Good first animal sounds for toddlers are dog (woof), cat (meow), cow (moo), duck (quack), pig (oink) and sheep (baa). Pick animals your child sees in real life or in a favourite book, make the sound together, and turn it into a game. The full list of 20 animals, with a tip for each, is below.
The animal sounds list
Here are 20 easy animal sounds for toddlers and preschoolers, with a simple play tip for each. Families say some sounds differently, and that's fine. "Woof", "bow-wow" and "ruff" are all good dog sounds.
| Animal | Sound | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | Woof woof | Point out dogs on walks and say the sound together. |
| Cat | Meow | Say it softly, then loudly, like a sleepy or a hungry cat. |
| Cow | Moo | Stretch it out: "Mooooo." Easy for little voices. |
| Duck | Quack quack | Flap your elbows like wings as you quack. |
| Pig | Oink oink | Push up the tip of your nose for a giggle. |
| Sheep | Baa | Count the sheep in a picture book as you baa. |
| Horse | Neigh | Gallop around the room, then stop and neigh. |
| Chicken | Cluck cluck | Bob your head and peck at pretend seeds. |
| Rooster | Cock-a-doodle-doo | Use it as a wake-up game in the morning. |
| Goat | Maa | Compare it with the sheep's "baa". |
| Lion | Roar | Start with a tiny roar, then a big one. |
| Monkey | Ooh-ooh-ah-ah | Scratch your sides and jump. |
| Elephant | Trumpet (toot!) | Make a trunk with your arm. |
| Snake | Hiss | A long "sssss", great for the S sound. |
| Bee | Buzz | Fly your finger around and land on a nose. |
| Frog | Ribbit | Crouch and hop between "ribbits". |
| Owl | Hoo hoo | Whisper it, like it's night-time. |
| Bird | Tweet tweet | Listen for real birds outside. |
| Mouse | Squeak | The smallest, quietest voice you can make. |
| Wolf | Awoo | Howl together, then giggle. |
You don't need to learn them all. Five or six favourites, said again and again, are plenty to start.
Farm animal sounds for toddlers
Farm animals are the classic first set. They show up in board books, toy sets, songs and visits to a farm or petting zoo, so your child meets them often.
Start with dog, cat, cow and duck, then add pig, sheep, horse and chicken. If you have a toy farm, line the animals up and take turns: you hold up the cow, your child says "moo". Then swap.
Zoo and wild animal sounds
Wild animals add drama, which toddlers love. A big lion roar, a long snake hiss and a buzzing bee are all fun to act out with the whole body.
Some wild animals don't have a "real" sound everyone agrees on (what does a giraffe say?). That's a fun chance to be silly together, or to switch to a movement instead: stretch tall like a giraffe, swim like a fish, hop like a kangaroo.
Why do toddlers love animal sounds?
Animal sounds are short, playful and fun to copy. They let a child join in with a book or a song even before they can say many words, and they make adults laugh, which little ones enjoy.
The CDC's tips for 18-month-olds use an animal sound as an example of building language: "Teach your child more words by adding to the words she says. For example, if she says 'Dog,' say 'Yes, that's a dog. Dogs say 'woof, woof.''"
Animals also turn up in the CDC's other tips. For 18 months: "Read books and talk about the pictures using simple words." Around 2: "Help your child do simple puzzles with shapes, colors, or animals."
There's no official age for animal sounds, and there's a wide normal range. For reference, the CDC lists "Tries to say three or more words besides 'mama' or 'dada'" by 18 months, "Points to things in a book when you ask, like 'Where is the bear?'" by 2 years, and "Names things in a book when you point and ask, 'What is this?'" by 30 months.
Guess-the-sound game
This is the easiest game in the world, and toddlers ask for it again and again.
- You make a sound. "Moooo!"
- Your child guesses. "Who says moo?" Hold up a toy or point to a picture as a hint.
- Cheer and swap. Now your child makes a sound and you guess. Guess wrong on purpose sometimes. Toddlers love correcting grown-ups.
Variations:
- Hide and seek: hide a toy animal and make its sound. Your child follows the sound to find it.
- Loud and quiet: a tiny mouse squeak, then a huge lion roar.
- Book version: cover a picture with your hand, make the sound, then reveal it.
Old MacDonald: the classic way to practise
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm" is a well-known traditional song built entirely around animal sounds, so it's perfect practice. Sing one verse per animal and pause before the sound so your child can fill it in: "With a ___ ___ here..."
Let your child choose the next animal, even if it's a lion on the farm. Add actions for each one. By 4 years, the CDC lists "Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme", and songs like this are an easy way to join in.
Learning letters with animals
Animals are a friendly way into the alphabet too: C is for cat, L is for lion, P is for pig, Z is for zebra. The free alphabet tracing printables let your child trace the letter, then make the animal's sound as a reward. You'll find more animal ideas in the animals learning hub.
If you use videos, keep them short and watch together. Our guide on how much screen time is right for a 2-year-old explains the guidelines.
If you have concerns about your child's talking or understanding, our guide to what a 2-year-old should know explains when the CDC suggests talking to your child's doctor, and its free Learn the Signs. Act Early. checklists can help.
Watch and sing
The LumiLand animal song is coming soon. Until then, the ABC song for toddlers is full of animals: cat, fish, kangaroo, lion, octopus, pig, whale and zebra. Sing along with Lumi, and when an animal pops up, pause and make its sound together.
Common questions
What animal sounds should toddlers learn first?
Start with animals your child sees or hears often, such as a dog (woof), cat (meow), cow (moo) and duck (quack). Familiar animals in your home, street or favourite book are the easiest place to begin.
Why do toddlers love animal sounds?
Animal sounds are short, silly and fun to copy, and they turn a picture book or a walk into a game. The CDC suggests adding to your child's words, for example: "Yes, that's a dog. Dogs say 'woof, woof.'"
How do I play a guess-the-animal game?
Make an animal sound and ask, "Who says that?" Show a toy or picture as a hint. Then swap roles so your child makes the sound and you guess.
At what age do toddlers say animal sounds?
No health authority gives an age for animal sounds specifically, and there is a wide normal range. The CDC lists "Tries to say three or more words besides 'mama' or 'dada'" as a milestone by 18 months.
