Feed pets: Helping hands
Help an adult care for your pet by preparing food, checking fresh water, and building a daily routine that supports their well-being. Best for ages 3 and up.
Last edited: 20/07/2026
Before you get started
Activity toolkit
Items you may need:
- Your pet's usual food
- A food bowl and water bowl
- Crayons, pencils or stickers (to complete your chart)
- Activity sheet
- An adult to help supervise with feeding.
Activity sheet
Helping hands challenge [3-7 year olds]
Pet care planner [7-11 year olds]
Instructions
Feeding your pet
Assist in practical care
Encourage participation when giving food and water to your pet. Ideas they could do include:
- Scooping/weighing the food
- Pouring water into the bowl
- Helping wash the bowls
Tip: Always narrate the "Why." Tell them: "We are washing the bowl to keep their tummy healthy!"
Notice when care is needed
Over time, begin prompting questions to help them check whether their pet needs food or water and to help them form a habit.
Tip: Make sure they check the bowls when your pet is at a safe distance away from the food and water to prevent harm.
Managing the practical care
When confident (usually around 7 years old), begin delegating responsibility to the young person for overseeing when to offer food and water (you may wish to set a time limit for this, such as ‘over the course of a month’).
Safety first: Make sure to supervise, as you are still legally responsible for the animal's care as the adult!
Tip: Children this age love official jobs. Print our Pet Care Planner Activity Sheet, or ask your child to make a "Feeding Chart" they can tick off every day to build their routine without you having to nag them.
celebrate your achievement
Together, We’re Making an Impact
Upload a photo of you helping to feed your pet, and we’ll add +1 to our impact counter - showing how many of you are making a collective difference.