Because children visiting a farm are often excited, easily distracted, and have short attention spans, they may not notice or understand things that can hurt them. They may use play equipment in unanticipated or inappropriate ways, such as climbing up a slide chute. In addition, playground equipment, but its very nature, may present some hazards (e.g. fall from a swing).

Parents and chaperones accompanying children may not be familiar with the farm environment and may not recognize and understand the hazards either. This makes it extremely important to educate visitors (post signs with the rules and enforce them, provide supervision information to group chaperones, etc.) and ensure that children have adequate supervision while visiting.

The “walkthrough” that follows will encompass some general supervision guidelines and information, and also provides links to useful resources