Adorable Farm Babies at Minnesota Zoo: Family Guide
Farm babies are a delightful seasonal attraction at the Minnesota Zoo! For some reason, people just bypass the farm when they go to the zoo. I used to be one of them.
Why go to a petting zoo when there are all kinds of other animals you don’t typically see? They are just cows and goats! And do we really want to walk that much further to see them? The answer is yes!!!
From a little kid’s perspective, the Wells Fargo Family Farm gives them a chance to interact with the farm babies. For the parents, it’s a great chance to see some baby animals.
Make sure to bring some change to buy some goat feed. Regardless if you have food or not, they are friendly enough to let you touch them. It’s a cool experience to have them lick your hands.
The Wells Fargo Farm Babies
What’s better is during the spring time, they all have their babies. You get to see them when they are cute and little.
They all look so fuzzy you just want to pick them up and take them home with you. Depending on the time of day, you may have the opportunity to touch one of the piglets or ducklings.
Cows
The cow building has a milking station with demonstrations going on all day. The cows on display range in age.
The cows were very friendly, and my son learned that a cow’s tongue is really rough, like a kitten. And oh yeah, they are long too.
When the new ones are old enough to be out on display for the public, they can be found either in the John Deere Barn or down by the front next to the goats.
Pigs
My son got really excited to see the pigs. The kids also had a lot of fun playing in the straw bale maze.
When you get that many kids together, it ended up being more of a straw jungle gym with stuff to climb on and less maze-like. Still, a great way for them to burn off the extra energy.
Ducks
The lower level of the grand white farmhouse is where the adorable ducklings have found their cozy nest. In addition to the ducklings, they also have restrooms there.
On the top level, the farmhouse has a restaurant with sandwiches and hot chocolate. In the summer, they also serve ice cream.
Getting There
The walk to the farm sometimes turns a few people away. But there is a tractor that runs out there. It runs every 5 minutes, and you usually don’t have to wait long to get on it.
For those with strollers, there is a ramp and there is plenty of help to get on board. If you end up missing the tractor, the walk will get you there just as fast.
The MN Zoo
Spring time at the zoo is my favorite time to go, not just because of the farm babies either. It’s finally getting nice enough to go out and do the northern trails again.
It is not super-hot outside, so the animals are typically really active. The Grizzly Bears were putting on a show for everyone.
I really do think that they love the attention because they can be seen swimming and playing in front of the glass. They even had the nerve to stare down some of the kids.
Tips for visiting the MN Zoo
- 10 am, Noon & 2 pm – Live Music
- 11 am – Goat and Sheep Demonstrations
- 11:30 am & 3 pm – Milking Demonstrations
- 2:30 pm – Pig and Chicken Feeding by Staff
- 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 on Saturdays – Dakota County Library Story Trail
Arrive early in the day. The later you get, the warmer it is, and the animals tend to get sleepy.
The Minnesota Zoo costs $20-25 per person as of 2025. If you have a larger family, it’s best to just get a membership. It will pay for itself in a couple of visits.
The MN Zoo opens at 9 am for members and 10 am for non-members, and stays open until 4 pm in winter or 6 pm in summer. Check the official website for the most current hours.
Don’t Miss These Events
The annual Wells Fargo Farm Babies event typically features baby animals from late April through mid-May. The animals remain accessible throughout the summer, but the special activities are limited to that spring period. For 2026 dates, check the zoo’s calendar as of December 2025. In winter, look for holiday events and indoor exhibits.
The egg enrichment activities are a lot of fun. Different egg-themed items are placed in the animal exhibits. If you get there early, you’ll get the chance to see them interacting with them.
The Minnesota Zoo is always a special time for us. They do a great job with different activities and events. I recommend that you check out the zoo at different times of the year because you will never have the same experience twice.
The Farm Babies event at the Minnesota Zoo is a delightful springtime experience where families can interact with newborn farm animals and enjoy educational demonstrations. Note: Schedules may vary year to year; please check the official Minnesota Zoo website (mnzoo.org) for the most up-to-date information as of 2025.
