Farm holidays in ... with petting zoo

Petting zoo on the farm: Animals to touch, every day

A petting zoo on a farm is quite different from an enclosure in a zoo. Here, the animals are part of the farm; they are cared for every day, and the children are right in the middle of it all, not just on the sidelines. There are no opening hours, no entrance fee, and someone is usually already in the barn before breakfast.

On 296 farms, such an area is permanently set up, with enclosures, runs, and animals accustomed to human contact. This is the difference to animals that simply live on the farm: In a petting zoo, they are accessible, trusting, and usually selected so that even small hands can handle them safely.

What animals await you

To give you an idea of ​​what to look forward to, we've counted all 296 farms on this page:

• Almost everywhere: 261 with cats , 248 with chickens , 246 with rabbits
• The large ones: 195 with cows , 116 with horses , 47 with cattle
• Children's favorites: 160 with ponies , 153 with goats , 110 with sheep , 104 with pigs
• At the pond and in the meadow: 87 with ducks , 38 with bees , 31 with fish , 24 with geese
• The special ones: 22 with alpacas , 18 with donkeys , 8 with red deer, 7 with llamas

In addition, there are 118 farms with a farm dog, which is usually the first one at the car door.

Zielinde on her own behalf

Goats live on 153 of these farms. Let me just say: good choice. We're curious, cheeky, and we eat anything that isn't put away in time. If your child stands by our fence for ten minutes, they're guaranteed to come back with a chewed-up sleeve.

And another thing that makes me proud: 36 of the 50 top farm awards for 2026 went to farms with petting zoos. Apparently, guests are happiest where there are animals to touch. I should have told you that.

Stroking is the start, helping is the best.

The enclosure is usually only for the first half hour. After that, children want to know what the animals eat, where the eggs come from, and whether they can carry the bucket themselves. These farms are designed precisely for that purpose.

Find a petting zoo nearby

Many people aren't looking for a holiday, but rather a destination for a Sunday afternoon. That works just as well here: Using the regional filters below, you can go directly to farms in your area, and you can find farms that specifically welcome day visitors under "Farms with Day Trips" .

A tip for your visit: Give them a quick call beforehand. On a working farm, the day's activities depend on the weather and barn chores, so you can easily find a time that's busiest. The farming families appreciate advance notice, as it allows them time to explain things.

Where the farms with petting zoos are located

The focus is on the Alpine region, in addition to many farms in Bavaria and the Allgäu, as well as a growing number in South Tyrol.

There is a separate overview of petting zoos for a total of 55 regions. If your desired region is not listed here, you can find it using the region selection above.

What else is on offer at these farms

A petting zoo rarely comes alone. The vast majority of these establishments are geared towards families, and the facilities reflect this:

• Play areas: 272 with playground , 191 with table tennis , 178 with trampoline, 146 with playroom , 91 with play barn in the hay
• Accommodation and dining: 261 with holiday apartment , 244 with own kitchen for self-catering , 117 with breakfast , 93 with farm shop
• Location and surroundings: 278 with hiking trail from the farm , 274 in a quiet location , 174 with swimming facilities
• Practical information: 140 with Wi-Fi , 120 with equipment for babies and toddlers , 109 with washing machine , 54 with accessible accommodation
• Organic farming and agriculture: 245 with animal husbandry , 116 as dairy farms , 103 in organic management

Frequently asked questions about the petting zoo at the farm

Find your farm with petting zoo now

Above you'll find all the farms with pictures, information on amenities, and guest reviews. Filter by region, animal type, or catering and contact the farming family directly; they'll reply personally. And if you're looking for even more activities for the kids, it's worth checking out the farms for families .