Kids love animals! At these petting zoos and animal farms in Ohio, kids (and adults) can get up close to the animals, petting them or feeding them until their heart’s content!
These animal farms in Ohio come in all shapes and sizes. You can drive through, walk through or even get right up in the pen with animals! Whatever your level of comfort of proximity with animal tongues and teeth, there’s something on this list for everyone!
In Ohio we have some pretty amazing opportunities to see animals that you wouldn’t expect to see! Sure there are the expected, cows, horses and goats, but we also have exotic animals you’d expect to see on an African Safari! Whether you’re looking for giraffes and zebras or you just want to pet a cute little baby goat, we’ve got it all here in the great state of Ohio!
Check out this list of petting zoos and animal farms in different parts of the state and plan your next up close encounter!
Petting Zoos and Animal Farms in Northern Ohio
The Farm at Walnut Creek
- 4147 Co Rd. 114, Sugarcreek, OH 44681
The Farm at Walnut Creek is a fun experience for kids! Take a wagon ride to get up close and feed exotic animal and learn a little bit about the Amish way of life in Sugarcreek, Ohio!
Not only can you visit a working Amish farm but you can take a wagon ride (or drive) through the grounds to feed kangaroos, zebras, giraffes, elk, deer, pot-bellied pigs, llamas, camels, and many more!
African Wildlife Safari
- 267 S Lightner Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452
This drive through safari gives you the chance to get up close to exotic animals we don’t see every day in Ohio. See and feed giraffes, camels, zebras, llamas and more! The African Safari Wildlife Park is a seasonal activity – open spring through fall.
Within the park there is also a walk-through experience included in your ticket price that includes an albino alligator, birds, kangaroo and other animals in a zoo-like exhibit. This area also includes a playground, gift shop, snack shop and the opportunity to take a camel ride!
Lagoon Deer Park
- 1502 Martins Point Rd., Sandusky, Ohio 44870
At Lagoon Deer Park you can hand feed deer and animals from all over the world! There are also 4 ponds for fishing and camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights.
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
- 3774 Urweiler Rd., Mansfield, OH 44903
Ohio Bird Sanctuary is home to birds who can no longer live in the wild. You can walk through an outdoor exhibit to see the birds close up. There is also a Song Bird Aviary where visitors can purchase a cup of food and feed the birds! Birds will come up and eat the food right out of the cup in your hand!
The grounds also include a natural play area, trails for hiking and a butterfly garden. Check out this list of things to do in Mansfield before you visit!
Majestic Meadows Alpaca Farm
- 4195 Abbeyville Rd., Medina, OH 44256
Visit this Alpaca farm and boutique 7 days a week. A reservation is required to visit the alpacas. There is a charge to visit the alpacas and animals can be pet and fed with grain for purchase at the boutique!
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
- 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd. (Rt. 6), Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Part of the Lake Metroparks, this is a working farm and educational center in Kirkland, Ohio featuring cows, pigs, sheep, chicken, rabbits, horses, alpacas and goats! Wagon rides are available and there is a plant science center, playground, farm machines and more! There is a daily admission fee to visit.
Hersberger’s Farm and Bakery
- 5452 OH-557, Millersburg, OH 44654
Hersberger’s Farm is home to a petting zoo where kids can pet farm animals. They also offer pony and horse rides!
Also on the premises is an Amish bakery featuring baked goods, canned goods, produce and flowers. There is also a farm store with other non-perishable items!
Our Little World Alpacas
- 16800 Cowley Rd., Grafton, OH 44044
Schedule a private farm tour to meet the alpacas up close or visit the farm for special events!
Malabar Farm State Park
- 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, OH 44843
Malabar Farm is one of Ohio’s State Parks. The property features a campground, fishing, hiking trails, a visitor Center and buildings that were part of the homestead of author Louis Bromfield.
The working farm can be toured and animals in the barn include pigs, goats, sheep, cows, horses and more! Look for babies in the spring! Malabar Farm is free to visit!
Wagon Trails
- 907 Youngstown Kingsville Rd. SE, Vienna, OH 44473
45 minute narrated safari trips are available at Wagon Trails where you can see 350 animals from 6 different continents! There is also a petting zoo that is included with admission. Food is for sale separately.
Petting Zoos and Animal Farms in Central Ohio
Olentangy Indian Caverns
- 1779 Home Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
Olentangy Indian Caverns has a great petting zoo with two sides: one for goats and other animals and a separate side just for deer. The petting zoo area is large and there are goats, pigs, a zebu, and sheep. Cups of feed are for sale and the animals will be very excited to see you arrive bearing food!
