4‑H Pollinators
Learn more about pollinators as you make simple and fun crafts with supplies you have at home.
About the Activities
Animals get sick, just like humans do. This series of activities explores how sickness spreads among animals, how the immune system fights off illness, and how veterinarians examine and treat animals with medicine to help them get back on all four feet.
Grades: 6-8
Topic: Animal Science
Supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Education and Workforce Development Program.
Defense Department
In the first activity of this series, kids will count and categorize different colors of M&Ms to learn how the different kinds of blood cells in human and animal bodies create an immune system that fights against sickness. Oh, and there’s candy involved, so it should be a hit.
Grades: 6-8
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Biosecurity Dominos
One sick animal can quickly spread that illness to others – especially in enclosed spaces like barns. In the second activity, kids will use dominos or blocks, arranging them in different ways to simulate how illnesses are spread and stopped.
Grades: 6-8
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Sick or Well: How Can You Tell?
Depending on the animal, a dry nose or a runny nose can both be a clue they are sick. In the third activity of this series, kids will learn the kinds of symptoms that veterinarians look for to know if an animal is sick and will examine a pet of their own to find and record any of these signs.
Grades: 6-8
Estimated Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Not a Shot in the Dark
In the final activity of the series, kids will mix up a batch of pretend "medicine" and learn how to measure proper doses by weighing the people or animals in their household and applying some basic math.
Grades: 6-8
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Related Activities
If you enjoyed these activities, you can find more agriculture and animal science activities on 4-H at Home.
Shop 4-H Curriculum and Products
Shop 4-H offers university-backed STEM curriculum, educational kits, products and supplies to help you continue exploring animal science and more!
Click on the tiles below to learn more and add items to your cart.
From Airedales to Zebras
Grades: 3-5
Introduces youth to the normal animal, basic anatomy and systems, elementary principles of disease and careers with animals.
$5.75
Veterinary Science Set of 4
Grades: 3-12
The full set of Veterinary Science curriculum includes beginner through advanced levels and the accompanying helper's guide.
$19.50
Animal Behavior Digital Download
Grades: 9-12
Designed to be facilitated in small groups, activities cover animal care concepts and issues in biomedical research and food safety.
$7.50
Horse Program Set of 2
Two of our most popular and time-tested guides that include scientific and practical horse information. Set includes one copy each of Horse Science and Horses and Horsemanship.
$10.50
All About Dogs
Grades 3-8
Learn how dogs think and the meaning behind their body language, how to keep dogs happy and healthy and the roles they play in our lives.
$8.95
Dairy Goat Set of 4
Grades: 3-12
The full set of Dairy Goat curriculum includes beginner through advanced levels and the accompanying helper's guide.
$19.50
View the full collection of Animal and Agricultural Science curriculum on Shop 4-H.
Brought to you by:
This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Education and Workforce Development Program, grant no. 2021-67037-33376/ Project Accession No. 1024940, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Learn About 4‑H Clubs in Your Area
Contact your local 4-H office to learn more about the great virtual and in-person programs and clubs available near you!
Take Our Survey