The wheat stubble has been watered so any wheat that was left in the field can grow. Then the pigs get the field to forage on awhile. This will be thrilling for the pigs just like it was thrilling for the kids when the wheat was thrashed and the straw was baled and stacked. Before we started watering the field, the kids turned the wheat stubble field into their playground and race track. They would ride their bicycles several times a day around and across the field. They would race and loved the thrill of bouncing over the corrugates. It was more of a competition to see who could wreck the least.  I love watching my farm kids turn ordinary things into fun activities. Like earlier this summer, they dug a series of forts in the ground (that they could actually fit inside of) and pretended they were rock chucks. Pieces of wood become boats and suddenly the kids are pilgrims, pirates or explorers. And large zucchinis make better babies than the ones you can buy and are a lot cheaper to replace.  Our kids have a play set with swings and a slide and a two-story playhouse, but none of that keeps their interest or keeps them entertained for very long. It’s the ordinary everyday things that keep them entertained: soil, sticks, rocks,wood, insects, a field, plants, and possibly a shovel. Basically, all kids need is lots of room to run that is full nature and natural resources.

Kids don’t need all the toys that are sold in the stores. These toys won’t entertain them for very long and they won’t remember them. When they play outside, use their imaginations and explore what is around them. Then they are entertained, learning and having fun. I feel farm kids are the luckiest kids in the world.

I wrote an essay in college about if I could give my children only one toy from my childhood what would it be. Any guesses what it was? Hint: I grew up on a farm and spent a lot of time outside. It was a backyard and farm full of natural resources. Amazingly, it is one of many toys our kids have and the toy that is used the most. My professor was impressed with my paper and what I called my favorite toy. I hope to find the box that has all my saved papers in it and I will share the essay as a post.