Farm animal party

What it is

A mobile farm comes to you with a pen of friendly animals - typically lambs, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. Toddlers and young children love it, and the animal handlers run the main activity.

Plan ahead

• Four to six weeks before: book a mobile farm. Ask which animals come, how much space they need, and what they bring (pens, straw, hand-washing station).
• Two weeks before: check guests’ allergies (animal fur, hay).
• The day before: set up a hand-washing station with soap, warm water and paper towels.

Set the scene

Gingham tablecloths, straw bales for seating (or cushions with a hay-print cover), a “Welcome to the Farm” sign, and red and yellow balloons. Line toy farm animals along the food table.

Activities

Meeting the animals

Let the handlers lead. Small groups of 4-5 sit in the pen and hold or feed animals one at a time. Teach children to stroke gently from head to tail.

Farm games

• What animal am I? Children take turns making animal noises.
• Egg-and-spoon race with plastic eggs.
• Feed the pig: throw beanbags into a pig’s mouth cut into a cardboard box.

Food and drink

• Sandwiches cut into animal shapes, cheese cubes, apple slices
• “Pig in a blanket” sausages
• Farm cake with green icing grass and toy animals

Tips

• Hand washing after touching animals, every time - especially before food.
• Keep food well away from the animal pen.
• Have a quiet spot for nervous children to watch from.