Did you know July 11 is Cow Appreciation Day? I guess you might have if you’re a Chick-fil-A fan, since they give out free food on that day if you dress like a cow. For the rest of us, this holiday is a fun opportunity to learn about and do crafts related to cows, and bring on all the milk, cheese and ice cream snacks!
First you’ll want to look the part, which you can do with these printable cow headbands from Kansas Living.
Make a cow out of a paper plate with this tutorial from Housing a Forest. Or put together a cow with this printable from Simple Mom Project.
Why not make a handprint cow? (Frosting and Glue) Or a paper bag cow? (Simply Everyday Mom)
Learn how to draw a cow with How to Draw Easy. Or grab the parts of a cow worksheet from Clever Learner, label the parts and color in the cow. (They also have instructions for how to draw a cow if you’d like another tutorial.)
Make a cow bell out of a can with instructions from The Crafting Chicks. (This does require poking a hole in the can, which should of course be done by an adult.)
Who wouldn’t want to “milk a cow”? You can make a cow out of a cardboard box or just do the udder part and let kids “milk” it. Either way you can get the instructions from We are the Hawleys.
Spatial Learners has a great unit study for elementary school kids all about cows. It includes text to read, a lapbook and writing pages, and you can get it from Teachers Pay Teachers.
Want to share some fun facts about cows? Cows carry their babies for nine months, just like humans. Cows have a strong sense of smell and can apparently smell something up to six miles away! They also have a 330 degree field of vision, which means they can see almost all the way around them. Cows are very social and love living in groups of 20 to 30 cows.
Looking for some books that feature Cow’s for your reading library? Check out these books we found on Amazon.
“Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
This humorous story follows a group of cows that discover an old typewriter and begin making demands. It’s a delightful tale with witty dialogue and charming illustrations.
Age Recommendation: 3-6 years
“The Cow Who Clucked
In this interactive book, children can join Cow as she meets various farm animals and learns to appreciate her unique cow voice. The colorful illustrations and onomatopoeic text make it engaging for young readers.
Age Recommendation: 2-5 years
“Cow Takes a Bow
Join Cow as she tries to become a famous ballerina in this entertaining story. With lively illustrations and a simple, rhyming text, it’s an enjoyable read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers.
Age Recommendation: 2-4 years
“Noisy Farm: Moo! Moo!
This interactive board book introduces children to different farm animals, including a lovable cow. It features bold, colorful illustrations and fun sound buttons that make animal noises. Perfect for little ones who enjoy interactive reading experiences.
Age Recommendation: 1-3 years
“The Cow Said Meow
Review: This silly and imaginative book tells the story of a cow that starts behaving like other animals on the farm. Children will giggle as they discover what happens when a cow tries to meow, quack, and neigh. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining read.
Age Recommendation: 3-7 years
“Cows Can’t Jump
Join a determined cow named Cindy Moo as she dreams of becoming a high-jumping champion. This engaging story teaches children the importance of perseverance and following their dreams. The colorful illustrations and relatable characters make it enjoyable for early readers.
Age Recommendation: 4-8 years
Remember, these age recommendations are approximate and can vary based on a child’s reading level and individual preferences.
