I love animals. Honestly, sometimes, I feel they get me more than humans. But beyond that, visiting, farms, teach valuable life lessons to little ones as well as a hands-on experience far better than watching about animals on the television. So these place are an awesome hands on educational experience! The list is always growing as we continue our adventures. However, here are a few of the ones we have visited so far in the Hudson Valley and beyond!
Sprout Creek Farm Poughkeepsie, NY
We love this farm. My daughter can run free with the chickens and ducks and that alone is awesome. There are also pigs, goats, cows, donkeys, and barn cats to name the main cast of characters. Abby actually kissed one of the goats and gave her a hug the last time we were there. Baby goat season is too adorable for words. If you are lucky, you may even get a chance to interact with the babies! We were one of the lucky ones! They have events there and a summer camp that my daughter is still too young to attend. The last event there, had a bounce house, hay-ride, and vendors. So it had everything. But, we like going during the week when it is nice and quiet too.
They also have a gift shop and their cheese rocks. Any place with awesome cheese gets our vote! I believe our favorite cheese is Lacey cheese.
Stony Kill Foundation, Wappingers Falls NY
In addition, this is also another great place for other reasons. They have adorable cows and one that reminds me of Elvis that we have to pet. They have sheep, pigs, chickens, etc. We have fed the pigs from over a high wall. I don’t want to be pig food and you can’t chase the chickens. They also have a lot of cool events throughout the year. We went on a tractor ride at a special event. They also have a lovely butterfly festival too. In addition, Stony Kill has walking trails. We have lovely memories of going through the mud and oh, the epic face plant running on the connector road or mommy doing yoga in their gardens. There is a cute preschool program we have attended a couple of times too.
FYI Here is another post all about the Kid season at the farm!
Lily Moore Farm, Pleasant Valley NY
All I have to say is story-time is epic here. They have a different animal at story-time each week that resides at their farm and last time we were there for story-time, they had a borrow a book going on. Sorry, we need to give our book back. We are a tad behind.
Anyways, their main gig is Alpacas. I love them. They have the best personalities. They also have chickens and ducks, barn kitties and I have seen horses as well here. If I am forgetting any animals, I apologize. The Alpacas have my heart here. Abby can feed them and the chickens and ducks too. My epic disaster memory here is Abby telling me she has to potty and as she said it, she peed all over me in ridiculously hot weather. All I had to put on were these ugly mom jeans from 1985 that were really hot and about two sizes too small in the waist bound for the donation bin. This all happened about five minutes after arriving. Mom tip number 4003-Always pack extra clothes for not only your child but you as well.
We have also done Christmas photos with the Alpacas. You bring your own camera type of deal. They also have wonderful items for sale.
Muscoot Farm Katonah New York
Part of Original story told on Hudson Valley Parent Blog
Muscoot Farm and the head butting goat. I bet that got your attention. Muscoot Farm is in Katonah, NY and a very easy fifty-ish minute drive from Poughkeepsie. It’s a great farm to take the children and well worth the drive.
We went on a very unusually warm winter day which felt amazing after being frozen for so long. The grounds were muddy, but still doable even if you still have a child in a stroller. I just recommend one of those off-road strollers.
There are many buildings to go in and learn about farm life of the past including many items on display. Since my daughter has hit the why or what is that phase, we spent a long time discussing everything. Thank you Muscoot for having descriptions with many items so I could look like I knew what I was talking about. Go, mom.
At the farm, there are all your typical farm animals. Goats, sheep, barn cats, horses, cows, turkeys, ducks, chickens, donkeys, etc. The chickens are not roaming around. So no fear of being attacked by a rooster. Yes, it has happened to my daughter and has happened to me a couple of times at other farms. They spur you. I was even legit chased down my road by a rogue rooster with my daughter on my back. Also, at Muscoot there is no petting or feeding of any of the animals. Although one goat did headbutt my child.
There are hiking trails too, but that’s for another day. Also, bring snacks. I forgot snacks and had to go on the McDs mission.
Checkout Muscoot. Enjoy the scenery, learn something new, see the animals. Just don’t stick your head in the pens.
Ridge Runner Ranch, New Paltz New York
Please visit our sister blog to learn about this wonderful horse farm. They have a spring break camp coming up too!
Final Thoughts
Farms are awesome. They are great way to teach children and have a lot of wholesome family fun. Did you also know that there are benefits to children being outdoors? Feel free to read!
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