27x the best petting zoos in the Netherlands

On to the chickens, sheep, ponies and pot-bellied pigs: educational, fun and sociable. That’s why: 27x the nicest petting zoos in the Netherlands.

1. The Happy Meadow – Rotterdam

This petting zoo dates from 1990 and consists of two farms. Free activities are regularly organized for children, such as a toddler morning, a sheep shearing party and a bat excursion. At De Groene Kikker you can enjoy delicious food and drinks and there is a large playground where children can play.

2. Miss Jansen – Hilversumse Meent

This petting zoo is located next to a dairy farm where 150 cows are milked daily, so it’s great fun to take a look here as well. Tip: buy delicious fresh milk in the milk house afterwards. What’s also nice is that the second Hilversum milk house is open on the farm, where you can buy fresh milk.

3. The Elzenhoek – Oss

At the Elzenhoek in Oss you can spend hours cuddling with guinea pigs, rats and feeding rabbits and goats. There are also exhibitions where you can learn everything about the vegetable garden – experiments included. Due to corona there will be no cuddle visit on Wednesday and Sunday afternoon.

4. De Hout City Farm – Alkmaar

This more than one hundred year old Deer Camp was expanded in 1976 with the city farm, which is located in the middle of the city park Alkmaarderhout. There are goats, chickens, pigs, peacocks, guinea fowl, turkeys and many more animals. In the aviary and dovecote you can see all kinds of bird species. Not seen and done enough yet? Then go to the other side of the petting zoo, where your child can play in the gnome playground.

5. De Kemphaan urban estate – Almere

You can’t really call this a real farm, because you will find much more than just farm animals. For example, there are monkeys from the AAP foundation, but you can also search for wild animals with a forester. There is also a jungle garden, a playground, a climbing park and you can take wonderful walks in the woods.

6. The Ghost Forest – Eemnes

The haunted forest has a petting zoo with donkeys, goats, rabbits, horses and sheep. Behind the petting zoo is a small forest, you can walk through it with your child, while you answer questions about animals.

7. Wolfslaar – Breda

Not only do you see animals at this petting zoo, but all kinds of educational activities are also organised. For example, children can cycle on an energy bicycle or milk an artificial cow. Next to the farm there is a water play area and a place where you can pet goats. For small children there are toy tractors ready for them to ride.

8. Animal Valley – Waddinxveen

In addition to goats, sheep and chickens, Kinderboerderij Dierendal also has storks. In addition to all the animals, there is also a large garden, which has been laid out so that there is something new to discover all year round. Also visit the apiary or the butterfly strip with butterfly bushes and other plants.

9. Hof van Eckberge – Eibergen

At Hof van Eckbergen you can see animals from North and South America and Australia, such as a Wallaby. They are a lot smaller than kangaroos but can make jumps of up to nine meters. Children can also participate in an animal scavenger hunt. Energy left? There is also an indoor and outdoor playground where children can run wild.

Also read: 13x the best unknown zoos in the Netherlands

10. Darwin Park City Farm – Zaandam

In 1967 Albert Heijn donated the largest petting zoo in the Netherlands to young people in Zaandam so that everyone could get to know different animals. And this farm is still crowded.

11. De Molenwei – Rotterdam

This petting zoo is located on the edge of the Rotterdam Zuiderpark in Charlois. The traditional farm animals are very nice to children – so they don’t have to be afraid. There are also regular (free) activities.

12. Geertjes Hoeve – Haarzuilens

This is a recreational farm with goats, a cheese dairy, farm shop, terrace and playground. You can go here for organic, regional and farm products in the farm shop, for a cup of coffee or tea or a goat ice cream. And yes: the goats can also be fed.

13. ‘t Weusthag – Hengelo

This petting zoo is located on the edge of the Weusthagbos in Hengelo. There are goats, pigs, a miniature horse and a donkey, but you can also see a real deer park. Does your child like to cuddle? Then the rabbits in the cuddle corner are a must.

14. Pick! – The Hague

pick! is a care farm where people with a distance to the labor market work. Children are allowed to pet the animals, but also pick fruit during a walk in the heme park on designated days in the summer.

Also read: From picnics to pedal boats: 19x child-friendly parks

15. The Oedenstee – Hoogvliet

Cows, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, peacocks, a horse, a donkey, rabbits and guinea pigs: farm animals abound here. There is much to see, especially in spring, when the young animals are born. For the little ones there are play equipment and small tractors.

16. Play farm De Happyfarm – Terschuur

Plenty of fun, both indoors and outdoors. There are many playground equipment and you can race with tractors and go-karts. For the little ones there is a special soft-play area, the older children can climb and clamber in the monkey cage or jump on the bouncy castle. Of course there are also plenty of animals to see.

17. ‘t Geertje – Zoeterwoude

A real organic production farm with goats, cows and pigs. The milk from the animals is – just like various regional products – for sale in the shop. Throwing a children’s party? That is also possible here.

18. The Brink – Zeist

With over two hectares(!) of land, this is a fairly large petting zoo by Dutch standards. You will not only find animals of special breeds here, there is also play equipment for the children and picnic tables. Add coffee, tea, soda, candy and chips, and you’re done.

19. De Daalhoeve – Maastricht

This children’s and care farm is located in an old farm from 1936. You will find ponies, rabbits and pigs, but also special animals such as alpacas and wallabies. Children and adults can take part in fun workshops such as painting, making jam and spinning wool.

20. Own Wise Farm – Eindhoven

If you are in the Philips van Lenneppark in Eindhoven, pay a visit to the Eigen Wijs farm. Here you will meet cats, chickens, lambs and pigs. Afterwards, your child can let off steam in the play park further away with a skating rink, basketball court and playground.

21. De Goffert Children’s Farm – Nijmegen

Craft afternoons are regularly organized, you can throw a children’s party, eat delicious ice cream, but most importantly: there are many animals to see. Oh, and funny playground equipment.

22. Landerij De Park – Elst

Set aside a whole day for this, because man, there is so much to do here. There is a walkway, a vegetable garden, a nature playground, a large sandpit, a watermill and oh yes: a fantastic petting zoo. Here you can pet the animals under the supervision of the caretakers. Also not unimportant: in the accompanying restaurant you eat the famous, home-made apple pie.

23. Nature – Drachten

Here too, an hour is not enough, because there is not only a petting zoo, you also have a play forest, barefoot path, gnome path and an arcade for when it rains. Be sure to check out the website, because the best activities are organized here throughout the year.

24. The Beestenborg – Groningen

This is one of the largest petting zoos in Groningen and is open seven days a week. Goats, sheep, donkeys, ponies, pigs, peacocks, chickens, ducks and aviary birds: here you have everything. Includes cable car and family swing.

25. Shooters Park – Brunssum

At Schutterspark you can not only admire the ‘standard’ farm animals, there are also alpacas, bearded dragons and wallabies walking around. And has your child seen all the animals? Then he can have fun in the playground.

26. The Little Owl – Oirschot

Your child will be entertained all day long at this play farm, because everything is organized from a Gnome tour to Tractor Day. Also nice are the new indoor playground, a sandbox, go-karts, bicycles, air cushion, trampolines, playhouses and playground equipment.

27. Den Helder Valley – Den Helder

At De Helderse Vallei you will find everything for a day out in nature. For example, follow the fox trail, where you discover everything about the life of a fox.

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