Playtime is important; it helps the pet bond with the owner. Many animals will happily amuse themselves with household items or homemade toys. Here are some ideas to get the kids started.
Pet Place Mat
This place mat will keep the pet's feeding area neat and pretty.
Materials Needed:
- Large sheet of construction paper
- Pictures of dogs, cats, birds, fish, and other pets from magazines or brochures
- Or photocopy photos of the pets at home
- Poster paint for paw prints
- Black marker
- Clear adhesive contact paper
- Glue
Let the kids cut out pictures of pets from magazines, brochures, or catalogues. Photocopies of family pets can also be used. A fun extra, if the pet is cooperative, is to make paw prints on the paper. Brush a light coat of poster paint on the pet's paw and press it down on the place mat paper. Make sure to wash off the paint, so the animals will not lick paint on their paws or feet.
Use a black marker to write the pet's name and some cute phrases. Place a sheet of clear adhesive paper on each side of the place mat. Laminating this mat makes cleanup a breeze with a damp paper towel.
Sock-It-To-Me Pet Toy
Here's a super easy pet toy the kids can make, but make sure to get the parent's permission first to use these items. All that is needed is a tennis ball and a tube or crew sock.
Place the ball into the toe of the sock and then tie a knot. It's that easy! Ready to play fetch with the family's pooch or kitty?
Bird Bottle
If the family has a pet bird, it will enjoy viewing and pecking at this colorful homemade toy. Invite the child to fill a clean, empty clear-plastic bottle with any small objects that are colorful. This is the time to repurpose broken items in the home. Think about beads, feathers, sequins, faux jewels, buttons, or small broken toys.
Put the lid back on tightly and place this bottle of baubles inside the birdcage. Watch the pet bird amuse itself trying to get to the new-found colored objects
Pet Photo Frame
This may not be a toy, but the family pet will look pretty as a picture when a snapshot is displayed in this pet-treat frame.
Materials Needed:
- Flat wooden frame (any size)
- Pet treats (dog bones or cat treats)
- Water-based high gloss polyurethane
- Paintbrush
- Low temperature glue gun
Remove the glass and cardboard backing from a wooden picture frame. With the wood side up, arrange dog bones or cat treats on top of the frame. Once the pattern is determined, lay them face down and apply a coat of water-based high gloss polyurethane to both sides of the treat. (This step should be done by an adult in a ventilated area).
When dry, the children can glue the pet treats to the frame. Insert the pet's photo inside the frame and place it in the home where the entire family can see it and enjoy this member of the family.
Make Homemade Dog Biscuits
Give the family pet dog a treat by making lots of dog biscuits!
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1/3 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1 pinch salt (preferably sea salt)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 3 cups whole-wheat flour
- Honey flavored wheat germ
Directions:
- In a large bowl, pour the hot water over the margarine.
- Stir in the powdered milk, salt, and egg.
- Add the flour, 1/2 cup at at time.
- Knead for a few minutes to form still dough.
- Place a little flour and wheat germ on a table surface.
- Pat or roll to 1/2-inch thickness.
- Cut into bone shapes (they do make bone cookie cutters) and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool completely.
The dog biscuits will dry out when cold. Store in a plastic zipper-type bag. It's best to keep these in the refrigerator since there are no preservatives.
Note: Always check with the veterinarian before allowing pets to eat ingredients that are new to their diet.
Bone-a-petite!
Children will enjoy making toys and treats for the pets they own. Not only are the crafts fun to make, but making them teaches children responsibility for providing entertainment for the pets and the bonding a pet needs to feel loved.
Tania Cowling - Tania Kourempis Cowling is a former early childhood teacher, a published author of three teacher resource books (Shake, Tap, and Play a ...
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