Petting zoos offer families a chance to interact with animals in a fun and safe way. Children and adults enjoy petting, feeding and even playing with the gentle animals at farms and zoos. Richmond boasts several different venues for spending time with farm animals. From birthday parties to a simple day at the park, the Richmond area provides several options to be around some adorable furry friends.
Five Richmond area farms offering families opportunities to see and learn about animals:
Check websites and/or call to verify information is correct.
1. Flat Creek Farm
(13342 Lodore Rd, Amelia Court House, VA) allows patrons to spend thirty minutes or an hour with bunnies, goats, an alpaca, chickens, a mini horse, and 27 year old horse, Sailor. The family owned farm asks families or small groups to book an appointment on Facebook and pay through Venmo.
2. Red Barn Farm
(25115 Smith Grove Rd, Dinwiddie, VA) is owned and run by an educator who curates a learning experience for children about farm life. During the 90 minute tour, visitors will interact with a tortoise, donkey, mini horses, goats and more. If you want to feed the animals, feed buckets are offered at an additional cost. Parties, field trips and camps are also available. Call 804-536-6879 to schedule visits. April through December Wednesday – Sunday from 9am – 5pm.
3. Maymont Farm
(1001 Spottswood Rd, Richmond, VA): is home to pigs, goats, chickens, cows, a donkey, ducks, and horses. Feed machines are by the entry to purchase food for the goats and sheep. A suggested $5 donation for entry makes Maymont an affordable venue for feeding your favorite animals. Open daily 10 am – 5 pm.
4. Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park
(3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA) is a historic site home to rams, chickens, goats, pigs, and horses. While visitors are asked not to feed the animals, demonstrations in the farmhouse and barn take place throughout the year. There is no admission fee. Daily 12 pm – 4 pm.
Sheep munch grass at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park. Photo credit: MFMaCP/Facebook
5. Laughing Place Farm
(11800 Reedy Branch Rd, Chesterfield, VA): brings the animals to you by offering mobile parties and zoos. Options include barnyard parties, unicorn pony parties, barrel train rides, petting zoo and pony parties. Party hosts will choose between a one or two hour party. Book appointments on the Laughing Place Farm website.
Photo credit: Laughing Place Farm/Facebook
Further Afield:
⭐️ Misfit Acres Farm Petting Zoo & Pony Rides
14823 Cross County Road, Mineral, VA is a small farmette located in (Louisa County), just a short drive from Short Pump. Meet and Greet the Animals private reservations are $30 for 30 minutes and $50 for 1 hour. This includes a cup of goat feed for each person in the party (up to 5 people or your immediate household).
Guests are encouraged to bring along fresh vegetables (i.e. lettuce and carrots) as the animals love treats and are more likely to approach visitors for a treat. There are several fun activities set up for children to enjoy while visiting the animals like horseshoe craft, coloring pages, stick horses, and rocking horses. Pony rides are an additional $10/child during Meet and Greets (there is an 85 lb. weight limit). Birthday party packages and other small event packages available.
It’s a fun place to be whether you are 6 or 60. Goats, sheep, chickens, guinea fowl, a pot belly pig, a calf, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, a miniature mule, and a shetland pony all call Misfit Acres home. Two full size horses are for viewing only. Fresh eggs available and handmade feed bag totes. All sales directly help support the animals on the farm. We are open daily by reservation only. visitors text, 804-467-9440 or Facebook message the farm with questions and/or to schedule a reservation.
Kids can get close to animals at Misfit Acre Farms. Photo credit: MAF/Facebook
⭐️ Colonial Williamsburg.
This iconic, living history museum about an hour east of Richmond, features iconic architecture and reenactors to transport visitors to the 18th century when Williamsburg was the capital of Colonial Virginia. It’s totally FREE to walk down Duke of Gloucester Street, admire the architecture and gardens, and visit with the lambs born in the spring.
Lambs born in the spring are fun to watch at Colonial Williamsburg. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison
Richmond area locals, both north and south of the River, are fortunate to have access to an array of offerings to be around animals.
Lindsay Garrison, your RVA on the Cheap editor
Lindsay Garrison loves Richmond and is proud to raise her own family here. As a teacher for 12 years, she learned how to save, budget and stretch every penny. Additionally, she led groups of students to Europe annually, and took great pride in planning affordable, fun-filled trips. She transferred those skills to her daily life and shares them with readers of RVA on the Cheap. Lindsay utilizes RVA on the Cheap to make enriching life experiences accessible to all. Check her instagram: rva.familyfun for more affordable family adventures!
Check out more family friendly things to do in Richmond while saving money and having fun.
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Maymont Children’s Farm
Spottswood Road and Shirley Lane
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 358-7166
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