Forget ordinary petting zoos—this Michigan farm brings nearly 200 animals right into the action.
Just outside Ann Arbor, Domino’s Farms Petting Farm is the kind of place where a simple family outing can turn into hours of animal encounters, curious kids, and plenty of muddy-shoe memories.
Alpacas, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and other farm residents give visitors plenty to discover.
Kids can get close to the animals, feed some of them, explore historic farm buildings, and see what life on a real Michigan farm is all about.
And the fun doesn’t stop at the animal pens.
With a playground, hayrides, historic features, and hands-on activities, there’s enough here to keep little explorers busy.
If your family is craving an outing that feels a little wild, a little wholesome, and completely different, this Ann Arbor-area farm deserves a spot on your weekend list.
Meet the Nearly 200 Animals at the Farm
Imagine walking into a barnyard where almost 200 creatures wait to greet you. At Domino’s Farms Petting Farm, the animal roster reads like a comprehensive farm catalog, featuring everything from traditional livestock to some surprising residents.
Kids absolutely love discovering the incredible variety here. You’ll spot classic farm favorites like cows, horses, and donkeys grazing peacefully alongside less common animals such as llamas and alpacas.
The smaller critters get plenty of attention too, with pigs, sheep, and goats roaming their designated areas.
Feathered friends add another dimension to your visit. Ducks waddle around ponds, chickens scratch in their coops, and peacocks strut proudly, occasionally showing off their stunning tail feathers.
Rabbits hop around in their enclosures, while friendly cats might cross your path during your exploration.
Each animal brings its own personality to the farm experience. This remarkable collection ensures that every visit reveals something new and exciting for curious minds of all ages.
Get Up Close With the Alpacas and Llamas
Ever wondered what it feels like to stand next to an animal with a personality as quirky as its appearance? Alpacas and llamas steal the show at this petting farm, capturing hearts with their curious gazes and soft, woolly coats.
These South American natives aren’t your everyday backyard animals. Llamas stand tall and proud, often acting as protectors for smaller farm animals, while alpacas tend to be more reserved but equally fascinating.
Their long necks and expressive eyes create instant connections with visitors who rarely encounter such exotic creatures.
Children gain valuable learning opportunities through these interactions. Most families have only seen these animals in books or on screens, making face-to-face meetings genuinely educational.
Observing their calm behavior and unique characteristics helps kids appreciate the diversity of the animal kingdom.
The farm provides safe spaces for these encounters. Staff members ensure visitors understand proper approach techniques, making the experience enjoyable for both humans and animals while creating memories that last long after the visit ends.
Say Hello to the Cows, Goats, Sheep, and Pigs
Nothing quite compares to the authentic barnyard feeling you get from meeting classic farm animals. Cows moo softly as they munch on hay, their massive size both impressive and surprisingly approachable when you’re standing safely on the other side of a sturdy fence.
Goats provide endless entertainment with their playful antics and mischievous personalities. These clever creatures love attention and aren’t shy about asking for it, often bleating cheerfully when visitors approach.
Sheep offer a calmer counterpoint, their thick woolly coats inviting gentle pats from brave youngsters.
Pigs roll around in their favorite muddy spots, completely content in their element. Watching these intelligent animals snuffle and snort gives kids a realistic picture of farm life beyond storybooks.
Each species exhibits distinct behaviors that help children understand how different animals interact with their environments.
These familiar faces create comfortable starting points for younger visitors. Kids who might feel nervous around exotic animals often warm up quickly to these recognizable creatures, building confidence for further exploration around the property.
Explore the Historic Zeeb Barn
Step inside a piece of living history where past meets present. The Zeeb barn carries stories from Michigan’s agricultural heritage, its weathered wooden beams standing as silent witnesses to generations of farming traditions that shaped this region.
Built long before modern farming equipment changed rural landscapes, this barn served local farmers for decades. In 1989, preservationists carefully moved the entire structure to Domino’s Farms Petting Farm, giving it new purpose as an animal shelter.
The relocation required meticulous planning and skilled craftsmanship to maintain the barn’s authentic character.
Today’s visitors walk the same floors farmers once crossed daily. The barn’s traditional design showcases how agricultural buildings functioned before electricity and automation transformed farming practices.
Children can observe how thick walls provide natural insulation and how loft spaces stored hay for winter feeding.
Educational value extends beyond the animals housed within. Understanding historical architecture helps kids appreciate the ingenuity of earlier generations who built structures meant to last centuries, connecting modern farm experiences with the rich agricultural past of Michigan communities.
