Make & Take Activity – Build a Barn

1. Ask youth what color they think of when they think of barns. Answers may vary. Ask youth why they think so many barns are red? Explain, a long time ago, red paint was the cheapest paint. Red paint contained rust, which gave the paint its red color and helped to prevent moss from growing on a wooden barn. Clarify that we see many different colored barns today, but some people still choose to paint them the traditional red color.
2. Explain to youth that they will be exploring the many purposes that barns can serve and will be building their own barn.
3. Complete the following steps and explain that barns can be used to shelter livestock, produce a specific farm product, store farm products and equipment, or for a combination of purposes.

1. Youth will need six craft sticks. Glue the sticks to the paper to form the shape of their barn.
2. Use the marker to draw the black lines to create a door on the front of the barn and to write their name on the construction paper.
3. Allow youth to decide what their barn will be used for. Will it house animals or hay? Use the stickers to let youth decorate their barns.

Barns are buildings that can serve a variety of purposes. Barns can be used to shelter livestock, produce a specific farm product, store farm equipment, or for a combination of purposes. The specific use of a barn determines its design.