Any time of year is perfect for taking your children on an outing to one of Seattle’s many petting zoos and family farms. Here are some of the best zoos, farms, and parks in the Seattle area, where you can view, pet, and sometimes even ride a full menagerie — sheep, cows, ponies, bunnies, goats, and even a few peacocks! Many of these places have special events, so be sure to check their websites before going.
Farrel-McWhirter Farm, Redmond
- Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
- Location: 19545 NE Redmond Rd, Redmond
- Contact: 425-556-2300
- Cost: Free
- Animals: A cow, rabbits, pigs, goats, chickens, a donkey, ducks, sheep and ponies. Note: This is not a petting zoo, and the animals are there for observation!
Home to farm animals, nature trails, and a preschool that Old MacDonald himself would approve of, this Redmond park is a great bet for free farm fun. Your children will love exploring the 68-acres of grassy lawn, quiet nature trails, and the animal farm. Visit Lily, one of the resident goats, and say hello to Sunny, the 600-lb sow. Pack a lunch and chow down near the climbing tree or, if it’s raining, head to the sheltered picnic tables. Got a cowboy or cowgirl in the making? Check out the farm’s riding school (geared for ages 3 and up) or their farm school programs for kids 3 to 12 years old, where they can learn about agriculture.
Rosie the cow napping in the field (Image courtesy: Farrel McWhirter Farm)
Kelsey Creek Farm Park, Bellevue
- Hours: Barnyard open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, animal viewing until 3 p.m.
- Location: 410 130 Pl SE, Bellevue
- Contact: 425-452-7688
- Cost: Free (fees apply for farm classes and camps)
- Animals: Pigs, goats, cows, horses, sheep, bunnies, chickens (temporary suspension). In the spring, piglets, calves, and baby goats!
Who knew that you could find a charming 1930s working farm in the heart of Bellevue? Kelsey Creek Farm Park is a glimpse into old-fashioned country life, and a surefire hit with tots. Visit pigs, goats, sheep, and bunnies, play in the oversized sandbox, explore nature trails, and make a playground pit-stop on your way out. Note: Interaction with the chickens and birds are limited due to avian flu.
Visit Kelsey Creek Farm every day and view their farm animals. (Image courtesy Kelsey Creek Farm)
Enchanted Farms, Duvall
- Hours: Vary by activity, check website for availability. Note: As of April 18, they will no longer offer self-guided visits
- Location: 31620 NE 129th ST, Duvall, WA
- Contact: 425-287-5860
- Cost: $18.50-$21.50 for farm tours, $42.42 per person for picnic with alpacas. Tickets here.
- Animals: Alpacas, goats, sheep, rabbits and their newest addition… mini donkeys!
Visit this farm for an immersive one-hour farm experience, where families can meet and interact with their friendly animals and have hands-on encounters. You can feed and pet alpacas, goats, sheep, rabbits, and their newest addition… mini donkeys! The alpaca tours include feeding and petting all the other animals as well.
Picnic with alpacas at Enchanted Farm. (Image: David Dempster)
Flower World, Snohomish
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Location: 9322 196th Street SE, Snohomish
- Contact: 425-481-7565
- Cost: Free (except for what you buy!)
- Animals: Sheep, goats, chickens, peacocks, and many baby lambs. Note: Most of the animals are behind fences. You can observe the animals, but not pet them. But you might occasionally see a free-roaming chicken or goose on the grounds.
This Snohomish gem features more than just flowers. A perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon or a Mother’s Day outing, Flower World is a 15-acre oasis of rolling lawns and roaming roosters, duck ponds, foliage and farm animals. Wander through the rows of gorgeous blooms, veggie starts, and fruit trees. You may even encounter a turtle or two in the tiny nursery ponds. Cross the road and head to the Maltby Produce Market for a selection of locally grown fruit and veggies, fresh eggs, apple cider, and dried fruit snack packs — perfect for a post-park pick-me-up. Visit the farm and say hello to resident sheep, lambs, goats and peacocks.
Visit this garden center and see some animals including sheep, goats and more! (Image courtesy Flower World)
Family Farm at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle
- Hours: The new contact area will open as part of new exhibit Wild Encounters, in Summer 2026.
- Location: N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. or N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave
- Contact: (206) 548-2500
- Cost: Included with zoo admission
- Animals: This exhibit is being updated to include different animals; more details will be available soon.
Kids can pet and see animals in the Contact Area located in the Temperate Forest area, along with the Family Farm. They are currently updating this experience with new information coming soon.
The Red Barn Farm, Redmond
- Hours: Hours vary by activity, check the website for more info
- Location: 5703 208th Ave. NE Redmond 98053
- Contact: Visit the website for more details, or call 425-440-0033.
- Cost: Call for pricing
- Animals: Chickens, goats, mules, miniature donkeys, horses, highland cows, pigs, livestock dogs, geese, aquatic turtles, ducks, and more
Meet animals and enjoy a fun, hands-on farm experience — perfect for all ages. Pet and feed friendly farm animals from the safety of the fence, including: Horses, mules, cows, goats, pigs, turkeys, ducks, chickens, bunnies, and mini donkeys. You can add on bunny cuddles or goat interactions at check-out here.
Need eggs? The farm has over 150 chickens laying. Restock with a fresh dozen from the store. Buy local honey, dried flowers, and farm memorabilia while chatting with Chelsea, the friendly farmer and owner, as you check out. The kids got to see a natural honeycomb inside the store, too — there’s no telling what other cool things you’ll find! The farm also hosts seasonal events and family activities like an egg hunt, tulip, and fall festivals. They sell out quickly, so get on their newsletter list for your first chance to book tickets.
