Enjoy down-home fun learning about life on the farm
Nice weekends seem to be a rare commodity this year. So when you get one, make the most of it by spending your time outside with the family.
You can get fresh air and a taste of a more simple life by visiting local historical or working farms. Whether your kids are interested in grooming horses, feeding cows or learning what life was like 85 years ago, activity-packed trips will keep them entertained and teach them about life before suburbia - and you might learn something, too.
Blackberry Farm
Facts: 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, (630) 892-1550, foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Admission: Fox Valley Park District residents pay $4.25 for adults, $3.75 for kids and seniors; nonresidents pay $7 for adults, $6 for kids and seniors
What you'll learn: Built between the 1840s and early 1900s, Blackberry Farm includes a blacksmith, pottery shop and pioneer cabin where interpreters in period dress demonstrate different crafts including candle making, sewing and forge work as it would have been done in the 1800s.
Critter collection: The farm features sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys and a donkey, though they are fenced in. There are also pony rides for kids.
Upcoming activities: Antique tractors will be on display Sunday, June 21, and there's a model train show Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26.
Why it's worth the trip: The activities are very hands-on, giving kids the chance to practice period crafts. They can also play in the corn, ride a carousel or take a hay wagon ride.
Lambs Farm
Facts: 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville, (847) 362-4636, lambsfarm.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission: Day pass is $6 for adults, $12 for kids
What you'll learn: Since 1965, the working farm has served as a residence for people with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm now offers services to more than 250 adults who work throughout the facilities, from caring for animals to giving tours to baking cookies. Residents are happy to explain just how the farm works.
Critter collection: The farm has lots of goats, lambs, rabbits, chickens and a 600-pound pig named Mrs. Wiggles who loves Oreos and Bavarian cream doughnuts. She acquired such tastes from her former owner who ran a bakery. Kids can feed animals in the petting zoo area.
Upcoming events: Pets are welcome at the annual Woofstock celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The event includes a canine couture fashion show, the unveiling of a 400-pound dog biscuit, pet product vendors and crafts.
Why it's worth the trip: A day trip pass includes miniature golf, a bounce house and a carousel.
Wagner Farm
Facts: 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview, (847) 657-1506, glenviewparks.org
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
What you'll learn: Formerly a working dairy farm, Wagner Farm allows visitors to immerse themselves in 1920s farm life. Since it was purchased by the Glenview Park District in 1998, the facility has been providing educational programs to schools, but now families can enjoy them, too. Staff members in period clothing demonstrate daily tasks including grinding corn and baking bread, and teach about the history of agriculture in Illinois.
Critter collection: You'll see cows, chickens, draft horses and pigs and can help with their care. Kids can groom horses, collect eggs, feed animals and see how cows were milked when the farm was built 85 years ago and before modern computerized milking systems used today.
Upcoming events: From noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20, a farmers market will offer fresh products including cheese, mushrooms, fruits and vegetables.
Why it's worth the trip: After learning how milk is processed, you can taste the finished product by ordering a milkshake at the 1930s-style soda fountain.
Lincoln Park Zoo's Farm in the Zoo
Facts: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, (312) 742-2000, lpzoo.org
Admission: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
What you'll learn: The three-acre space replicates a small family farm with animals and a crop garden with common Midwestern produce. A new interactive soybean exhibit teaches children what soybeans look like, where they come from, and how they are grown and used around the world.
Critter collection: The farm features chickens, pigs, cows, goats, rabbits and sheep. Kids can feed cows and watch milking demonstrations. You can also slide back part of a honeycomb to see bees buzzing inside.
Upcoming events: For an additional fee you can catch the Jammin' at the Zoo monthly concert series. The next show features Sister Hazel with Josh Kelley Friday, June 26.
Why it's worth the trip: Besides getting to see the animals at the kid zoo, the free admission also allows you to spend the day checking out the rest of Lincoln Park's collection, which includes everything from rhinos to desert cats.