Milk a cow, see a live dog show, and play in a hay loft at Purina Farms near Pacific, Mo., and just off Interstate 44.
Visitor Center
The first place to go is the Visitor Center, where you can ask about show times and activities that day.
Near the entrance is a chinchilla.
To the right is the interactive Better With Pets exhibit.
You can turn a wheel and learn how petting affects the animals. Just 15 minutes of petting can have a calming effect and lower your heart rate.
One exhibit explains how animals can help people. A rope is shown that a dog can pull to open a door.
On a touch screen, children can learn about animals, such as their different energy levels.
The Visitor Center has a snack bar and dining area as well as restrooms.
Outdoor Arena
Walking out the back of the Visitor Center, you will pass an outdoor arena. On the left is the indoor theater where a magic show takes place at 11:15 am and 2:00 pm, which we were unable to attend.
Also on the left is a Koi pond. Kids can feed the fish for 25 cents per scoop from a gumball machine filled with fish food.
Animal Barn Critters
Next up was the Animal Barn, which is located down the hill from the outdoor arena.
The kids were there in time for the 10 a.m. cow milking that takes place to the left of the entrance. There is also a 1 p.m. milking.
You can see a pot-bellied pig named Sabrina along with pink baby pigs.
There were three sheep, two lying down and one turning its head at me.
A scale my son used to find out his weight.
Miniature horses were grazing.
A black and white rabbit sat in a corner.
A goat stared at us.
There were chickens milling about.
Play Area
Upstairs in the hayloft is a play area that can be accessed by a ramp on the far left side of the barn. Kids can stack large blogs or go into a tent.
My son enjoyed going through the tunnels where he could play hide and seek.
You can swing on a rope swing.
Kids can race small tractors and dump trucks.
Corn can be used to play farm vehicles with.
Children can spend some time playing here.
Animal Show
Next, we went to the Purina Incredible Dog Show.
Dogs run through a course that includes running around poles, through tunnels, and down a teeter-totter.
One Australian Shepherd jumped high to catch Frisbees.
Then another dog jumped into the water and retrieved a soft bar.
Shows are at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Pet Center
Above the pet show area is the Pet Center. You can pet the animals in the center, or you can even adopt them.
In the middle is a cat tower with adorable adoptable cats
Wagon Rides
Finally, we took a wagon ride. The ride is narrated and goes around the grounds. Along the way, you can see horses in the pasture.
Rides take place throughout the day from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., check the Visitor Center for the wait time.
After the ride, we headed home.
Final Thoughts
Watching the dog show was my son’s favorite part of the day here, so I would definitely come here for that.
He also liked seeing the farm animals and then spent a lot of time in the play area.
Overall, a fun activity for a family, especially since it is FREE!
DETAILS:
Drive: Take Interstate 44 out of the St. Louis area then take Ext 253 and make a right onto Missouri Highway 100 and then make a left onto Missouri Highway MM and look for the entrance road on the left. Follow signs to the Visitor’s Center.
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday, Mid-April-May
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, June – October
Admission: Free
Address: 500 William Danforth Way, Gray Summit, MO 63039
MORE ANIMAL FUN IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA
Bird Watching at World Bird Sanctuary
A zoo for birds can be found at World Bird Sanctuary in western St. Louis County just off Interstate 44. Here you can see North American birds such as eagles to Australian birds such as a kookaburra.
Dad Hikes: Lone Elk Park
Lone Elk Park in West County St. Louis is the only place where you are guaranteed to see elk or bison in a gated park.
Here you can hike the four-mile earthen and rock White Bison Trail in the elk section or you can see the wildlife by driving through the park on a mostly one-lane road.
Feeding Barnyard Animals at Suson Park
Checking out barnyard animals with my son Andrew at Suson Park Animal Farm in south St. Louis County was our Friday fun day.
Here he could see horses, sheep, cows, chickens, and other farm animals.
Watching Wildlife at Treehouse Wildlife Center
Bobcats, eagles, and foxes are just some of the wildlife you can see at Treehouse Wildlife Center. It is located about halfway between Grafton and Alton in the country.
We took the kid who ran back and forth between birds and the other wildlife and not in order. Luckily there was plenty of animals to check out and kept his interest the whole time we were there.
