It’s Springtime here (hopefully where you are too!) and with the warmer weather & sunny days, our family loves to take advantage of fresh produce with the openings of local farmer’s markets for the season. We like to go to the farmer’s market for fresh fruit, veggies, and baked goods. Getting to sample all of the locally-grown produce is our favorite. For example, last summer, I would have passed by the sweetest blueberries I have ever had if my 2-year-old had not reached for the sample. YUM!
The Farmer’s Market can be such a great learning experience for the kids too. We like to discuss where the items were grown and we talk to the farmers about their produce. We take our time to try the samples.
I like to encourage my kids to pick one new fruit or vegetable that they have never had before and we will try it in a new recipe at home – it’s a great way to discover new foods!
One particular visit, we gave the kids cash from some “chores” they had done and allowed them the chance to explore. Those kids took it all in, looking at all the vibrant colors, to find exactly what they wanted to purchase. One choose a bright yellow marigold to put on our front porch and the other chose the biggest cookie he could get his hands on.
Another fun idea we have tried is a Farmer’s Market scavenger hunt like this one:
• Find one red fruit that you haven’t had before. What is it?
• Find one green veggie that you haven’t had before. What is is?
• Taste an organic strawberry and a conventionally-grown (non-organic) one. Which one tastes better to you?
• Find a red food that is bigger than your fist. What is it?
• Ask 3 people if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. What do you think it is? (It’s a fruit!)
• Find a purple food with an interesting shape. What is it?
• Find 3 kinds of baked items. What did you find?
• Find something that grows on a vine/underground/tree.
• Ask 4 farmers what they like to grow the most. What is their favorite fruit or vegetable?
• Find peaches sold by 2 different vendors. What is the difference in price?
• What is the most interesting thing that you found for sale today at the Farmer’s Market?
This would be my answer to the last question:
Anyone up for some Frog Jam?
There are so many great Farmer’s Markets across the US. This site has a great tool for finding ones in your local area.
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About Rebecca
Hi. These are great ideas. One of the things I love to do with kids at a market is get them to find sample and other things and create a picnic lunch. Give them each a small amount of money and then encourage them to go around the market collecting samples. After an hour meet at a table and share the food they have collected. Most places are willing to give kids a piece or sample of what they are selling if they ask nicely. When we have done this with children there has been more food than we can eat. The money is for bread and a drink.
That sounds like an awesome meal!!!!
We love the Farmers Market! Great scavenger hunt!
Thanks Connie!
Fun idea! I’m eagerly awaiting our first farmer’s market of the year! This would be a fun way to get the kids involved! (I pinned & shared on Facebook because I love the idea so much!!!)
Thanks for sharing- I hope your Farmer’s Market comes soon!!
What a cool idea…could work for the supermarket too!