CURRENT HOURS: Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4p.m.
June
New for summer 2022! You and your child can explore stories told by various indigenous peoples who have called the Midwest home. Each program includes stories, crafts, activities, and a chance to explore the 1700 Ioway Farm.
Dress to be outside!
Thursday, June 9
This movement-based program features the story “Bowwow Powwow” by Brenda J. Child.
Windy Girl, who has a vivid imagination, attends a powwow with her uncle and her dog, Itchy Boy. After a wonderful night learning about traditions and dances, she falls asleep and dreams of a powwow where all the dancers are dogs. In her dream she sees the importance of the dances and celebration of a powwow. Buy tickets
Thursday, June 16
The night sky will never seem the same after this program! Through the story “Sky Sisters” by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, participants will learn about the Northern Lights, or Sky Spirits. Two Ojibwa sisters set off for the cold north country to see the Sky Spirits dance at midnight. As they wait, the younger sister learns the values of stillness and patience. Buy tickets
Thursday, June 23
Starting anew at the beginning of every day is an important part of Lakota values. Through the story “Greet the Dawn: The Lakota Way” by S.D. Nelson, participants will explore the Ioway farm with their senses. Mother Earth and Sister Meadowlark join all the animals to greet the dawn, experiencing colors, sounds, sights, and smells. Buy tickets
Thursday, June 30
Buffalo Bird Woman was a Hidatsa born in 1839. Through the story “Buffalo Bird Girl” by S.D. Nelson, participants will learn about her life as a child and how it compares to the lives of children today. Growing up along the Missouri River, she and her family depended on farming to survive. Learn about the crops they grew and the foods they ate. Buy tickets
July & August
It’s story time with the animals at Living History Farms! Each program features a specific farm animal. Begin by reading a book or two about that farm animal, do activities or crafts inspired by the stories, then board a tractor cart to one of our farms to meet the animal and its friends.
Dress to be outside!
Wednesday, June 29 & Wednesday, August 3
Pigs are incredibly intelligent! Hear stories about mischievous pigs, make a pig-inspired craft, and then visit the pigs on our farm. Buy tickets for June 29 or August 3
Wednesday, July 6 & Wednesday, August 10
Pigs are incredibly intelligent! Hear stories about mischievous pigs, make a pig-inspired craft,
and then visit the pigs on our farm. Buy tickets for July 6 or August 10
Wednesday, July 13 & Wednesday, August 17
This moooo-ving program will teach you about the two types of cows—milk and beef. Hear stories about silly cows, then head to the farm to see them! Buy tickets for July 13 or August 17
Wednesday, July 20 & Wednesday, August 24
These horses are not for riding! They do the heavy work on the farm, pulling wagons, plows, and other machinery. Hear stories about horses, and then visit the farm to meet them! Buy tickets for July 20 or August 24
Wednesday, July 27
Learn what it means to be “strong as an ox.” Oxen are cows that are trained to work on the farm, so they have to be very strong. Learn how they are trained and what they do. Buy tickets
Non-member: $15 per person
Member: $13.50 per person (10% discount)
*Children must be accompanied by an adult. All adults and children are required to purchase a separate ticket.
9:30 a.m.—Introductions, craft, stories
10 a.m.— Travel to 1700 farm for Ioway programing or farm for animal programing
10:15 a.m. — Explore
10:45 a.m.—Board cart back to Visitor Center
11 a.m.—Depart
Please read our program policies before signing up.
Please email registration@lhf.org if you would like to be added to the waitlist for Barnyard Reader’s Programs.
Fall 2022 themes to be announced.
Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322, (515) 278-5286
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 PREMIER PARTNERS:
National Endowment for the Humanities | Bravo Greater Des Moines
John Deere | Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
