Bottle-feed a piglet. Pet a pony. Tickle some sheep. Enjoy all these farm activities and more at petting farms nearby or a short drive away in Michigan.
Families can get up close and personal with these animals – plus, you can learn a thing or two. And who knows, you may even make a furry friend before you leave! Of course, there’s more than just animal fun. You can go on a hayride, take a farm tour and even sample homemade ice cream.
Whatever moves you, metro Detroit offers seasonal fun for the family at these local petting farms. Know of more petting farms in Michigan that you think should be on our list? Tell us about them in the comments.
This article was recently updated on April 3, 2024 by Metro Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on local farms near metro Detroit, aligning with Metro Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@metroparent.com.
Bowers School Farm
The farm is housed on 93 acres and owned by Bloomfield Hills Schools. Meet the animals at this open barn. Grooming the horses and ponies is available at specific times and wagon rides are available during Open Barn. They also have a farm store, which sells their own produce along with ice cream and other prepared foods and various products from local partners.
Calder Dairy and Farm
- Address: 9334 Finzel Road, Carleton
Schedule a tour for groups of 15 or more at this working farm, which is open year-round. Visitors can milk a cow, feed a baby calf with a bottle, go on a wagon ride and eat ice cream made with the farm’s own milk.
Carousel Acres
- Address: 12749 Nine Mile Road, South Lyon
Visit this family-owned and operated farm. Ride a pony, visit a donkey, meet Australian animals, parakeets and reindeer. There are seasonal events, too. Call to schedule your visit or plan your next party.
Children’s Pony Ranch
- Address: Elizabeth Park, 4651 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton
Horses and ponies are the highlight at this petting farm inside Elizabeth Park. Feed the animals and enjoy a hayride or buggy ride. Also, offers photo shoots and birthday parties. No reservations are required.
Cook’s Farm Dairy
Meet, pet and feed its cows and piglets – and sample some farm-made ice cream. Visitors can shop from a variety of farm-made favorites in the shop including milk, ice cream, meats, cheese, sausages, eggs, honey and more.
CornFun Corn Maze Adventure And Pumpkin Patch
- Address: 9391 Lindsey Lane, Casco
This farm is great for fall. Experience 13 acres of family fun, including challenging corn mazes, petting zoo, pumpkin patch and cider and doughnuts. Also, be sure to check out the Sunflower Festival in September.
Grandpa Tiny’s Farm
- Address: 7775 Weiss St., Frankenmuth
No need to stick to southeast Michigan – travel a little farther to visit some other petting farms in Michigan, just like this one. Bottle-feed a calf, bond with a bunny and peek at colorful peacocks. Then, take a wagon ride over the historic Black Bridge.
Heritage Park Petting Farm
- Address: 12803 Pardee Road, Taylor
Visit this municipal farm that houses more than 70 animals and is open year round. Families can pet animals in a heated barn or visit the nature pond and see the turtles. Also, offers school field trips and birthday party packages.
Hess-Hathaway Farm Park
- Address: 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford
Hess-Hathaway Park is 167 acres full of fun. Visit a working farm with 100-plus animals. Playground, hayrides, nature trails and more. Follow the farm on Facebook to keep up with all the fun events.
Kensington Metropark Farm Center
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
Take a ride to Kensington Farm to tour the barn, which is more than 150 years old, pet farm animals and enjoy loads of events. You’ll see chickens, cattle, sheep, goats and draft horses.
Maybury Farm
Meet dozens of farm animals, enjoy a farm-themed playground/picnic area and pick your own produce. The farm educates children about the role animals play in providing food and fiber. Shop snacks, fresh eggs, honey and other Michigan-made products in the gift shop. Watch for maple sugaring events in March and other events throughout the season.
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farm Office Park
- Address: 3001 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor
Visit with alpacas, barn cat, ducks, goats, chickens, pea fowl, llamas and other traditional farm animals. Watch for animal presentations and story times throughout the year. Also, you can purchase a dozen eggs, pigs or ducks.
Pingree Farms
- Address: 301 E. Grixdale Ave., Detroit
This non-profit urban farm offers a petting zoo, educational programming for kids and tours. Be sure to follow it on Facebook to keep up with the many events at the farm.
Three Cedars Farm
- Address: 7897 Six Mile Road, Northville
Offers live animals, hayrides, train rides, seven-acre corn maze and more. Holiday events and party rentals available, too. Make sure to visit the General Store on your way out for farm products and old-fashioned candy.
Tollgate Farm/Education Center
- Address: 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi
Children’s stories, workshops, camps and seasonal events from a pumpkin fest to maple syrup fun are in store on these 160 acres of farm and forest. Here, you’ll view the cattle, chickens, sheep, goats and horses along with the beautiful trails and gardens.
Upland Hills Farm
- Address: 481 Lake George Road, Oxford
The farm has plenty for families and schools to see! For Summer Sundays and In Harvest Festival in October, you’ll be able to stroll down the storybook trail, go on a hayride, ride a pony, play on the playground, visit the animals and much more.
Westview Orchards & Winery
- Address: 65075 Van Dyke, Washington
U-pick is available here depending on the time of year. Also, a petting zoo, three-acre playscape, straw bale maze, corn maze, straw mountain and more offered. Be sure to have cider and doughnuts, too.
Wolcott Mill Farm Center
- Address: 65775 Wolcott Road, Ray Township
Meet and greet horses, goats, cows, chickens, pigs, ducks and sheep on a 250-acre farm. Maple tapping in March; wagon rides and farm trick-or-treat in fall.
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