There, your children can learn about agriculture, biology and chemistry in a real world setting. They can learn how fertilizers work, how plants grow and how their food is really made.
Don’t think you near a farm? Even cities like New York or Boston have farms just a few dozen miles away. Those come straight from a nearby farm.
Want to have a blast this summer doing something a little different than the standard summer activities? Why not try taking your kids to a local farm?
There will be all kinds of animals on the farm. In addition to the animals on the farm that are part of the business, many farmers also keep dogs and other pets around.
== > A Few Different Kinds of Adventures to Choose From
Some farms have very structured stay-in programs. This is particularly true of farms near big cities, where summer stays are a big attraction.
Many farms will have one-day adventures you can go on. It might include a tour of the farm, a little bit of horseback riding, helping out with picking fruits and an authentic farmer’s meal at night.
At smaller farms, you might just be helping out around the farm informally and just be a temporary member of the farm’s family.
You and your child can stay at the farm for a week or two. You can play together, learn together, pick fruits together, play with animals together and eat together.
You can stay on a farm for a longer period of time if you want to get even more involved. Think of it like summer camp, except on a farm.
== > How to Find Local Farms
This kind of adventure isn’t for everyone. If your children like the outdoors, like animals and like outside the box experiences, this could be the perfect experience for the whole family.
Some farms don’t charge for summer stays if you’re helping out. By and large, however, farms treat farm stays as an attraction of sorts and charge accordingly.
One great resource to look at is wwoof.org. This site lists farms from all over the world where farmers post volunteer opportunities.
Some of these farms also have stay-in programs for parents and kids. Some don’t, so make sure you check the farm’s description carefully.
You can also just pop by your local farmer’s market or do a Google search for farms near your city. Make contact with the farmer(s) and inquire about a summer stay.
There will be all kinds of animals on the farm. In addition to the animals on the farm that are part of the business, many farmers also keep dogs and other pets around. Don’t think you near a farm? Even cities like New York or Boston have farms just a few dozen miles away. Those come straight from a nearby farm.
