If you read Little Blue on repeat, sing about Old McDonald and watch farm animals on the tablet, you probably can’t wait for springtime farm visits. Good news is not all barns are closed during winter months, here are the best places to take your little farmer in metro Detroit.

Kensington Farm Center (Milford)

Meet farm animals and get a glimpse of rural life at Kensington Metropark’s Farm Center. Take in the sights, smells and sounds of life on the farm and see live farm animals like chickens, sheep, cattle and draft horses. Take a short walk to the riverside where a one-of-a kind “green” building (made exclusively of natural materials), a stone labyrinth, a grass maze and the new early skills area including a blacksmith shop and brick oven can all be found.  The Farm Center is free but you need a daily or annual Metopark pass to enter the park.

Open: Daily

Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)

You can find plenty of animals at the Detroit Zoo, including your barnyard favorites. Admission is $14-19 for adults and $10-15 for kids with $8 for parking – we highly recommend getting a family membership.

Open: Daily

Domino Farms (Ann Arbor)
The Petting Farm opened its doors in 1984 at Domino’s Farms. Twenty acres were allocated for the site and the Zeeb barn became a shelter for animals once more. The Petting Farm  is a symbol of our appreciation and commitment to the agriculture industry and the traditional farm values that are evident in our culture. It serves as a historical tribute to the farmers who lived in the area and developed the agribusiness we have today. In addition to petting animals, riding ponies and on a hayride, kids can also explore a stationary train car. Cost $6 per person, children under 2 are free.

Open: Fridays – Sundays and Mondays

Heritage Park Petting Farm (Taylor)
The Heritage Park Petting Farm offers a hands-on experience for the young or just young at heart in a unique park atmosphere. A knowledgeable staff is on hand to assist and make your visit a memorable one. Children wearing proper footwear (gym shoes or boots) can walk around the stalls of the goats, sheep, and piglets. The farm is open year round, and each season brings interesting changes. The barn is heated to provide warmth for our guests and animals. Cost $4 per person, children under 1 are free.

Open: Friday-Satruday

MSU Tollgate Farm (Novi)

Take a trip to the farm and visit with horses, cows, goats and chickens. Kids will have fun exploring the children’s garden that includes an observation desk, maze and water feature. Race up and down the hills and enjoy FREE family fun. Admission is free but a $5 donation is suggested and can be made online here.

Open: Daily

Blue Line Farm (Livonia)
Blue Line Farm in Livonia is a family operated urban farm that is literally in Angela and Eddie’s backyard. Parents to 3 kids, they also care for a dozen goats, a couple picks, a flock of chickens, ducks, a couple barn cats and a guinea pig. The couple have rehabbed a nearly 100 year old barn to be put to use as it was originally intended and invite visitors to come and say hi, feed the goats and attend special events.

Open: Selection Dates + scheduled appointments

Calder Farms (Carleton)
Calder Farm is open to the public daily and admission is FREE! Get a look at real life farm life and see how cows, sheep, chickens and other animals live.  Stop by the farm store for delicious treats.

Open: Daily

Wolcott Mill Farm Center (Ray)

Meet the animals on the 250-acre working farm. Wolcott Mill is the only known public farm in the state of Michigan where all six heritage breeds of dairy cow, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey, Milking Short Horn, and Holstein, reside year-round. In addition, the farm features a wide variety of other animals, including miniature and draft horses, multiple species of sheep and goats as well as a wide variety of farm fowl. Visit the greenhouse and gardens or, when available, take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the crop fields.

Open: Daily

Photo credit: Kensington Metropark Farm Center