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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
GOOD FOR: Ages 0-4
RATING: 
(3)
(3)
| Source: | Outdoors with Kids Boston (AMC Books) | ||
| Address: | 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA | ||
| Hours: | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February; closed on Mondays, except federal holidays | ||
| Fee: | Adults, $6; children ages 2–12, $4; Mass Audubon members, free | ||
| Contact: | [email protected]; 781-259-2200 | ||
| Bathrooms: | At the visitor center; at a picnic area near the farmyard | ||
| Water/Snacks: | Water fountains at the visitor center and at a picnic area near the farmyard; fresh, in-season produce at a farm stand near the entrance | ||
| Map: |
If your kids want to see what Old MacDonald’s farm might look like, this Audubon sanctuary will fit the bill, plus offer some surprises.
A sow and her piglets take a nap at Drumlin Farm.
Photo by: Kim Foley MacKinnon
Photo by: Kim Foley MacKinnon
Drumlin Farm is always a kid favorite. After all, kids can visit pigs, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens; plus, real farmers work in the garden and take care of the animals. A hay ride ($2 for adults, $1 for kids) is the crowning touch on a quintessential farm visit. At the poultry house, sheep shed, pig barn, and red barn, interpretive signs offer up facts about the animals.
But you’ll find more to see here than at a typical farm. Various wild animals that have been injured or disabled also call the farm home. Rescued animals that live here include skunks, rabbits, owls, hawks, deer, and fox. Signs describe what happened to the animals and how they came to the farm.
After you have explored the farmyard, you can take several trails on the 232-acre property. The most popular one is probably Drumlin Loop, which on clear days offers views of Mount Monadnock and Mount Wachusett.
The farm offers excellent drop-in discovery activities run by naturalists; these are free with admission. The activities run several times a day throughout the year. Special family programs, such as planting and harvesting crops, are also offered, as well as summer and holiday camps, a community preschool, community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm shares, and a farm stand that is open to the public. Visit in winter and kids can learn how wildlife survives the cold months. Check with the sanctuary for details.
Remember: It’s against U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations to feed the animals on the farm, so eat in the picnic area only.
Plan B:Walden Pond (Trip 39) is close by if you feel like a swim or a walk in the woods.
Where to Eat Nearby:Take MA 126 to Concord Center, which is less than ten minutes away by car and offers plenty of dining options.
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