Animal Farms & Petting Zoos Kids Love
If you’ve got an animal lover at home, their favorite things to do in Grand Rapids are going to involve places like farms, zoos, and nature centers.
So where do you find them in West Michigan? The simple answer is: everywhere.
We’ve found over two dozen spots where kids can get close to all sorts of creatures. At many of these destinations your kid can pet, feed, and maybe even hold an animal!
*feature image is of Fellinlove Farm in Holland, MI.
This article is brought to you by Lake Michigan Family Campground.
Gorgeous family-friendly campground on Lake Michigan just south of Pentwater Lake, an easy drive from Muskegon, Silver Lake and Ludington. Enjoy cabins, bunk houses, and roomy wooded campsites with water/electric (a few full hook-up sites). A Grace Outside Destination.
Animal Farms & Petting Zoos, Listed
*Check with venues before heading out for up-to-date open hours and admissions policies.
You don’t have to travel far to have a hands-on animal experience. Here are the places to see animals that local parents recommend when it comes to petting zoos and animal farms near Grand Rapids, MI:
1 – John Ball Zoo Petting Zoo
1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
petting zoo; animal experiences
John Ball Zoo has everything you’d expect in a zoo… plus some things you might not expect.
In the farm petting zoo, you can brush and pet the goats and get close to chickens.
Hands-on animal options are camel rides and budgie feeding.
You can also walk through a wallaby exhibit to see these guys up close.
Plus get views of lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, and more.
JBZ also has lots of hands-on experiences like riding a funicular, doing a giant ropes course, riding a zipline and mining for gems.
The Zoo is built on a hillside, so come prepared to walk. It is stroller-friendly, but some find it easier to use a child carrier.
2 – Blandford Nature Center Wildlife & Farm Animal Experiences
1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
NATURE CENTER; ANIMAL FARMS; Wildlife experiences
Between the wildlife and the farm animals, there are opportunities everywhere at Blandford Nature Center to get close to animals.
Participate in Wildlife Care Experiences, with one or two-hour hands-on experiences where you will go on a behind-the-scenes tour and help feed the animals.
You may also visit the Blandford Farm. It’s just a short walk from the visitor center. Goats, chickens, and sheep are regulars here.
Note: most of the animals are for looking at only. To truly get hands-on, sign up for an experience.
Come say hi, or sign up for one of Blandford’s farm-themed community programs. Offerings change regularly and are listed on their calendar. Animal lovers should be on the lookout for classes like Farm Chores and Meet the Blandford Animals.
Many of the resident animals at this animal farm are used for educational programs, both on the grounds and on excursions to local schools and other facilities.
3 – Critter Barn
2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo; animal experiences
This is a great animal farm and petting zoo!
Opportunities abound at Critter Barn to interact with rabbits, chickens, ducks, cats, hogs, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, turkeys, pot-bellied pigs, geese, a pony and a horse.
Critter Barn also offers hands-on summer camps, where kids can hold baby chicks and kittens, learn how to milk and bathe a goat, and wrangle ducks and chickens. They even have pony rides.
From feeding and petting, to caring for the animals and learning all about them, Critter Barn Animal Farm has it all.
4 – Deer Tracks Junction
7850 14 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo; animal experiences
This is such a unique animal farm! As you might guess, there are dozens of deer to pet at Deer Tracks Junction.
But there are also yak, elk, and goats at this petting zoo. They even have baby bears!
Take advantage of the many opportunities to pet, hold, and feed all the animals.
Visitors can take an air-conditioned stagecoach ride where the animals may come right up to you.
Feed cups are available to purchase for many of the animals and there’s also a giant play structure (with underground tunnels!), making this a great animal farm for kids.
5 – Fellinlove Farm
6364 144th Ave, Holland, MI 49423
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo; animal experiences
Fellinlove Farm is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing dynamic experiences for all ages and abilities.
At this petting zoo farm, guests can not only pet the animals, but they can also get right into the pens with miniature llamas and donkeys.
Fellinlove Farm has over 65 animals (including rare Fell ponies, an African Tortoise, and New Zealand pigs), a bunch of friendly barn cats, and over 25 koi.
Fellinlove Farm also boasts a variety of small animals that a farm member will bring out to you, including an African Pygmy hedgehog, degus, guinea pigs, hamster and even chinchillas.
6 – Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, MI 49302
petting zoo; animal experiences
Located on 80 acres of land, Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is a unique, hands-on experience for the entire family.
The park boasts a distinct collection of exotic animals and reptiles, and the variety and dynamic atmosphere make Boulder Ridge anything but your average zoo.
A highlight of the park is giraffes that you can feed. They also have camels, monkeys, zebras, ostriches, alligators and crocodiles, snakes, rhinos, lizards, kangaroo, wildebeest, a wide variety of birds, and a petting zoo.
Other activities at the park include Gem Mining, a safari walk to see and learn about the animals around the property, and a Kids Train.
7 – Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo
4180 West M-20, New Era, MI 49446
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo; animal experiences
Lewis Adventure Farm is THE farm to visit for families.
In the summer months, kids will love the barrel train, skee ball, carousel, slides, play area, and more.
In the fall, additional experiences include hayrides, corn maze, corn pit, and a pumpkin patch.
The huge petting zoo farm includes zebus, llamas, alpacas, miniature horses, emus, wallabies, prairie dogs, and more.
Plus U-Pick apples in the fall.
As far as farms for kids go, this one has just about everything.
