Materials
Old magazines or catalogs
Scissors
Construction paper
Glue
Container
Books with pictures of toys, animals, things that go, and things to wear
Chairs
Music
Instructions
1. This is a great activity to do during a woodland animal unit or some type of
animal studies. Show the children books and pictures of animals.
2. Show the children the hard, frozen bread dough. Measure it with a tape
measure and record the measurements, tracing its size on the paper.
3. Follow the thawing directions on the package.
4. After the children wash their hands, encourage them to knead the dough on
a clean surface.
5. Put the dough into a bowl, cover it with a towel, and put it in a warm area to
rise.
6. After the dough has risen, re-measure it. Compare and contrast the changes
in the dough.
7. Give each child a handful of dough. Encourage them to knead the dough and
shape it into an animal form.
8. They can add pretzel sticks to make a porcupine, coconut to make a polar
bear, raisins for eyes, and so on.
9. Place the critters on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Print the child's
name by her critter with a permanent marker.
10. Bake the critters in the oven (adult only), for a little less time than directed.
Take them out when they are slightly brown. Let them cool and eat!
More to do
Books: Read stories about animals.
