There are so many family-friendly farms in North Texas! And my daughter, a super fan of farms and animals, keeps a list of her favorites.
Here they are: The best family-friendly farms and petting zoos in North Texas.
1. Preston Trail Farms in Gunter
Of the family-friendly farms and petting zoos in North Texas, Preston Trail Farms in Gunter is the one you can’t miss, especially during pumpkin season. Preston Trail Farms is great for field trips and family trips, too. Grab a cup of feed from the store to feed the animals in the petting zoo. Kids also enjoy the maze and hayride. Even though not much changes year-to-year, the kids are excited to visit every fall during pumpkin season. Last year, they had great barbecue as well. Don’t miss the hardware and feed store, open year-round.
- Cost: Free! During pumpkin season: $12 per person ages two and up, includes the petting zoo (plus a small pumpkin on weekdays).
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Fair. Keep in mind the terrain is mostly rocks and dirt.
- Best time of year to visit: It has summer camps, but the farm is most popular in the fall during pumpkin season.
<< RELATED READ :: 8 Day Trips to Berry-Picking Farms Near Collin County >>
2. Cathy’s Critters in Princeton
We first met Cathy’s Critters at an in-school field trip (It also offers mobile petting zoos for parties!). So, I was excited to visit her farm and petting zoo in Princeton for the full experience. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely care for the animals. Our favorite part was walking around the large pen with chickens, goats, and kangaroos. Of all the North Texas farms and petting zoos, I recommend this one the most for year-round fun on weekends only.
- Cost: Free for kids ages two and under, $10 for kids up to 14 years old, $15 for teens and adults. $3 for a cup of feed (big enough to split between two kids).
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: No. There are steps, stones, and different levels of dirt.
- Best time of year to visit: Any time you don’t mind spending a few hours outside.
3. Blase Family Farm in Rockwall
Fruit picking at Blase Family Farm in Rockwall is one of our family’s favorite excursions. Blueberry season is open May – July. We also love going to the pumpkin farm and petting zoo every October. Don’t miss the homemade fudge, blueberry bread, and soaps when you go!
- Cost: $5.50 per pint of blueberries. Fall: $10 per person, includes hayride and petting zoo (and a small pumpkin on weekdays).
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Somewhat. I had trouble getting my stroller up the first hill, but it is possible.
- Best time of year to visit: During blueberry season from May to July, and pumpkin season from September to October.
4. Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano
While not you’re typical petting zoo, Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano is home to animals that were part of every day life during the early 1900s in the Blackland Prairie of North Texas. You can’t pet them, but you can learn from them as well as the artifacts on display in the one-room schoolhouse from the 1800s.
- Cost: $5 per person; $1 for chicken scratch; $2 for wagon rides.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: This is the most stroller- and wheelchair-friendly option on the list!
- Best time of year to visit: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
<< RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Guide to Fall Events in Collin County :: Events, Farms, Mazes, and Pumpkin Patches >>
5. Pure Land Farms in McKinney
Pure Land Farms in McKinney is a pick-your-own farm and a short drive from historic downtown. Families grab a bucket in the tent and pick tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, squash, berries, and more, all grown organically and without pesticides. Be careful not to pick more than you can use. Reserve a spot before you go.
- Cost: $5 per person ages one and up, plus $2 – $8 per pound of what you pick.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Not very.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May – July, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. It opens at 8:00 a.m. when it starts heating up.
6. Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne
Mainstay Farm in Cleburne is a great field trip spot! The farm is open seasonally — this year, the last two weekends in March and first weekend in April. Visitors pet and feed the goats and spend hours playing on the farm. Brave the triple decker treehouse, enjoy the hay ride, Latvian swings, jumping pillow, and more. They have an interactive barn, slides, play places, and train rides, too.
- Cost: $16.95 per person ages three and up.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Yes, over turf and manicured lawn.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Easter, Fall, and Christmas.
7. Country Critters Farm in Alvarado
Country Critters Farm is based in Alvarado but they go mobile for parties! On the farm, kids pet bunnies, sheep, chickens, goats, a donkey, and a pig, and even get to brush and ride the pony. They can also spot Peter Rabbit around the vegetable garden this Easter weekend. After meeting the animals, kids enjoy the other farm festivities such as hay rides, train rides, mazes, and duck races.
- Cost: $15 per person ages three and up.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Mostly, over dirt and grass.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting March 23.
8. Yesterland Farms in Canton
“Farm” is a little misleading. Yesterland in Canton is more like a small amusement park! They have nearly twenty attractions at this spring’s Bunny Palooza. One of these attractions is animal town where goats pop their heads out of cute, wooden building cutouts to greet you. Know that feeding the animals and pony rides will cost extra.
- Cost: From $22.95 for ages three and up.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Slightly. No paved surfaces, gravel parking lot, slight inclines and declines around the farm, and sometimes dusty or muddy conditions.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: The last three weekends in March from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sundays open later.
9. Team Family Farms in Aubrey
Team Family Farms in Aubrey is one of the few farms that is open daily in the spring. There are several fun activities to keep everyone entertained, like a homestead playground where your little can play pioneer for a day and human-sized hamster wheels! Kids feed the farm animals such as baby calves and goats, as well as milk a pretend cow.
- Cost: $12 for ages two and up.
- Stroller/wheelchair friendly: Somewhat. As a working farm, there will be grass, dust, and maybe mud to navigate through. Close-toed shoes recommended.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March 8 – 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thanks for checking out our list of family-friendly farms and petting zoos in North Texas!
