Getting a new puppy is exciting for the whole family—and especially for kids! Puppies and children can form strong bonds, and involving your kids in simple, fun activities with your puppy not only teaches them responsibility but also builds trust and love between them.
Here are some puppy-safe, child-friendly activities your kids can enjoy while helping care for their furry friend.
- Name Game: Teach the Puppy Its Name
One of the first activities kids can do is help teach the puppy its name. This can be a game where your child says the puppy’s name in a happy tone, and rewards it with a small treat when it responds.
💡 Tip: Make it a “who can get the puppy to look first?” game! - Create a Puppy Obstacle Course
Use couch cushions, chairs, cardboard boxes, and towels to create a mini obstacle course. Supervised puppies can crawl through tunnels or hop over soft barriers, and kids will love showing them the way.
💡 Tip: Keep it simple and low to the ground to avoid injury. - DIY Toy Crafting
Let your kids make safe toys for the puppy using old t-shirts or socks (clean, of course!). Braiding fabric or stuffing a water bottle inside a soft sock can turn into a fun chew toy.
💡 Reminder: Always supervise play and remove broken toys. - Teach Simple Commands Together
Kids can help with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come” using small treats and positive reinforcement. Make it a game—each time the puppy follows a command, your child gets a point too!
💡 Tip: Keep training short (5–10 minutes) to match short puppy attention spans. - Daily Walks as a Family Routine
While adults should handle the leash, your child can walk beside the puppy and encourage it with cheerful words and treats. This makes walks more social and helps the puppy get used to new sounds and sights.
💡 Tip: Let your child carry the treat pouch—it gives them a sense of responsibility. - Puppy Pic Photographer
Let your child become the “official puppy photographer” of the house. Whether it’s silly faces, sleepy paws, or zoomie shots, taking pictures helps them observe puppy behavior and notice growth over time.
💡 Idea: Make a shared “Puppy Photo Album” scrapbook together. - Reading Time with the Puppy
Encourage your child to read out loud to the puppy. Puppies love the sound of a calm voice, and kids gain confidence while practicing reading. It’s a win-win bonding moment!
💡 Best Books: Choose short, light-hearted stories about dogs to keep your child excited. - Frozen Treat Making
Make simple frozen treats your child can help mix. Try blending plain yogurt with mashed banana or peanut butter (no xylitol) and freezing it in silicone molds.
💡 Activity idea: Have your child draw a name and label for each treat batch! - Puppy Dance Party
Play gentle music and have a silly dance party with your puppy and child. This playful, energetic activity is great when your puppy needs to burn off some zoomie energy indoors.
💡 Caution: No picking up the puppy while dancing—just safe, goofy moves! - Calm Cuddle and Brush Time
Teaching your child to gently brush and cuddle their puppy during quiet time helps both relax. It also builds trust and helps puppies get used to being handled.
💡 Good Habit: Make this part of the bedtime routine for both the puppy and child.
Letting kids help raise a puppy makes them feel proud, responsible, and deeply connected to their four-legged friend. With supervision and guidance, these activities are not only fun but also create beautiful memories your family will cherish forever.
Looking for more tips on raising a happy puppy in a family home? Stay tuned to PetsDogPuppy for expert insights, puppy care guides, and hands-on ideas the whole family can enjoy! 🐕👨👩👧👦🎉