Today, we want to share our top recommendations for the best pet-themed activities, songs, fingerplays, and books for preschoolers. Celebrating our love for pets can be a joyful and educational experience for your little ones. These fun activities are absolutely entertaining and teach about caring for and appreciating our furry, feathered, and finned friends. We believe that these creative ideas will captivate your child's imagination and foster a sense of compassion and responsibility toward animals!
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My Pre-K Box is an educational subscription box for preschoolers filled with different learning activities for math and literacy skills! With fresh new themes each month, your child will delight in all of the fun, play-based learning activities inside! Prepped and delivered straight to your door, My Pre-K Box is so much fun, your child won't even realize how much they're learning!
Celebrating pets is a special time when families come together to appreciate and enjoy the companionship of their furry, feathered, or finned friends. It's more than just cuddles and treats—it's a chance for everyone, big and small, to engage in activities that show how much we care for our beloved animals! Whether we're making crafts, reading books, or singing songs about our pets, these simple activities can help your little ones learn about love, responsibility, and the joy that pets bring into our lives.
Top 10 Pet-themed Books for Preschoolers
1 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
This book is a charming tale about a boy who gives a cookie to a mouse, leading to a series of whimsical and humorous requests. The simple, repetitive text and delightful illustrations make it perfect for preschoolers, helping them anticipate what happens next and enhancing their comprehension skills. This engaging story truly captures young readers' imaginations and can be used to introduce basic concepts of cause and effect.
2 Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
This book tells the heartwarming story of Emily Elizabeth and her lovable, gigantic red dog, Clifford. Through colorful illustrations and simple storytelling, preschoolers are introduced to the adventures of Clifford as he navigates everyday challenges with his owner. This book is great for preschoolers because it teaches valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, and acceptance, while also sparking their imagination with the idea of having a larger-than-life pet companion
3 Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
If your little one sometimes hates baths, then this book is the perfect story for them! Follow the adventures of Harry, a white dog with black spots who despises baths, as he embarks on a playful journey to avoid getting clean. Through captivating illustrations and a relatable storyline, preschoolers will be drawn into Harry's world and learn valuable lessons about hygiene and responsibility. This timeless tale celebrates the bond between a pet and its owner while teaching important life lessons, making it a must-read for preschoolers everywhere.
4 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
This book has a delightful and engaging story that follows the adventures of Pete the Cat as he strolls through town in his brand-new white shoes. As Pete encounters various obstacles that turn his shoes into different colors, he maintains his cool attitude and sings his signature song. This book is great for preschoolers because it has catchy rhymes, colorful illustrations, and a positive message about resilience! It teaches valuable lessons (not only for kids but also for adults) about staying optimistic and embracing life's unexpected twists and turns!
5 The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
In this book, preschoolers are invited into the hilarious world of the determined and persuasive Pigeon. Through expressive illustrations and witty dialogue, children follow along as the Pigeon makes his case for why he absolutely needs a puppy. This book is a great choice for preschoolers because it encourages creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. It sparks conversations about responsibility, wants versus needs, and the importance of considering others' perspectives, all while keeping young readers thoroughly entertained.
6 Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting by Emma Dodd
This story takes preschoolers on a vibrant journey with Dog as he experiences a day filled with messy adventures. Through dynamic illustrations and interactive storytelling, children learn about colors and counting as they follow Dog's colorful mishaps. This book is a wonderful choice for preschoolers because it combines learning with fun, engaging storytelling, making it an enjoyable and educational read-aloud experience.
7 Gossie & Gertie by Olivier Dunrea
This story introduces children to the charming friendship between two adorable goslings, Gossie and Gertie. Through simple yet endearing illustrations and relatable storytelling, children follow along as Gossie and Gertie navigate their everyday adventures together. Preschoolers will learn valuable lessons about friendship, sharing, and problem-solving through this gentle and heartwarming story.
8 Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
Follow the adventures of Splat the Cat and his friends in this humorous and heartwarming series. With vibrant illustrations and relatable storytelling, children follow along as Splat faces new experiences, makes friends, and learns valuable lessons about courage and self-acceptance. Many parents love this book for their preschoolers because it celebrates individuality and resilience while promoting empathy and understanding of others' feelings, all in a fun and accessible format that young readers will adore.
