Top Petting Zoos In The Houston Area
6200 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 533-6500
www.houstonzoo.org
The Houston Zoo is a favorite spot for families who want to see large and small animals, but for the littlest members of the group, check out the children's zoo area, which includes a playground and petting zoo. The petting zoo is only a small portion of the larger zoo, but while in the children's zoo area, be sure to check out the new bug house exhibit and the play area for little ones to burn off extra steam. Tickets for the Houston Zoo cost $15 for children and adults between 12 and 64, $8.50 for those over 65, $11 for children 2 to 11 and free for children under 2.
Related: A Guide To The Houston Zoo
3203 FM 1960 E.
Humble, TX 77338
(281) 446-4001
www.oldmacdonaldshumble.com
Old MacDonald's Farm is a getaway site in Humble that offers outdoor, old-fashioned fun for everyone. The $10-per-person admission price includes all activities at the farm. In the petting zoo area, you will find standard farm animals like goats, pigs and sheep, but the farm also has more unusual animals to pet. These include emus, deer and llamas. If your children would like to feed the animals in the petting zoo, you can buy packages of feed for $1. The ducks around the pond can be fed with bread you bring from home – though these ducks are not part of the petting zoo. Please note that Old MacDonald's farm does not accept credit cards for admission.
5050 FM 517 Road
Alvin, TX 77511
(281) 337-6376
www.bayouwildlifepark.com
The Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, just south of Houston, is home to a large number of exotic animals, but you can take your family to the petting zoo to see not-so-unusual creatures. The petting zoo includes deer, pigs, goats and other animals. Buckets of feed are available for an additional fee. The cost of the petting zoo is included in your admission price to the zoo. Smaller children may also opt for a pony ride. The price to get in is $20 for adults and $10 for children, but bring cash or checks because the park will not accept credit cards. There are 500 animals outside of the petting zoo at this safari-style park. You may see ring-tailed lemurs, white rhinoceroses, hog deer and other endangered species all in an open-habitat that lets them roam freely. Whether you go for the petting zoo or the exotic animals, the Bayou Wildlife Zoo has something for everyone in a park that offers the feel of a safari close to Houston.
4401 N. Frazier St.
Conroe, TX 77303
(936) 890-2326
www.7acrewood.org
The 7 Acre Wood park is a place for everyone to go outside and have some good, clean fun. This park includes activities for children through adults. The cost to get into the park is only $6 per person ages 18 months and up. Military personnel and senior citizens get a discount. This admission price includes the petting zoo, playground, play town, miniature golf, sand volleyball and more. Other activities at the 7 Acre Wood that cost extra are paintball, hayrides and pony rides. At the petting zoo, you and your children will encounter other kids – baby goats – as well as llamas, cats, rabbits, grown goats, ponies, chickens, a pig, cows and deer. This is one of the best petting zoos around for its economical price and the range of additional activities you can see.
23501 Macedonia Road
Hockley, TX 77447
(281) 859-1616
www.oilranch.com
The Oil Ranch is a favorite for city kids to get a look at fun in the country. You can enjoy activities such as a train ride pony rides or a hay ride. The petting zoo gives your kids a chance to get up close to farm animals, and they can even practice milking a real cow in the dairy barn and see baby animals at the animal barn. Cool off on a hot summer's day with a dip in the pool or go fishing in Lake Buenas Noches. There is also an outdoor stockyard maze. Admission for ages 2 and up is $14.95, but call ahead because the Oil Ranch is only open in good weather.
