Get involved in an action-packed, hands-on event which celebrates farming and the countryside. Whatever the weather, with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, CountryTastic is the perfect Easter Holiday family day out.

There’s so much for youngsters to get involved in and the vast majority of the activities are free of charge.

Take a look at some of last year’s discover farming activities below:

Play Farm Shop – NEW

The brand-new Play Farm Shop at CountryTastic allowed children to explore and identify a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in a fun, interactive setting.

Little ones could enjoy free play or take part in the very popular activity of picking up a shopping list, weighing items on scales, and returning produce using the wheelbarrow.

Livestock Ring

The 2024 livestock ring timetable was as follows:

11.0am Learn about Exmoor Ponies
12:00pm Local Farming Hero – Ally Hunter-Blair
1:00pm Down at the Market – experience an auction!
2:00pm Learn about Dairy Cows and Dairy Produce with Cotteswold Dairy
3:00pm Local Farming Hero – Ally Hunter-Blair
4:00pm Down at the Market – experience an auction!

Down at the Market – experience an auction!

Children could get involved in an exciting, mock auction where a variety of animals from the show were ‘sold’ to the highest bidder as part of this fantastic, popular feature. It’s a great way to understand how animals are bought and sold by farmers while having fun!

Muddy Boots Theatre

Farming Heroes JB Gill and Ally Hunter Blair told their stories and answered questions in this theatre. Plus, Peter Rabbit lead singing and dancing sessions.

Timetable:
11.00 – Meet a Farming Hero (Ally Hunter-Blair)
11.45 – Story Time with JB Gill
13.00 – Peter Rabbit – sing and dance session
13.45 – Meet a Farming Hero (Ally Hunter-Blair)
15.00 – Story Time with JB Gill
16.00 – Peter Rabbit – sing and dance session

Vintage and Modern Farm Machinery

Families could marvel at magnificent tractors from yesteryear and huge modern-day combine harvesters.

Ask the Farmer and Ask the Vet

There were lots of chances to speak to farmers with their animals, plus local vets, MacArthur Barstow and Gibbs Ltd were happy to have a more in-depth chat at their stand. This provides children with inspiration for future careers.

National Vegetable Society and National Fruit Association

Children could have a go at seed planting into compostable pots and veg, fruit and plant identification.

RAU

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) provided the opportunity to investigate food miles and learn more about where our food comes from. Children were also able to take part in colouring activities and design farm robots of the future, as well as have a go at the RAU buzzwire challenge!

Tractor and Trailer Rides

A firm family favourite feature, tractor and trailer rides are available at the show each year.

Potato Digging

Children could get their hands dirty while digging up potatoes, a crop largely grown in Herefordshire, which they could take home.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation

Families could find interactive displays to explore local wildlife and habitats explaining the link between food and wildlife.

Cotteswold Dairy

Cotteswold Dairy helped children make their own butter and taught them about different breeds of cows and the foods that they eat.
Colouring and information sheets were also available.

British Asparagus Festival

Family could learn about local produce primarily, Vale of Evesham asparagus. Gus the Asparagus Man, St George and the Asparafairy were in attendance. Children’s’ activities were also provided.

Severn Trent – Wonderful Water Tour

The wonderful world of water tour buses brought the world of water to life with their two buses:

Digibus provides an immersive digital experience.

Put on some virtual reality glasses and enter a world where you can track a raindrop from the sky, through the water treatment process, to the home, back through the sewers and the waste treatment process, before it travels out to the river.

You’ll also be able to watch an animated video where our characters, Molly and Robbie, take you on a journey across the world to see how vital water is followed by an interactive quiz to see what you’ve learnt.

Experibus – Step into the role of a water worker!

Imagine yourself as a scientist, an engineer, a call centre operative and much more to learn what it’s like to work in the water industry.

You’ll be able to play games like ‘flush it or bin it’ and ‘fix the pipes’ to learn why we need to value water as a precious resource.

WI

Children could get planting sunflower seeds into compostable pots and play ‘pin the veg’ onto the mat as part of these fun educational experiences.