December 10, 2025
Turn any space into Stephens Farm with this simple, fun activity (no Pinterest skills required)
Stuck inside on a rainy day? Channel your inner Scout and create your very own barn fair! This activity brings Scout's Rainy Day to life and proves that the best adventures really can happen when plans change.
Age Range: 3 to 10 (adults secretly love it too)
Time: 30 minutes to all afternoon (depending on enthusiasm levels)
Mess Level: Low to medium
Skill Level: Can you stack things? You're qualified.
What You'll Need
The "We Have Stuff" Version:
Empty cans, bottles, or containers for stacking
Soft balls, rolled socks, or bean bags for throwing
A bucket or box for tossing games
Paper for prizes/ribbons
Snacks for "fair food"
The "We Have Almost Nothing" Version:
Plastic cups (for stacking and knocking down)
Balled-up socks (for throwing)
A pot or bowl (for targets)
Paper towels for prize ribbons
Whatever snacks are in the pantry
The "Literally Nothing" Version:
Imagination (seriously, that's it)
Pillows for obstacle courses
Counting games with fingers
Racing from one wall to another
The Games (Inspired by Scout's Barn Fair)
Game 1: Pumpkin (or Ball) Bowling
Just like Scout invented! Stack cups, cans, or boxes in a pyramid. Roll a ball (or orange, or balled socks) to knock them down.
Scoring options:
One point per item knocked down
Bonus points for knocking down everything
Three rolls per turn
Game 2: Corn Cob Toss (Like Hazel!)
Set up a bucket, pot, or box at a distance. Toss bean bags, balled socks, or soft toys into the target.
Variations:
Move farther back for harder throws
Use different sized targets for different points
Blindfolded toss for brave players
Game 3: Apple Bobbing (Pickles' Favorite)
If you're okay with water mess, float apples in a tub or large bowl. Try to grab them with your teeth, no hands allowed!
Dry version: Hang donuts or pretzels from strings and try to eat them hands-free.
Game 4: The Great Barn Race
Create an obstacle course through your space:
Crawl under a table (under the fence)
Hop over pillows (hay bales)
Weave through chairs (around the animals)
Spin three times (like the carousel)
Race to the finish line
Time each racer or race head-to-head like Scout and his friends!
Game 5: Wagon Ride (Odin Style)
If you have a laundry basket or box, pull kids around the room (on smooth floors only). Let them squeal "Faster! Faster!" just like Pinky and Pearl.
No wagon? Spin kids gently in an office chair or give piggyback rides around the "barn."
Creating the Atmosphere
Decorations (optional):
Hang streamers from doorways
Draw farm animals on paper and tape to walls
Play barn/farm sounds on a phone or device
Dim lights and use flashlights for "barn lighting"
Fair Food:
Popcorn (classic fair food)
Apple slices (like the bobbing apples)
Cheese and crackers (barn snacks)
Lemonade or apple juice
Anything you already have rebranded as "fair food"
The Prizes: Every fair needs prizes! Options:
Paper Ribbons: Cut paper into strips, write "Winner!" or "Champion!" and tape them on.
Flower Wreaths: Like Luna gave Scout! Make simple wreaths from paper, pipe cleaners, or even just draw one on a paper plate to wear.
Stickers: If you have them, they're perfect.
Extra Dessert: Sometimes the best prize is an extra cookie.
The Ceremony: Announce winners dramatically. "And the winner of the Great Barn Race is... SOPHIA!" Make it feel special.
How to Make It Extra Special
Name Your Animals: Everyone picks a farm animal identity. "I'm Hazel the Highland cow!" Bonus points for staying in character.
Create a Fair Map: Draw a simple map of your "barn fair" with each game station labeled.
Award Ceremony: At the end, give everyone a prize for something:
Best Sport
Most Creative
Loudest Cheerer
Best Animal Impression
Biggest Smile
Photo Booth: Take silly photos at each game station. Make signs that say "Stephens Farm Barn Fair."
The Scout Connection
Throughout the activity, connect back to the book:
"Scout invented this bowling game! Let's try it!"
"Remember how Luna gave Scout a sunflower wreath? Let's make prize ribbons!"
"Pickles bobbed for apples—who wants to try?"
"Scout felt disappointed but then had the best day. What's making YOU happy right now?"
Reality Checks
Someone will cry because they didn't win. Solution: "Everyone's a winner at the barn fair!" (And maybe have participation ribbons ready.)
The games will get modified. Solution: Go with it. Kid improvements often make things better.
Someone won't want to participate. Solution: They can be the announcer, the scorekeeper, or the prize giver.
It'll get loud. Solution: That's how you know it's working.
The Simplified Version
Don't have time or energy for all this? Here's the five-minute version:
Stack three things. Roll a ball at them. Award an imaginary ribbon. Done.
You've just had a barn fair.
The Deeper Magic
Here's what's really happening during this activity:
Kids are learning that they can create their own fun. They're practicing adaptability. They're experiencing that a rainy day (or any disappointing situation) can become an adventure.
Just like Scout, they're discovering that imagination + friends + creativity = the best day ever.
And that's worth more than any County Fair.
Share Your Barn Fair
I'd love to see your barn fairs in action! Tag me on social media or send photos. Seeing kids living out Scout's story brings me so much joy.
Now go have fun. Rain or shine, the barn fair is open!
Next post: A celebration of the entire Goat on the Go series and how to make the most of Scout's adventures...
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