Looking for a memorable vacation with your kids? Look no further than a farm in the country. The agritourism travel trend has taken off in recent years, and there are a number of farms designed specifically for families.
For instance, farm stays in Sunshine Coast, Australia has kid-friendly activities for children and family. There is so much to explore – from getting up close and personal with animals to learning about farming and food production.
Read also: Vacation Planning Tips For Parents With Small Children
Why Agritourism
According to The National Agricultural Law Center, Agritourism is a “form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner“.
It combines the essential elements of the tourism and agriculture industries, attracts members of the public to visit agricultural operations, increases farm income, and provides recreation, entertainment, and/or educational experiences to visitors.
Therefore, Agritourism is a form of tourism that combines agricultural, handicraft, and gastronomic that capitalizes tourist, agricultural, and economic resources to support the future development of the rural environment.
Examples of agritourism are pumpkin picking patches, corn mazes, U-Pick operations, petting and feeding zoos, hayrides, cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, dude ranches, demonstration farms, agricultural museums, living history farms, on-farm farmers’ markets, winery tours and wine tasting, rural bed & breakfasts, and garden tours.
The North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) is a membership-based non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the farm direct marketing and agritourism industries that facilitate events, resources, communications, and peer-to-peer exchanges to advance the business of agritourism and farm direct marketing.
Best reasons why a farm stay is a perfect vacation for your family
1. An opportunity to learn by being active on a farm
Farm life provides a great opportunity for your children to become better students by learning to be active learners. On a farm, children can learn about nature by identifying trees, plants, and animals.
They can learn how to grow crops and make products like honey, jam, and bread. They also get to work side by side with adults on the farm. All of this helps children grow up smarter, stronger, and more responsible.
Read also: 20+ Virtual Field Trips and Tours for Kids
2. A world of possibilities awaits your children on a farm
Staying on a farm helps develop a sense of adventure in your children. The environment of a farm is full of new things and unexpected surprises that children can discover on their own.
This also encourages their curiosity about the world around them! Every day on the farm is different and gives children a unique opportunity to learn about the world as it changes.
3. The best way to relieve stress
Spending time on a farm can be a great way to relieve stress – for adults and children alike. The fresh air, quiet, and open spaces offer a chance to unwind from life’s everyday struggles.
There is nothing like being surrounded by nature to reconnect with the earth and slow down. The sight of the mountains, the sea or the forest relaxes and refreshes the body.
4. Establish a connection with the earth
Children who spend time on a farm develop better environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility. They will notice the animals, plants, and insects around them in new ways. They will also learn about farming methods, how food is grown and raised, and what the product is used for.
This makes them more responsible when it comes to caring for the environment. In fact, kids who have a connection to the earth tend to take better care of it.
5. Children learn skills on the farm
Children who spend time on a farm build problem-solving skills when exposed to new environments like farms. They learn to plan ahead, problem solve and think creatively to figure out what to do next.
They also learn to work with others and follow an adult’s directions. When family members follow a plan together, they learn how to work together and cooperate.
Read also: Why Traveling with Young Children is Worthwhile
6. Helps develop children’s emotional intelligence
Helping children learn from mistakes is an important part of raising them to be responsible adults. A farm environment gives children the opportunity to learn from their mistakes every day while surrounded by adults who can support them.
For example, children can learn to deal with new environments, meet new people, and try out their independence. All of this helps them develop emotional intelligence and grow into well-rounded adults.
7. Get them moving for a healthier future
Life on the farm provides children with far more physical activity than they would find on an average day at home or on vacation. They run around, climb trees, explore nature, and play tag. Children who are more physically active tend to be happier, healthier, and better able to concentrate in school.
8. Help your child learn respect for all animals
When visiting a farm, children can learn all about farm animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. This includes interacting with the animals, feeding them, and learning how they are raised on the farm.
The experience helps children develop respect for the lives of these creatures and have empathy for their fellow inhabitants on earth.
9. Great place to learn about being an adult
In a farm setting, children learn to take care of themselves, be kind, and help others. Working with animals and plants helps children learn to work with others on a daily basis.
They also learn about adult responsibilities, such as taking care of their families, working in the community, and being kind to people they don’t even know.
On a final note…
Farm stays are a perfect vacation for families with children. Staying on a farm teaches children to develop key skills such as responsibility, curiosity, creativity, and environmental awareness. It helps them become more physically active and learn about animals in an interactive way.
The farm experience also helps families get rid of their stress and reconnect with each other. It is a memorable vacation for kids and parents alike that you will never forget.
Monica is a passionate writer and content creator. Her interests include outdoor activities, fitness, technology, entrepreneurship, and everything in between. Say hi to Monica on Twitter @monical_lee.
Here are other posts she has written here: Tips for Hiking With Kids and Make the Adventure More Fun and How to Plan a Trip to the Blue Mountains.
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A farm stay is a great experience. I remember doing it a few years back and it was so enriching experience, my kid loved doing different farm activities.
I grew up in a countryside and my family own a farm. Love every moment of it. Would also love for my future kids to experience it
I have been to farm stay before, absolutely agreeing with you really amazing stay I had too, I miss my travelling & staycation, hope can resume anytime soon. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Staying on a farm is such a great idea because it would teach children so many different values that they should have. They’d understand the importance of the environment to the importance of hard work.
I love farm staying and I am sure kids will really enjoy too.
I totally agree with you! I grew up spending summers in our farm and its one of the best experiences I have in my life. Thus, it is a perfect experience for the kids as well as be connected to mother nature.
I do agree with you. I’ve been meaning to take my kids to a resort farm so that they can have a more meaningful and more educational vacation.
Farming is a great idea and perfect family bonding. Hoping to going to farm someday with my family 🙂
This is a cool idea to help kids to learn more about real life and things might be good for them in the future.
I should have taken my kids to some of the farms in my family when they were younger. They might have enjoyed it.
We live in the city but my family lives out in the farm and I love love love taking my kids out there so we can just spend quality time together, learn some old fashion ways, and no internet or phones! Yippppie! Everything in this post is totally True!
This is something I really want to do. I know my children would love to stay on a farm. It would be great fun!
This is brilliant, we take ours to a local farm near us that allows visitors. They love it. Its so good being outdoors and learning about the animals and where our food comes from.