At Home Activities
10/5/2020
2020 State Fair Word Search
Download your printable Word Search here! |
9/7/2020
Don't Miss the 2019 N.C. State Fair Special Cooking Contest Winners' Cookbook
Each year, we release our Special Cooking Contest Winners' Cookbook. This year, it is available here for download and easy printing. Thanks to all our sponsors who make these contests possible! You can download your copy here. |
5/22/2020
Bacon Basket Weave S'mores Recipe for the WIN!
Who's planning outdoor activities this weekend? One look at this, and we're heading out to look for firewood now! |
5/21/2020
Live Robin's Nest Webcam
Rainy day blues setting in? Take a look at this Baby Robin Cam from Seth Sinclair in Apex. It is sure to put a smile on your face!
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5/20/2020
Magical Bean Pole Garden Tent DIY
Time to spruce up the backyard for the kids..or you know, to hide from the kids! Let their imaginations run wild in this fun take on a traditional tent. |
5/19/2020
Drive-Thru Fair Food Days Announcement
EXCITING NEWS!!! Join us at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh Enter the fairgrounds parking area off Trinity Road and order from your car. To maintain social distancing, please remain in your vehicle. Servers will come to you. Please make sure you go to the ATM prior to arriving. There will not be an ATM accessible at the Fairgrounds. NOW, ON TO THE MENU... |
5/17/2020
Drive-Thru Animals? Sign us up!
Are you looking for a fun way to get outside, but still maintain social distancing this weekend? Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville is open for drive-thru animal viewing! Please note that they are seeing a high volume of traffic and will cut off admission when the ranch reaches maximum capacity. Link to find out more. |
5/16/2020
Jeep Owners, Time for an Easter Egg Hunt!
How about a scavenger hunt this afternoon? Hey, Jeep owners...show us your Easter Eggs! |
5/15/2020
Tips for Freezing Meat and Poultry
Since we are all eating at home more, and possibly buying in bulk, we thought it might be time to brush up with some tips on how to properly freeze and store meat products. |
5/14/2020
12 Recipes Every North Carolinian Should Know How to Make
How many can you make? Not gonna lie, a couple of these were new to us. |
5/13/2020
What North Carolina Bird Are You?
From the NC State College of Natural Resources, what North Carolina bird are you? |
5/12/2020
Krispy Kreme Offers Free Doughnuts to Grads
Krispy Kreme has something sweet for high school and college seniors – and their families and friends – who are unable to celebrate graduation by walking across the stage. A new 2020 Graduate Dozen will be available for purchase the week of 5/18-5/24. To sweeten the deal, on 5/19 seniors can get one 2020 Graduate Dozen FREE by wearing their cap and gown, or other Class of 2020 swag proving their senior status, to their local Krispy Kreme Doughnuts shop. |
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North Carolina Zoo: Pet Detective | |
We all know dogs are man’s best friend. But who is your dog’s best friend? Join us in a new Zoo Science series: Pet Detectives to learn more about your dog’s preferences and how they think from the zoo’s biologists. Each episode we’ll provide a fun and simple experiment that you can try at home with your own dog. Use your dog’s sense of smell to test his/her preferences amongst your family members. Share your results in the comments – who was your dog’s best friend? |
5/10/2020
Make Mom a Sugar Scrub with Ingredients from Your Kitchen
For the older kids, how about making mom a homemade sugar scrub? Here are five super quick and simple recipes from Healthline. |
5/9/2020
North Carolina Zoo Welcomes Five Endangered Wolf Cubs
The North Carolina Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of 5 critically endangered American red wolves as part of our American red wolf breeding program! The new pups – three males, two females – were born Tuesday, April 21st. The pups and their mother are all healthy and doing well. There are currently only 15-20 red wolves found in the wild, only in eastern North Carolina, making them the most endangered canid in the world. |
5/8/2020
Top 10 Chocolate Milks in North Carolina
Consider yourself a chocolate milk connoisseur? Check out afoolzerrand.com's Top 10 Chocolate Milks from North Carolina. Congrats to Cheek Farmstead Creamery in Fleetwood for coming out on top!
