All The Best Animal Encounters For Kids in Austin
Animal Encounters For Kids in Austin
Austin, Texas, has some amazing opportunities for children to connect with the animal kingdom. From serene parks to unique wildlife encounters, there’s a host of places where kids can hang out, see, play with, and learn about fascinating creatures. Let’s embark on a wild journey through some of the best spots in Austin for unforgettable animal experiences. Here are all the best animal encounters for kids in Austin.
Austin Science & Nature Center
There are so many animals to visit at the free Austin Nature & Science Center. We love visiting and learning more about the rescued animals.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
This is our favorite farm! We love the pig races, giant petting zoo, and the pony rides. There is so much to do here, you can spend a whole day! Pack a picnic, because your kids won’t want to leave. They also have apple cannons, a zipline swing, duck races, 2 bounce pillows, slides, and so much more!
Sweet Eats is starting up their Baby Animal Days again beginning on February 26 thru March 25th. Times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., & 5 p.m. Admission is $19-24 and bottle feeding is $11-13/bottle.
Crowes Nest Farm
This is where my kid’s always have field trips. You can watch a cow get milked, check out the reptile/snake room, and take a hayride to visit all sorts of animals like ostriches and bison.
Purr-Fecto Cat Lounge
Love to pet cats, but aren’t ready for one to live at your house? This is the purrfect spot to get your cat-loving-fix! Reserve your spot on their website. Please note that the minimum age is 6 years.
Tiny Tails To You
This traveling mobile petting zoo visits BookPeople on the third Thursday of each month. They will also post other pop up events around town to their Instagram page, so check there. They have hedgehogs, bunnies, chicks, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, and more. Check their website to find out where they’ll be next!
Berry Springs Park and Preserve (Georgetown)
Nestled in nearby Georgetown, Berry Springs Park and Preserve is a haven for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts alike. Kids can explore scenic trails and encounter local wildlife such as birds, turtles, and deer. The park’s serene atmosphere provides an excellent backdrop for families to enjoy a picnic while appreciating the natural beauty that surrounds them.
Aquadome
For a unique aquatic experience, visit the Aquadome in Austin. This indoor aquarium features a mesmerizing array of marine life, from colorful fish to exotic sea creatures. Kids can marvel at the vibrant underwater world and even participate in interactive exhibits that allow them to touch and learn about different aquatic species.
Zookeeper Exotic Pets
Zookeeper Exotics is a pet store in North Austin that is perfect for creature-loving kids. You will see spiders, snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, gerbils, rabbits, and even a sloth! The best part is that it’s free and will most likely keep your kids entertained for a while. My son loved seeing all the lizards, but my favorite part was when the sloth woke up and scratched himself.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Bass Pro Shops, located in Round Rock, isn’t just a destination for outdoor gear; it’s also a haven for young animal enthusiasts. The store features large aquariums teeming with fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, the wildlife displays throughout the store showcase lifelike representations of local animals, providing an educational and immersive experience for kids. If you live south, try checking out Cabela’s in Buda!
Gallery of Pets
Gallery of Pets in Austin is a family-friendly pet store that offers more than just supplies. Kids can enjoy seeing and interacting with various small animals, including fish, birds, and small mammals. The store’s knowledgeable staff often organizes educational events, making it an engaging destination for families seeking a pet-centric outing.
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve is not just a botanical wonder; it’s also home to a resident peafowl flock. Kids can marvel at the vibrant and graceful peacocks that freely roam the grounds. The park’s peaceful environment and historical cottage add to the charm of this unique animal-friendly destination.
The Natural Gardener
This gorgeous plant nursery also has chickens and goats you can visit! I’m pretty sure my boys liked these goats so much because they reminded them of themselves- haha.
Jester King
We love this brewery with a sprawling outdoor space, playground, and of course the goats!
The Shady Llama
You can pet and feed the llamas at The Shady Llama in Wimberley. It’s also a beautiful beer garden with a shady patio, yard games, and food trucks.
Austin Zoo
No animal adventure in Austin would be complete without a visit to the Austin Zoo. This rescue zoo provides a home for a variety of animals, including lions, bears, monkeys, and reptiles. Kids can participate in educational programs, feed certain animals, and witness live demonstrations. The Austin Zoo is not just a place to see animals; it’s a place to learn about conservation and wildlife advocacy.
The Austin Zoo is beginning a program soon called Zoo Tots. This is a one hour program for toddlers that includes story time, crafts, and animal encounters. Dates are January 26 and February 23rd at 10 a.m. $25
They also have a program for families called Family Nature Experience which includes a one hour session on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m. It’s $25/person and you can tour special parts of the zoo, meet the animals, and create animal enrichment with a zoo educator.
Pioneer Farms
This historic Texas farmstead offers classes for kids to meet and learn more about animals, like their Barnyard Buddies program. On this special hands-on farm tour, kids will have a chance to get up close and personal with farm animals like chickens, cows, donkeys, and horses. Check their website for dates and registration.
Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
The train ride through Wildlife Park allows kids to feed, pet, and interact with many native Texas animals.
Indian Springs Ranch
You have to book a private tour to visit the animals here, unless you come in the fall for their adorable pumpkin patch. They have a camel, zebras, horses, kangaroo, peacock, bison, and more! Tours are $100 for 4 people and are one hour long.
Exotic Resort Zoo
We visited this drive-thru safari last May and had the best time! Read all about our experience and tips here.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
Meet some unique animals like a porcupine, alligator, otter, fox, snakes, birds, leopard, camel, zebra, wold, jaguar, mountain lion, bison, monkey, and many more!
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
We went to this drive-thru safari back in 2016 and have been dying to go back. It was one of the most hilarious experiences- like the kind you see on AFV! We loved being able to drive our own car through the park and feed the animals, plus visit the petting zoo and the giraffes.
Goat Shenanigans
Check their website for tickets and for where to find their latest events where you can meet with and cuddle their goats!
Austin Farm Sanctuary
Book a private in-person tour where you get to meet the animal residents, hear their history and learn fun/unique facts about them and other farm animals.
Safe in Austin
A judgement free space for children and animals that come from abuse or have special needs to visit and feel Safe! Their animal partners provide healing and hope to trauma, at-risk, and/or special needs children, by sharing kindness and unconditional love. Check their website for volunteer opportunities, public days, or schedule a private visit.
Dinosaur Park
While these animals are not alive, this is an epic spot for all dinosaur-loving kids in your household! There’s a 1/4 mile trail that filled with life-size dinosaur replicas and many more things for kids to do. Read all about it here!
Bonus Temporary Animal Experiences
Sharks at The Bullock Museum
The Sharks Exhibit at the Bullock Museum is on display through March 24, 2024. See the sharks while you can!
Rodeo Austin
Rodeo Austin comes to town every March, and there are animals galore! Pig races, petting zoo, pony rides, dairy cow milking show, turkey races, and livestock shows are just to name a few! The rodeo will be in town March 8-23, 2024.
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