Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
A trip to a petting farm will not only be fun for grandkids but can also be a very educational experience as they learn to interact with all the animals. The farms are great for little ones because there is a ton of sensory input with all the furry coats, interesting smells and occasionally startling sounds.
It is a memorable experience to watch the joy on a grandchild’s face as they encounter an animal up close to pet and feed it. It teaches them courage, as well as compassion to interact with animals they are not yet familiar with.
Gentle, Gentle
Petting farms have been popular since 1938, when the first one was included at the London Zoo in England. The Philadelphia Zoo opened the first children’s zoo in North America. Petting farms can be a combination of domesticated and wild or exotic species of animals that are docile to touch and feed.
There are several great choices to visit a petting zoo in Northeast Ohio. The three described below are ones we have visited more than once and have offered fun adventures for our grandchildren.
Stearns Farm, also known as Stearns Homestead, is a 48-acre historic farm in Parma. This last remaining working farm in the middle of the city was built in 1855. It is now an Ohio historical site that depicts the agricultural way of life characteristic of 19th Century Parma.
Along with more than 75 farm animals, the Homestead has several historic museum houses and a Yankee barn loaded with antiques and period pieces. Admission is free and tours are available. The grandchildren can pet and feed the animals that roam the fields. You can purchase special feed cups individually or buy a family bucket. Each summer, you can purchase fresh vegetables, eggs and local honey from their Saturday farm market.
This is a charming farm with plenty of friendly people eager to talk about Parma’s agricultural roots and to answer questions about the animals.
Spring Mist Farm in Brunswick Hills is a working family farm that is open to the public on Wednesdays throughout the summer months for their Fun on the Farm days. Not only can the grandkids pet and feed the animals, but they also can take pony, horse and wagon rides around the farm. You can visit a variety of farm animals in a laid-back environment for toddlers and young children.
Private events can be scheduled to enjoy a special day at the farm. Spring Mist also offers a Traveling Farm with a menagerie of nearly a dozen animals for private backyard parties.
Majestic Meadows is an alpaca farm on 20 acres in Medina. The owners have raised alpacas for 25 years. The many open pastures give little ones the chance to meet and greet more than 70 friendly and adorable alpacas, as well as other unique farm animals, including kangaroos.
Other unusual animals are the endearing baby doll sheep, which are about two feet tall, smile and resemble teddy bears. The mini goats are also cute and gentle with kids.
Special events have been added this year. Children 10 and older can go on an alpaca and llama trek. Older grandkids (8-12) can become junior farmers for the day. The kids love to learn and experience how to care and feed all the different animals.
We typically visit the farms in the morning and then eat a picnic lunch or snack. All of these farms have excellent picnic spots and plenty of large shade trees that are perfect for picnicking. Don’t forget to pack sun hats, lotion and hand wipes/disinfectant.
Before summer’s out, take the grandkids for a special adventure to a petting farm. And remember to take plenty of photos.
