Farms with Petting Zoos Near Chicago

1. Royal Oak Farm & Orchard - Harvard, IL

Open during fall apple season

Royal Oak Farm and Orchard is home to acres of amazing apples in the late summer and fall months. In addition to the tasty apples, you’ll find a working farm and children’s petting zoo. You’ll find pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and more. There is also an impressive children’s play area with wooden structures for kids to climb and play on for free during your visit. The petting zoo is also free for everyone to enjoy, with quarter machines for animal feed.

2. Farmers Rising—Caledonia, IL

Programs run year round

Your aspiring farmer or animal lovers will love the immersive experience at Farmers Rising (formerly known as the Angelic Organics Farm and Learning Center). Not only can kids visit with animals, but they can also take part in day classes, camps, and interactive events that teach animal care and life on the farm. This farm experience is so much more than a petting zoo. 

 
Enjoy Pioneer Farm is a farm with a petting zoo near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm, Facebook

3. Enjoy Pioneer Farm—Hampshire, IL

Open weekends in March, April and May

At Enjoy Pioneer Farm you can snuggle and hold baby lambs and baby goats. You can rent a baby chick or duck to take home, and you can also bottle feed a baby calf or goat, and watch as professionals shear a sheep. Guests are encouraged to relax on the farm and take in the adorable animals. 

4. Goebbert’s Farm—South Barrington, IL 

Fall Festival with petting zoo open in September and October

During the fall months, the petting zoo at Goebbert’s Farm is one of the biggest. With baby goats, piglets, cows, and sheep, there is a wide variety of animals to see and feed. You may even find a giraffe or other exotic animals during the fall festival. 

5. Blackberry Farm—Aurora, IL

Barn open May through October

Blackberry Farm is a magical place for kids and adults of all ages. With playgrounds, a train, and fun play structures, there’s something for everyone to do and play with. The farm recreates pioneer life, showing how animals were cared for, fed, and given a home on the farm. Their Discovery Barn is open May-October and features smaller farm animals to visit and feed.

6. The Children's Farm at The Center—Palos Park

Open March through November 

Visit during open farm hours to interact with a variety of farm animals at this southwest suburban center. Guests can ride a hayrack from the parking lot to the farm, where they can feed and groom chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies and donkeys. Check The Center's website to find out about special events like sheep shearing and art and yoga classes.

7. Lambs Farm—Libertyville

Open spring through fall

This amazing non-profit provides jobs for adults with developmental disabilities. One of the jobs is working in the farmyard, which includes more than 300 animals, including many who are rescues. Visitors can pet and feed goats, sheep, rabbits, and more. Support the organization by buying goodies from its cafe or a custom painting of your pet.

Zoos with Petting Zoos Near Chicago

 
The Farm in the Zoo, part of Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo

8. Lincoln Park Zoo—Chicago, IL

Open year round

The Farm in the Zoo is one of the coolest features for children at the Lincoln Park Zoo. You’ll find the main barn open for playing, and an outdoor yard with cows, pigs, goats, and ponies. Kids are welcome to see, hear, and touch real farm animals at the zoo while learning about how the farm works and what goes into keeping a farm running. One of the best things about Lincoln Park Zoo? It is completely free.

 
Feed an animal at Cosley Zoo near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Cosley Zoo in Wheaton

9. Cosley Zoo—Wheaton, IL

Open year round

Cosley Zoo is a great alternative to the larger zoos in Chicago when you’re just looking for a fun morning or afternoon of animal play. You’ll find up-close and interactive experiences with goats, cows, horses, alpacas, and more. Visit their barn to feed an animal and see them close up. 

10. Miller Park Zoo—Bloomington, IL

Open year round

Miller Park Zoo features a children’s zoo where kids can have up-close experiences with farm animals. See a wide variety of adorable animals and enjoy an immersive animal experience. You can play, interact, and learn with animals.

Animal Encounters Near Chicago

11. Racine Zoological Gardens—Racine, WI

Barnyard Safari open April through September

The Barnyard Safari at the Racine Zoo has unique animal encounters near Chicago unlike any other. From late April through September, you can take an immersive barnyard safari with domestic animals from around the world. You’ll find sheep, pigs, llamas, dwarf goats, and alpacas, to name a few. 

12. Safari Lake Geneva—Lake Geneva, WI

Open April through October

Safari Lake Geneva offers an animal safari experience right over the Wisconsin border. Open April through October, you and your family can see exotic animals from your car. You may find a giraffe coming to your car window or a zebra popping in to say hello, You can also feed certain animals for even more up-close animal fun. 

Cuddle an alpaca at Magic Meadows. Photo courtesy of Magic Meadows Alpacas

13. Magic Meadows Alpacas - Wonder Lake, IL

Open by appointment only

If you’ve ever dreamed of cuddling up to a soft and fuzzy alpaca, Magic Meadows Alpacas is the place. Located a short drive from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and about two hours from Chicago, you’ll find a family-owned alpaca farm that gives you a private alpaca experience just for your group or family. Private tours are booked from May through the fall. 

14. 9 Acres Equestrian Center - Palos Park, IL

If you’re looking for an animal encounter near Chicago, 9 Acres Equestrian Center is an amazing place for horse lovers. You can take trail rides, schedule a riding lesson, and attend summer camp. Group riding lessons are available for kids ages seven and up, and kids ages four to six can take a lesson with an individual instructor. 

15. Double J Riding Club - Countryside, IL

Open year round

Riding horses is just part of the fun at this club in the western suburbs. Kids can meet more than 50 animals, from African bullfrogs to Zebu cows at early childhood education programs, field trips, scout trips, or birthday parties at Double J Riding Club. Kids can learn about animal care and habitats with special programs for any over the age of 1.