E2-80%A2 Saturday Morning at the Farmers Market

K-1 Tennessee & Local Field Trip ⏱ 45 min Prep: low Easy Parent Led

Materials: Small bills, water bottles, blanket

Saturday Morning at the Farmers Market

A K-1 Tennessee lesson about community, money, and local food

The Blount County Farmers Market happens every Saturday morning in downtown Maryville. It is a great place to teach young children about community, money, and where food comes from.

What To Do

Take your child to the Blount County Farmers Market on Saturday morning (9am-2pm, 100 W. Broadway Ave, Maryville). Walk through the whole market together and point out:

Fresh fruits and vegetables (apples, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes)
Local honey from Tennessee beekeepers
Homemade baked goods and jams
Handmade crafts and gifts
Live music from local musicians

Talk about where the food comes from - some of it was grown right in Blount County! Ask your child to pick ONE item they want to try. Help them count out coins to pay for it at a vendor that accepts cash.

After you buy something, sit down on a blanket if you have one, or find a bench, and taste your local food together.

Why This Works

Children learn best through hands-on experience. Going to the farmers market gives them:

Real-world math practice (counting money, comparing prices)
Exposure to new foods they might not see at home
Understanding that people grow and make things in our community
Sensory experiences (smelling herbs, touching produce, tasting new flavors)

Pro Tips

Bring small bills ($1, $5, $10) so your child can make purchases
Come early on Saturday for the best selection and fewer crowds
Bring water bottles - the market is outdoors and can get warm
Let your child help choose items at each vendor
Ask vendors where their produce was grown - they are usually happy to share

This is a 30-60 minute outing, perfect for young attention spans. Go when your child is rested and fed enough to try new things, but not so hungry they get cranky.

💬 Parent Script

Start by saying Today we are going to the farmers market! This is where local farmers and makers bring their things to sell. When you see produce, say: This was grown right here in Blount County! When paying, say: We are going to pay this person for their hard work. Let me count out some coins for you. When tasting, say: This is fresh from a farmer near us - lets see what it tastes like!

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Watch For

Coming when the child is too tired or cranky; bringing only large bills so the child cannot make purchases; rushing through the market; not letting the child touch or smell items

🔽 If Your Child Struggles

If your child is overwhelmed by crowds, go during the quieter morning hours. If they refuse new foods, just let them smell or touch items without eating. If they get tired, find a bench and rest - there is no rush to see everything.

✏️ Easier Version

Come earlier when it is quieter. Let your child see and touch items without pressure to buy. Bring a favorite snack to eat at the market so they feel comfortable.

🔼 Challenge Version

Give your child a small budget (5 dollars) and let them decide what to buy. Ask them to compare prices between vendors. Afterward, draw a picture of their favorite thing they saw at the market.

E2-80%A2 Saturday Morning at the Farmers Market

Saturday Morning at the Farmers Market

What To Do

Why This Works

Pro Tips

More Like This

Tennessee State Parks and Nature Centers