Summer is the perfect time for kids and families to get outside and connect with agriculture in fun, hands-on ways. Whether you're exploring a local farm or making homemade ice cream, these activities help kids understand where their food comes from and how agriculture shapes our everyday lives.
Here are 20 fun and educational agriculture activities to try this summer!
1. Visit a Local or State Agricultural Fair
Fairs are packed with learning opportunities! Watch a 4-H or FFA livestock show, check out the biggest vegetable displays, and explore booths that highlight farm equipment, crops, and rural life.
👉 Talk to exhibitors and ask questions—many love sharing what they’ve learned through their ag projects.
2. Make Ice Cream in a Bag
July is National Ice Cream Month! Celebrate with a simple homemade ice cream recipe using cream, sugar, vanilla, ice, and salt in a zip-top bag.
👉 Use this as a springboard to talk about where dairy products come from and how milk becomes ice cream.
3. Go Berry Picking
Head to a local berry patch and pick your own strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
👉 While picking, observe the plants closely—notice how they grow, the shape of the leaves, and which berries ripen first.
4. Visit a Butcher or Meat Shop
Explore the meat counter at a local butcher shop or grocery store and identify cuts like chops, steaks, roasts, and ribs.
👉 Connect the cuts of meat to the animals they come from and talk about the role livestock plays in food production.
5. Tour a Local Farm
Search for local farms that offer tours or visitor days—many small farms enjoy hosting families.
👉 Ask farmers about their crops or animals and learn what it takes to care for them year-round.
6. Read Agriculture-Themed Books
Visit your library or find books online that explore life on a farm, how food is grown, or different types of livestock.
👉 Look for both fiction and nonfiction titles to inspire curiosity and connect agricultural themes to everyday reading.
7. Grow Your Own Salad Garden
Use recycled containers to grow leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers and kale with just soil, water, and sunlight.
👉 Let kids track the growth of each plant and taste-test the vegis once they’re ready to harvest.
8. Explore the Insect Lifecycle
Learn about the stages of an insect’s life from egg to adult, and explore the many orders of insects.
👉 Try creating an insect collection or identifying as many different orders of insects as possible.
9. Go Visit a Farm
Google "visit a farm near me" and see what types of farms or farmer's market agritourism may be in your area.
👉 Watching videos lets you “visit” all types of farms—from dairy to alpaca—even if you can’t go in person.
10. Tune Into a Horse Auction
Watch a livestream of the Keeneland or Fasig-Tipton horse sales, or a major race like the Kentucky Derby.
👉 Talk about how horses are bred, trained, and sold, and the role of agriculture in the equine industry.
11. Sneak Some Zucchini on August 8th
Celebrate National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day by sharing extras from your garden.
👉 This fun tradition encourages generosity and gives you a reason to start a garden if you haven’t already!
12. Celebrate World Honey Bee Day (August 15)
Research how bees pollinate plants and help grow the fruits and vegetables we eat.
👉 Plant wildflowers or make a bee hotel to support pollinators and talk about why bees are vital to farming.
13. Support Local During Farmers Market Week
The first full week of August is National Farmers Market Week, a great time to meet growers and taste fresh produce.
👉 Encourage kids to ask vendors questions about how their food was grown and what’s in season locally.
14. Plan a Farm-to-Table Picnic
July is National Picnic Month—pack a lunch that includes items like local cheese, fresh veggies, and pasture-raised meats.
👉 Use it as a conversation starter about where food comes from and how each item makes its way to your table.
15. Pick Tree Fruit
Summer is a great time for apples, peaches, plums, and other fruits—many farms let you pick your own.
👉 Use the opportunity to talk about tree care, fruit varieties, and how farmers manage harvest timing.
16. Celebrate Corn on the Cob Day (June 11)
Find locally grown sweet corn and prepare it boiled, grilled, or roasted.
👉 Research the difference between sweet corn (what we eat), field corn (for livestock/feed), and popcorn (a special variety).
17. Take a Nature Walk or Bike Ride
Explore local trails or parks and observe the plants, trees, insects, and wildlife around you.
👉 Bring a notebook or camera to document what you see and discuss how nature and agriculture are connected.
18. Visit a Greenhouse or Nursery
Wander through rows of plants and flowers at your local plant nursery or greenhouse.
👉 Identify different plant species and ask the staff about how they care for and grow plants year-round.
19. Make Homemade Pizza with an Ag Twist
Prepare pizza together using fresh vegetables, meats, and cheeses—bonus points for local or homegrown ingredients.
👉 Discuss the origin of each ingredient: wheat for the crust, tomatoes for sauce, dairy cows for cheese, etc.
20. Keep a Farm Journal or Scrapbook
Capture your summer ag adventures with photos, drawings, and short entries about what you learned.
👉 Reflecting on experiences helps kids process what they’ve seen and sparks future interest in agriculture.
Wrap-Up: Plant the Seeds of Curiosity This Summer
Whether you're picking berries, visiting a greenhouse, or tuning into a horse auction, these 20 activities are a fun way to bring agriculture into your summer routine. You don’t need a big farm or a huge backyard—just a little curiosity and willingness to explore the world around you.
👉 Want more ideas? Visit the Agriculture Unboxed Library for downloadable resources, videos, and unit explorations designed for curious kids and learning families!
