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 during a beautiful MEA break a few years ago, 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:
Included with Admission
- Children’s Playgrounds – The play equipment in the Barnyard Play Area is appropriate for young children. The tot lot has a wonderful collection of slides, swings, and a giant birdhouse to play in. Send the older kids over to the two-story tube slides instead. There is also a spider web and skyhigh slide as well as ladder ball.
- Superslides – While the little kids play on the playground, the big kids will love these large super slides. Kids need to be at least 45 inches tall to ride the slide.
- Corn Maze – A large and challenging maze for school-aged kids and families.
- Petting Zoo – The Kritter Korral is full of goats, sheep, emus, horses, birds and even a mini cow. Bring quarters for the vending machines.
- Tractor-Pulled Trolley Rides and Grain Train – Families can take a trolley ride into the fields to search for the perfect pumpkin or ride the tractor pulled train through a tunnel and around the corn fields.
- Jumping Pillow – kids can bounce to their heart’s content on the jumbo jumping pillow – if they don’t mind waiting in line (weekends will draw a crowd).
- Pedal Trike Track – the sturdy trikes appealed to my older kids because they can race and dodge obstacles.
- Ziplines – Bigger kids (at least 45 inches tall) will love trying out the 100 foot ziplines.
- You and Me Swings – Swings made for two are perfect for mommy-and-me rides.
- Cluck Truck! – Visit the chickens who live in a truck.
- Touch-A-Tractor. You’ve done the touch-a-truck, now get up close to tractors of all types.
- Tug-of-War. Play a game of tug-of-war with your friends and family.
- Corn Pit. What kid doesn’t love jumping in a corn pit?
- Barrel Broncos. Play cowboy and take photos on these broncos made of barrels.
- Giant Rocking Chair – Another photo op.
- New in 2022: Dinosaurs! – Nine colorful dinosaur sculptures are scattered around the farm. Go on a hunt to find them all. (If your child loves this, check out all these places where you can find Dinosaurs Around the Twin Cities.
- Special weekend events – such as the pumpkin-eating dragon show (my kids LOVED this when they saw it a few years ago). Captain Jack Sparrow, a Halloween party and other special events are held select weekend dates. See the complete calendar of special events here.
Extras not included in the admission fee:
Bring cash if you think you might be interested in firing the picking pumpkins ($5 per pumpkin), gem mining ($7-$25), Pineducky Derby ($1/duck), Corn Cannon ($3/5 shots).
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 when admission is discounted.
Teens/Tweens:
Teens and/or adults might be interested in the darker side of Pinehaven Farm – the Dead End Hayride runs through Halloween.
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 weekends & MEA 10am – 7pm starting 9/16/2023.
Admission: $11-$21/pp depending on the day. Save by pre-purchasing online.
Website: Pinehavenfarm.com
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Can you buy a ticket at the door?
Hi Carla. Limited tickets may be available at the door. According to Pinehaven’s website, “ALL tickets MUST be purchased
online to guarantee entry into the farm!
Tickets purchased at the door are not
guaranteed and are subject to a higher price.”