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5/7/2020
Salt Dough Fingerprint Flowers Craft Project for Mother's Day
Time to pull out the paints and get in the kitchen! Our Salt Dough Fingerprint Flowers craft project for Mother's Day is brought to you by the Meaningful Mama blog! You can download the instructions here. |
5/6/2020
Operation: American Resolve Flyover
THIS THURSDAY! (5/7) Operation: American Resolve The flyover aims to show the Department of the Air Force’s continued readiness during the pandemic while also recognizing today’s heroes. NCANG stressed that the flyovers come a no additional cost to taxpayers. They coincide with regularly scheduled training. Below is the schedule for the C-17 flyover: Asheville area – 10:50 Morganton – 11:02 Hickory NC – 11:07 Statesville, NC – 11:12 Winston-Salem – 11:21 Greensboro/Burlington – 11:30 Chapel Hill – 11:39 Durham – 11:42 Butner – 11:46 Raleigh 11:50 – 12:00 Downtown Raleigh Flyover – 12:00 Goldsboro – 12:09 Wilson – 12:15 Greenville – 12:21 Kinston 12:28 Jacksonville – 12:35 Wilmington – 12:48 Charlotte area – 1:25 1:20 p.m.: Charlotte area and end |
5/5/2020
Flamingo Love Craft for Mother's Day
We're dreaming of warm weather and the beach! Here's craft idea #2 for your mom brought to you from the Glued to My Crafts blog. You can download the directions here. |
5/4/2020
ALLLL the Chicken Recipes
So, if you’ve visited one of the bulk chicken sales in the last few weeks, you’re probably looking around for some new recipes to spice up supper time. Let’s crowdsource some ideas...drop us a link and/or recipe in the comments!
Head over to our Facebook page for more!
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Asian Giant Hornet Facts from North Carolina Cooperative Extension | |
Do you have concerns about media reports on asian giant hornets (nicknamed "murder hornets") reported in Washington? NCSU College Of Agriculture And Life Sciences NC State Extension Specialist Michael Waldvogel weighs in with the facts: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/05/asian-giant-hornets/ | |
Mother's Day Craft Ideas - Lightning Bug Card | |
We're just going to go ahead and celebrate our moms all week by posting quick and easy crafts each day to surprise your mom with on Sunday. (hint, hint to the dads) We'll get started today with an adorable lightning bug card from Crafty Morning. Click through for the free mason jar printable, and get those little fingers stamping! https://www.craftymorning.com/firefly-light-life-mothers-day-card-free-printable/ PS: Do you say firefly or lightning bug? |
5/3/2020
Are you TikTok Famous?
If you’re spending a ton of time on TikTok while we’re under stay-at-home orders, don’t forget to check out #ncstatefair, #gottobenc and #ncagriculture! |
5/2/2020
Civil Aviation Flyover
Wherever you are in the Triangle on Saturday (5/2) around midday, look up!
Here is the flyover schedule:
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5/1/2020
Strike Eagle Flyover
Look up! This morning, (5/1), F-15E Strike Eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC will show appreciation and support for Eastern North Carolina medical professionals and first responders during a regional flyover. | |
National Symbol Day | |
It's National Symbol Day and the North Carolina State Capitol is throwing a #NCSymbolsParty. Check out Casey Cardinal, the state bird repping what we think should be the state party...the NC State Fair! Can you name any other state symbols? |
4/30/2020
Tour Biltmore House and Gardens Online!
On this dreary Thursday, take a look at these amazing virtual tours of Biltmore. You can *almost* smell the sunshine and flowers! |
4/29/2020
Choose wisely!
4/28/2020
Three Little Piggies Craft
Another cute craft idea to beat the stay-at-home blues! made by --> Susan Henritzy |
4/27/2020
NC 4-H Summer 2020 Camp Out!
Is your kid missing out on summer camp this year? Check out this virtual option from North Carolina 4-H to get your at home camp experience on! You don't have to be a 4-H member to sign up! |
4/26/2020
Painted Rock Flower Garden
A painted rock flower garden is a great idea to keep those little hands busy...and with the beautiful weather most of next week, it could be an outdoor activity they'd love! 🌸🌺 |
4/24/2020
Read with Muddy for FREE Baseball Tickets!
