Growing Character Through Play at Curiosity Farms

Curiosity Farms is one of Thanksgiving Point’s most hands-on discovery centers where kids can explore animals, farming, gardening, and agriculture in exciting and interactive ways.

Families can meet goats, cows, sheep, chickens, and other farm animals while also learning how farms work and why agriculture matters. Kids can experience live demonstrations, explore hands-on exhibits, visit the Grow Tech Gardens, and even ride ponies at Saddle Up Stables.

Curiosity Farms was designed to help children connect with the world around them through experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and compassion.

One of the biggest character traits children can grow at Curiosity Farms is compassion.

Compassion grows when we treat people, animals, and places with care and appreciation. Farm experiences create natural opportunities for children to practice patience, gentleness, and respect while interacting with animals and others around them.

As parents and caregivers, one of the best ways to encourage compassion is by modeling kind and encouraging language.

Simple phrases like:

• “Thank you for being patient while waiting your turn.”
• “I really appreciate how gently you pet the goat.”
• “You listened so carefully to the animal handler.”

help children understand that kindness matters.

These small moments reinforce respectful behavior while helping children feel proud of the care they are showing toward others.

When children learn to treat animals gently and respectfully, they also begin building empathy and awareness for the people and environments around them.

Kindness and respect create spaces where people, animals, and ideas can thrive. When we model care, appreciation, and shared joy, we inspire children to do the same.

At Curiosity Farms, every interaction becomes an opportunity to grow compassion through hands-on learning.

Curiosity begins with noticing.

One of the most important skills children can build is learning how to slow down, observe closely, and tune into the world around them using all their senses.

At Saddle Up Stables, for example, children can practice observation while riding or interacting with ponies. Encourage your child to notice how the pony responds to sounds, movement, or the people nearby.

You can support observation skills by asking questions like:

• “What stands out to you about your pony?”
• “What do you notice when the pony hears a loud sound?”
• “How do you think the pony is feeling right now?”

Then build on what your child notices by responding with:

• “I noticed that too. What do you think it means?”

These conversations help children slow down and become more engaged with the experience around them.

Observation is often the first step toward curiosity. When kids learn to notice details, ask questions, and explore ideas, they begin developing stronger critical thinking skills and deeper connections with the world around them.

Strong observation skills also help create space for meaningful discovery, creativity, empathy, and learning.

Curiosity Farms encourages children to explore the world with open eyes, thoughtful questions, and a sense of wonder.