Highland Cow Cuddling + Dinosaurs in Kansas City? Yes, Really. Here's What You Need to Know
Not every family outing gives you a story worth telling. This one gives you two.
At Roars & Rainbows, you can walk past a life-size T. rex in the morning and spend time cuddling a fluffy Highland cow in the afternoon. It sounds like an odd combination — and it is. That's exactly why families remember it.
If you've been eyeing the Highland Cow Cuddling add-on and wondering whether it's worth it, or if you didn't even know it existed, here's everything you need to know before you book.
First, What Is Roars & Rainbows?
Roars & Rainbows is KC Pumpkin Patch's signature June event, held at KC Jurassic Farm. It runs for three weekends only in June 2026 and brings together two wildly different worlds — 20+ life-size dinosaurs and 20+ life-size unicorns — across a wide-open working farm.
Every general admission ticket includes:
20+ life-size dinosaurs spread across the property
20+ life-size unicorns in their own section of the farm
Interactive exhibits and live encounters
Photo opportunities throughout
60+ farm adventures — slides, play houses, a ninja course, giant bubbles, trikes for adults and kids, a rock climbing wall, low ropes, duck races, tire swings, and more
It's a high-energy, full-day experience. The Highland Cow Cuddling sits alongside all of that — and the contrast is part of what makes it special.
Meet Ollie and Ruby
Ollie and Ruby are KC Jurassic Farm's Highland cows, and they're exactly what you'd expect: big, shaggy, gentle, and completely unforgettable up close.
Highland Cow Cuddling is a reserved, small-group experience where families get personal time with Ollie and Ruby — close enough to pet them, really take them in, and walk away with photos that don't look like anything else from your summer.
It's calm. It's unhurried. And after a morning of roaring dinosaurs and racing through slides, that shift in pace tends to land really well.
Why It Works as Part of the Day
The energy of Roars & Rainbows is genuinely high. That's the appeal — there's always something to do, somewhere to go, something to react to. Kids run from the T. rex to the unicorns to the ninja course without slowing down.
Highland Cow Cuddling does something different. It asks kids to slow down, be gentle, and be present with an animal that responds to how they approach it. That kind of interaction builds a different type of memory — quieter, more personal, and often the thing younger kids talk about the most afterward.
For families with a range of ages, it also gives younger or more sensitive kids a moment that's fully theirs. The big attractions are exciting for everyone, but this one has a softer energy that smaller kids often connect with in a deeper way.
What You Need to Know Before You Book
Who can participate? Highland Cow Cuddling is available for ages 3 and up.
Is it included with general admission? No — it's a separate add-on that must be reserved in advance. It is not available as a walk-up option on the day.
Why book early? Spots are limited and they fill up. If you know you want this experience, don't wait until closer to your visit — by then, your preferred time may already be gone.
How does it fit into the day? Most families find it works well as a midday or afternoon activity after they've moved through the main attractions. You get the big-energy moments first, then settle into something more intimate.
Event Dates, Pricing, and Logistics
Roars & Rainbows runs on six days total across three June weekends:
June 13 & 14 — Grandparents get in free with a paid child admission
June 20 & 21 — Dads get in free (Father's Day weekend)
June 27 & 28
Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm on all event days.
Cow Cuddling Tickets are $29.95 and only available online before you go! General admission pre-sale tickets are $19.95 per person. Gate price is $24.95, so buying online saves money and locks in your spot. All guests 25 months and older need a ticket.
A Plus Pass is also available as a separate upgrade — it adds a dino or unicorn ride, paintball, and fossil mining if you want to build out the day even further.
A Few Practical Notes
All on-site purchases are card only — no cash accepted anywhere on the farm
Outside food and beverages are not permitted; food is available for purchase on the farm
Dogs are not permitted on the property
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat are worth packing — most of the day is outside
Don't Wait on This One
The combination of life-size dinosaurs, magical unicorns, 60+ farm attractions, and an up-close Highland cow experience isn't something you'll find anywhere else this summer. It's unusual in the best way, and it's designed to give families a full day that hits more than one note.
Pre-sale tickets and Highland Cow Cuddling reservations are both available now. With only six event days on the calendar, availability goes quickly — especially for the cuddling experience.
Book your tickets. Reserve your spot with Ollie and Ruby. And get ready for a day your family will absolutely not stop talking about.