Read with Muddy the Mudcat and every kid whose parent's email muddy@carolinamudcats.com that you completed the list will receive 2 free tickets to a Sunday game! |
4/23/2020
What did the Hubble Space Telescope see on your birthday?
See what cosmic photos NASA's Hubble telescope took on your birthday. Just enter your birth month and day, and you can see through Hubble's lens! The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit on April 25, 1990, and has spent the last 30 years changing our understanding of the universe. To this day, the images that the Hubble Telescope capture allow scientists to constantly learn more and more about the cosmos. This week, the iconic Hubble Telescope turns 30—and NASA is celebrating by releasing a new online tool that lets you see what the Hubble Telescope saw on your birthday. |
4/21/2020
Historic Oak View Park Puppet Show
It's time to put on a show with "Historic Oak View from Home!" A puppet show, that is. Print off the four goat heads posted here showing Levi, Elliot, Leroy, and Felix. You’ll also need brown (or white) paper lunch bags, scissors, markers or crayons, liquid glue or glue sticks or tape. Color the faces, cut them out and tape or glue them to the bottom of the paper bags. Voila, puppets!! Put on your original show or download an Oak View version of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff." Have fun!! |
4/20/2020
Time Capsule Bonus Pages from LONG Creations
LONG Creations has updated the time capsule we posted in March. You can now download bonus pages! Natalie's created pages for new parents, birthdays, teachers, and she's even created a set of pages geared toward teens/adults! Get all the updates here. |
4/18/2020
OC Fair Centennial Farm Pig Cam
Time for a piggie break! The OC Fair may have had to close their Centennial Farm, but they've posted a live "Pig Cam" for us all to enjoy. Soueee! |
4/17/2020
Dog Paw Print Flowers
Who says kids can have all the fun? Let's get the doggos involved too! Now, if you let your kids do this craft with the doggos...well, you're either a superhero, or need to get out of the house. 😆 |
4/16/2020
Nesting Bird Egg Guide
It’s nesting season! Since we’re out taking walks more than ever, here’s a handy guide to some of the eggs you might encounter while you’re out. | |
Harry Potter at Home | |
For wizards in confinement: banish boredom with magical treats found at Wizarding World then read or listen to the first Harry Potter book with no wait on Overdrive. |
4/14/2020
Beef Recipe Generator
Feeling the brain drain on what to cook for supper each night? Did you sign up for a produce box and have no clue what to do with a new-to-you veggie? Just put the ingredients you have on hand into this recipe generator, and you'll be able to make a delicious meal featuring beef! � |
4/13/2020
DoubleTree by Hilton Reveals Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
DoubleTree by Hilton cookies have a passionate fan following and a long history. More than 30 million are consumed every year! For the first time ever, DoubleTree is sharing the official bake-at-home recipe so you can get that iconic taste anytime you'd like! Official recipe here. |
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Daily Spark from North Carolina 4-H: ACT Prep | |
Does your teen need some help prepping for the ACT? North Carolina 4-H has your back! Tune in starting tomorrow for North Carolina 4-H's ASPIRE program to provide tips on the Daily Spark! |
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50th Anniversary of the Apollo 13 Explosion | |
April 13, 2020, is the 50th anniversary of the explosion aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft as it traveled to the moon. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, along with NASA, had to quickly turned the mission from a moon landing to a desperate effort to get the three men home safely with a crippled spacecraft. They splashed down, safe, four days later. On the 50th anniversary of NASA's most successful failure, click through for some quick numerical facts about the mission. |
4/12/2020
Happy Easter from Casey Cardinal and the N.C. State Fair family!
4/11/2020
Which house would you choose? Tell us here!
