Did you know there are so many udder-ly great local farms to visit? The Chicagoland area is home to many spots to delight your barnyard animal lovers. Along with animal visits, many of these local farms help educate kids about nature, growing food, and the history of farming. (If you’re looking for a hands-on activity right now, check out local U-Pick strawberry farms, too!) Pack your sunscreen, bug spray, and a picnic lunch to make a memorable day for your family on the farm!
Local Farms to Visit with Kids
Be sure to check websites, social media, or give a call prior to going for hours, pricing and safety procedures.
Angelic Organics Farm and Learning Center
1547 Rockton Road
Caledonia, IL 61011
(815) 389-8455
Register for kid and family events and activities online. The farm also host tours, workshops, and group programs. Families can eat from the fields, milk goats, feed chickens, make soap, or build a compost pile. The farm also hosts day camps and week-long overnight camps for kids! Farm tours and visits must be scheduled in advance; email programs@learngrowconnect.org.
Big Run Wolf Ranch
14857 North Farrell Road
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 588-0044
Check out Big Run Wolf Ranch to educate your children about North American wildlife while enjoying up-close encounters with wolves! Animals include Siberian tigers, black bears, cougars, skunks, and more. Once a month they have family days with entertainers, too! Check out our review of Big Run Wolf Ranch.
The ranch is only open to the general public on Family Days. Family Days for 2022 are $8 per person and will be held May 21 (Incredible Bats), June 18, July 23 (Crosstown Exotics), August 20 (Mr. D’s Magic Show), September 18 (Wild Fest), October 15 (Incredible Bats) and November 19.
You can also check out the ranch’s website for information about booking private events, including birthday parties and onsite and offsite wildlife shows.
Blackberry Farm
100 South Barnes Road
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-1550
Admission includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddle boats, carousel and ponies. In their discovery barn, kids can see chickens, sheep, piglets, baby goats and more. Check their website for admission fees, to buy tickets in advance, and for special free family fun days that run throughout the summer. Read about Katie’s family’s visit to the farm!
Enjoy Pioneer Farm
17N400 Big Timber Road
Hampshire, IL 60140
(847) 683-2863
Children can hold baby lambs, goats, pigs, ducks and roosters, feed the calf inside the barn, and even rent baby chicks at this local farm! Farm fresh eggs and meats are also available for purchase. In the spring, families have the option to rent baby chicks or ducks to take home for two weeks! Call ahead for hours and times to hold the baby animals.
On weekends in March, April, and May, you can visit to hold the baby animals on Saturdays on Sundays from 9am to 3pm; the cost is $9/person and no appointment is needed.
Graue Mill and Museum
3800 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 655-2090
An operating waterwheel grist mill and homestead, built in the 1850s on the Graue Farm. Today, the museum provides programs for children that include milling, spinning and weaving and living history presentations, as well as artifacts which illustrate the way of life of area residents back then. You’ll find many demonstrations and special events at Graue Mill, such as sheep sheering and their fine arts festival. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date information.
Kline Creek Farm
1N600 County Farm Road
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 876-5900
Activities and events at the farm re-create the seasonal rhythms that have governed farm life for centuries. Kids can learn about 19th-century farm activities, such as baking, canning, planting, harvesting, sheep shearing and ice cutting.
Kline Creek Farm is open Thursdays through Mondays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select holidays. All other buildings including the Visitor Center are open to the public during open hours. The surrounding Timber Ridge Forest Preserve is open daily one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset. There’s a suggested admission donation of $5 per person ages 3 and up to enter Kline Creek Farm.
Primrose Farm
5N726 Crane Road
St. Charles, IL 60175
(630) 513-4370
The grounds are open at Primrose Farm! Monday through Saturday, the office is open 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, but the grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Come see the animals, or register for animal feedings with the chickens or goats. The main barn is open when staff is present, while the rest of the buildings are closed. On Sundays, dedicated volunteers assist staff with livestock chores. If you’d like to stop by and get the full Primrose experience, staff recommends a weekday or Saturday visit.
Tempel Farms
17000 Wadsworth Road
Old Mill Creek, IL 60083
(847) 244-5330
This dressage training facility shows off their prized Lipizzan horses. There are two performance times at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm on select dates. Buy tickets online for extra savings. Prices start at $25/kids and $35/adults when purchased online; children 4 and under are free. Check out their tours for a chance to see the newest baby foals or to watch a training session in action!
The Children’s Farm at the Center
12700 Southwest Highway
Palos Park, IL 60464
(708) 361-3650
The Children’s Farm offers leisurely, self-guided tours on the weekends. Patrons are usually welcome to touch, pet and groom the animals, which change seasonally but often include chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies and donkeys.
The Children’s Farm is open on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in June, July, and August. They offer self-guided tours, hayrack rides, animals to see, and more. Check the website for hours and admission prices.
Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley
201 S. Plum Grove Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
(847) 985-2102
Kids can learn all about life on the farm as they practice chores, play games, and visit the animals. Authentically dressed interpreters welcome and guide visitors through the site. Admission is FREE. The farm & visitor center are open Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and the farm grounds & trails are open daily between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Wagner Farm
1510 Wagner Road
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 657-1506
Wagner Farm is one of the last working dairy farms in Cook County. In addition to the cows in the pasture, they have chickens, draft horses and pigs as well as a restored farmhouse, barn and Heritage Center. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk and the Heritage Center is open daily, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. While you’re there, be sure to check out the new farm adventure area!
Abbey Farms
2855 Hart Road
Aurora, IL 60502
(630) 966-7775
info@abbeyfarms.org
The non-profit Abbey Farms is run by the monks of Marmion Abbey. This family fun farm offers fresh produce, good cooking, and more. Check out their new Gather & Sip events going on all summer, or climb on antique tractors and pick up a picnic during the Summer Ramble.
Honey Bee Gardens
8405 Kearney Road
Downers Grove, IL 60516
The farm is not open to the public for drop-in but they do have weekly events like Buzz Around the Barnyard and a small Farm Market. Summer programs for kids are also available.
Please note that Double J Riding Club in Countryside used to let families come to see their animals, but is no longer open to the public.
Don’t see your favorite local farm listed? Email Annie at annie@mykidlist.com to have it included.
For more outdoor fun this summer, stop at one of the best forest preserve trails (as voted by our readers!) for an afternoon hike.
