Planning a family outing to a petting zoo?
These magical places offer incredible opportunities for kids to connect with animals and learn about farm life, and it helps to understand what a petting zoo is before your first visit.
However, as with any animal interaction, there are some important petting zoo safety rules that every parent should know and teach their children before visiting.
Don’t worry – following these simple guidelines will help ensure your family has a safe, fun, and memorable experience at any petting zoo!
Understanding Why Petting Zoo Safety Matters
Before we dive into the specific rules, it’s helpful to understand why petting zoo safety is so important.
Even the healthiest-looking animals can carry germs that might make people sick.
Animals can transmit diseases called zoonoses to humans… -which is why many parents ask are petting zoos safe?- before planning a trip.
The good news? Most illnesses can be prevented by following some basic safety practices that we’ll cover in this guide.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Certain family members need to be extra careful around petting zoo animals:
- Children under 5 years old are at higher risk because their immune systems are still developing
- Pregnant women should avoid contact with sheep and goats, especially during birthing season – here are specific petting zoo safety tips for pregnant visitors.
- People with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses need extra precautions
- Adults over 65 should also take special care
Essential Pre-Visit Safety Rules to Discuss With Your Kids
Age-Appropriate Guidelines
For Children Under 3:
Many petting zoos recommend that children under 3 years old should not touch animals at all – but they can still enjoy observing during baby animal season.
For Children Ages 3-5:
Kids in this age group can participate but need constant supervision. They should avoid touching reptiles, amphibians, or poultry, as these animals are more likely to carry harmful germs.
For Children 5 and Up:
Older children can enjoy more freedom but still need clear rules and occasional supervision to ensure they’re following safety practices.
Teaching Animal Approach Techniques
Before your visit, teach your children how to approach animals properly:
- Move slowly and quietly – sudden movements or loud noises can startle animals
- Let the animal come to you first rather than rushing toward them
- Keep hands away from faces and mouths until after washing
- Never chase or harass animals – this causes unnecessary stress, and it goes against the responsibility lessons kids learn at petting zoos.
- Ask permission from staff before approaching any animal
- Be gentle – no pulling, hitting, or rough handling
The Golden Rule: Hand Washing Protocol
Hand washing is absolutely the most important safety rule for petting zoo visits. Here’s what you need to know – a reminder also covered in our petting zoo checklist for parents:
When to Wash Hands
Your kids (and you!) should wash hands:
- Immediately after touching any animal
- After touching fences, gates, or any surfaces in animal areas
- Before eating or drinking anything
- After leaving animal areas, even if you didn’t touch anything
- After removing dirty shoes or boots
Proper Hand Washing Technique
Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, but wash with soap and water as soon as possible.
Look for hand washing stations at exits from animal areas – reputable petting zoos will have these clearly marked.
What NOT to Do at Petting Zoos
Food and Drink Rules
These rules are super important for preventing illness:
- Don’t eat or drink in animal areas – save snacks for designated eating zones
- Don’t bring food into animal areas – this includes sippy cups, bottles, and snacks
- Don’t feed animals anything except approved food provided by the petting zoo, since feeding rules can differ across types of petting zoos.
- Don’t let kids eat animal food – it’s not meant for humans
Physical Contact Don’ts
Teach your children these important boundaries:
- Don’t kiss animals or put faces close to them
- Don’t let animals lick faces or hands
- Don’t touch mouths, noses, or faces before washing hands
- Don’t bite nails, suck thumbs, or put fingers in mouths while in animal areas
Personal Items to Leave Outside
Keep these items away from animal areas:
- Strollers – they can become contaminated
- Pacifiers and bottles
- Toys
- Open food and drinks
Supervising Young Children: A Parent’s Guide
Constant Supervision Requirements
Children need different levels of supervision based on their age. Most petting zoos follow these ratios:
- 1:1 ratio for children under 1 year old
- 1:2 ratio for children between 1-2 years old
- 1:3 ratio for children between 2-3 years old
- 1:4 ratio for children between 3-5 years old
- 1:8 ratio for children between 5-8 years old
What to Watch For
While supervising your children, pay attention to:
- Whether they’re following hand hygiene rules
- If they’re being gentle with animals
- That they’re not putting hands or objects in their mouths
- Whether they’re staying in designated areas
- If they’re following staff instructions
Choosing Age-Appropriate Animal Interactions
Safe Animals for Different Age Groups
For All Ages (with supervision):
- Goats and sheep (but be cautious with pregnant animals)
- Rabbits
- Miniature horses and ponies
- Cows (from a safe distance)
Best Avoided by Children Under 5:
- Reptiles and amphibians (higher risk of Salmonella)
- Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)
- Very young animals (calves, lambs under certain ages)
Animals That Should Never Be in Petting Zoos:
- Non-human primates
- Large predators
- Venomous animals
- Wild or aggressive animals
Recognizing Warning Signs and Red Flags
When to Avoid Certain Animals
Don’t let your children interact with animals that show signs of:
- Illness or lethargy
- Aggressive behavior
- Open wounds or visible injuries
- Diarrhea or other obvious health issues
Facility Red Flags
Be cautious at petting zoos that:
- Don’t have adequate hand washing facilities
- Allow unrestricted access to animal areas
- Don’t have trained staff supervising interactions
- Have dirty or unsanitary conditions
- Allow lamb cuddling or handling of very young animals
Emergency Procedures Every Parent Should Know
If Your Child Gets Bitten or Scratched
While bites and scratches are rare at well-managed petting zoos, here’s what to do:
- Clean the wound immediately with soap and running water
- Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
- Report the incident to petting zoo staff immediately
- Seek medical attention if the wound is deep or won’t stop bleeding
- Monitor for signs of infection over the following days
If Your Child Gets Sick After Visiting
Some infections can develop days or even weeks after a petting zoo visit. Contact your doctor if your child develops:
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Unusual skin rashes
Always mention the recent petting zoo visit when calling your healthcare provider.
