The N.C. State Fair is home to various educational exhibits that highlight everything that makes the fair a fun and thrilling outing — the best of both worlds! These exhibits teach attendees about North Carolina’s leading agriculture industry, its commodities, nature, wildlife, how to stay safe and healthy, and so much more. If you’re a teacher looking for an exciting way to entertain curious kids and turn a field trip to the fair into an educational experience, this State Fair Scavenger Hunt sponsored by the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is for you.
The scavenger hunt is available in three different levels: elementary, middle and high school. Each sheet of questions changes in difficulty as the targeted audience ages up. Some examples of questions include the following:
Elementary Edition: What is Smokey Bear’s 4th rule of wildfire prevention?
Middle School Edition: How many types of caterpillars (the larval stage of butterflies and moths) does the native White Oak tree support?
High School Edition: What is the tolerance allowed on a moisture meter being tested for low-moisture corn?
Printable copies of each school level’s personalized scavenger hunt can be found at www.ncstatefair.org, which also makes this activity open to any fairgoer wanting to complete a quest. An answer key can be found on the fair website as well.
This year’s scavenger hunt features fan-favorite exhibits, many of which are long-time staples of the fair. If you’re not already counting down the days until Oct. 17-27, hopefully this lineup will help you get ready and build excitement.
Stop #1- N.C. Forest Service
Managing North Carolina’s forests and jumping into action during wildfires is no easy task, but the N.C. Forest Service knows how to navigate the challenge. 2024 is an exciting year for this agency because its mascot, Smokey Bear, turned 80! A giant Smokey Bear, standing 21 feet tall, can be found at this exhibit for photo ops and birthday wishes.
Stop #2- N.C. Native Plant Society
The N.C. Native Plant Society, originally the N.C. Wild Flower Preservation Society, is a nonprofit organization that works to conserve the state’s native plants and their habitats. Stroll through the gardens at their fair exhibit to get an up-close look at these plants and stick around for short presentations from society members.
Stop #3- FFA Children’s Barnyard
The Children’s Barnyard is a fairgoer favorite — who doesn’t love looking at farm animals? Stop by this Wake County FFA-sponsored exhibit to learn about these cute critters and the Future Farmers of America programs. Different animals are featured each year, so you never know what you might see.
Stop #4- Horticulture
The State Fair’s horticultural displays showcase the most popular fruits, vegetables and other plants of North Carolina. Fan favorites include giant pumpkins and watermelons and other horticulture competition winners.
Stop #5- N.C. Eggs
With the egg industry ranking seventh in North Carolina commodity receipts, the N.C. Egg Association focuses on highlighting both the important food and the farmers who help bring eggs to our tables. The N.C. State Fair is known for its various competitions, one of which is an art contest for decorated eggs. Stop by this exhibit to see the top entries on display.
Stop #6- Germ City
Want to see just how good you are at washing your hands? At Germ City, fairgoers can rub a harmless lotion on their hands that represents germs. After washing their hands, visitors walk into a darkened space, hold their hands under a black light and see how well they completed the everyday task.
Stop #7- Decorated N.C. Christmas Trees
The holiday season always knows how to bring the excitement! The decorated N.C. Christmas trees in the Dorton Arena lobby give fairgoers an early look into the upcoming winter festivities and might even inspire other families to decorate their trees a certain way come December. The state is famous for its Christmas trees and has had multiple trees selected for the White House in past years.
Stop #8- Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams is celebrating its 20th anniversary! Sponsored by N.C. Electric Cooperatives, the exhibit allows fairgoers to experience what it’s like to be a farmer. Visitors carry a basket through the gardens to “harvest crops,” “sell” their harvest and “purchase” their groceries at a checkout aisle. You may even see a real animal or two.
Stop #9- Standards Division
The Standards Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services enforces laws dealing with weights, measurements, gas, oil and other related inspections. Fairgoers can visit the booth to guess their weight, step on a big scale and take home a souvenir reminder of their weight. Visitors can also chat with workers and learn more about the agency’s work.
Stop #10- Safety City
Safety City, an exhibit brought to you by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program and its partners, teaches visitors about safe driving practices. Talk to experts and get an up-close look at a variety of vehicles — motorcycles, boats and more. Get your cameras ready!
Adventurers will know they’re in the right spot to find the answers to their questions when they see an N.C. State Fair Scavenger Hunt compass. These compasses lead to signs or employees who can talk with students about the location’s questions so they can cross each stop off their list.
Once adventurers finish the scavenger hunt, they can turn their sheets in at the information booth at the front entrance of the Exposition Center to collect their prize! There’s also a hashtag to share the accomplishment on social media — #NCStateFairAdventurer.
Educators from all around recommend the N.C. State Fair and its scavenger hunt for a quality fall field trip. In addition to completing the hunt, students can explore all the other fun and educational attractions of the fair including tasty treats. The day is a perfect mix of good times and learning.
The cherry on top is that there will be updated versions of the scavenger hunt every fair season so students can return for a brand-new experience and to discover even more. See you at the fairgrounds!