Two kids peek out from the goat stable ready to be picked up and snuggled at The Red Barn Farm. (Image courtesy The Red Barn Farm)
Debbie Dolittle’s Indoor Petting Zoo, Tacoma
Beat the rain and check out this year-round indoor petting zoo where tots can visit with a range of cuties, from rabbits to wallabies! This spot specializes in miniature animals, so expect to see miniature pigs, dwarf goats, mini horses, and lots of babies! Ride a pony or a donkey, but keep your goldfish crackers to yourself — no food or drinks allowed in the petting area.
- Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday-Monday. They accept walk-ins from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Times for Animal Encounters (sloths, capybaras and otters) vary, check here for times and pricing
- Location: 120 138th St. South, Suite C, Tacoma
- Contact: 253-539-5011
- Cost: $15 per person; under age 2 free. Animal encounters cost extra.
- Animals: Wallabies, rabbits, cockatiels, budgies, miniature pigs, piglets, dwarf goats, kids goats, lambs, zebu calf, mini chickens, mini horse, mini donkey and ponies.
Pasado’s Safe Haven, Further Afield
Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, this 85-acre property offers a unique experience. Named after the neglect and abuse of a donkey named Pasado, the sanctuary is a haven for animals of all kinds.
Take a guided tour and learn about Pasado’s mission to rescue abandoned and neglected animals. Get the chance to meet with donkeys (ambassadors of the farm), goats, sheep, chickens, cows, dogs and more. Along the way, you’ll learn about each animal’s rescue story and have a chance to feed, pet, and observe the animals in their habitat.
If you’re feeling inspired by Pasado’s Safe Haven mission, donate and sponsor an animal of your own. You’ll receive an email and a photo that tells you more about your animal’s story and personality. All donations help purchase nutritious foods, medical care, and plenty of love for the animal.
- Hours: Public tour dates and times vary, see below
- Location: Please contact the Sanctuary for location details
- Contact: Register in advance for a tour.
- Cost: $25/per adult, $18 per child (4-12), under 4 free
- Animals: Donkeys, horses, cows, pigs, llamas, chickens, dogs
Pet one of two ambassador donkeys at Pasado’s Safe Haven. (Image courtesy Pasado’s Safe Haven)
Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, Renton
Be sure to head to Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, where kids can cuddle up with cute animals, including cows, bunnies, goats, horses, sheep, and more. Many of these animals are featured in the Rescue Series books by Diane Odegard Gockel. Visiting the farm is free, but you’ll need to make a reservation here. The sanctuary is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday.
Bonus: You can now sign up for goat yoga, held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, see the schedule here. During this visit, you and the family can practice yoga with goats ($25 per person, and only kids 12 and older can participate).
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (reservation only)
- Location: 16515 SE May Valley Rd, Renton, 98059
- Contact: (425) 877- 9002
- Cost: Free, reservation required
- Animals: Alpaca, goats, mini horses, mini donkeys, horses, Llama, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks
Old McDebbies Farm and Jim’s U Fish, Spanaway
At this family farm, there is something for everyone! Kids can fish for rainbow trout, walk the I-Spy trail, discover the musical forest, and go on a wildlife scavenger hunt. The owners invite families to visit and feed the animals. They have a variety of animals, including goats, pigs, ponies, and more!
- Hours: Open hours vary by season
- Location: 4924 268th St E, Spanaway, 98387
- Cost: $14 admission for ages 18 and up, $12 admission for ages 3-17, free for ages 2 and under. Extras include $6 for each fish caught; bring your own fishing gear or rent on site. $4 for a veggie bucket to feed the animals.
- Contact: (253) 875-0356
- Animals: Goats, pigs, ponies, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, alpacas, zebras, emus, camels, kangaroos, wallabies, and more!
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Groovy Goats, Tacoma
- Hours: Friday-Monday 9:30-10 a.m. for Groovy Goats, Zoo hours vary by season, check website for more info
- Location: 5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma
- Contact: 253-404-3800, or [email protected]
- Cost: Zoo entrance fee is $25/ ages 13-64, $17 for ages 3-12, and free for under age 2. The Groovy Goats Animal Encounter is $35. Buy tickets here
- Animals: Goats
Get up close and personal with PZDA’s magnificent herd of goats in this one-of-a-kind animal encounter. Just like people, goats have personalities, and our goats have loads of character. Meet Snap, Buckle, Marion, Juniper, Rhubarb, Daisy Mae, and the rest of the herd, and spend some quality time giving the goats a good grooming. Pose for a photo and feed them a nutritious and delicious treat. The Groovy Goat experience is 30 minutes long, giving you plenty of time to explore the rest of the zoo.
(Image: Katie Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)
Plucky Palomino Petting Zoo, North Bend
- Hours: Open Wednesday-Saturday, schedules vary by month, see their calendar for the current month’s offerings
- Location: 901 Bendingo Blvd., North Bend
- Contact: 425-428-7620, or [email protected]
- Cost: Adults are $25, ages 2-17 are $15, and those under age 2 are free. (Taxes and fees not included)
- Animals: Usually a combination of bunnies, piglets, and baby goats/lambs
Join in a “Snuggle Sesh” featuring babies on the farm. The perfect animal experience for parents with younger kiddos, or those “kids at heart” who need some snuggle therapy. Most of the encounter occurs under a covered party pad, and depending on the weather, you might visit the older goats.
(Image courtesy Plucky Palomino)
