August 27th, 2012 by Kristi Stephens

I had a very suburban upbringing. We drove past farms a lot visiting family in Indiana and Wisconsin, and I have at least one memory of playing in the hay at my aunt and uncle’s dairy farm. For the most part, though, watching Charlotte’s Web was the closest I came to farm life and even county fairs!

Over the past few years of visiting the fair with kids in tow, I’ve become a lot more accustomed with what to expect and how to make the visit worthwhile.

If you’re new to county fairs, or if this is your first year taking kids to your local fair, here are some of my favorite tips.

For a comfortable visit:

• Everyone needs comfortable shoes, preferably those that strap on or tie. You don’t want to lose a flip-flop on the kiddie coaster and end up lugging a crying child half a mile through the hot, dusty fair.
• Bring your own snacks and plenty of cold water. Water fountains can be hard to come by, and while food is plentiful at the fair, do you really want to pay $5 to feed your hungry toddler a deep-fried Twinkie on a stick?
• Pack that hand sanitizer. Cows, pigs, buildings full of poultry, crowds of people, port-a-potties… and a cheese stick for a snack. You do the math.
• Do your homework. Check the fair schedule online {again, my suburban roots are showing. I honestly didn’t know that there are livestock being shown and different activities going on all week!} and map out your visit in advance.

For an educational visit:

• The county fair is much more than food trucks and rides! Be sure to visit all of the buildings to learn about agriculture and get up close and personal with farm animals, especially if you have city and suburban kids like we do! =)
• Ask questions and talk with the farmers and 4-H presenters! They often are so friendly and willing to answer questions and even let the kids touch the animals at times.

Do a family scavenger hunt!

Our visit to the fair is also a homeschool field trip, so I’ll be giving the kids some scavenger hunts to complete. You’re welcome to print off your own as you explore your local fair!

• This is the “hunt” for 1st grader AG, focused on social skills (asking for more information), reading, and descriptive words.

• This is for four year-old LB, working on word recognition and reading practice. (AG will also have a copy of this so she can help him!)

• One year-old BW won’t be left out – I found a great little bingo card for him here so he can identify animals as we visit the different buildings.

Their “prize” for finishing their scavenger hunts will be a ride or snack of their choice. ;)

Don’t forget that these times can provide great teachable moments for Scriptural principles, as well – Bible passages referring to sheep, horses, and other animals that my children don’t often see up close can make more sense and “stick” in environments like this. Here are some conversation starters to help you think through how to make the most of this time together!

• Why do you think, of all the animals in the world, the Bible compares us to sheep?
• The book of James says that while we can put bits in the mouths of huge horses and tame them, no man can tame the tongue. Why do you think our speech is so hard to control?
• In Matthew 23:27, Jesus says He has longed to gather His people together as a hen gathers her chicks, but they were unwilling. Do you see how chicks huddle beneath their mother’s wing for protection? Why do we resist God’s loving guidance when He desires to gather us to Himself?

Hope you have a great fair season!