Preparing for Your Petting Zoo Visit
What to Bring
Pack these essentials for a safe visit:
- Hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) as backup
- Wet wipes for quick cleanups (but remember, these don’t replace proper hand washing)
- First aid supplies including bandages and antiseptic
- Change of clothes for younger children
- Waterproof dressings to cover any cuts or scrapes your child might have
What to Wear
Dress your family in:
- Closed-toe shoes – essential for protecting feet
- Clothes that can get dirty and are easy to wash
- Long pants for extra protection (optional but recommended)
Pre-Visit Preparation
Before you go:
- Review all safety rules with your children
- Practice proper hand washing technique at home
- Check if anyone in your family has cuts or open wounds that need covering
- Consider your family’s health status – postpone the visit if anyone is feeling unwell
Making the Most of Your Safe Petting Zoo Experience
Educational Opportunities
Use your petting zoo visit as a chance to teach children about:
- Animal care and respect
- The importance of hygiene
- Where food comes from
- Different animal behaviors and characteristics
Creating Positive Memories
Remember, following safety rules doesn’t mean less fun! Help your children:
- Take photos from appropriate distances
- Ask questions to knowledgeable staff members
- Participate in feeding activities when offered by the facility
- Enjoy the sensory experience of hearing animal sounds and seeing different textures
Special Considerations for Different Family Situations
Visiting with Babies and Toddlers
If you’re bringing very young children:
- Consider whether they’re truly ready for the experience
- Keep babies in carriers rather than letting them crawl on the ground
- Bring extra supplies for cleaning up
- Plan for shorter visits to avoid overtiring little ones
Children with Special Needs
For children with developmental delays or special needs:
- Practice safety rules extra thoroughly before visiting
- Consider visiting during less crowded times
- Communicate with staff about any special accommodations needed
- Plan for additional supervision if needed
Large Group Visits
If you’re organizing a group outing:
- Ensure adequate adult supervision ratios
- Brief all adults on safety rules beforehand
- Designate specific adults to monitor hand washing stations
- Plan coordinated bathroom and hand washing breaks
Seasonal Safety Considerations
Summer Visits
Summer visits are great fun, but remember that safety changes with the seasons – check out our guide to petting zoo visits year-round.
During hot weather:
- Bring extra water for your family (to drink in designated areas only)
- Plan visits for cooler parts of the day
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion in both children and animals
- Remember that animals may be more stressed in hot weather
Winter Considerations
Cold weather visits require:
- Extra attention to hand washing when wearing gloves
- Proper winter clothing that can still be easily washed
- Awareness that animals may behave differently in cold weather
Building Long-Term Safety Habits
Reinforcing Lessons at Home
After your petting zoo visit:
- Talk about what went well and any challenges
- Practice hand washing regularly at home
- Read books about animals and farm safety
- Discuss the experience and what they learned
Preparing for Future Visits
As children grow and mature:
- Gradually increase independence while maintaining safety awareness
- Let older children help teach younger siblings about safety rules
- Continue reinforcing the importance of hygiene around all animals
Conclusion: Safe Fun for the Whole Family
Petting zoos offer wonderful opportunities for families to connect with animals and nature.
By teaching your children these essential petting zoo safety rules and following proper hygiene practices, you can ensure that everyone has a safe, educational, and memorable experience.
Remember, the key to a successful petting zoo visit is preparation, supervision, and consistent adherence to safety guidelines.
The most important takeaway?
Hand washing is your family’s best defense against illness when visiting petting zoos.
Make it a non-negotiable rule, supervise young children closely, and don’t hesitate to speak up if you notice any safety concerns at the facility.
With these guidelines in mind, you’re ready to plan an amazing adventure – and for more context, explore the history of petting zoos and how they’ve evolved over time.
Have fun making those special memories – safely!