9 Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
This adorable book is about a dog named Arfy who writes letters to different people in his neighborhood, hoping to find a forever home. It teaches important lessons about kindness and empathy, making it a perfect choice for reading with preschoolers. It also gives important lessons about the importance of finding a place where you belong, all while sparking discussions about the love and responsibility involved in pet adoption.
10 Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
Although not specifically about a pet, this story is about a monkey named Jim Panzee having a bad day, which is quite relatable to kids. The story teaches them about emotions, empathy, self-awareness, and the importance of expressing feelings. Jim’s friends (other animals) try to help him, making it a delightful read about friendship and understanding.
These books offer a mix of humor, adventure, and heartwarming lessons, which makes them perfect for preschoolers who love animals and pets.
Lovin’our Pet-themed book recommendations?
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You’ll surely love this freebie even more! Check out our new Pets Preschool Fun Pack, a delightful collection of pet-themed worksheets designed to target essential math and literacy skills. Packed with fun and engaging exercises, this resource is perfect for keeping your little one entertained while fostering important developmental skills. Don't miss out on this great opportunity—grab this preview and free sample of our Pets Preschool Fun Pack today!
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5 Engaging and Delightful Pet-themed Songs and Fingerplays for Preschoolers
1 The Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout (walk fingers up arm)
Down came the rain and washed the spider out (wiggle fingers downward)
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, (make a big circle with arms)
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again (walk fingers up arm)
2 Old MacDonald Had a Farm (Pet Edition)
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O (clap your hands)
And on that farm, he had a dog, E-I-E-I-O (pretend to hold a leash)
With a woof-woof here, (bark like a dog)
And a woof-woof there, (bark like a dog)
Here a woof, there a woof, (bark like a dog)
Everywhere a woof-woof, (bark like a dog)
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O (clap your hands)
And on that farm, he had a cat, E-I-E-I-O (pretend to pet a cat)
With a meow-meow here, (meow like a cat)
And a meow-meow there, (meow like a cat)
Here a meow, there a meow, (meow like a cat)
Everywhere a meow-meow, (meow like a cat)
**You can change the song to whatever pet you want!
3 Five Little Puppies (in the tune of 5 Little Moneys song)
Five little puppies were playing in the sun, (hold up five fingers, wiggle fingers)
This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (hold up one finger, run in place)
He ran in the grass and he ran in the sun, (move hand side to side)
Where are the puppies? One by one. (shrug shoulders)
4 Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb (pat your lap)
Mary had a little lamb (pat your lap)
Its fleece was white as snow. (spread hands wide)
And everywhere that Mary went, (walk fingers in the air)
The lamb was sure to go. (nod head)
It followed her to school one day, school one day, school one day (walk fingers)
It followed her to school one day (walk fingers)
Which was against the rule. (shake finger 'no')
It made the children laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play (pretend to laugh or jump around)
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school. (point to eyes)
5 BINGO
There was a farmer who had a dog, (pretend to hold a leash)
And Bingo was his name-o. (clap your hands)
B-I-N-G-O, (clap on each letter)
B-I-N-G-O, (clap on each letter)
B-I-N-G-O, (clap on each letter)
And Bingo was his name-o. (clap your hands)
These songs and fingerplays include clear and simple actions that preschoolers can follow, making them interactive and engaging! Have fun singing and acting them out with your preschoolers to make your pet-themed activities even more enjoyable for them!
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Wow, those songs and fingerplays are so much fun! Want more pet-themed activities for your preschooler? Unleash your preschooler's imagination with our free Vet Dramatic Play Checklist! This simple yet engaging checklist is perfect for pretend play as a vet, allowing your child to take care of their pets just like a real veterinarian! Encourage creativity, empathy, and role-playing skills while they have fun. Download your free Vet Dramatic Play Checklist today and make their playtime more enjoyable!
