Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm’s Dino Outbreak combines 20+ animatronic dinosaurs, dozens of attractions, and festive food truck fare to create an adventure for dinosaur-loving kids (and grown-ups!). My family and I went to check out this event in Lockport and had a great time as we explored the dinosaur-themed attractions and games. Keep reading for more on our experience and everything you’ll want to know before you go.
This article is sponsored by Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Features of Dino Outbreak on the Farm
The highlight of our visit to Siegel’s was finding the animatronic dinosaurs scattered throughout the farm. Each one had a plaque that shared information about the dinosaur, which included each dino’s name, period, location, and quick facts.
My 2-year-old especially got a kick out of the smaller dinos as they moved and made noise. Their movements were lifelike, but not scary!
In addition to the animatronic dinosaurs, Siegel’s has done a great job adding stationary dinos throughout the farm. From benches to cracked-egg structures (that are great for photo ops) to dino chairs, I really enjoyed these details.
There is also a Dino Barn area with a fossil dig and additional games, including a large “Who’s Your Dinosaur” version of the game “Guess Who?”
This was our first visit to Siegel’s, and my older kids (ages 7 and 5) were so excited as they ran from activity to activity to check everything out. All the attractions that we explored were included in the admission ticket, which is a huge plus.
Near the entrance, they loved Wheels of Funland, which featured vehicles made of wood that they could climb on, pretend to drive, and slide down. In another area, two giant jumping pillows were both inflated. We all had fun jumping — myself included! The playgrounds, spider webs, and climbable tire piles were also big hits with my kids.
The Mountain Slide was another feature of the park where we spent a lot of our time. If riders are too short to ride alone, they can sit on their grownup’s lap.
There were plenty of other attractions available, too. For a fee, the gem mining station gives you the chance to find fossils, gemstones, or even crack a geode to take home with you. We spent about 2.5 hours at Siegel’s, and could have easily stayed longer if my littlest one didn’t need to get home for a nap.
Food
Siegel’s doesn’t allow outside food, but there are plenty of places to purchase food. There were Kona Ice, Rainbow Cone, and Buona Beef food trucks set up, and there were also other food stands within the farm to get snacks and drinks. Plenty of large picnic tables and open spaces are set up, too.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms in several places throughout the farm. They are designed to look like outhouses and have hand sanitizer within each one. In the antique building, there is a nursing and baby changing area.
Hours
The Dino Outbreak event is happening from 10:00am – 5:00pm on July 27 – 28, August 3 – 4, and August 10 – 11. Check Siegel’s website for schedule changes.
Prices
Tickets are $24.95 for ages 3 and up; kids under 3 are free.
Recommended Ages
This event is fun for all ages! My 2-year-old was fascinated by the dinos’ movements, while my older kids loved the dinosaur-themed activities. My husband and I liked reading the fun facts about the dinos and watching our kids as they ran around and discovered all of the activities.
Best Days/Times To Go
We got to Siegel’s shortly after the Dino Outbreak opened (10:00am), and the farm got more crowded as the day went on; however, it wasn’t packed, and we were able to do everything we wanted without much of a wait.
Accessibility
Since there is so much space on the farm, you can find many quiet areas. Most of the farm is flat without steps or stairs. However, keep in mind that the ground is all grass or gravel, so strollers with heavy-duty tires are easier to push around.
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm
17250 S Weber Rd.
Lockport, Illinois 60441
(815) 741-2693
Can’t get enough of dinosaurs? We’ve pulled together all the best Chicagoland dinosaur themed places! Check out our Ultimate Summer Guide for more ideas of fun this summer, too.
