Old MacDonald

Old MacDonald

Join Old MacDonald on the farm to explore familiar animals and their sounds. Repeated verses encourage children to listen, sing, imitate animal noises and build early language skills, with printable activities supporting counting, letter awareness, matching and sequencing.

Ages 2–5 15 minutes Download Lesson Plan (pdf)

Learning objectives

  • Identify familiar farm animals and imitate their sounds
  • Develop listening, attention and participation through repeated song lyrics
  • Practise expressive language by naming animals and making their sounds
  • Count groups of animals with support
  • Begin to recognise the initial letters of familiar animal names
  • Practise matching and sequencing skills

What you'll need

  • Screen or device to play the song video
  • Old MacDonald activity pack PDF
  • Pencils or crayons
  • Optional farm-animal toys or pictures

Watch and sing

Watch the song together, then follow the activities below.

Watch Now on YouTube

Prefer streaming?

Our songs are available on all major streaming platforms.

Spotify Apple Music Deezer Tidal

Lesson activities

Step 1: Visit the farm

3 minutes

Play the Old MacDonald video. Encourage children to join in with the repeated E-I-E-I-O refrain and listen for the animals and their sounds. Invite them to copy each sound as they hear it.

Step 2: Name it and make the sound

3 minutes

Recall the animals from the song: cow, duck, pig, chicken, sheep, horse and turkey. Say each animal's name and encourage children to make its sound. Ask children to identify an animal from its sound, offering pictures or choices if helpful.

Step 3: Choose a farm activity

7 minutes

Select an activity from the printable pack. Children can match animals to sounds, count groups of farm animals, find hidden ducks, trace the first letter of an animal name or number animals in the order they appear in the song. Choose one task that suits the group rather than trying to complete every activity.

Step 4: Sing it again

2 minutes

Finish by singing the refrain and inviting children to choose an animal and make its sound. Ask them which animal they remember best. Celebrate attempts to name, count, match or join in.

Questions to ask

  • Which animals did you see or hear in the song?
  • What sound does a cow make?
  • Can you make the sound of a duck, pig or sheep?
  • Can you match an animal to its sound?
  • Can you count the animals or remember the order they appeared in?

Finish together

Children have explored farm-animal names and sounds through song, supporting listening and early language. The chosen printable activity provides further practice with counting, matching, sequencing or initial-letter awareness.

Free printable activity pack

Continue the lesson with the matching activity sheets.

Download activity pack (pdf) Explore all activity packs