When we were in Michigan in 2009, when Sister was born, we drove past the white fence posts of Domino’s Petting Farm many times.
Of course, then the ground was snow covered, we had a 14 month old and a newborn, so it went on the list of “things to do when the kids get older.”
About Domino’s Petting Farm… Domino’s Petting Farm is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It opened in 1984, although the barn that houses the Petting Farm was built in 1925, by a local family, and was part of a working farm. The property and buildings were purchased by Thomas S. Monaghan, in the early 1980’s, where he planned to build a large office complex to house his pizza empire and he dubbed it Domino’s Farms. Domino’s Farms subsequently sold Domino’s Pizza, in 1998, but kept the name Domino’s Farms. Domino’s Petting Farm sits on 25 acres, across the street from the office complex, and is a non-profit 501(3)c and operates on its own that is neither owned nor subsidized by Domino’s Farms or Domino’s Pizza.
Mister and Sister thoroughly enjoyed feeding carrots to the goats. The petting farm barn also houses potbellied pigs, bunnies, and a heifer that was born four days prior to our visit. She was just gorgeous!
While the kids petted bunnies, with the help of the petting farm staff, I admired the HUGE ball of twine in the barn. The staff informed me that a bit of twine is added to the ball each day, and that it has been ten years in the making. That is one great ball of twine!
I’d hate to be downhill from that if it ever started rolling!
Just before we went on our hayride, Mister noticed another staff member was about to water the goats, and he just had to lend a hand. Rather than shoo’ing him off, or getting irritated, the gentleman took the time to explain to Mister what he was doing, let Mister help pump the water, and then help him carry it to the goats. Mister was so excited that he got to be a farmer!
My favorite part of the day was, by far, the hayride. Seeing the looks on the kidlets faces when the were able to get up close, and personal, with the livestock was just priceless! Just inside the pasture, the driver (who happened to be the same gent that allowed Mister to help him water the goats) stopped the wagon and threw out a snack for the cows and bulls. They surrounded the wagon, and everyone had the opportunity to pet them (if they wanted). Mister stuck his hand right out there. Sister was a little less enthusiastic, but enjoyed a staring contest with one bull.
It was a funtastic day, and I absolutely want to go back. The only bummer about the whole day was that there were no pony rides, since it was a weekday. Sister loves horses, and was less than pleased when she learned that the closest she was going to get to the horses was the other side of the fence. I am glad the horses get the week off, but I hated to see Sister so disappointed!
Domino’s Petting Farm is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5.50 for kids ages 2-12, and $5.50 for senior citizens. A complimentary hayride is included in your paid admission (year round, weather permitting). Pony rides are available on Saturdays and Sundays only and are $5 per ticket (April through October, weather permitting).
Learn more at http://pettingfarm.com
how fun. I want to take my kids to a petting zoo soon
OMG that ball of twine is huge!!!
Love animals, petting zoos are so much fun.