Very disappointed with my personal experience. Kids had a blast, of course. Cute animals, oh so fun. As an adult, this is how it went: We arrived and parked, walked along some wired fence to what seemed to be the obvious entrance. It had a sign that said something like "ring the bell if no one is at the office". It didn't say where the office was. I didn't know where to get the tickets. Was this "office" where we get the tickets from? Was there where we were "the" office? But if there is no one in there, how will they hear the bell? Anyway, I pulled the rope / shook the bell. Nothing. Kids: me! Me! Me! Sure, go ahead. Kid one rang the bell. Nothing. Kid two rang the bell. Nothing. Kids three and four are older and uninterested and also understood we shouldn't be there ringing bells the whole day. We moved on. First thing we did was stopping at the closest thing, Jake's pond where we saw a lovely huge tortoise that was very friendly and came to greet us, very curious about us. After that, I spotted someone with a green shirt a few feet ahead, near the cow area. We moved there, and I mentioned how we had just arrived, and I was meaning to understand what to do upon arrival. I told how we rang the bell and that we had not paid yet but that we were gonna try again when exiting. He was very nice and understanding and said it was okay. Then he gave us a brief explanation of the rules. We kept seeing animals and fell in love with the Central American raccoons. Felt bad for a few of the goats, the kangaroos, and other animals that seemed miserable and desperate trying to find a shade to cool off and to hide from the touch of kids on their faces. The camels and baby cows (?) near them were practically devouring the fan, so hot it was. They couldn't be bothered to move one iota, and I don't blame them. Now, my heart broke when we saw the reindeer. These *Arctic* animals are native to freezing northern Asia and Europe. In North America, they are only found in northern Canada and Alaska. They do not migrate. They do not tolerate humidity. They hate warm weather. Now, 90-100F hot Summer Nebraska? Are you kidding me? The animals were hurdled IN A SHIPPING CONTAINER WITH *A FAN* AT THE "DOOR". Meanwhile, I got home to my A/C after walking on that place during a melting 95F day (on June! It gets way hotter on July! and sat and cried on how better than a reindeer I got it) 😭 I don't remember the part of the song where Old MacDonald had a reindeer. Or three. Or let them in a box with a floor fan. Surely, those were very big, industrial and strong fans. I experienced a bit of it when near the camels. But still, it was blowing hot AF air. I was hot, and I am a human. And I'm BRAZILIAN. Those are artic animals with thick dense fur meant to stand MINUS SEVENTY DEGREES. Not freaking 95F. Continuing. After the horrors, I called the girls and told them how absolutely unexcusable and awful it was to have snow animals on a hot environment without adaptations, and we left. They are kids, so they kind of missed the point, and that's ok, I guess. The two big ones understood, and I'm sure the little ones will grow to understand too. As we walked towards the exit, we were "greeted" by a green shirt tall blonde woman saying that we "forgot to pay" or something like that. And I said, "Yeah, no, we know we still have to pay. We are on our way out and ready to pay." Then we small talk chit-chat blabla. She escorted us into the place where we earlier rang the bell a couple of times and she told this woman named Dani how we rang the bell. To what she said: "No"... Excuse me?! Ok, I didn't say anything nasty because at that point, I just wanted to leave, so I was like "Yes, we did ring. I did (point to self), she did (point girl 1), she did (point girl 2)" She shook her head again. I just ignored her. Blonde woman in green asked if we liked it and I said "They liked it, they will definitely come back (well, with their parents, not with me)" - yes, I said like that LOL. I was glad it was over. Kids will like it. Animals don't. Adults won't.

I could only select 5 stars if I could I would select more. This place is truly a hidden gem! We had my daughters 8th bday party last Saturday and I had no idea how amazing we were gonna be treated. Usually the anxiety and stress with parties with kids and tons of stuff to do is so hard but every staff member was truly amazing so respectful and over the top helpful!!! I honestly forgot what polite and just happy helpful staff looked like especially in today's world. This place definitely gave me some hope there are still good people ! I couldn't believe how they just gathered up all the kids and toured them around and taught them about the animals and were just so patient ,happy and just amazing with the kids! Not to mention the amount of help they were with my wife and I by letting us use and take rides on there golf cart to transport all the food and party stuff to the picnic area. They had the fire going and everything was spotless. Truly a pleasant and peaceful experience. I could go on and on but I'll let you experience it yourself!! Thank you so much scatter joy !! 100% will be back soon!!

