The Best Farms With Family Entertainment in Chicago: Northern Suburbs

1. Historic Wagner Farms—Glenview, IL

Wagner Farms is an adorable park-district-run farm located in Glenview, IL. Free to the public and open year-round, it’s also one of the oldest working dairy farms in Illinois! You’ll find horses, cows, and goats roaming the grounds outside, and inside, you’ll find an awesome hands-on play barn filled with a pioneer wagon, a general store, and a corn silo that kids can climb on. Your little ones can pretend to shop in the small town or sell produce out of a covered wagon.

They also offer art classes, year-round events, farmhouse tours, live music, pumpkins, and more. There is a gift shop on site but no formal restaurant or dining area, so don't forget to pack a picnic!

2. Lambs Farm - Libertyville

Lambs Farm is home to over 300 animals. In addition to the animals, you'll find a barrel train, rides, opportunities to feed animals, and a Discovery Center. There is also a petting zoo and pony and camel rides. One especially unique feature: Miniature golf is also included in your admission!

 
Goebbert's Farm photo by Ryan Dickey, via Flickr 2.0

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3. Enjoy Pioneer Farm—Hampshire, IL

At Enjoy Pioneer Farm, your little ones can learn the inner workings of a real farm, hold goats, ducks, and baby lambs, and learn about how hens make eggs and how a real farm produces food for the community. You can buy fresh farm eggs and meats raised on the farm, and brave parents can also rent baby animals to take home! 

During the fall months, explore a corn maze and even pick corn. There is also a pumpkin patch for finding the perfect jack o' lantern and straw and haystacks available to take home for your own (Pinterest-worthy) fall display. 

4. Goebbert’s Farm—South Barrington, IL 

Goebbert’s Farm is the go-to place for farm fun on the northwest side. This action-packed farm boasts miles of parks, bounce houses, rides, corn mazes, pig races, interactive exhibits, games, and more. You can buy flowers, produce, pumpkins, and trees all grown on the farm. In the fall you can pick pumpkins, and apples, or run through the sprawling corn maze.

In the summer months, the farmers market is open daily. During the busy season (late summer and fall), leave some time to wait in line for rides and food. Attractions vary by season, so check the website to see which activities are available when you plan your visit. 

 
Blackberry Farms has a carousel, rides, and animals! Photo courtesy of Blackberry Farms

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5. Blackberry Farms—Aurora, IL

Blackberry Farms is like a farm amusement park. Admission includes unlimited rides on pedal tractors, paddle boats, the train, carousel, hay wagon, and most importantly—the ponies. Something else cool is that little ones can experience all sorts of farming equipment and vehicles on land and water. Whether kids prefer a train or a pony, they can ride as often as they like for the whole day. This is an awesome deal if you plan on riding anything more than once; we all know how easy it is to burn through ride tickets!

In the Discovery Barn, kiddos can learn about baby animals, pigs, goats, and chickens. Plan to come to Blackberry Farms hungry because while you can bring snacks, there are a ton of dining options here ranging from healthy, fresh-picked fruits to (unhealthy but delicious) baked goods and carnival-like treats. 

6. Double J Riding Club—Countryside, IL

Double J Riding Club is great for little animal lovers. With outdoor adventure classes and Tiny Animal Adventure sessions, children get hands-on experience with horses and other animals. Kids can feed animals, and learn about proper animal diets, habitats, and more. Budding farmers will learn how to groom and care for animals on the farm, and there are even mud kitchens to cook meals and learn about cleaning and hygiene for the animals.

For young equestrians, there are riding courses, lessons, and even a show team. The best part? There's something special here all year: join Santa on a horse, learn gardening basics in the spring, carve pumpkins in the fall, and more. Check the website for upcoming festivals and events.

Photo courtesy of The Children's Farm

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7. Odyssey Fun Farm—Tinley Park, IL

The Odyssey Fun Farm boasts 110 acres of fun. You’ll find a bounce house, barnyard zoo, duck races, hayrides, and pony rides. In addition to picking fresh vegetables and pumpkins grown on the farm, kids can ride the adorable cow train, fly on a zip line, or jump through the pillowy jumpy in the summer. In the fall, there's a corn box to play in, a pumpkin house, and a hay pyramid. The inflatable kid's zone features a carousel, bounce houses, and basketball toss.

Parents will appreciate that there are different zones and activities separated by age group at this farm, and be sure to bring a big appetite for delicious homemade treats, too! 

8. The Children’s Farm—Palos Park, IL

The Children’s Farm in Palos Park is open Friday-Sunday year-round. Here kids can learn about life on a real working farm, sustainable agriculture, caring for animals, and more. With the farm's egg incubation program, you can even bring the farm home with an egg to hatch (just remember these are real live eggs you’re signing up for!).

See tractors in action, take a hayride, visit the new horse barn, or pet a live animal. You can pick a pumpkin and other vegetables, experience one of their seasonal festivals (check the website for upcoming events), or take a horse ride. 

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9. Apple Holler—Sturtevant, WI

Just over the Illinois border are the delicious orchards of Apple Holler. In addition to apples, pick peaches, pears, and pumpkins on the farm. You’ll also find rides, adorable animals, live entertainment, and interactive kid’s zones. No matter the season there are events and family-friendly activities to do all year round. From sleigh rides to blossom fests, there is always something to do (or eat) at Apple Holler. Is there anything better than a piping hot apple cider donut? Lines and wait times are longer during the late summer and fall.

Check their website for the most up-to-date harvesting calendars so you’re sure to get the fruit or veggie you’re looking for. Make a weekend out of it by staying in nearby Kenosha or Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

10. Harvest Tyme Farm Park—Lowell, IN

Harvest Tyme Farm Park is just as the name says. It’s a working farm and interactive park, all rolled into one. Located in Northwest Indiana, visitors will find rides, games, animals, a petting zoo, and a lot of outdoor fun. For little farmers, pumpkins are available in the fall, and hand-picked flowers are available in the summer.

The farm goes all out on attractions for festivals and summer entertainment. There’s even a holiday light show in the winter. Favorite activities include taking older kids on the tilt-a-whirl and bringing home spring flowers or sunflowers fresh from the farm.