Our kids have always been huge fans of places where they can pet animals. It is one of their favorite things to do! In their opinion, the more hands-on the better. At some of these spots, they might be able to just pet through a fence or gate, but at others, kids are able to hold baby animals, feed them, and spend more time with them. Find a new place to explore nearby or take a road trip at one (or all) of these Wisconsin petting zoos and farms!
Tips for Petting Zoos and Farms
- Most of these spots involve a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes and consider bringing a stroller or wagon.
- Get familiar with the rules of the zoo or farm you’re visiting to help keep the animals healthy and safe. Some places ask that you wash your hands before and after. Some allow for animals to be handled, others will ask that you only pet and not lift them.
- Feeding rules will vary also, keep an eye on your human kids’ snacks while you’re visiting so that no animals end up with a between-meals snack of goldfish crackers.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer and/or wipes. We’ve ended up at a wash sink with no soap or an empty sanitizing station more than once. If you sanitize between or before feeding animals make sure that your hands are all the way dry!
- Don’t forget the sunscreen! Often these awesome spots have a lot of sun exposure!
- Be sure your camera and/or phone have space for plenty of photos. Animals and kids make for the best photo ops! Don’t miss any cute moments deleting screenshots and kid selfies!
- Please check with individual farms before you head out to confirm hours and admission rates to ensure that you have a great trip!
Here is a roundup of petting zoos and farms in and around Northeast Wisconsin to enjoy with the animal lovers in your family!
Petting Zoos & Farms Around the Fox Cities
Plamann Park Children’s Farm, Appleton
Located in north Appleton, the Plamann Park Children’s Farm is located at this Outagamie County park. The local petting farm is a single large barn and pen enclosure and is the home of several young farm animals on loan from Fox Valley farms (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and rabbits). Animals can be viewed and petted by visitors from outside of the fence, no feeding is permitted. Educational signs are outside of all the animals to learn more about them! The park is also the perfect place for a picnic and hike with 257 acres of scenic hills and trails. Other park amenities include a beach with water inflatables and a disc golf course.
- Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm, weather permitting
- Admission: FREE
- 1375 East Broadway Drive, Appleton (between North Meade Street and North Ballard Road – County Road E)
Mulberry Lane Farm, Hilbert
Full of rustic charm, Mulberry Lane Farm opens its gates to families to get up close and personal with animals. Children will love petting and feeding pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys and more and partake in a new experience: learning to milk a cow! Carry-ins are allowed and picnic areas are available for you to bring lunches. Pumpkin picking is also available in the fall. Admission includes a hayride.
- Open May – October
- Hours: vary please visit their full calendar for exact hours
- Admission: $13.00 cash / $13.50 credit card per person older than 2; children 1 year old & younger are FREE
- W3190 County Road B, Hilbert (just outside of Sherwood)
Animal Haven Farm and Zoo, Weyauwega
A family-owned, small-town zoo, Animal Haven Farm and Zoo is conveniently located off Highway 10. Families can interact with farm animals. Goats are available for feeding. The zoo includes a play area for kids.
- Open April – October
- Hours: 10 am – 7 pm
- Admission:
- Adults: $12.00
- Children Ages 6 – 12: $8.00
- Children Ages: 2 – 5: $6.00
- Under 2: FREE
- N1720 Bucholz Road, Weyauwega
Glacier Ridge Animal Farm, Van Dyne
Glacier Ridge Animal Farm is a 14-acre petting zoo in the middle of a working bison farm. Wear good walking shoes, some of the paths are rough.
- Open Memorial Day Weekend through the last weekend in October
- Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 10 am – 3 pm
- Admission: $8 per person. Age 2 & under and guests with special needs are FREE
- N9454 Ridge Road, Van Dyne (along Highway 41)
Petting Zoos & Farms in Green Bay
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Green Bay
Located in Green Bay, the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a 600-acre urban wildlife refuge that is a family favorite! Not to be confused with its neighbor, Bay Beach Amusement Park, you won’t find any rides here. It is the largest park in Green Bay and the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in Wisconsin. The sanctuary is FREE and open year-round and includes a nature education center, observation building, hiking trails, amphitheater, educational programs, many animal habitats, and more. It is one of the best nature centers in the area!