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Fun and Easy Pet-themed Activities for Preschoolers
1 Pet Rock Craft
Materials: Smooth rocks, paint, googly eyes, glue, markers
Activity: Collect smooth rocks from the yard or a park. Wash and dry them, then paint the rocks to make them look like different pets (dogs, cats, fish, etc.)! Add googly eyes or use markers to draw details. Kids can create a whole collection of pet rocks to play with or display.
2 DIY Pet Treats
Materials: Simple ingredients like peanut butter, oats, and flour depending on the recipe. Be sure to check for any allergies or pet dietary restrictions!
Activity: Make homemade pet treats for your family pet or to give to a friend’s pet. Look up easy recipes online, like these peanut butter dog biscuits or tuna cat treats. Kids can help mix the ingredients, cut out shapes, and bake the treats. This activity is a fun way to spend time together and show love to your pet.
3 Pet-Themed Storytime and Puppet Show
Materials: Pet-themed books, socks, felt, markers, glue
Activity: Read pet-themed books together as a family (you can use our book recommendations above!). Afterward, create simple puppets using socks or paper bags decorated with felt, markers, and other craft supplies to look like different pets. Use the puppets to put on a pet-themed puppet show, acting out the stories or creating new adventures.
4 Create a Pet Obstacle Course
Materials: Household items like chairs, pillows, boxes, hula hoops, poles, etc.
Activity: Set up an obstacle course in the living room or backyard using household items. Kids can guide their pet (or a stuffed animal if they don’t have a pet) through the course. They can crawl under chairs, jump over pillows, weave through boxes, and more. This is a great way to encourage physical activity and creativity!
5 Pet Photo Shoot
Materials: Camera or smartphone, pet costumes or accessories, props
Activity: Dress up your pet in fun costumes or accessories and have a pet photo shoot. Set up a simple backdrop using a sheet or blanket and use props like toys or treats to capture cute and funny moments. Kids can help by posing with the pet or taking turns as the photographer. Print out the best photos to create a pet-themed photo album or collage.
Your kids will surely love these engaging and enjoyable activities for the whole family! It is also a nice way to encourage creativity, bonding, and interaction with pets.
And that wraps up our pet-themed adventures for today! We hope you had a lot of fun. From heartwarming stories to catchy tunes and engaging pet-themed activities, these help children understand compassion, responsibility, and the happiness that pets bring into our lives. These pet-centered activities foster bonding, kindness, and a deeper appreciation for our animal companions. We hope that these books, songs, fingerplays, and activities will provide your families with more fun and educational ways to spend time together, and of course, you can use them to extend the fun this month with The Pet Box!
And speaking which, you can also extend the fun and learning with our new Print-at-Home: Pets Preschool Fun Pack! This adorable set of pet-themed worksheets is perfect with The Pet Box, so after having some fun with it (or maybe while waiting for it to arrive), you can give it a try! If you got the freebie earlier and want the full version with 20+ printable worksheets, an ink-saving version, and answer keys, you can purchase it now for only $5! Please note that this is a digital product and no physical or printed worksheets will be shipped; instead, you'll receive a download link upon purchase so you can print it at home!
Are you a parent or caregiver looking for an engaging and educational way to support your preschooler's learning journey? Or are you a homeschooling parent searching for resources to add to your homeschool curriculum? If you are, you can surely find lots of ideas online. However, we understand that not everyone has the time (or the energy) to go through countless resources and prepare activities from scratch. That's where My Pre-K Box steps in, to make life easier for you!
With My Pre-K Box, the hassle of researching and planning learning activities becomes a thing of the past. We offer a convenient solution by delivering a carefully made-with-love box to your doorstep each month. Inside, you'll discover different crafts and hands-on activities, all thoughtfully designed around a unique theme!
The best part? There's absolutely no prep required. You can say goodbye to the stress of scrambling for supplies or figuring out how to structure learning time. Plus, our games and activities are mostly reusable, making it budget-friendly and perfect for siblings to share. And, for craft enthusiasts, we offer a Craft Lovers Upgrade for just $8.95 per child!
We take care of everything, so you can focus on enjoying quality moments with your child!
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