Petting Zoos
Open All Year: The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill
Bedford, NH
Free to visit, this is a nice low-commitment outing that you can make as long or as short as you like. The farm is open for visitors 365 days a year from dawn until dusk. There is a small farmstand that has more limited hours and is worth a look if it is open. There is a self-serve grain cup purchase station ($5) so you can still buy snacks for the animals even if the farmstand isn’t open. You feed all the animals from outside their pens so hesitant kiddos are safe from being mobbed in classic petting zoo fashion. They have all the classics plus alpacas! Find goats, sheep, chickens, horses, and more.
During the summer the majority of the farm is in full sun but the lane along the goats areas provides a nice shady break. Even if you intend on it being a short visit, don’t underestimate the need for hats, sunscreen and water!
Visit their website for more information.
A Summer Must-Do: The Friendly Farm
Dublin, NH
Opening for the 2023 season May 27th
The Friendly Farm in Dublin, NH is a well-known favorite. First, the property is large and spacious so it never feels crowded even if it gets busy. There are lots of animals and multiple large open pastures that let you mingle with the animals in a comfortable way. Just keep your grain bags hidden until you are ready to hand some out!
There are bunnies in a barn stall that are a real treat to visit and pet. The baby goats know the drill and get excited in a way that some little people don’t appreciate (I don’t think I would appreciate it either if I was only two feet tall!) so its just a matter of managing that grain bag and being ready to elevate little people out from the fray! There is a chicken house with baby chicks along with a hand washing station right outside.
You can navigate over the paths and grass with a jogging stroller, but if you can manage it I suggest traveling light. Navigating through the gates and pastures will be tricky and you’ll be constantly parking it to leave it behind – like when you go into the stables. Also, animal poop on the wheels.
There are lots of picnic tables in the main area by the entrance and one lone picnic table outside by the parking lot if you’d rather eat without chickens wandering around. The little gift shop has simple snacks and juice boxes to supplement if you need an extra snack.
I also suggest overalls for the day, because it is adorable.
Two More On My Adventure Bucket List:
Charmingfare Farm
Candia, NH
Charmingfare Farm takes petting zoo to another level, this a planned adventure day, not a casual stop. They have a mixture of farm animals (that you can feed) as well as some wildlife animals like you would find at a traditional zoo.
Visit their website for more information.
Legacy Lane Farm
Stratham, NH
A family run operation, you can stop by for a visit or sign up for one of their more curated experiences. Looking for unique experience gifts? How about feeding a baby goat or a good pig cuddle. I only hear wonderful things about this place, let me know if you visit!
Visit their website for more information.
Farm Stands for a More Casual Experience
The (relatively) Quick Stop: Lull Farm
Hollis, NH
This farm stand is open all year – and very popular during apple picking season – selling their own vegetables, eggs, meats, and baked goods. But more importantly: they always have a little crew stashed out back. There are two resident goats, chickens walking around and usually a cow or two. If you go at the right time, you might even be treated to a momma cow and her calf. The farm has a larger field somewhere else where their cows are actually housed, but always have some hang out at the farm stand for visitors. They are all the way around back and if someone hadn’t told me to go back, I never would have found them! There is also a tractor by the parking lot for photo ops, with the apple orchard as a backdrop. Find out store hours and more here.
Worth noting, ice cream is just up the road during the summer season at Brookdale Fruit Farm.
Ice Cream & Cows: Trombly Gardens
Milford, NH
This farmstand is next to a nice large pasture that always has animals milling about. A full working farm, their store is stocked from the harvest and they run a CSA. More importantly, they have ice cream which you can then enjoy as you watch the animals. They have cows, sheep, etc. Find out store hours and details here.
Lastly, a little extra south….
Davis Farmland
Sterling, MA
Opening for the 2023 season April 13th
What a happy, beautiful place this turned out to be. There’s a petting zoo, there’s a giant splash pad, there’s a playground, there’s a bounce pillow, there’s a giant imaginary play area, there’s a water play area, there’s pony rides and lots, lots more! Easily a whole day experience (if your crew can make it that long), this could be the highlight adventure of your summer.
One fun thing I noted was that animal enclosures had individual water pumps which allowed children to pump water for the animals. We were there at closing and one of the friendly farm hands let us give the calves their dinner bowl. Everyone was so nice – but keep a larger perimeter around Peanut the camel, she has a surprisingly far reach and is out for grain cups!
Visit their website for more information.
