American Dairy Association North East developed an immersive “Winter on the Farm” experience for families to enjoy during winter holiday break, Dec. 21- Jan. 5, at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. The experience is designed to foster the understanding that local dairy foods are sourced responsibly and with care for the animals and the environment.

The “Winter on the Farm” activities in the Adams Atrium invites guests to experience life as a dairy farmer by allowing children to use their imaginations and step into a pop-up dairy farm experience. Young visitors can navigate their way through the farm on play tractors and learn how to care for the cows.

  • Keep Cows Warm: Children can choose a colorful jacket to fasten on to plush calves to keep them warm.
  • Keep Cows Comfortable: Kids can snuggle up with plush calves inside a real hutch from a local dairy farm that has been transformed into a book nook with farm-themed children’s books like Curious Clover, The Confused Cow, Farm Nursery Songs and Tales of the Dairy Godmother.
  • Keep Cows Healthy: Children will have the opportunity to feed the plush cows using real calf bottles and dress up as veterinarians to ensure their cows are healthy.

There will also be a photo opportunity in the atrium — a 16-foot inflatable dairy cow named Bertha. Other interactive areas designed to help children roleplay the part of a dairy farmer include dress up items, tractors for toddlers, and a kitchenette and farm stand.

In addition to all the festivities in the atrium, The Strong’s Play Lab will feature winter cardboard villages where museumgoers can contribute to the scene through the week by adding houses, businesses and other buildings, complete with 5,000 dairy-themed stickers.

There will also be occasional samples of lactose-free Cabot Cheese throughout the 16 days of programming on a first come, first served basis.

For one day only on Friday, December 27, New York State Dairy Ambassadors will join in the fun and gather visitors in the Play Lab between 11 a.m.–2 p.m. for hot chocolate with assorted toppings, while supplies last.

For more information, please visit https://www.museumofplay.org/.