Last Updated on September 16, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: This farm animals activity is a great way to strengthen fine motor skills. Fill a bin with soapy water and invite your toddlers to wash the animals using brushes!
Using sponges and water droppers is a fun way for toddlers to work on building fine motor skills, and it’s hands-on fun!
This farm animals activity is simple to put together. All you need are plastic farm animals, a tub of soapy water and your toddlers will be busy scrubbing.
When finished, dry the animals with a towel and they are ready for more play!

Washing the Farm Animals Activity for Toddlers
What you will need:
- Plastic farm animals
- Small scrub brushes
- Liquid soap
- Small towels and a tray
- Container with water
- Water droppers (optional)
Setting up this farm animals activity:
Fill a water table or other container with a shallow amount of water, adding a squirt of liquid soap.
Place animals and brushes inside the water.
Place a tray nearby with a towel to dry the animals when finished.
Related: 15+ Water Table Activities
Tell your toddlers that they are going to give the farm animals a bath in warm soapy water.
Show them how to hold the animal in one hand while holding a brush in the other.
They will then move the brush back and forth, scrubbing the animal with the water.
For additional fine motor practice you can provide water droppers.
If your toddlers have not yet used them, take a moment to demonstrate how they will need to squeeze the bulb while the dropper is in the water and release when it is on the animal.
It might take a few tries to get the hang of it, and older toddlers with stronger fine motor skills will have an easier time.
Related: Squeezing Water for Strengthening Fine Motor Skills
Continue to assist them a few times until they are able to squeeze and release the water by themselves.
If some toddlers seem frustrated, put the droppers away and wait until their fine motor skills are a bit stronger.
Small cups can also be added to the bin to pour water over the animals. (Scooping and pouring water is another fun way to build fine motor skills.)
When the animals are finished with their baths, dry them off using a towel.
Simple water fun to go with your farm theme!
Farm Books
- Clack! Moo! Oink! (I have each child press an animal button during circle time.)
- Night Night Farm
- Peppa at the Petting Farm
- Old MacDonald Had a Farm
- On the Farm
- Thank you, Farm!
- Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm
- Down on the Farm
- Amara’s Farm
- Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
- Big Red Barn
- Farmyard Beat
More farm ideas:
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