3 Fun Summer Activities to Do with Your Kids and Chickens
- May 27
- 4 min read
Make the most of summer with your flock and your family!
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, head outside, and make memories with the ones you love including your feathered friends! Whether your kids are already chicken obsessed or just getting started, these three activities blend backyard fun with learning, creativity, and quality time. Best of all, your flock gets to be part of the action.
Here are three of our favorite summer activities to enjoy with your kids and your chickens this season.
Activity 1: Read to Your Chickens
Did you know chickens are surprisingly good listeners? This sweet and simple activity is a wonderful way to sneak in those summer reading minutes while spending calm, quiet time with your flock.
How to do it:
Find a shady spot near your chicken run or let the flock free range in a safe area.
Have your child pick their favorite book, farm-themed books are especially fun, but anything goes!
Sit quietly and read out loud. Chickens are naturally curious and may wander over to listen.
Track reading minutes in the Strong Animals Summer Reading Challenge Tracker and celebrate milestones together.
Why kids love it: It feels magical to have a chicken settle nearby while you read. It’s calm, cozy and encourages a love of both books and animals.
Pro tip: Bring a small handful of treats to draw the chickens closer. Golden Graze works great for this!
Activity 2: Hand-Paint an Egg Collection Apron
Turn egg collecting into an even more special chore with a one-of-a-kind apron your child decorates themselves. This craft activity doubles as a keepsake they’ll be proud to wear every single morning.
What you’ll need:
A plain canvas apron (available at most craft stores)
Fabric paint in assorted colors
Paintbrushes in various sizes
Stencils (optional) — chickens, eggs, feathers, sunflowers
Fabric markers for detail work
Cardboard to slip inside the apron while painting
How to do it:
Slip cardboard inside the apron to prevent paint from bleeding through.
Let your child go wild painting their favorite chicken-themed designs. Their chickens by name, colorful eggs, flowers or anything they love.
Allow to dry completely (usually 24 hours), then heat-set with an iron per the fabric paint instructions.
Put it on and head out to collect eggs!
Why kids love it: Having their very own personalized apron makes egg collecting feel like an important, grown-up job. It’s also a wonderful way to express creativity and take ownership of their role in the flock’s care.
Activity 3: Build a Chicken Obstacle Course
Chickens are smarter than most people think and they love to explore! Challenge your kids to design and build a mini obstacle course for the flock using everyday materials from around the yard or house. It’s part engineering project, part outdoor play and 100% entertaining for the whole family.
Obstacle ideas:
Tunnels & Passages
A cardboard box with both ends cut out
Hula hoops propped up for chickens to walk through
PVC pipes laid flat on the ground
Jumps & Steps
Small wooden planks or boards propped up slightly as ramps
Stumps or stepping stones to hop between
A wooden ladder laid flat to step through the rungs
Weave & Navigate
Garden stakes stuck in the ground in a zigzag pattern
Rows of small cones or plastic bottles filled with sand
Rope laid in a twisting path on the ground
Perch & Balance
A low balance beam made from a 2x4 laid flat
Tree branches or logs arranged as natural perches
Stacked bricks or pavers to walk over
Treat Stations
Scatter treats along the course to guide the chickens through
Hang a cabbage or lettuce “piñata” at the finish line
Set up a Happy Tract or mealworm reward station at the end
Picture Credit: The Artful Roost
Tips for success:
Keep all obstacles low to the ground and free of sharp edges.
Use treats to lure chickens through each station.
Let kids name each obstacle for extra fun like the “Tunnel of Clucks” or “Mealworm Finish Line,” etc.
Time the chickens and keep a leaderboard for added excitement!
Why kids love it: It combines building, problem-solving and outdoor play all in one. Watching their chickens actually navigate the course they designed is pure joy, and a little chaos never hurt anyone!
Make This Summer One to Remember
These activities are more than just fun, they’re building blocks for a lifelong love of animals, nature and responsibility. When kids are involved in the care and enjoyment of their flock, they develop empathy, patience and a sense of pride that goes far beyond the backyard!
Looking for even more ways to keep your kids busy this summer? Here's some more fun summer activities for kids to beat the heat!
We’d love to see your summer flock moments! Tag us on social media and share your photos of reading sessions, painted aprons and obstacle course champions.
Happy summer from the Strong Animals family! 🐣☀️
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.
Happy Tract - For Digestive Healthy & Immunity
Happy Tract is a daily chicken snack that promotes digestive health in your flock. It contains oregano, cinnamon and thyme essential oils, prebiotics, multi-grains, cracked corn and sunflower seed. Treat your feathered friends to this healthy snack.
