Outback Kangaroo Farm

Last week our homeschool group took a field trip to the Outback Kangaroo Farm.  The weather didn't look too promising but the rain mostly held off except a brief little sprinkle.  We were prepared with our rain boots (definitely a must at this farm).  To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this place.  I love that this place gave my children some very unique opportunities (more on that later), but the farm is looking a bit run-down.

There is a little picnic area that we had arranged to eat at before our tour.   As we waited for our tour to begin the kids could check out the lemurs and some very beautiful birds.

At the beginning of the tour, the kids have a dance-off to see who would feed the lemurs.  A few were chosen and were able to feed them through the cage.  The lady owner then gave a great explanation about lemurs and had them leaping all around while she fed them a banana.  It was really cute!  Next, we were turned over to her husband who took us to see a huge tortoise and then the kangaroos.  He warned us that he had a loud voice and would use it if they kids ran or talked too loudly. We were let into the pen and the kids were able to feed the kangaroos bread and touch them.  They were very sweet animals.  Next, the kids were able to feed the mini donkeys.  There was a cute little baby one.  We then went by a pony that was tied up and was told that he bites.  The owner asked the pony if he would bite and he shook his head, yes.  We were again warned to keep our distance when we went past him to the the emus and ostrich.  He told the kids some interesting facts about these birds while he fed them. Our last stop out in the barnyard was into the llama and alpaca pen where you could feed a llama with a pellet between your lips.  The llama would "kiss" you while he took the pellet out of your mouth.  To end the tour, 5 kids were permitted into the gift shop at a time to take turns holding a baby wallaby.  Okay, now who has held a baby kangaroo...not an experience too many people have!!

So I totally understand that a ton of kids probably go through this place in a day and they need to keep the tour moving along to be done in time for the next one, but I just felt like they were going through the motions and seemed a bit rushed.  I hate to give this place a bad review because I really think it is such a neat opportunity for your kids but at the same time I would caution you in expecting a zoo-like experience.  It is nothing like a zoo, but rather a working farm.  It would be like going to someone's dairy farm and they took you out in the pens to see their cows. I'm thankful we went and I'm glad they have opened their farm to us.

Price: Group rate: $6 per person
Reg. rate: depends on age: $7-8

Fun Farms and Food

These are the places that I would like to visit someday.  I'm not sure that these places even do field trips, but it would be worth calling to find out.

1. NATURE'S PATH
2. ERIN BAKER'S BREAKFAST COOKIES
3. HEMPLER'S MEAT AND SAUSAGE
4. LYNDEN MEAT
5. WALTON BEVERAGE
6. BARLEANS FISHERY
7. EDALEEN DAIRY
-currently they are not doing field trips, but going out there for ice cream is worth the trip!
8. HOMEQUIST HAZELNUT FARM
9. CASCADIA MUSHROOM FARM
10. WOODS COFFEE AND/OR THEIR BAKERY
11. BELLINGHAM PASTA
12. SEA BEAR SMOKEHOUSE
13. MALLARD ICE CREAM
14. CHOCOLATE NECESSITIES
15. MAAN FARMS
16. OUR KITCHEN IS YOUR KITCHEN
17. CLOUD MOUNTAIN
18. FRANZ BAKERY
19. CURT MABERRY FARMS
20. REMLINGER FARM AND FAMLY FUN PARK

Fun Food and Farm Trips

Some of the fun food and farm trips that we have taken have been to:
1. LYNDEN DUTCH BAKERY
-Although the space is small, we were shown how they make bread, the huge mixer, fryer, and the business side of things.  http://lyndenbakery.com/ 

2. MILK MAKERS
 -This annual event is held in May at the NW Washington Fairgrounds.  It is designed for 1st graders to explain the dairy industry but we went with our homeschool group that has various ages.  This link explains exactly what it is all about.

3. APPEL FARMS
-This is a small family owned farm out in Ferndale that makes their own cheese.  We took a tour of the farm.  The tour was mainly of the milk production side of cheese-making but we did get to see where the cheese is stored and peek inside how it is made.  You can visit their store during open hours.   http://www.appel-farms.com/

4. THE FARM AT SWAN'S TAIL
-The Farm is located down in Snohomish but is worth the visit in the fall.  From their website:  "Enjoy our enormous 45-acre pumpkin patch, the Washington State Corn Maze, the petting farm, wagon rides, U-Pick Apple Orchard, live duck races, and Farmer Ben's Famous Four Little Pigs Show." Group/school reservations are available. There are 2 different types of field trips that they currently offer.  http://www.swanstrail.com/

5. STONEY RIDGE FARMS
-Stoney Ridge is in Everson, WA  and is a local favorite place to go both in the fall and around Christmas. In fall, they have a pumpkin patch, corn maze, cider donuts, fun photo ops, apple picking, animals,  and hay rides.  At Christmas, they Christmas Trees, crafts, food and a live nativity.    http://www.stoneyridgefarm.com/

6. BELLEWOOD ACRES
- Bellewood Acres was known as apple farm where you could take their golf-cart out into the fields and take your own little tour.  We have also done a group tour where they gave us a more in-depth look of the process from picking apples to shipping them out.  Now, they are expanding...it will be fun to check them out this fall and see what is new!   http://www.bellewoodfarms.com/

7. COLD STONE CREAMERY
-Unfortunately, our family missed this tour.  You can contact your local Cold Stone Creamery.  They do charge for the tour but you get ice cream at the end.

8. SAFEWAY
-This was one of my favorite tours.  We started at Starbucks and were given a sample of a drink, toured the floral/balloon dept. and then visited the manager's office and learned all about the security cameras.  Next, we went through the produce dept to the backroom where we got to see the big freezer and produce storage. Then we visited the meat dept, where the butcher demonstrated how to make hamburger.  Lastly, we toured the bakery and watched them make fresh donuts that we later got to enjoy! 

9. GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY