Looking for a farm near you where you can get hands-on with farm animals? In search of a petting zoo near you where your little ones can pet animals? We’ve done the research so you can make plans and hit the road for family fun, just be sure to get your cameras ready because you’ll want to capture your adorable kiddos meeting all of these cute and cuddly animals!
Below you’ll find a list of petting zoos and farms in Central Florida that are either open to the public or take appointments for visitors. You can meet farm animals like cows, mini cows, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and horses, and even find some exotic animals like alpacas, llamas, camels, and peacocks.
All of the places listed below have been recommended by local moms as the best places to see farm animals. Be sure to check operating hours before you go, all venues are outdoors and may close for weather or private events.
Looking for a unique event venue or birthday party idea? Most of these farms and petting zoos book parties, private tours, field trips, and some even bring animals to you.
Florida Agritourism Law: Please note that most of these venues are operating under Florida agritourism laws, which cover farms that open to the public for recreational activities, educational activities, and/or animal interactions. You should see an agritourism law sign placed in a visable location near the entrance. All details below are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement.
If you’re looking for a different type of adventurous animal encounter, check out our list of Zoos + Safaris in Central Florida, or make plans to visit a Central Florida Aquarium.
Bell Family Farm and Apiary
Book a visit to Bell Family Farm and Apiary to interact with farm animals – goats, ducks and chickens, cows, miniature zebus – and learn about bees. Your visit includes a personal, hands-on experience with all the animals on the farm. Cow Cuddle Sessions also available. Bell Family Farm also offers goat yoga / farm yoga, and welcomes groups and field trips by reservation. Closed toe shoes required.
When to Visit: Open Wednesday – Sunday. Be sure to call or visit the website before heading to the farm to confirm hours.
Bell Family Farm | 6170 Stagecoach Rd, Polk City, Polk County 33868
Lumley’s Market Plant City
Lumley’s Market {formerly The Market at St.Martin Farms} has a little bit of everything on the farm – a longhorn, pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys & even a buffalo & more. Visit their produce stand and market and check out the animals in this petting zoo in Plant City. In October they also have a Fall Festival on weekends (small admission charge).
When to Visit: Market and Farm are Open 6 days a week 10am – 6pm, closed Wednesday.
Lumley’s Market | 4898 James Redman Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33567
Old McMicky’s
Old McMicky’s gives visitors the opportunity to experience what it’s like to live on a working farm with up-close hands-on experiences – milk a cow, catch chickens, pony rides, play with baby pigs and goats, take a hay ride and more! A guided farm tour is a perfect place for kids to learn about animals and farm life, plus you can stay and enjoy a picnic and playtime on the farm.
Old McMicky’s is open Thursday – Sunday for tours, reservations not required (check Facebook or website for current operating days/hours). They also offer kids birthday parties, private events, field trips, and group reservations.
When to Visit: Open Thursday through Sunday. Check the website for current hours.
Old McMicky’s Farm | 9612 Crescent Drive, Odessa, Florida 33556 (Tampa)
Horse Power for Kids
Plan to spend a few hours at Horse Power – an outdoor animal sanctuary and family fun farm with a petting zoo, an exotic animal walking path, a playground and picnic area, a wooded park with children’s zip line. Horse Power is a non-profit with a mission to provide fun, educational opportunities for children and adults to interact with and care for animals that have been rescued from a variety of situations.
When to Visit: Open Thursday – Sunday, no reservation needed for general admission, reservations are available for parties and field trips. Check the website for current hours.
Horse Power | 8005 Racetrack Rd., Tampa, FL 33635
Hunsader Farms
Hunsader Farms has a petting zoo and playground where your kids will have fun exploring and letting their imaginations run wild. They can feed and pet a variety of animals including goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas, parakeets and more. There are also animals for viewing like lemurs, porcupines, rabbits, peacocks, and iguanas. There is a cost to enter the petting zoo and playground area.
You can also make a day of it at Hunsader Farms when you visit during U-Pick Strawberry season or while the Sunflower fields are in bloom! Be sure to stop at the farmers market for fresh picked fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, jellies, delicious homemade honey and many other goodies
MOM TIP: You’ll enter the petting zoo inside The Farmer’s Wife barn where they sell ice cream and stuffed animals, so you might want to go in with a plan for what you are / aren’t willing to buy!
When to Visit: Open Sept through early June. Check the website for current hours.
Hunsader Farms | 5500 C.R. 675 Bradenton, Fl 34211
A Land of Delight Natural Farm
A Land of Delight Natural Farm offers locally grown, USDA organic, and conventional produce, raw local honey, pasture-raised chickens and eggs, hundreds of varieties of grafted fruiting trees plus many other grocery items. They host complimentary classes and the farmers market is open each weekend to the public. Families are welcome, and they have multiple farm animals you can visit!
When to Visit: Open Monday – Saturday. Check the website for current hours.
A Land of Delight | 2514 Leaning Pine Ln, Plant City, Florida
R & R Ranch
R & R Ranch is a horse ranch open on weekends with a petting zoo, pony rides and pony painting. No appointment needed.
