Hands-On Fun! Where to Cuddle Cute Baby Animals This Spring around the Twin Cities!
Spring is perfect for introducing your little ones to adorable farm animal babies. Luckily, the Twin Cities area is bursting with family-friendly spots where you can meet the cutest new arrivals! From the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley to Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista, there are plenty of places to see baby animals up close. Or drive a bit further to places like Govin’s Farm in Menomonie, Wisconsin, which also offers the chance to meet and hold baby chicks, piglets, and more.
Are you looking to make a weekend getaway out of it? New Day Dairy Barn in Clarksville, Iowa, lets families stay on-site for a hands-on experience with life on the farm. Whether you’re searching for fun family events in the Twin Cities this spring or the best places to see baby animals up close, these farm experiences guarantee smiles all around! Ready to make some adorable memories? Here are 10 must-visit places to see farm animal babies near the Twin Cities.
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
Address: 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124 | End of April 25 – May 17
The Minnesota Zoo’s Farm Babies event at the Wells Fargo Family Farm is a must-see for families this spring! It’s one of the biggest and cutest events of the season, featuring goat kids, lambs, piglets, calves, and more, all born in April and May. Admission is included with your zoo ticket, but reservations are required.
While there, enjoy interactive exhibits, live music, games, and tractor rides on weekends. This is undoubtedly one of the best family spring farm visits near Minneapolis. During your visit, snap adorable photos and learn about farming.
If you can’t make it in person, the zoo also offers virtual experiences, including trivia, photos, and videos. It’s a fun way to connect with farm babies near the Twin Cities and enjoy an educational experience that connects kids with nature and where their food comes from!
Historic Eidem Farm, Brooklyn Park
Address: 4345 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 | Re-opening in Mid-May
Looking for a charming spot to experience farm life with your little ones? Historic Eidem Farm in Brooklyn Park is the perfect place to explore together! Set on 19 acres, this living history farm takes visitors back to the early 1900s. Kids will love meeting farm babies, feeding the animals, and even suggesting names for the newborns.
Afterward, everyone can help in the gardens, walk the trails, and enjoy self-guided tours. Inside the historic farmhouse, kids can play turn-of-the-century toys and try their hand at the piano. Plus, there’s always something extra to enjoy, like storytime, a movie in the barn, or a relaxing picnic in the yard. It’s one of the best places to take kids to see farm animals in the Twin Cities, with plenty of hands-on fun and educational experiences that bring farm life to life!
Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
Address: 7210 County Rd 110 W, Minnetrista, MN 55364 | Farm Experience Dates Vary
For a real working farm experience, head to Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista, just a short drive from the Twin Cities. This family-friendly farm offers a unique chance to see farm babies up close, including chickens, cows, sheep, pigs, and more.
If you want hands-on fun, check out their Saturday Mornings on the Farm program (pre-registration required). In this program, kids can help with chores, interact with animals, and participate in spring farm activities.
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, you can enjoy a self-guided walk through the farm’s scenic trails or take a picnic by Whaletail Lake. Plus, there is a Farm Market open from mid-June to mid-October. Gale Woods Farm is an excellent spot for learning about agriculture, food production, and land stewardship, making it one of Minnesota’s top family-friendly farm experiences!
Gibbs Farm, Falcon Heights
Address: 2097 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113 | Memorial Day – End-October
Gibbs Farm in Falcon Heights is one of our favorite places to see baby animals in Minnesota with kids. Visiting here will make you feel like you’re taking a step back in time! This historic site brings local history to life with costumed guides who tell the story of the Gibbs family and their relationship with the Dakota people in the early 1800s.
Alongside the fascinating history, kids can meet farm animals, visit a replica Dakota tipi, and explore the Gibbs family farmhouse, barns, and even a one-room schoolhouse. Open Saturdays from Memorial Day through October, Gibbs Farm offers a mix of scheduled programs and self-guided tours, making it a great place to meet farm animals with kids near Minneapolis. Finally, don’t miss the farm’s lively annual festivals, which are packed with fun, hands-on activities for the whole family!
Holz Farm, Eagan
4665 Manor Dr, Eagan, MN 55123 | Spring Festival Sunday, May 17, 2026 (Ticketed Event)
Holz Farm in Eagan offers an enchanting and historical experience for all ages. This living history farm, saved by a grassroots campaign, lets families step back in time to experience rural life during the Great Depression and World War II.
It’s one of the best spots to see farm babies near the Twin Cities, especially during the annual Spring Festival. Kids will love trying farm chores, taking a hayride, and visiting the chicken coop. Tickets are required for all individuals 12 months and older. They are available on-site or online.
If you miss the festival, don’t worry—Holz Farm offers year-round, family-friendly farm experiences in Minnesota, including walking tours, farm exploration, and plenty of outdoor fun. It’s a perfect spot for a family outing with a mix of history, animals, and hands-on activities!
Joyer Barnyard at Waldoch Farm, Lino Lakes
Address: 8174 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes, MN 55014 | Opens for the Season Mid-April
Joyer Barnyard at Waldoch Farm in Lino Lakes is a fantastic spot for spring farm visits near Minneapolis for families with kids of all ages. With a variety of cute farm animals, such as sheep, chickens, goats, and alpacas, it’s a perfect place for kids to interact with animals up close. Bring a few quarters to feed the animals!