4/10/2020
Glazed Strawberry Bread Recipe
Are you planning to pick up a pint or 12 of fresh North Carolina strawberries when you make your produce run this weekend? We've got the recipe for you...and send us a loaf while you're at it, won't you? Recipe here. | |
Google 3D Animals | |
You can see an animal in your house if you Google search an animal name (on iPhone or android) and then press ‘View in 3D’. It opens your camera and soon will show you the animal moving in your room. You can walk around it and take a picture of it with people. Look for: Lion, Tiger, Cheetah, Shark, Hedgehog, Duck, Emperor penguin, Wolf, Angler fish, Goat, Rottweiler, Snakes, Eagle, Brown bear, Alligator, Horse, Shetland pony, Macaw, Pug, Turtle, Cat, Octopus, Dog. | |
Heirloom Recipe Card Preservation | |
Priceless recipe cards are handed down in families for generations, but have you thought about what happens when age finally gets ahold of them? While we're all home, it might be a good time to take a look at this article from Southern Living with ideas on how to preserve your family's history: https:// www.southernliving.com/ culture/ preserving-family-recipe-ca rds?fbclid=IwAR01wGQRY3Xs2 4tmieFyrem76qMTnC8uH2W-M_2 csVd4QlQ_RW-MCO4yZFs |
4/9/2020
Let's Get Outside and Make an Easter Rabbit!
Let's get crafty! With Easter coming up this weekend, now's the perfect time to make a bunny out of some common plants you can pick up in your backyard or on your neighborhood walk. If you make one of these, share it here and show it off! This one only took 5 minutes for one of our folks to make. Credit: B Everett Jordan Dam & Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | |
North Carolina Pork Council Hosts a Pig Party on Instagram | |
The North Carolina Pork Council is hosting a Pig Party with NC Farm Families! Head over to Instagram @ncpork at 12:30 p.m. (4/10) to take a tour around a farm and listen to farmers answer your questions on what it's like to do their jobs. Great opportunity for a STEM activity for kids! |
4/8/2020
Healthy Easter Treasure Hunt
In partnership with North Carolina company, Benecomms, Real Food for Kids is hosting an at-home healthy foods treasure hunt for kids. It only takes about 8-minutes to arrange, and provides up to an hour of fun for the kids! $5 donation appreciated. Click here to download your hunt! | |
Handprint Craft | |
What a great keepsake! |
4/7/2020
Virtual Field Trips with Tin Can Kids
Have you heard about Tin Can Kids? A partnership between two moms in Raleigh, it's a virtual one-room school house with daily field trips hosted by kids and grown-ups. Check them out here for their daily 10 a.m. sessions! | |
Dyeing Easter Eggs, the Natural Way | |
Why use natural dyes? For starters, you probably already have many of the ingredients in your pantry. It’s also a great way to combine a science lesson with fun. Head over to the Whole Foods Market blog for a tutorial on how to make natural dye to create a most "eggcellent" rainbow of Easter fun! |
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Your Guide to Tonight's Super Pink Moon | |
Tonight might be the night to let the kiddos stay up late! A Super Pink Moon will show off starting at 10:35 p.m. It will be the closest the moon comes to Earth all year. Click through to hear from a scientist at the American Museum of Natural History as she gives you all the details on why it's super, how it's not really pink, and when to head out to the backyard. | |
Learn the Sid Shuffle...and walk it out like Granny! | |
Let’s get moving this morning. C’mon and learn the Sid Shuffle with us! |
4/6/2020
Cinnamon-Sugar Breakfast Bunnies
Need a quick and easy recipe to get in the spirit of Easter? Try out these cinnamon-sugar breakfast bunnies from Pillsbury! | |
How to Draw an Easter Bunny Portrait | |
Today we're learning how to draw an Easter Bunny portrait! Head here for a great YouTube tutorial. |
4/4/2020
Wake County Public Libraries Story Competition
The Wake County Public Libraries are hosting a writing contest! We'd love to have your K-5th grader tell the story of their favorite Fair visit! Entries accepted through 4/31.Get all the info here. |
4/3/2020
COVID-19 Family Time Capsule - FREE Download
We are living through a historic time in the world. What better way to document this moment in time than with a time capsule? Natalie from Long Creations has developed an 11-page time capsule that is available for FREE DOWNLOAD here! | |
Shel Silverstein FREE Downladables from Harper Collins | |
Here's another great one! Harper Collins has released read-along videos, worksheets, bookmarks and projects adapted for their Shel Silverstein range of books to download for FREE here! |
4/2/2020
Bilingual Storytime from Wake County Public Libraries
Bilingual story time is an amazing resource for kids who are learning either English or Spanish! Check out the Wake County Libraries Facebook page for the full schedule. |
4/1/2020
NASA STEM At Home
3/31/2020
Goodnight with Dolly
Dolly Parton reads "The Little Engine That Could" in the first video of her new read-aloud series, "Goodnight with Dolly." In this series, Dolly reads select Imagination Library books, all carefully chosen for their appropriate content at this moment in time. Click here for schedule.