When to Visit: Open Saturdays and Sundays. Check the website for current hours.
R & R Ranch | 9805 Bryant Rd, Lithia, FL 33547
Showcase of Citrus
Spend the day outdoors enjoying the Florida sunshine at showcase of citrus. You can feed the farm animals including chickens, goats, pigs, a miniature horse, donkey and more. Other activities include monster truck tours, you pick citrus, gem mining, plus a gigantic old country store gift shop.
When to Visit: Open 365 Days a Year
Showcase of Citrus | 5010 US Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34714
Raprager Family Farm
This family farm is full of fun! Your admission ticket includes a play fort, corn pit, hay rides, giant bounce pillow, and a huge petting zoo. Raprager Farm is open on weekends for most of the year, plus they have special events like a fall festival, Christmas festival, and an Easter celebration.
When to Visit: Open Saturday and Sunday for most of the year, also open weekdays during special events
Raprager Family Farm | 16907 Boy Scout Rd, Odessa, FL 33556 (Tampa)
Jenny’s Petting Zoo
Jenny’s Petting Zoo is permanently closed per the Facebook page.
Jenny’s Petting Zoo | 12611 Andrews Rd, Wimauma, FL 33598
Farms Open by Appointment Only
KT’s Mini Moo’s + More
KT’s Mini Moos and More offers unforgettable cuddle sessions and professional photography photo shoots with mini cows. Book a cuddle session to spend quality time petting and playing with mini cows while learning about their care and management. OR book a session and bring along your own photographer to capture beautiful family photos in a unique setting. Owned and operated by Katie Roberts of Harvest Holler Corn Maze.
When to Visit: By Appointment Only
KT’s Mini Moo’s + More | 950 Tavares Road, Polk City, FL 33868
Countryside Farm
Countryside Farm in Lakeland specializes in breeding Juliana mini pigs for pets, emotional support and companion animals. The farm is also home to other unique farm animals and welcomes you to enjoy the fresh air and friendly farm animals at their petting farm. Countryside Farm is open for tours, birthday parties, and special events.
When to Visit: Open by appointment only
Countryside Farm | 10550 Moore Road, Lakeland, FL 33809
April’s Acres Farm
April’s Acres offers tours of their small farm by appointment. You will have the opportunity to interact with both horses and donkeys, three goats, and several dogs. You will have the opportunity to give treats and pet the animals. You can also add on a horse ride or a “painting” session with a horse or donkey.
When to Visit: Open by appointment only. Equine Therapy also available.
April’s Acres | Located in Lakeland near the airport – location shared upon booking
Roos and Coos
Roos and Coos is a non-profit 501c3 exotic animal rescue and sanctuary in Plant City. They participate in community events to help raise money for the animals in their care. Animals include hedgehog, snakes, chickens, opossum, kangaroo, cows, dogs, and more.
When to Visit: Check Facebook for upcoming community events
Roos and Coos
Black Rock Farms
This family owned, small farm in Lithia, FL is focused on educating people about farming, animal care, and interacting with animals. They love sharing their animals for farm tours, birthday parties, private events, farm classes for kids, and even a farm summer camp. Animals at Black Rock Farms include pigs, goats, baby goats, bunnies, chickens, fish, horse, and cows.
When to Visit: Open by appointment only
Black Rock Farms | Currently relocating to Lithia – check website for visits to resume
Maria’s Farm
Maria’s Farm is a rescue for injured and unwanted animals that is also open as a petting zoo, party venue, school field-trip site, and more. Maria has horses, ponies, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, pigs, goats, rabbits, and even a miniature cow.
When to Visit: Open by appointment only
Maria’s Farm | 2268 Fritzke Road Dover, FL 33527
Farms Open Seasonally
Harvest Holler Farm + Corn Maze
Harvest Holler is one of our favorite places to visit in the fall. They have a crop maze, fall activities, a pumpkin patch, playground, tire swing, and an abundance of farm animals for you to see. Don’t miss the hayride where you can feed and pet cows and horses.
When to Visit: Open seasonally from mid-September – mid-November
Harvest Holler Farm | 950 Tavares Road, Polk City, FL 33868
HarvestMoon Fun Farm + Maze
HarvestMoon Fun Farm is open seasonally in the Spring, Fall, and around Christmas. Fall activities include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and flashlight night maze, and Spring includes a Sunflower Field. Additional activities include a jumping pillow and playground. The Farm includes a barnyard where you can visit and pet farm animals including rabbits, pigs, goats, chickens, miniature horses and Scarlett the Llama!
When to Visit: Open Seasonally in Spring and Fall – check website for upcoming dates
HarvestMoon Fun Farm | 15990 Stur Street, Masaryktown, FL 34604 (Brooksville, north of Tampa)
You can also check our list of Corn Mazes + Fall Festivals for more farms open to the public.
Map – Find a Petting Zoo Near You or a Farm with Animals Near You
Travel + Day Trips
Check out our Travel + Day Trips Guide for more articles on travel with kids, day trip ideas, places to go in Central Florida, and more.