The grounds are also home to many other activities including cavern tours, mini golf, a playground, gem mining and more!
Slate Run Living Historical Farm
- 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Slate Run Farm is part of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Visit a working farm 1880’s style. Visit the barns to see pigs, horses, turkeys and more! If you visit in the spring, you are likely to see babies!
Ohio Wildlife Center
- 6131 Cook Rd., Powell, Ohio 43065
Ohio Wildlife Center is home to animals that have been hurt and can no longer live in the wild! The center offers special open house hours and events. Walk the grounds to see the resident animals or attend an event to meet an ambassador animal up close! Be sure to check their schedule before visiting!
Stratford Ecological Center
- 3083 Liberty Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
Stratford Ecological Center is an organic farm and nature preserve. Visitors can explore the grounds and visit the animals in the barn! Babies are usually born every spring which is a fun sight to see! The grounds are home to a pond, garden and barn. Special events take place throughout the year.
Sunrise Sanctuary
- 16730 Martin Welch Rd., Marysville, OH 43040
Sunrise Sanctuary is home to rescued animals that were abandoned, abused or neglected. The Sanctuary is only open on monthly Open Barn Days. Tickets are required to visit. You can visit with and pet the resident animals during these special days but no feeding is allowed.
Idle Hour Ranch
- 4845 Fenner Rd., Troy, OH 45373
Idle-Hour Ranch offers a drive-thru safari, camel rides, pony rides, gemstone mining, and more!
Carriage Hill Historical Farm
- 7800 Shull Rd., Huber Heights, OH 45424
Part of the Five Rivers Metroparks, this historical farm serves to teach us about our agricultural heritage and functions as a farm would in the 1880s. The grounds includes a farmhouse, visitor center, live enactments and a barn that is home to horses, sheep, hogs and chickens!
Horse-N-Round Fun
Horse-N-Round Fun offers special events for the public. They can also be reserved for corporate events, birthday parties and more! Public events offer horse back rides and petting zoos. Follow them on Facebook to see where to join in on the fun next!
Bring the Farm to You
You can find Bring the Farm to You popping up around Central Ohio doing just what the name suggests: bringing animals and hands-on farm fun to you. They offer programs for parties, programs and you can find them at special events.
Petting Zoos and Animal Farms in Southern Ohio
Glen Helen Raptor Center
- 1075 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
The Glen Helen Raptor Center is part of the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The Raptor Center offers rehabilitation to injured raptors with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. You can visit the center to see the birds that live there or attend an educational event.
The Wilds
- 14000 International Rd., Cumberland, OH 43732
Take an African safari tour right here in Ohio! The Wilds is the largest wildlife conservation center in North America and you can tour the grounds in an open air safari! This is a really unique experience that includes a lot of educational information about how The Wilds has contributed to the conservation of endangered animals.
Other special experiences are available such as a Fishing Safari, an overnight in a yurt, a zipline, and other up-close experiences.
Young’s Jersey Dairy
- 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Young’s Dairy is home to, you guessed it, cows! Visit the cows up close or visit the barn to hand feed goats! Feed is available in the Dairy Store. You may also be able to watch cows being milked if you arrive in the late afternoon!
There are lots of other activities at Young’s Jersey Dairy including mini golf, batting cages, slides, and more! Plus don’t miss the ice cream!
Zoos in Ohio
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- 4850 Powell Rd., Powell, OH 43065
Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to see all kinds of animals! Special experiences are available in order to get up close and personal with some of your favorite animals!
The zoo is home to a petting zoo that is included with admission. It is in the North America section of the zoo and you can pet goats and sheep or ride a pony! (Pony rides are an additional fee.)
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109
Visit hundreds of animals at the zoo! Special experiences are available including getting up close with an ambassador animal! There is a petting zoo in the Australian Adventure Area called Kookaburra Station featuring sheep, goats, miniature donkeys and more!
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
- 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220
The Spaulding Children’s Zoo at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden includes animal encounters, a playground, and a petting yard where kids can interact with goats and sheep!
Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
- 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
Nature’s Neighborhood at Toledo Zoo and Aquarium includes live animal shows, a stream and beach, and a tree house. It also includes indoor areas to explore and a petting zoo featuring farm animals.
Akron Zoo
- 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, OH 44307
Akron Zoo is home to over 700 animals. Have up-close encounters with animals at the Learning Lab (open May-September). VIP experiences are also available and allow you to interact with animals and see them behind the scenes!
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Will
Thursday 15th of April 2021
We just visited the Ohio bird sanctuary last week and our boys LOVED it. Their pet chicken in the lobby was very friendly. Thanks for the great recommendation!