Another guest post from the awesome iCate. Cate is currently a SAHM who spends her days building forts, managing play-doh and legos, and reading countless books with her kids. She is super creative when it comes to kiddie activities, and is the Queen of couponing. Cate resides in a Columbus suburb with her two children and fab husband. She also blogs over at iCate. Be sure to check out her lastest post: Sahm: Summer Bucket of Fun 2012.
My kids never turn down ice cream. Ever. So, when we were putting together our Summer Bucket of Fun: Sahm: Summer Bucket of Fun 2012, I had to add a few ice cream related activities, including a trip to Young’s Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It’s been at least 12 years since I was last at Young’s Dairy so I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect. Thankfully, it’s still very fun and family friendly, and also has expanded in ways to welcome kids of all ages.
When we first arrived, the kids went right to the big tractors. These things are HUGE and tons of fun for the
kids. Then we headed over to the barn where we fed some goats (cue amazing giggles!) and checked out the animal petting area inside the barn which held more goats, chickens, barn cats, etc. The cows were out in the pasture, but we were able to see them through the fence. After this, our group insisted on riding Moovers & Shakers. All six of the kids hopped right in and LOVED it.
Next, we walked around a bit. There are several activities spread out around the property, which the farm refers to as Udders & Putters. First, we saw batting cages, a driving range and a picnic shelter. Next, we found Cowvin’s Slide and the kids flew to check it out. For $1 a ride, this was pretty big fun!
After catching some air on the slide, we went over to check out the miniature golf course. There are two 18 hole miniature golf course. Kids age 1 and up can play and there are discounts for playing before 4pm. We didn’t play this time, but plan to go back sometime this summer and do that as the kids were interested. Unfortunately for the kids, the adults were hungry.
For meals, there are two options: Young’s Jersey Inn or The Dairy Store. Young’s Jersey Inn is a full service, sit down restaurant. We chose The Dairy Store which had counter service and typical fast food and sandwich options with special touches like homemade potato chips and potato wedges. However, there were healthy options as well like fruit. Menus are available online. For you cheese lovers, there is also The Farmstead Cheese Shop inside The Dairy Store.
After lunch, when the sun was high, we headed over to Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral. This area was fun and enclosed, and held the attention of all six kids in our group for almost two hours. An added bonus: the parents got to be cool and relax for a short time.
Before we left, of course we got ice cream! Available back in The Dairy Store, we ordered from a wide selection of Young’s Dairy Homemade ice cream flavors. I admit, even I had a scoop and it was creamy and tasty! The kids are already asking to go back and play some miniature golf, and eat more ice cream.
From Worthington, it was exactly a one hour drive taking 270 west to 70 west. Go here for exact directions.
Young’s Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
(937) 325-0629
- There are ice cream and golf coupons inside of the activity book that comes free with the kid’s meal. If you’re planning to eat a meal at The Dairy Store, do so BEFORE you play miniature golf or buy ice cream so you can use the coupons from the kid’s meal. Kids meals come with side and a drink and average cost is $4-5.
- For additional ways to save, read up on the Weekly Deals, The Birthday Club, and details of the Family Fun Pass on the Young’s Dairy website.
- For weekly ice cream flavors and other current information, you can find Young’s Dairy on Facebook.
- You can bring your own food. Seating is available inside or there are picnic tables spread around outside as well, some of which are in covered areas.
- There are paved and gravel paths around the farm between all of the activities, and plenty of room for strollers and stroller parking. Just be sure you bring a gravel friendly stroller.
- All activities, with the exception of the tractors you can climb on and looking at the animals around the farm, cost money. Thankfully, cows love credit cards. You can use credit cards all over the farm, for kid activities and meals.
- Goats do not love credit cards. Take some quarters if you plan to feed the goats.
- The farm has hand washing stations and sanitizer pumps available everywhere, which was great considering my kids got covered in goat slobber. Take advantage of these often especially if you’re feeding or petting animals.
- If you actually want to see them milking the cows, this happens between 5-6pm daily. We missed this.
- As any farmer will tell you, farm days are LONG days. The farm opens at 7am, but most activities do not open until 10-11am. Check here for hours by activity.
Our family loves Young’s Dairy. What’s great is our both our 5 year old and our 15 year old get excited when we make a trip their! Must plan for a trip their soon!
Sheri Watkins