Forget that the name “Wyoming” conjures up a landscape hundreds of miles from the Twin Cities. Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota, is a fairly quick and easy day trip from most Metro locations because it sits right along a major freeway and just off the cusp of the northern suburbs. I took my bunch (ages ranging from 3 to 9) to Pinehaven today because of MEA break (also because it was forecast to be the last 70-degree day this year), but it would make a super fun family weekend outing as well.
I like the convenience of paying an admission charge upfront at a place that offers lots of activities. Pinehaven Farm’s got a plethora of activities to choose from and the entrance fee covers nearly all of them, including these highlights:
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children’s playgrounds – most of the play equipment is appropriate for young children. The tot lot has a wonderful collection of corncrib slides, pony tire swings, junior pedal tractors, and a gravel box to play in. Send the older kids over to the two-story tube slides instead.- multiple mazes – including a tiny straw bale maze, a short hay bale maze, and a slightly more challenging one for school-aged kids.
children’s playgrounds – most of the play equipment is appropriate for young children. The tot lot has a wonderful collection of corncrib slides, pony tire swings, junior pedal tractors, and a gravel box to play in. Send the older kids over to the two-story tube slides instead.![]()
tractor wagon and hay rides – kids up to 12 can ride the wagon train, but the short loops are geared for preschoolers. Entire families can take a hay ride into the fields to search for the perfect pumpkin (priced at 41¢ per lb.)- jumping pillow - kids can bounce to their heart’s content – if they don’t mind waiting in line (weekends will draw a crowd).
- pedal trike track - the sturdy trikes appealed to my older kids; for the youngest in the bunch there is a small pedal tractor loop in the tot lot.
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large petting farm - including goats, cows, emus, turkeys and more. Bring quarters for feed if your kids are interested in feeding the animals.- special weekend events – such as the pumpkin-eating dragon show (my kids LOVED this when they saw it a few years ago). Magic shows, a Halloween party and other special events are held select weekend dates. See the complete calendar here.
tractor wagon and hay rides – kids up to 12 can ride the wagon train, but the short loops are geared for preschoolers. Entire families can take a hay ride into the fields to search for the perfect pumpkin (priced at 41¢ per lb.)
large petting farm - including goats, cows, emus, turkeys and more. Bring quarters for feed if your kids are interested in feeding the animals.Extras not included in the admission fee:
Bring cash if you think you might be interested in firing the corncob cannon ($1), purchasing a rubber duck for the duck derby races ($1), picking pumpkins (41¢ per lb.) or other produce, buying snacks or purchasing more substantial concessions (weekends only).
Other things to consider:
Keep in mind that weekends, particularly temperate ones, are going to be crowded. If it’s an option for you, consider going during the week. Pinehaven Farm is open weekdays from noon – 6:30pm and admission is discounted $2.00 (to $6.50 per person) Monday – Wednesday. A coupon good for $1 off daytime admission throughout the week can be found here. Teens and/or adults might be interested in the darker side of Pinehaven Farm – the Dead End Hayride runs through November 1, 2014.
Location: Pinehaven Farm is located at 28186 Kettle River Blvd., Wyoming, MN 55092 (conveniently along Interstate 35). It’s a little over a half hour’s drive from the middle of the Metro in good traffic.
Hours: Open weekdays noon – 6:30pm and weekends 10am – 6:30pm through October 31, 2014.
Admission: $8.50/pp Thursday – Sunday, $6.50/pp Monday – Wednesday, kids under 3 are free. Print and bring along this coupon for $1 off/pp.
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