Misfit Acres Farm: Petting Farm near Richmond, Virginia

Misfit Acres Farm – Petting Zoo and Pony Rides

in Mineral, VA creates hands-on, unforgettable learning experiences while maintaining the fun and excitement of a petting zoo. Recently, my family had a chance to check out Misfit Acres and as my 3 year old said, “Misfit is where I can’t wait to go back!”

Here are the details on what to expect during your visit to what owner Tina Turner calls her “little piece of Heaven”.

Eloise Garrison pets a donkey at Misfit Acres in Mineral, Virginia. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

Before your visit:

Reservations can be made via Facebook or via text: (804) 467-9440 for up to 5 people or your immediate household.

Guests are encouraged to bring carrots or lettuce, as the animals are more likely to approach you if you come bearing treats.

Price:

You may choose between a 30 minute session with the animals for $30 or 1 hour for $50.

Our family was at the farm for an hour and we could hardly believe that much time had passed. Because of the size of the farm, and how much there is to enjoy, I highly recommend staying for the hour.

Add-ons: Pony rides are an additional $10. Fresh eggs are sold as well as handmade feed bags.

Gus Garrison paints a horseshoe at Misfit Acres. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

Activities:

Other than the animals, Misfit Acres has several activities for children during their visit. Coloring pages, painting horseshoes, a sensory bin and a ball/basket challenge were the ones we enjoyed most.

Having these options was very comforting to my son who was a bit apprehensive about feeding the larger animals. Once he had done some quiet play on his own, he was calmer and more comfortable.

Eloise Garrison feeds goats at Misfit Acres in Mineral, Virginia. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

The farm:

Goats, sheep, chickens, guinea fowl, a pot belly pig, a calf, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, a miniature mule, and a shetland pony all call Misfit Acres home.

Two full size horses also reside at the farm, but are for viewing only. The farm is quite large, with plenty of space to walk freely while the animals come right to you.

The owner Tina does a great job balancing the guests’ freely exploring and interjecting teachable moments. For example, we spent a great deal of time feeding the goats and holding the baby chicks on our own.

But, when we went to the other side of the farm, Tina let the kids be “helper farm hands” for the day and they had the opportunity to collect freshly laid eggs.

She explained about various farm tasks, tidbits about the animals (did you know cows have no upper teeth?), showed us Hercules, the mini-horse’s special trick and shared the background of many of the animals.

Collecting eggs at Misfit Acres. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison

As Tina says, “Misfit Acres is a fun place to be whether you’re 6 or 60”. The grownups and the kids had a memorable, educational experience at Misfit Acres. As you begin to plan summer activities, be sure to include Misfit Acres to combine fun and learning.

Misfit Acres Farm Petting Zoo & Pony Rides, 14823 Cross County Road Mineral, VA 23117 – (804) 467-9440 – https://www.facebook.com/MisfitAcresPettingZoo

— By Lindsay Garrison

Richmond on the Cheap contributor Lindsay Garrison is a Richmond, Virginia based mom to two young children. A graduate from Chesterfield Schools and Randolph-Macon College, Lindsay is proud to call Richmond home. In the years prior to planning activities and outings with her own children, she was a French teacher. During her tenure she earned accolades for her creative teaching style and ability to connect with her students. Lindsay now applies the skills she learned when she was planning student trips to France, to her own family adventures. She can’t wait to take her own children to France one day! Follow the Garrison’s family adventures on Instagram: @rva.familyfun

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