Farm Animal Counting Activity

3 toy farm animals, cow, sheep, pig

I’ve found that if you want to engage children in a learning activity just add animals. Children are naturally drawn to animals and any time that I can include them in an activity I am sure it will be a success. Just like it will be with this farm activity!

With that in mind, what could be more fun than Counting Feet with farm animals?

Farm Theme Counting Activity for Preschool

Build Math Skills With This Farm Activity

This counting activity requires very little set up, but it can be used to reinforce a number of different skills while also being fun and engaging for young children.

While playing Counting Feet, preschoolers can practice:

  • Counting up to 4
  • Number recognition
  • Animal names and characteristics
  • Sorting and decision making

(See my math page for more activities for counting, sorting, and building math skills.)

Farm Theme Animal Math Counting Activity

Set Up the Farm Activity

Setup for this activity is simple and requires items already found in most preschool classrooms or at home. To play Counting Feet, you will need:

Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!

Preview in the Shop

Farm Lesson Plan Bundle | Preschool and Pre-K

16 of my most popular farm theme activities, including fine motor, math, literacy, science, dramatic play and more!

  • An assortment of farm animal figures. Be sure to include several that have two legs, such as ducks, chickens, and barn owls. (We even included our farmer!)
  • Two small bins or buckets
  • Numbers 2 and 4 (We used foam numbers, but you can easily just print or write the numbers on card stock.)
  • Clips or tape to attach numbers to your bins (We used clothespins.)

Attach a number 2 to one bin and a number 4 to the other. Place your animals in between the two bins. Now you’re ready to play!

Preschool Farm Theme Math Counting Activity

Play the Counting Feet Game

Invite a child to choose one of the animals. When they have chosen, take a moment to talk about what kind of animal it is, what color it is, and what sound it makes. Then ask the child to count its feet.

Point out the numbers on the two bins and ask them to decide which bin it goes in based on the number of feet it has.

Preschool Farm Theme Sorting Animals Activity

Repeat the fun farm activity until all of the animals have been sorted into their proper bins. Then you can dump them out and play again! Maybe incorporate a fun farm song for them to sing as well!

You will likely find that you have more animals with four feet than have two. That’s OK! This is a great opportunity to ask the children what else the animals with two feet have, such as wings, and what they use their wings for. This allows the activity to cover a number of additional animal lessons in addition to counting, and to make it even more interactive and fun.

 

BIO: Laura is a mom to twin boys and author of Sunny Day Family, where she shares simple and engaging activities and crafts like her Bubble Wrap Road! Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

More Farm Activities

  • Farm Sensory Bin and I Spy Activity- Kids love to search for items hidden in pictures in a book or sensory bins. It is like finding hidden treasure! This farm themed sensory bin has a variety of farm animals tucked into birdseed. Your children will have a great time looking for them!
  • Farm Activities for Preschoolers– Many preschoolers have little or no connection to a farm. Use these activities to plan explorations for your preschoolers to learn more about the farm and farm animals. A farm theme can be great for spring or fall learning.
  • Farm Book Activity: Get Well Card Center- Exploring animals that live on the farm is a popular topic in many early childhood settings. Spring is the perfect opportunity for a farm preschool them for children to discover activities unique to farm life.  Using great children’s books is a springboard for learning about a topic or theme. Here is a fun farm activity – a book and a writing center to help learn about language and a form of writing.

More Farm Ideas

collage image of child making butter in a jar
colorful cartoon image of animals on the farm
Farm Sensory Bin
a childs hand holding a toy tractor on top of white paper covered in mud
a collage image of various farm theme activities
One Duck Stuck Muck Sensory Play
a red tray with six compartments holding playdough and farm accessories
Farm Writing Center activity

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