Rachel K.
Yelp
Old MacDonald's Farm is donation-based petting zoo is a good way to entertain young kids for 30 minutes to an hour without spending much. With a suggested $1 donation per person, visitors can step into the goat and pig pens to feed, pet, and interact with the animals. Feed is available for just 25 cents per small handful. In the back area, you'll find ducks, with pictures identifying males and females.
It operates seasonally, opening in early May and closing near the end of September, so be sure to check their website for current hours and information. When we first arrived, some animals, like the bunny, pigs, and goats, were asleep, but my son still enjoyed seeing and identifying them. Young kids (3-5 years olds) can also enjoy riding and racing small tractors.
While the number of animals is limited, it's an affordable way to experience farm animals. Watching the ducks was my favorite part, while my son loved seeing the goats bump heads up close.
It could use some updates in certain areas, but given its affordability, I'm grateful that the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department continues to run the petting zoo. I hope it remains accessible to visitors for years to come.