Then, don’t miss the annual Spring Garden Center Open House, where you can visit the farm babies for free! After visiting the barnyard, explore the rest of the farm’s attractions, including a corn box, a 60-foot slide on Zoom Mountain, and a low ropes course. Whether picking fresh produce or enjoying one of the farm’s many activities, it’s an exciting, hands-on experience for the whole family.
Twin Cities Spring Babies Festival, Brooklyn Park
LOCATION MOVED! Address: 8901 101st Ave N,, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 | Saturdays & Sundays April 11 – May 3, 2026
The Twin Cities Spring Babies Festival in Brooklyn Park is one of the cutest family events of the season, and it is also one of the best places to see farm babies near the Twin Cities. This family-friendly event, hosted rain or shine, gives kids the chance to cuddle and hold baby goats, puppies, chicks, and more in a large, dry tent.
With free admission to the grounds, you’ll find food trucks, inflatables, a corn kernel dunk tank, face painting, and much more. For a unique addition to the experience, purchase a ticket to hold the spring babies. Then, explore the petting area, a straw bale maze, pedal tractors, and trikes.
You can even watch live animal births during the event. You and your kids can see goats, ponies, bunnies, and even camels throughout the grounds. This is undoubtedly one of the top spring events in the Twin Cities for families to make memories with their kids. Just don’t forget to dress for the farm!
Keep reading to discover more spot to see baby animals beyond the Twin Cities!
Govin’s Farm, Menomonie, WI
Address: N6134 670th St, Menomonie, WI 54751 | 2026 Dates: March 22 through April 18
Wondering where to take kids to see and hold farm babies and animals near the Twin Cities? Less than 75 minutes from Minneapolis, Govin’s Farm in Menomonie, Wisconsin, is a fantastic spot for all ages. This family-owned farm invites visitors to experience the joy of interacting with newborn animals in the Lambing Barn. You can even cuddle and feed baby goats, lambs, and piglets. If the timing is right, you may even get the chance to witness live births!
The barn offers a hands-on, all-weather experience, so come rain or shine. In addition to meeting the animals, kids can enjoy pony rides and the giant slide (weather permitting). After spending time with the animals, take a break and indulge in treats like apple cider donuts and kettle corn.
Whether it’s springtime fun with farm babies or fall festivities, Govin’s is an excellent place for families to enjoy farm life and make lasting memories. Don’t forget your camera for all the adorable moments!
Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park, St. Croix Falls, WI
Address: 2131 US-8, St Croix Falls, WI 54024 | Re-Opening in Mid-May
Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, is a local gem for families looking to enjoy a peaceful, immersive wildlife experience just an hour from the Twin Cities. It’s just across the river from Taylors Falls!
From May to September, this family-owned park lets kids get up close and personal with friendly deer, goats, and pigs, as well as exotic animals like elk, foxes, and wolves. Visit in May to see the new babies!
Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Park is an excellent spot for slow-paced fun and winding trails through a serene wooded sanctuary. Kids will love feeding the animals. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the chance to unwind. Fawn-Doe-Rosa also offers a picnic area, gift shop, and free admission for children under 2. Undoubtedly, it’s a fantastic spot to add to your list of spring day trips and farm babies near the Twin Cities!
Make it a Full Weekend: Stay at New Day Dairy GuestBarn in Clarksville, IA
Address: 31000 175th St, Clarksville, IA 50619 | Booking year-round, April & May stays offer the best chances for new farm babies
For a truly memorable, family-friendly farm experience, book a stay at New Day Dairy GuestBarn in Clarksville, Iowa. Just over 3 hours from Minneapolis, this working dairy farm offers kids a unique family stay and hands-on experiences. Families can meet farm animals up close, including cows, new calves, and more.
The GuestBarn provides 24/7 views of the cows, and every stay includes an introductory tour. During this tour, families can pet cows, snap selfies, and even name a newborn calf if one arrives during your visit. Kids can also enjoy exploring the farm’s toys, books, and games. Or, roam the private lane and garden together. At the end of the day, enjoy the fire pit and share stories.
If you’re looking for extra fun, opt for the “Be a Dairy Farmer Challenge,” where kids can try milking a cow, feeding calves, and even riding in a tractor. With cozy accommodations and the option for additional tours, this is one of the best farm stays near Minneapolis for families with kids of all ages. Whether relaxing on the farm or adventuring in the area, it’s an unforgettable way to connect with nature and learn about farm life!
Related Article: April Family Fun Events in the Twin Cities
Have Fun Meeting the New Farm Babies with Your Kids this Spring!
If you’re looking for the best places to see farm babies near the Twin Cities, you’re in the right place! These family-friendly farm experiences in Minnesota offer a chance to get up close with adorable baby animals and create lasting memories with your kids. From cuddling newborn lambs and calves to feeding goats and pigs, there’s no shortage of hands-on fun for the whole family. So, pack up the family, grab some quarters for the feed dispensers, and head out to one of these top spots for a day of unforgettable farm adventures!
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
