OK, you’ve made the snowmen, had the snowball fight, and baked the cookies. Winter on the farm isn’t exactly boring, but you have more downtime than in the warmer months. So, what do you do with it?
If you’re anything like the agriculturalists I know, you can’t keep still for more than a minute, which is why the winter months can make many stir-crazy. Here are five ways you can have fun on your farm (with or without kids) with materials you already have laying around.
1. Barrel races
No, you don’t need a horse for this. If you have four people and two barrels, you have the recipe for a race. Warning: If you get sick easily, this one isn’t for you. Roll each other down hills or across a distance of flat land, then add an obstacle at the end. Something like making a snow angel or 10 snowballs. This one guarantees plenty of laughs.
2. Power sledding
One of my favorite memories growing up was when my dad would tie a trash can lid to the back of our 4-wheeler and pull me and my sister around the fields. Our landscape was flat, so going down hills wasn’t really feasible. Use a lid, some rope, and an ATV to pass the time.
3. Hot chocolate to warm up your bones
After all your outdoor activities, there are bound to be some icy hands and red noses. Use this recipe to make hot chocolate that will warm everyone up. Add marshmallows, peppermint sticks, cinnamon, whipped cream, or a splash of something stronger (if you’re over 21) to change it up.
4. Paper snowflakes with old catalogs
Everyone has that stack of catalogs laying around, whether it be for seed, semen, or equipment. You can put the previous years’ to good use by making paper snowflakes. Here is a tutorial on patterns that look fancy, but are actually simple.
5. Check in with a neighbor
Not everyone is as fortunate this winter as others, so make sure your neighbors are OK. A phone call or a surprise visit down the road can make a world of difference. You may even find that they need a hand with something.
Jessy Woodworth is a senior at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communication and animal sciences.
