Much as we all love theme parks, most families need to find a few other things to do in Orlando for kids during their Florida holiday. One of our family favourites, for some non-theme-park fun, was Green Meadows Petting Farm. It was a welcome antidote to the hectic days of chasing around the parks and a lovely way for city kids to get up close and personal with a whole farmyard full of animals.
This is The Nicest Petting Farm We’ve Ever Been To.
Back home in Australia a few travelling petting zoos really upset me, so much so that I wouldn’t let my kids visit. Tiny baby animals mauled by over-enthusiastic toddlers with hardly any supervision by parents. The under-trained teenage attendants didn’t do much to protect the animals from extra firm toddler grips. We saw animals mauled to death.
This place was different, we got the impression that these animals are loved, treasured and well cared for from the moment we stepped through the gate. Rough handling and chasing of animals was an absolute no-no. So not only was this a kid-friendly petting farm, it was animal-friendly too.
The Kids Can Touch, Enjoy and Learn About The Animals.
Visitors to Green Meadows Farm could take a tour around the premises with a guide who knew the animals well. The two women who showed us around were as great with the kids as they were with the animals and gave us plenty of useful information.
There were loads of new babies around the farm, we saw a newborn foal, chicks, ducks, lambs, goats and pigs. Plus the grown-up, slightly more unusual animals. Did you ever see a zorse, a water buffalo, a dwarf cow or an American Bison?
There are plenty of surprises around the farm and you can round off your afternoon with a USA classic hayride or a tour on the mini train.
What Was Our Highlight at Green Meadows?
Milking the cow of course! Not many kids get to try that these days, I know I never have. This cow’s calf, Red Bull, was in the paddock not far away, so no animal nastiness involved here either.
More Things To Do In Orlando For Kids.
Try these posts for things to do in and near Orlando Florida.
Visiting 4 Disney Parks in One Day
An Airboat Ride in the Everglades
Kennedy Space Centre
Watching a Rocket Launch
or Becoming a Road Trip Ninja.
Our family loves Orlando, it was a big highlight of our USA road trip, even on this, our third visit. We have plenty more ideas on things to do in Orlando for kids to come! To see all of our USA content, visit our USA travel blog page.
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Really? It’s in Kissimee, we drove past it and thought we’d go, this time and last time we were in Orlando. It’s a lovely quiet day for a family in Florida.
How cute! 🙂 I will definitely bring my son here soon. He will surely love it. 🙂
Funny, we lived in Orlando for 8 years, and I had never heard of this place! Thanks for sharing.