There’s something about the poultry that makes life on the farm fun for kids. Seriously — barnyard birds are like magnets at Maybury Farm in Northville, whether fluffing feathers, perched proudly on a chilled-out goat or simply strutting their stuff.
“Kids love chickens for some reason,” says Jessica Striegle, the former executive director of the Northville Community Foundation, which runs the 85-acre nonprofit farm. “Most of them are excited. They wanna get up there and pet them.”
Also vying for attention are sheep, bunnies, ponies, pigmy goats, Reggie the pig – and Bucky, a miniature donkey who brays the second he hears human voices.
“They love people,” Striegle says. “It’s great for kids to be able to interact with farm animals.” Visit in September, but know that October presents a prime time to reap the farm life benefits.
From horse- and tractor-pulled hayrides, corn mazes, apple orchards and pumpkin patches to pastoral scenery complete with crisp air and leaves, southeast Michigan’s family-friendly farms welcome the season with enriching events — and a slower pace.
“It’s nice to unplug,” says Debbie Cavallaro, the former supervisor at the Farm Center at Kensington Metropark in Milford. “Kids get to come out and enjoy nature and animals. I think that’s very grounding.” Not to mention, the weather is perfect this time of year.
So why not savor some cider, delight in a rooster’s crow and pick out a pumpkin? “It’s smelling it, hearing it, getting the wheels turning,” Cavallaro says. “Enjoy it. Winter’s right around the corner!”
Take a peek below to explore some of the fall farm fun in store in a few locations in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
Farm Center at Kensington Metropark
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
- Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March-October, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. November-February, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
“Come by our barn,” former manager Debbie Cavallaro welcomes. “It’s heated!” And it has a nickname: “The maternity ward. We can have baby animals all year round.”
Coo over teeny chicks, piglets, wee goats and more. Nestled by the Huron River — “you get the up-north feeling without the drive” — in October this farm hosts kids activities, horse-drawn hayrides and a big four-acre pumpkin patch (hours vary).
Explore the nature-made Kids Cottage and rock labyrinth, too, or bum books from the lending library. Best of all, animals are always here. “You get to develop a rapport with that critter,” Cavallaro says, “and watch them raise their babies every year.”
Upland Hills Farm
- Address: 481 Lake George Road, Oxford
- Harvest Festival 2022 Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays in October
- Harvest Moon Hayrides 2022 Hours: 7-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays in October
Specially designed as an educational place for kids back in 1960, this farm hosts a Fall Harvest Festival on October weekends teeming with hayrides, pumpkin picking (sold by size), farm demos, pony rides, storybook trail strolls — even cow milking! Kids can also mingle with ducks, geese, horses, llamas, pigs, kittens and bunnies.
Non-haunted evening hayrides are select dates, too, topped off with a cider, homemade doughnuts and a bonfire (bring s’mores fixings, hot dogs and any food you’d like).
“We have a hilly and rolling countryside,” says former office secretary Sally Marshall. “It’s just beautiful in the fall. We’re really out in the woods.”
Hess-Hathaway Park
- Address: 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford
- Hours: April 15-Labor Day: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; Day after Labor Day-Oct. 15: 10 a.m.-dusk or 8 p.m. (whichever comes first); Oct. 16-April 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays-Thursdays)
Back in the day, Mrs. Myrtle Hess farmed this land, raising prize-winning dairy sheep and cattle. Nowadays, the land Hess left to the city is home to some cornfields, plenty of trails and close to 100 farm animals.
Animals include horses, ponies, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys and more. The All Kids Playground is another big attraction accessible for all children.
“Join us for a lovely day of experiencing farm animals, touring historic sites and having great fun,” says Tori Heglin, recreation supervisor.
Maybury Farm
- Address: 50165 Eight Mile Road, Northville Township
- Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, closed Monday, weather permitting; watch social media posts for any closures.
While visiting the farm during your self-guided tour, you will see 125 animals and 11 species. The ducks, chickens, rabbits, Anna the cow, draft horses, ponies, goats, sheep and the new alpacas will be waiting for you to stop by and visit them.
During the Corn Maze, you will take a hayride passed the hay fields, soybeans, and beehives to the cornfield for 10 acres of family fun. There’s also a one-acre option for younger guests.
After your visit to the corn maze, be sure stop by the General Store for honey, maple syrup and cider and donuts for purchase.
The Great Fall Festival 2022 happens 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.
Farm Center at Wolcott Mill Metropark
- Address: 65775 Wolcott Road, Ray Township
- Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
This working dairy farm features six breeds of heritage cows to observe up close. “We milk the cows daily,” says Susan Schmidt, the Metroparks’ former agriculture coordinating supervisor, “and visitors can observe this each day at 10 a.m. in the dairy barn.”
Watch for sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, Percheron draft horses, a mini horse and a donkey too. Pet the critters and take advantage of wagon rides and a few fun October events. Visit the farm-themed play scape, too, complete with two small tractors for kids to ride.
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms
- Address: 3001 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor
- General: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (watch for hour changes in the spring/summer); additional hours available for special events of large groups.
Not far from the pizza headquarters (but its own separate nonprofit!), this spot has lots to offer families.
Visible from M-14, the farm’s cheery red barn is also home to chickens, ducks, horses, pigs, cows, alpacas and llamas. Plus pumpkins and pony and hayrides are in store. The Petting Farm is a non-profit organization that has been open for over 30 years and is located in Ann Arbor with easy access to major expressways.
Visitors love hand-feeding the animals. Pony rides and hayrides are fun treat, too, plus the pavilion is great place to enjoy a family picnic.
This post was originally published in 2014 and is updated regularly.
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