Kids and grown-ups can feed the ducks and geese. Corn is sold at the Observation Building. Special events sometimes have live animals that can be pet. View the sanctuary’s calendar for specific event details.
- Open: Daily
- Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm
- Admission: FREE
- 1660 East Shore Drive, Green Bay
NEW Zoo, Green Bay
Not a traditional petting zoo, but if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind interaction with a unique animal, the New Zoo is worth the trip. The NEW Zoo’s Giraffe Feeding Experience is amazing. The Giraffe Feeding Experience is open year-round, outdoors at the Feeding Platform seasonally, and indoors at the Giraffe Building during cold or inclement weather. There is also a petting area with goats, llamas, and more!
- Open year-round
- Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
- Admission:
- Adults (16+): $11
- Seniors & Children (3-15): $8
- Children under 3: FREE
- Half-off admission in January and February
- Wednesdays in June, July and August from 4 – 6 pm: tickets are half off at the door
- 4378 Reforestation Road, Green Bay
Petting Zoos & Farms in Door County
Plum Loco Animal Farm, Egg Harbor
Located in Egg Harbor, Door County, families will enjoy petting and feeding ponies, miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, miniature piggies and more at Plum Loco Animal Farm. Each animal at Plum Loco has a name and children will love filling a brightly colored pail full of grain or carrots to feed them! The facility is fully outdoors, so please plan attire accordingly.
In addition to the farm animals, there is a play farm village for imaginative play. The play farm is specially designed for children aged toddler to 3rd grade. There are also lawn games, board games, toys, puzzles, and more
- Open when weather permits, Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily (closed Wednesdays)
- Admission: Adults 18 – 60 $9.00, Kids $8.00, Seniors $7.00
- May 28, 2022 – Labor Day, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily, closed Wednesdays
- Fall Season: Labor Day through mid to late October, 9:30 – 4:30 weekends only
- $9 adults (18-60), $8 children (2-17), $6.25 seniors, children under 2 are FREE
- Plum Loco Animal Farm, 4413 Plum Bottom Rd, Egg Harbor
The Farm, Sturgeon Bay
One of our favorite places in Door County, The Farm in Sturgeon Bay is a living museum with exhibits on rural farming and Wisconsin history. Milk bottles and corn is available to purchase for feeding animals. Animals include goats, sheep, horses, cows, kittens and more. Also, enjoy a nature trail through the woods and gardens.
- Open: Memorial Day – Labor Day
- Hours: Open 9 am – 5 pm daily
- Admission:
- Adults (13+): $8.50
- Children (3-12): $5
- Children 2 and under are FREE
- The Farm, 4285 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay
Petting Zoos & Farms South of the Fox Valley
Menominee Park Zoo, Oshkosh
Take a stroll around the spacious park and get up close to a variety of animals at Menominee Park Zoo! Children will love spending the afternoon in the zoo and even more, will love watching the baby goats play. Animals include goats, llamas, sheep and more. The park also has a cozy picnic area and cafe to enjoy a snack. Runoff some energy at the park or beach after.
- Open Memorial Day – Labor Day
- Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
- Admission: FREE
- 520 Pratt Trail, Oshkosh
Lakeside Park, Fond du Lac
Lakeside Park is a 400-acre park and includes a walk-up lighthouse, picnic area, shelters, pavilion, playground, zip line, petting zoo, ball diamonds, marina, rides, boat-launch ramps, handicapped-accessible fishing platforms, a boat dock on Oven Island, Lakeside park segment of the Fond du Lac Loop, and kayak and pedal boat rentals. Also includes multiple playgrounds including an accessible playground, splash pad, concessions, a full-service marina, and gazebos. The small petting zoo has goats, llamas and chicks. There is also a deer enclosure. Feeding the animals is not allowed.
- Open Memorial Day – Labor Day
- Hours: Daily from 11 am – 4 pm
- Admission: FREE
- 555 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac
Shalom Wildlife Zoo
The Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 750 animals within 75 species! Families can walk through the massive area or drive-thru by car. During the warmer months, golf carts are available for rent to zip through to see the animals. Come see all the babies run and play, too!
