June is National Dairy Month—a great time to dive into how milk gets from cow to carton and explore the many ways dairy touches our lives. Whether your learners are curious about farm animals, food production, or agricultural science, dairy education is a great fit for kids ages 9–18.
At Kids Agriculture Unboxed, we believe in helping kids build real connections to where their food comes from. From exploring the cow’s digestive system to discovering dairy careers, there are so many opportunities to blend science, nutrition, and agriculture during National Dairy Month.
Here are fun and educational ways to celebrate!
1. Explore the Life Stages of a Dairy Cow
Understanding a cow's journey from calf to mature milk-producing animal helps kids appreciate the care, time, and science behind dairy farming.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Have kids create a timeline showing each life stage of a dairy cow. Include ages, major milestones (first milk, calf birth), and daily responsibilities. Calculate the number of months from a calf’s birth to the beginning of milk production. This is the initial investment farmers must make before making money on the cow in milk production.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
Our Cattle: Life Stages, Ruminant Digestion & Milk Science course walks kids through cow development, digestion, and milk production with visuals and printables included.
2. Learn How Cows Digest Their Food
Cows don’t just eat grass—they turn it into high-quality protein thanks to their complex digestive systems. Learning about ruminants is a great way to connect animal science and biology.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Create a diagram or model of a cow’s four stomach chambers. Label and describe what happens in each.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
We break this down in our Ruminant Digestion chapter, part of the same unit exploration. It’s perfect for kids new to animal biology and ag science.
3. Understand How Milk is Made and Processed
From udder to jug, milk’s journey is a mix of natural biology and modern technology. Exploring this process can help kids better understand quality control, food safety, and supply chains.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Draw or chart the path of milk—from cow to collection, cooling, transport, and processing at a dairy plant.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
Our Milk Science chapter introduces how milk is tested, pasteurized, and prepared for different products like cheese, butter, and yogurt.
4. Compare Dairy Breeds and Traits
Dairy cows come in more than just black and white! Each breed has its own unique look, personality, and milk characteristics.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Create a breed comparison chart or poster with photos, fun facts, and milk production stats.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
Our Cattle: External Anatomy & Breeds, Flashcards and Companion Resources includes common dairy breeds like Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, and more, with flashcards and breed ID tools.
5. Take a Milk Taste Test
Not all milk is the same! From skim and whole to chocolate and plant-based alternatives, comparing milk varieties is a fun sensory activity that teaches nutrition and observation.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Do a blind taste test of different milks. Using observation skills record texture, taste, smell and guess the milk type. Discuss fat content and nutritional value.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
Our Milk Taste Test Activity Guide is included in the dairy unit and includes a recording chart and reflection prompts for discussion.
6. Learn About Dairy Industry Careers
Dairy farming isn’t just about milking cows—it includes nutritionists, veterinarians, food scientists, equipment techs, and more.
🧠 Try This Activity:
Create dairy career cards and explore the different roles people play in getting milk to your fridge.
🔍 Helpful Resource:
We touch on real-world careers throughout our unit lessons, helping kids see how science, business, and animal care come together in agriculture.
Wrap-Up
National Dairy Month is the perfect time to explore how milk and dairy products connect us to the farm, the environment, and science. With these engaging activities and resources, you can make dairy education meaningful, memorable, and fun.
👉 Ready to get started? Browse our dairy-themed resources in the Agriculture Unboxed Shop — including printables, flashcards, and full unit explorations for beginner and intermediate learners.
Further Dairy Reading...