3/30/20
Zoom Meeting Backgrounds
Want to spice up your Zoom Meeting? Download one of our backgrounds. Linked here are instructions to upload the photo and add some fun to your next team meeting!
Download Here | |
Download Here | |
Download Here | |
Download Here | |
Download Here |
Shadow Animals
Don't have a printer at home to print coloring pages and activities for the kids? This is a great way to spend some time outdoors getting that much needed Vitamin D AND create some fun for when you head back inside. |
3/28/20
We're Going On A Bear Hunt
3/27/20
Click, Clack Moo Cows That Type: Cow Paper Plate Mask Craft
Download instructions here |
3/26/20
2020 N.C. State Fair Handicrafts & Hobbies Competition - NOW OPEN!
Surprise! You can now download our FULL Handicrafts & Hobbies Competition rules and entry form. Let's get started toward that blue ribbon!
3/25/20
Homemade Deep Fried Oreos
We know you bought some snacky-snacks to tide you over, why not try this homemade deep fried oreo recipe for a treat! |
3/24/20
Thumbprint Ferris Wheel Craft w/Free Printable
Missing the State Fair SkyGazer? Today's craft project is from Glued to My Crafts Blog. Click through to take advantage of the free printable! |
3/23/20
North Carolina 4-H Daily Spark
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North Carolina 4-H's Daily Spark activities have all your kids' STEM needs covered! We're especially excited for the daily Chick Check-In! |
3/22/20
North Carolina 4-H Cooking in the Kitchen
Join Extension Agents Jackie Helton and Greg Huneycutt for Cooking in the Kitchen tomorrow morning (3/23) at 10:30 a.m. They'll be teaching you and your kids how to prepare omelettes and ice cream muffins on the North Carolina 4-H Facebook page. To collect your ingredients before you tune in, head to the Harnett County Cooperative Extension website. |
3/20/20
Virtual Farm Tours While You're Stuck at Home
The American Dairy Association North East has made their classroom virtual farm tour videos available via YouTube. They have three different tours, targeted to specific age groups. |
3/19/20
N.C. State Fair Coloring Competition Opens NOW!
Get started now for the 2020 State Fair! Our coloring competition is ready to go!
Download the coloring pages and application here.
NC State Fair themed coloring book pages. Any age, any skill level can participate. This competition is limited to only the pages provided by the state fair. You can enter as many pages as you wish but you can only win once. Display space is limited. There is no guarantee that every entry will be displayed. Entry form is the last page of the above file.
CLASS 179: COLORING BOOK PAGE
Lot 2 – Adult (18 and older)
Lot 3 – Teen (13 - 17)
Lot 4 – Child (6 -12)
Lot 5 – Special Needs (any age)
Lot 6 – Group Home
3/18/20
Cotton Candy Kids' Craft Using DIY Puffy Paint
It’s the perfect time to make this cool cotton candy craft using homemade puffy paint. Kids always love the texture of it! Note it is NOT edible though :)
Cotton Candy Kids' Craft Using DIY Puffy Paint |
3/17/20
Staff Recommendations for Movies Featuring Agriculture or Fairs
Field of Dreams | State Fair |
If You Build It | Farmland |
Charlotte's Web | The Biggest Little Farm |
Babe | The Real Dirt on Farmer John |
Temple Grandin | The Last Barn Dance |
A Thousand Acres | October Sky |
3/16/2020
2020 N.C. State Fair Activity Book |
Children's Books about Agriculture
Amazon