Make a paper farm on a rainy afternoon

A rainy afternoon, a printer and a glue stick: that is all it takes to build a whole farm on the kitchen table. This activity suits children from about four years old, takes around 45 minutes, and ends with a toy they made themselves and want to play with.

You will need

• The farm printables, on A4 or US Letter paper
• Crayons, markers or coloured pencils
• Child-safe scissors and a glue stick
• A sheet of light cardstock for the barn (optional, but it stands up better)

Step by step

1. Print the pages at 100% (actual size) so the tabs line up.
2. Colour every piece before cutting. Big flat pieces are easier for small hands to colour.
3. Cut along the solid lines. Grown-ups can take the tight corners.
4. Fold along the dashed lines, glue the tabs and hold them for a few seconds.
5. Stand the barn and the animals up, and let the play begin.

Turn it into a game

Once the farm is built, ask questions while you play: which animal says “moo”? How many animals fit inside the barn? Where do they sleep at night? Counting animals, naming colours and telling little stories turn a craft into a gentle learning moment.

Make it last

Print the barn on cardstock, keep the small pieces in an envelope, and print a second set when a piece goes missing. Because the file is yours, you can print it again as often as your family needs.

The printables used here are in the Build a Farm Crafting Activity: ten pages to cut, build and play with.