Is there a better way to spend the day than petting and feeding animals at one of the farm petting zoos in NJ? Yup, at a bunch of farms and zoos around the state, your family can come face-to-face with horses, goats, chickens, and other barnyard furry friends. Kids will love feeding the animals, and you’ll love the prime photo ops. You might even see a baby animal if you’re lucky. From goats and roosters to horses to pigs, scroll down to find one of these petting zoos in NJ near you. And for more petting fun, visit an alpaca farm in NJ to see the fuzzy and soft creatures up close. (featured photo taken at Allaire Community Farm)
Petting zoos in NJ
10 Lil’ Acre Rescued Farm
Your kids will love to see goats, pigs, ducks, and bunnies at this rescue farm. There are also several events throughout the year, including flower sales and a bubble party.
116 Texas Road Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Abma’s Farm
Kids and adults can feed and pet sheep, rabbits, baby chicks, and more. During the summer, families can also enjoy pony rides and farm tours. In the fall, take part in the seasonal festivities by taking a hayride or picking pumpkins.
700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Allaire Community Farm
This non-profit farm is for everyone to spend time with animals, with an emphasis on the special needs population, teens with mental health issues, and local families battling cancer. Equine and animal therapy is also available; you can even sponsor an animal.
1923 Bailey’s Corner Road, Wall, NJ 07719
Alstede Farms
You can pet the donkeys, horses, sheep, and goats all year round. Kids can buy carrots and animal feed to feed the animals. And depending on the season, there are farm events, pick-your-own fields, and education about community-supported agriculture.
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Atlantic Farms
Stop by and feed or pet goats, cows, alpacas, sheep, ducks, pigs, and turkeys too. All proceeds from the petting zoo help offset the cost of providing food, shelter, and care for the animals at Atlantic Farms.
1506 Atlantic Ave., Manasquan, NJ 08736
Brookhollow’s Barnyard
During the summer, you can bring the family to Brookhollow’s Barnyard for a fun-filled day of animals. From small animals like ducks and bunnies to large farm animals such as goats, the kids can feed the animals, ride on a real tractor, or enjoy the cow train.
301 Rockaway Valley Road, Boonton Township, NJ 07005
Doyle’s Farm
Cows, sheep, goats, bunnies, pigs, donkeys, and more are available for public tours, private tours, or field trips. There are also hayrides, goat milking, egg collecting, hand feeding, sheep shearing, and bottle feeding baby animals.
110 Summer Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary
Goats and roosters roam free at this farm with rescue animals. Parents can purchase a bucket of food for the pigs and horses, and kids can spend some time feeding them.
6908 Railroad Blvd, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Johnson’s Corner Farm
You’ll see lots of goats, chickens, cows, sheep, and miniature donkeys on this farm, where you feed the animals and have fun in their interactive Discovery Barnyard. Don’t miss the pick-your-own opportunities throughout the year and the Farm Market.
133 Church Street, Medford, NJ 08055
Lots of Love Farm
This animal sanctuary is one of the biggest petting zoos in NJ. The farm has over 175 animals, giving kids an educational experience and animal interaction.
1928 Corkery Lane, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Mountainside Stables
Book a party to meet the goats, horses, and llamas of this traveling petting zoo. You can even book pony rides that come to you for your little animal lover.
49 Sunset Inn Rd, Lafayette, NJ 07848
Oak Hill Farms
The whole family can enjoy seeing the animals on this “working farm.” Your kiddos can see chickens, pheasants, alpacas, goats, and mini donkeys. Although Oak Hill Farms is not considered a true petting zoo, you can pet the animals if they come to their pen gates.
177 Stillwell Road, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733
Rizzo’s Wildlife World
Rizzo’s is a travel-out program, exhibiting their bugs, lizards, snakes, turtles, small mammals, and many other creatures for schools, camps, festivals, and parties. Kids who love reptiles will get a thrill seeing snakes and their creepy-crawly cousins up close.
1 Gold Mine Road, Flanders, NJ 07836
Petting zoos within a zoo
Animal Encounters at the Cape May County Zoo
While the Cape May County Zoo doesn’t have a petting zoo, per se, you can pay for an experience with an animal. Book a Giraffe Encounter to feed a giraffe or a 30-minute Camel Encounter and get up close and personal with a Bactrian and Dromedary camel. If your kids love snakes and lizards, go behind the scenes with a zoo educator and feed some tasty treats to some of the older reptiles in the zoo.
707 North Route 9, Cape May, NJ 08210
Essex Farm at the Turtle Back Zoo
If you are looking for more petting zoos in NJ, a visit to the Turtle Back Zoo is a must. Nestled in the zoo is the Essex House, a collection of hand-raised farm animals perfect to pet. See horses, goats, sheep, and more. There is even a pony ride station nearby to enjoy.
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Popcorn Park Refuge & Zoo
At Popcorn Park, all the animals within it have been rescued from desperate circumstances or death by the American Humane Society. When you visit, you can learn about these abandoned animals, feed them delicious popcorn (hence the name), and even adopt them.
1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731
Which petting zoos in NJ are your favorites? Let us know!
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