Easy Outing: Randall Oaks Barnyard Zoo in West Dundee

One of my favorite childhood books is “Charlotte’s Web.” I think I might have found Wilbur’s barnyard home in West Dundee.

The backside of the barn. Photos by Tara Burghart.I’m kidding, of course. But the Randall Oaks Barnyard Zoo is much how I picture the primary setting in “Charlotte’s Web.” There’s a charming red and white wooden barn. The barnyard houses goats, sheep and horses. A massive pig lives in a stall inside the barn – and I’m sure there are a few spiders as well!

The barnyard zoo is located in Randall Oaks Park, which is just a lovely, 140-acre park located on, you guessed it, Randall Road about 2 1/2 miles north of I-90. Just outside the entrance to the zoo is a playground perfect for toddlers, a sand area, a large picnic shelter and plenty of shade. A playground for older children is a bit of a ways off, but truly the zoo is aimed at the younger set.

I’ve taken my daughter to Randall Oaks a few times, but at 2 1/2, she’s now the perfect age for it. So we met some friends there last week on a sunny, cool day. We let the kids play for a while on the playground before heading into the zoo, which like the park is part of the Dundee Township Park District.

Non-residents pay $3.25 per person to visit the zoo. Children under 2 are free. When you pay your entrance fee, you can buy a small paper bag of feed for $1 and then refill it as necessary for a quarter at machines along the way. Trust me, your kid will want a bag of feed.

Yes, they are adorable. No, you cannot take them home with you.The barn itself houses a variety of small mammals – and that massive pig – along with chickens, snakes and spiders. Outside in the barnyard you’ll find horses, deer, llamas, ducks, peacocks, geese and more.  We fed many of the animals using the metal pans provided, and some by hand (there’s plenty of sanityzing lotion available) but a few of the animals were off limits. Here’s a tip learned through experience: Try to visit the goats last. They are sure to snatch the paper feed bag out of your child’s hand. In fact, I think those crafty, quick goats could have managed to get the bag out of Houdini’s hands.

After our trip to the zoo, my friends and their children picnicked on the grass, followed by more playground time before heading home. In total, we spent a very happy, low-key three hours at Randall Oaks.

A few other notes: 

• The park does have indoor restrooms. They are located in a building just outside the zoo, but I’m sure you could tell the zoo cashier when you exit that your kid needs a potty break and get back inside with no problem.
• Just outside the zoo entrance is a tent featuring pony rides. They cost $3.50 per ride, and my daughter loved her ride on “Ricky" so much that she had to go one more time before heading to the car. (Maybe this wasn't such a cheap outing after all!)
• The zoo is now open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Starting Sept. 10, it will be open weekends only until it closes for the season on Oct. 11.
• The zoo’s entrance is on the west side of Randall Road and there’s just a turn lane, no stoplight. I only know that it’s coming soon when I see the big water tower with “Randall Oaks” on its side. The entrance to the zoo is maybe half a mile north of that water tower, on your left if you are heading north on Randall Road.
• Finally, if your child loves zoos or animals or even “Charlotte’s Web,” a friend of mine hosted a darling birthday party for her 3-year-old son last fall at Randall Oaks. They brought in catered food, which we ate on picnic tables in the shade at the park. There were animal-themed games and decorations and then the parents of the birthday boy treated us all to a trip inside the zoo. The most unique birthday party I’ve been to yet!