Learn About Michigan Farm Life
Where does your morning milk come from? How do farmers care for dozens of animals every single day?
Domino’s Farms Petting Farm answers these questions through direct experience rather than classroom lectures, making agricultural education stick in young minds.
The farm was specifically designed to bridge the growing gap between modern families and farming knowledge. As fewer people live on working farms, children miss out on understanding where their food originates and how farm traditions sustain communities.
This attraction recreates that connection in an accessible, family-friendly format.
Interactive learning happens naturally throughout your visit. Kids observe daily routines like feeding schedules and animal care, discovering the responsibilities farmers handle year-round.
They learn that animals need consistent attention, proper nutrition, and clean living spaces to stay healthy and productive.
Parents appreciate the wholesome educational component mixed with recreation. Instead of passively consuming information, families actively participate in farm life, touching wool, smelling hay, and hearing authentic barnyard sounds.
These sensory experiences create deeper understanding than any textbook could provide about Michigan’s farming heritage.
Feed the Animals for an Extra Hands-On Experience
Ready to make some four-legged friends smile? Animal feeding transforms passive observation into thrilling interaction, creating those magical moments when a goat nibbles grain from your palm or a sheep nuzzles your hand seeking more treats.
The farm sells feed bags as an optional add-on to general admission. These specially prepared mixtures ensure animals receive appropriate nutrition while giving visitors safe, supervised feeding opportunities.
Staff members provide guidance on proper feeding techniques, helping even the most nervous children feel confident.
Special Animal Feeding Helper experiences take participation to the next level. Families can assist with distributing hay, measuring grain portions, and refreshing water supplies, essentially becoming junior farmhands for a day.
These programs teach responsibility while allowing deeper involvement in daily farm operations.
Food-based interactions create powerful bonds between children and animals. Something about sharing a meal, even a simple handful of pellets, establishes trust and connection.
Kids remember these personal moments far longer than simply watching animals from a distance, making the extra cost worthwhile for many families.
Take a Hayride Around the Farm
Bump along country-style paths while taking in the full scope of the property from a vintage tractor-pulled wagon. Hayrides offer a completely different perspective on the farm, letting visitors cover more ground while resting tired feet between animal encounters.
Seasonal availability means planning ahead becomes important. These popular rides operate when weather permits, typically during pleasant spring through fall months.
Michigan winters and rainy conditions can cancel hayrides, so checking the current schedule before your visit prevents disappointment.
The leisurely pace suits all ages perfectly. Younger children who might struggle with extensive walking appreciate the break, while grandparents enjoy resting while still participating in farm activities.
The elevated vantage point from the wagon reveals parts of the property harder to see on foot.
Tractor engines rumble with nostalgic charm as hay bales provide rustic seating. Many families treat the hayride as a transitional activity, using it to move between different farm sections while catching their breath.
The experience adds authentic rural flavor to your visit, even if the ride itself lasts just minutes.
Let Kids Burn Off Energy at the Playground
A farm packed with animals can be thrilling for kids, but after all that walking and exploring, they may need a place to burn off some extra energy. Domino’s Farms Petting Farm has a playground where younger visitors can take a break from the animal encounters and enjoy some active play.
The playground adds a nice change of pace to the visit. Kids can climb, run, and play while parents get a chance to catch their breath before heading back to the barnyard.
It is especially handy for families with children who may not want to spend the entire outing standing around animal pens.
Pairing the playground with the farm’s other activities makes it easy to build a full morning or afternoon without rushing from one attraction to another. After feeding goats, watching cows, or meeting the alpacas, children can head over for some playtime before continuing their adventure.
For families with energetic little ones, that balance is a big part of what makes the Petting Farm such an easygoing day trip near Ann Arbor.
Plan Your Visit
Before loading everyone into the car, gather essential details to maximize your farm adventure. Domino’s Farms Petting Farm welcomes visitors at 3001 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, making it easily accessible from surrounding communities and major highways throughout southeastern Michigan.
Operating hours vary by day of the week. Monday through Saturday, gates open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., while Sunday hours run noon to 6 p.m.
These schedules can change based on weather conditions or special events, so calling ahead at 734-998-0182 ensures you won’t arrive to closed gates.
General admission costs $8 per person, with reduced senior pricing at $5.50 for visitors 60 and older. Families can save money with a $40 family admission package, and children 23 months or younger enter completely free.
Animal feed bags carry additional charges beyond basic admission prices.
No advance reservations are required for general visits. Simply show up during posted hours and purchase tickets at the entrance.
Weather-dependent features like hayrides may operate on modified schedules, so flexibility helps ensure the best possible experience for your entire group.