Nice place to go that is off the beaten path. Plenty of different animals to look at and most of them you can pet. All looked well taken care of. It is a sanctuary so some animals need rehabilitation but are doing well. It was a bit pricey, for me and my 5 yr old twins it was $35. The kids did seem to have a good time. At one point however, my niece grabbed what she thought was the top of a fence to look at a large turtle and it was a live electrical fence and immediately was shocked. There was no sign posted and when we found someone who worked there he just said oh. And confirmed it should be on during the day. We told him it needed to be marked with a sign. He did apologize. My SIL also told the front entrance workers as well.

So many different animals! The kids had such a great time and we could have spent hours there - lots of free roam creatures, some up to adopt, and others just for viewing! A little pricier than I expected but they’re doing good work and you’re supporting a good cause!

We came for the donkey’s and found so much more! Excellent experience and they were super accommodating to my mother who wouldn’t of made the walk to see the donkey’s. Who would of thought you’d be able to get close to and pet a young camel and young kangaroos! Such a warm and friendly staff! We’ll be back!

It's a beautiful peaceful place filled with a menagerie of loving animals you can see and pet! It is Omaha's best kept secret.

This place is AMAZING! I never thought I'd get the chance to feed and pet some of these animals in my life. It's a great place for families

Great place and organization. My daughter loves seeing and petting all the animals. We had a great visit recently petting wallabies, goats, camels, alpacas, porcupines, rabbits, and more! The animals were relaxed and friendly. There is a nice covered picnic area with tables next to a fun play area for kids with a bounce house and swing set. We have visited in the past and will definitely be back!

Such a great place to take your kids at any age. We’ve been going for years (old locations too) and my kids have loved every minute of every visit. I think they are farm kids at heart. I cannot tear them away from video games but if I say we are going to Scattered Joy, they’re all in!

This place and the people who work there are amazing. They gave the back stories of the animals and information about them. My son didn't want to leave. Don't forget to say "hi" to Bubba and Pretty Boy!

Scatter Joy Acres is a wonderful place to visit! I love the variety of animals and the opportunity to pet and interact with some of the animals! The staff is amazing also!

What a mission! What a place! What a gift from God. Everyone needs to support Scatter Joy Acres in anyway they can because what they are doing there is a special reminder to all of us about who we all are capable of being in our world. A spark of love for the reality of creation we all share. This is what Scatter Joy Acres allows us all to experience. God bless you Joy and continue your mission I will love watching it grow and shine. - Your Friend and seating companion from Jacksonville to Omaha.

The animals are amazing, the staff are knowledgeable and super friendly. You can pet a Kangaroo and a PORCUPINE!!! 🤯

Love this place. All the animals are so nice and friendly. The staff and owners are amazing!! Took my kiddo to see the foxes while we were there because he wanted to pet a fox. Simply amazing. I recommend everyone to go there.

Grands had a great time. They were intrigued with the tortoises. Great place to see so many different species of animals. Great helpful staff.

Can’t say enough wonderful things about this magical place! We had a great stay via harvest hosts! Joy and her team rocked it! The animals were all so awesome, well cared for and it was such a fun experience to wander around and meet them all! If we are ever in the area again we will return to play!

It was amazing the staff were very friendly can't wait to go back.

What an incredible place and vibe! So well cared for. Where else can you pet a porcupine or kangaroo? Wonderful time here and a great woman running this little slice of heaven.

This was a great visit for the adults and the kids. It was nice to be able to get up close with the animals.

INCREDIBLE PLACE! we stayed here on AirBnB, and we were greeted by the sweetest cat. Very comfortable stay, and we woke to happy animal sounds. They have all kinds of amazing animals (ostrich, kangaroos, camels, reindeer, and farm animals galore!), and everyone is friendly. Definitely will be coming back!

Had my granddaughter's birthday there, the kids had so much fun! It was also very educational! Definitely going again.