8 – Dairy Discovery
12877 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302
ANIMAL FARMS; animal experiences
Bottle-feed a newborn calf and learn all about dairy cows in the Dairy Discovery Farm tours!
Explore in the straw fort, get lost in the straw maze, play in the corn box and meet animal friends.
9 – Humane Society of West Michigan
3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
ANIMAL experiences
The Humane Society of West Michigan offers camps throughout the year that let kids get close to animals.
Sign up for one of their monthly Family Drop-In Days. Children must be 5 years or older (10 years or older to work with dogs). Spots are limited, so registration is required.
A $10 donation is requested to help cover the cost of staffing this program.
Additional kid-friendly opportunities are available. Check out the website for the latest events.
10 – Binder Park Zoo
7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49014
petting zoo; animal experiences
Binder Park Zoo has 433 acres of animal-filled wonder in natural forests and wetlands.
Every inch of Binder Park offers an experience. Sloths, lions, bears, cheetahs, giraffes, and crested guineafowls are among the over 40 species here.
This zoo offers the rare opportunity for you to get up close and personal with a giraffe feeding!
And they also have dinosaurs!
11 – Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary
1698 M-66, Athens, MI 49011
animal experiences; Wildlife experiences
Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary houses hundreds of rescued reptiles that can live here comfortably for the remainder of their lives.
Check out the alligators, tortoises, lizards, and even birds and fish.
The animals vary in age and size, from babies to “Godzilla,” a 30-year-old, ten-foot alligator that weighs over 350 pounds.
12 – Nelis’ Dutch Village
12350 James St, Holland, MI 49424
petting zoo
At Nelis’ Dutch Village, children delight in feeding the farm animals, visiting the petting zoo, and interacting with the farm animals. Some of the animal interactions you can expect include petting bunnies, feeding goats and getting up close with chickens.
The rides are age appropriate and include the giant wooden shoe slide, the restored antique carousel, and the “big swing” – the popular Zweefmolen (Dutch Swing Ride).
13 – DeGraaf Nature Center
600 Graafschap Rd, Holland, MI 49423
NATURE CENTER; Wildlife experiences
Whether you have 20 minutes or 2 hours, you will enjoy exploring the woodland, shrub, marsh, and pond trails of this 18-acre nature preserve located within Holland city limits.
The DeGraff Nature Center also has an indoor facility that is brimming with informative and hands-on displays and live animal exhibits. The friendly staff are always willing to answer any questions you and your crew might have.
The indoor exhibits are currently closed for construction. Look for them to reopen late spring of 2024.
14 – Outdoor Discovery Center
4214 56th St, Holland, MI 49423
NATURE CENTER; Wildlife experiences
The bigger sister to DeGraff Nature Center, The Outdoor Discovery Center offers outdoor trails, animal exhibits, and natural playscapes that will draw in any curious explorer.
Stop by the Eldean Family Nature Play Park. You’ll find a zip line, large sand box, logs to balance on, a giant spider web climber, and a log fort to explore.
Walk the stroller-friendly trails to the DeWitt Birds of Prey exhibit. Home to 15 different species of Michigan birds of prey.
Explore inside their Visitor’s Center and observe the animals on display, visit the touchable tables, or sit in the serene space of their bird watching room.
Host birthday parties and rent their space for private events.
Other points of interest include Doug and Kori Rentz Art Trail, Wade and Kris Eldean Wildlife Exhibit, cultural learning center, and fishing ponds.
15 – Double R Ranch
4424 Whites Bridge Rd, Belding, MI 48809
Wildlife experiences
At Double R Ranch, visitors can go out on a horseback ride, canoe on the sparkling Flat River, tube with the family, or enjoy a game of golf on the 9-hole course. Camping also available.
16 – Coopersville Farm Museum
375 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo
Visit Coopersville Farm Museum the last Saturday of the month for Kids, Crafts and Critters.
Participate in their indoor petting zoo, featuring small and baby farm animals. There’s also corn shelling, a bead table and rope making.
17 – Kalamazoo Nature Center
357 W. E Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
NATURE CENTER; Wildlife experiences
Visit Lacey the Haflinger horse, Neo the pig, and all your farmyard favorites at Kalamazoo Nature Center during the summer and weekends through September.
There are a variety of Family Programs that focus on animals – Creature Features, Farmyard Wednesdays and other opportunities.
18 – Legacy Stables (Karin’s Horse Connection)
8001 Patterson Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
animal experiences
Legacy Stables is a horse lover’s playground where horse lovers can connect with horses in many different ways.
Programs available include vaulting, riding, therapeutic riding, 4-H, birthday parties, and own-a-horse camp.
19 – Schwallier’s Country Basket
1185 9 Mile NW, Sparta, MI 49345
ANIMAL FARMS; petting zoo
Primarily an autumn spot, most of Schwallier’s Country Basket activities are free, making this one of the most popular farms for kids.
Goats, bunnies, kittens, chickens, and the occasional dog, Schwallier’s lets you get up close and personal with most of them. Get in the pen and pet the bunnies or feed the goats.
If you take a stroller, make it a jogger; this is an orchard and not friendly to umbrella-type strollers.
20 – Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
34270 County Rd 652, Mattawan, MI 49071
animal experiences
Feed and view fish on the giant show pond which includes sturgeon, some which are over 5 feet in length. They offer different programs throughout the year for all ages.
21 – Anderson & Girls Orchards
2985 N Sheridan Rd, Stanton, MI 48888