By Carson Davis
If you need a summer activity for your whole family, consider a farm visit. Many farms offer tours and activities for children, so you can start by searching for nearby farms. Farmers markets and specialty grocery stores can be great resources for connecting with farms in your community. If you can’t find farm visit options or if you want something more casual, think about who you know who keeps animals or tends a garden.
Recently, my family spent the morning visiting a family friend who has several animals: a horse, donkey, chickens, turkeys, and some pet dogs. Only ten minutes outside town, she lives on a large piece of land, and welcomes guests with coffee, coffee cake, and treats for the animals. Our children fed the donkey and scattered feed for the chickens. We were right next to the coop when a fresh blue egg appeared, and they followed the turkeys on a walk through the woods.
As our children get older, we’ll look for more structured farm excursions. This summer, an hour with a few animals is exactly what they need.