- Hours: April 23 – October 31, 2022: 9 am – 5 pm
- Admission: $15/adults, $10/children
- Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary, 1901 Shalom Dr, West Bend
Cristo Rey Ranch, Mt. Calvary
Take the time to walk through the Cristo Rey Ranch. Pretty gardens, wonderful animals, and great people. There are sheep, goats, llamas, emu, donkeys, rabbits, horses, pot-bellied pigs, dogs, cats, and a variety of fowl including turkey, geese & ducks, also peacocks, chickens, birds (aviary) living in the rolling countryside. Quarter machine for feeding animals corn. Can bring in your own carrots to feed animals. Bottle feeding the baby animals available in Spring. No personal pets.
- Open year-round (less to see in winter)
- Hours: Winter 9 am – 5 pm, Summer 9 am – 7 pm
- Admission: FREE
- N8120 County Road WW, Mt. Calvary
Bear Den Zoo and Petting Farm, Waterford
Ben Den Zoo and Petting Farm is a perfect blend of local wildlife, farm favorites, and exotic animals. It’s sure to be a unique experience for each and every visit. The farm has a baby animal petting area and a children’s play area. Admission includes a hayride. Feed bags for sale to feed animals.
- Open Mother’s Day to Labor Day
- Hours: check before visiting
- Admission (cash only, no credit or debit cards):
- Adults (12+): $12
- Kids 2-11: $10
- under 2 FREE
- 6831 Big Bend Road, Waterford
Green Meadows Petting Farm, East Troy
Come and meet all the furry (and feathered), friends at Green Meadows Petting Farm. From cows to goats to chicks to horses (and more), the petting farm is full of animals who love to interact with visitors.
- Open Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
- Admission: $14 per person, Seniors $12, children 1 and under FREE
- 33603 High Drive, East Troy
Petting Zoos & Farms North of the Fox Valley
Wildwood Wildlife Park And Nature Center, Minocqua
Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center is a Wisconsin must-see! Feed the bears “Bear Juice”, feed “critter food” to camel, sheep, aoudad, pigs, and goats. Deer openly roam among you and will eat right out of your hand. Feed the giraffes from the feeding deck. Toss pellets into the large trout pond. Guests can purchase seed sticks to hand-feed the parakeets in the interactive free-flight aviary. Additionally, Wildwood offers the largest interactive petting zoo in Wisconsin. Guests love the animal encounter area as they are greeted by a host of animals including a kangaroo, woodchuck, armadillo, ferret, chinchilla, skunk, guinea pig, opossum, hedgehog, and many more. Guests can touch a tortoise, love a goat, feel a porcupine, cuddle a bunny, pet a skunk, or hug a pot-bellied pig.
- Open May – October
- Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
- See the website for admission
- 10094 State Highway 70, Minocqua
Wilderness Walk, Hayward
Wilderness Walk in Hayword is home to wild Northwood Wisconsin animals. Houses an extensive hands-on farm animal and nursery enclosure. Animals in the enclosure are open for petting. Deer roam the entire zoo and will approach visitors. Zoo also includes a food vendor, picnic area, playground, walking trails, and a western town where you can pan for gold.
- Open May – Labor Day
- Hours: Opens at 10 am, close time varies throughout the season
- Admission:
- Adults (12+): $15.95
- Children (2-11): $10.95
- Seniors (65+): $13.95
- Children under 2: free
- 9503 N State Road 27, Hayward
Petting Zoos & Farms to the West of the Fox Valley
Wisconsin Deer Farm, Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Deer Farm is a unique family petting zoo for kids of all ages the opportunity to explore, enjoy & feed over 100 deer and other wildlife.
- Open Mid April through late October
- Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day: 9 am – 7 pm, Offseason 10 am – 4 pm
- Admission: Ages 12 and older $16, ages 3-11 $12, 2 and under FREE
- 2183 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells
Timbavati Wildlife Park, Wisconsin Dells
Timbavati Wildlife Park is a full zoo in the Wisconsin Dells area. The zoo includes an “Interaction Area” which is home to an animal nursery, parakeet encounter, parrot house, and petting areas. Staff are frequently tending to the animals and will answer questions about the animals and their care. The interaction area changes with the seasons, making it worth multiple visits. The petting areas have pygmy goats, sheep, llamas, baby camels, and other young birds and animals.
- Open year-round for private tours, General admission seasonally variable
- Hours: Daily Tours 11 am & 1 pm, general admission seasonally variable
- Admission: Adults $19.95 (13+), Children $13.95, 2 and under are FREE
- 2220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells
