. This booklet can be found in the Simplicity Happens store!

I then take notes on this specific activity in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

Example of “matching” tracking sheet.

Receptive Labeling

This activity can be used for receptively and expressively labeling the farm vocabulary.

First, my son and I go through the pictures together. I want to determine his ability to identify the farm vocabulary pictures when I name them. This demonstrates his ability to receptively label farm vocabulary.

First, we work on receptive labeling:

I ask him to, “Point to the cow.” Great job!
I ask him to, “Point to the pig.” Awesome!
I ask him to, “Point to the goat.” He points to the sheep. So…
I jump in to help him out. I point to the goat and say, “Here is the goat. Now you point to the goat.” And he does! Great job!

I keep a record of his receptive labeling knowledge during this activity for future play activities in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet.

Example of “receptive labeling” tracking sheet!

Expressive Labeling

Next, we work on expressive labeling.

I point to the horse and ask, “What is this?”
My son replies, “a horse.”
I point to the barn and ask, “What is this?”
My son replies, “a barn.”
I point to the sheep and ask, “What is this?” My son replies, “a sheep.” Great job!
I point to the chicken and ask, “What is this?”
My son son replies, “a chicken.”
He then continues labeling the remainder of the farm vocabulary. When he needs help, I support his learning by pointing to the vocabulary item and saying, “This is a goat. What animal is this?” I then tell him what a great job he did on naming all of the farm vocabulary!

During this time, I keep a record of his expressive labeling knowledge for future play activities in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet.

Example of “expressive labeling” tracking sheet!

My son also loves building his own background scenes, which is why I included a blank background scene so your little ones can create their own farm life scene!

After playing and having fun with this activity, we store everything in this zip pouch for later use.

What did you and your little ones enjoy most about this activity? Let me know in the comments below!

This activity is available for purchase in the Simplicity Happens Store! If interested in similar activities, subscribe to the Simplicity Happens Newsletter which gives you access to over 20 free activities combined in the Activity Garden and monthly email newsletter!

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