Kids love animals. If you are looking for the best animal encounters for kids, Florida is the place to visit. Sea World, Discovery Cove, Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens. Are looking for an exotic animal experience without the theme park feel? What about a one on one encounter or education on animal conservation? Look no further. This is a list of animal encounters for kids in Florida that you may not have heard of, but need to experience for yourself.
Florida Animal Encounters For Kids
Giraffe Ranch
Looking for an exotic animal experience in Florida? Look no further! Located in Dade City, Florida, Giraffe Ranch is home to multitude of animals to include giraffes, ostriches, zebras and even a rhino to name just a few. If you want to feed a giraffe, take a wildlife safari camel ride, or even tour the facility on a Segway, there is a tour for everyone.
“Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes in exotic species as well as domestic cattle. Learn about exotic animals from an expert guide from the comfort of a specially designed 4-wheel-drive vehicle, camel-back safari, Segway safari, llama trek, or even your own vehicle. Each type of safari offers a unique perspective. “
We did the camel safari as well as a a lemur feeding. It was a once of a lifetime experience that my family will never forget!
Myakka Elephant Ranch
If you want an up close look, interaction, and education on elephants, a visit to Myakka Elephant Ranch is a must do. They have three different experiences you can book. We did the Spa Experience where we assisted in washing two of the three elephants currently living at the Myakka Elephant Ranch. Afterwards, we received information on elephants and the ranch’s conservation efforts. Finally, we were able to take pictures and even give the elephants a pet and a hug.
This was truly an amazing experience. Money from this experience is used toward the upkeep of the ranch, feeding the elephants who eat 200 pounds of hay per day, but also money is donated to conservation efforts throughout the world.
Click here for more information on the Myakka Elephant Ranch.
Big Cat Habitat
The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary located in Sarasota, Florida is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 4:00 p.m. Opened in 1987, the sanctuary is home to many exotic animals to include big cats but also, goats, bears, different types of monkeys, camels, a bison, zebra, and many other animals. The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary became a non-profit organization (501 3c) in 2005. The cost of admission is $18 for adults and $8 for children. All active military and military veterans receive free admission. In addition to the cost of admission, bring cash. For an additional cost, you have the opportunity to feed a tiger or bear via a stick through fencing.
For information on our experience at Big Cat Habitat, click here.
Hunsader Farms
Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, Florida is an animal lovers utopia. This quaint farm allows guests, for the low cost of $5 per person, meet, pet, and feed many adorable animals. The animals range from traditional farm animals such as pigs, ponies, and cows to more unique animals such as porcupines, kangaroos, and a variety of birds.
Located on C.R. 675 in Bradenton, enter a tree lined trail and meander to a quaint red barn which houses a market selling produce, jams, honey, and bread. The cost to visit the petting zoo is $5. In addition, I recommend purchasing a cup of corn for $1 so you may feed the animals on a self guided tour of the petting zoo.
For more information on Hunsader Farms, click here.
Dolphins Plus Bayside
Located in Key Largo, Dolphins Plus Bayside is home to approximately four dolphins. Choose from one of the dolphins encounters offered at Dolphins Plus. The experiences include a dolphin dip, meeting a dolphin, or even painting with a dolphin.
We choose the Dolphin Dip. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I wished would have lasted a bit longer than it did. My estimate was the entire experience while in the water was about 30 minutes. Time flies when you are having fun!
For more information on our experience, click here.
Theater Of The Seas
According to their website, “Theater of the Sea lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. Our mission is to provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in up close and personal shows and interaction programs.“. Most of the animals we saw had been injured in the wild, and therefore were now residents of Theater of the Seas.
We started the day viewing the parrot show, followed by dolphins, sea lions, nurse sharks, alligators, as well as sea turtles. You can feed parrot fish. Bring or wear your swimsuit and snorkel in the lagoon.
You can book animal experiences to include swimming with the dolphins or even meeting the sea lions.
For more information on our trip to Islamorada, Florida, click here.
Two Tails Ranch
Two Tails Ranch is an elephant encounter located Williston, Florida. Home to eight elephants, Two Tails Ranch offers private guided tours where you will learn and interact with elephants like nowhere else. In addition to elephants, the ranch is also home to Grant Zebras , African Spurthighed Tortoises, Red Foot Tortoises, an Ostrich, Emu, and Camel.
Educational tours are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday by appointment only. They are $10 for children and $20 for adults. Additional add on like feeding and riding the elephants can also be purchased.
Wild Florida
Take a walk on the wild side at Wild Florida. Wild Florida has an animal park, airboat rides, and a drive-thru safari. Make sure to check their website and Facebook pages for deals. There is normally a great entry price for Florida residents. In addition to the animal park, you can book wild animal encounters. Some of the animal encounters offered include meeting a sloth, a gator, tamandua, or a lemur.
We enjoyed the wildlife park. You can feed bird and goats within the park. They have shows throughout the day in which you can get a close up look and pet different animals.
In summary
Many people are very against animal encounters citing cruelty to animals. My opinion is giving you children an up close view of animals leads to animal conservation. Without a personal connection to the animals, how will our children realize the importance of saving our planet? Many of the animals we have seen at these animal experiences all over Florida were orphaned, abused, or given up by their owners. Someone needed to take care of them. Many are close to becoming extinct and have been successfully bred in captivity.
This is a list of animal encounters for kids in Florida that you may not have heard of, but need to experience for yourself. I’d love to hear if you have been and experienced these locations with your kids? How did they love it? Did I miss one? Let me know in the comments!
About the Author:
Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.
Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).
Hi. I am Amy. I have Amma’s Ark petting farm
I charge 10$ admission and with appointment 5$ for a pony (horse) ride.
I have baby cows. Horse. Donkey, goats, pigs. Baby pigs, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
My farm is unique in that you can get in with everyone and pet them and feed them.
Other than the drive thru at wild adventures as far as animals go , my place is more worth it
People always tell me it’s worth the drive from Orlando.
Located in umatilla fl. 41602 n Babb rd