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Exploring the Long Island Game Farm with Kids

The Long Island Game Farm is home to almost 150 animals in a natural environment. The nearly 27-acre park in Suffolk County houses native and exotic animals on its rustic grounds. The Novak family opened the zoo in 1970, and it remains family-run today. The staff has tirelessly continued the family's mission of protecting and teaching about animals for more than 50 years.

Excitement builds as the kids walk along the wooded path that leads to the entrance. Dress for the weather and bring your walking shoes to tour the all-outdoor experience. Strollers are welcome and help navigate the park with young kids. Note that seasonal changes can affect which animals and amenities are available, so visit the website for current offerings before planning your adventure to the Long Island Game Farm.

Kids love the up-close encounters and feeding opportunities that await during a visit to the Long Island Game Farm.

Must-See Animals at the Long Island Game Farm

The Petting Zoo

Just a few feet from the entrance, you are introduced to one of the sweetest experiences the Long Island Game Farm offers. The park's petting zoo is a big hit with kids, so prepare yourself for cuteness overload. Bottle-feeding the baby goats in the nursery tops my daughter's list of memorable moments from our visit. The friendly little goats gather around to be fed, petted, and even snuggled in your lap. Milk bottles are available for purchase. Of course, you may never get your kids to leave.

During our tour in early April, we learned new springtime baby animals will soon be born! More animal babies mean more cuddlers are needed in the nursery and children of all ages will fall in love with the petting zoo.

Admission to the Long Island Game Farm includes a cup of animal food through mid-May. We suggest you take yours and head to Bambiland where the family can walk with lovable deer and hand-feed them. Kids can also hand-feed donkeys, llamas, alpacas, and more animals as they tour the park. Another great interactive, not-to-be-missed activity is tube-feeding the bison. So, make sure to save some food because he’s hungry!

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Visitors to the Long Island Game Farm meet many exotic animals along the way.

Amazing Animal Encounters at the Long Island Game Farm

Zebras, wallabies, and emus, oh my! The animal encounters at the Long Island Game Farm truly transport families on a mini-safari without ever having to leave Long Island. My kids got up close and personal with animals they'd formerly only read about in books.

A huge highlight was hand-feeding the adorable wallabies. We couldn’t get enough of Irwin and Susie and the feeling seemed mutual. We could have stayed with them all day. The zebra couple, Zephyr and Thor, are true Long Island Game Farm superstars. Book a private tour and kids can pet the zebras and see squirrel monkeys at the indoor barn. And my little ones are still in complete awe after meeting the ring-tailed lemurs, Pebbles and Bam Bam.

We were also introduced to the park’s emu pair, Banana and Shelly. We loved seeing and learning about these magnificent creatures, which are Australia’s largest birds. Each incredible introduction makes kids feel like they are visiting another part of the animal world.

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Meet Nala, the rescued African serval cat, who lives at the Long Island game Farm. Photo courtesy of the venue

Learn About Animals from A to Z

The Long Island Game Farm teaches about wildlife and animal conservation. Kids learn how important it is to care for animals and how they can make a difference. One of the most majestic animals in the Long Island Game Farm family is Nala—a rescued African serval cat. The incredible staff is dedicated to rescuing, rehabbing, and rehoming animals. Many more incredible animals call this place home thanks to the passion and love for wildlife that begins with the owners and staff.

Educational classes are available, and there’s also a summer camp program at the Long Island Game Farm. A special Camp Zoo immerses young kids ages 4-13 in nature while teaching them about being a zookeeper.

Pony Rides and Playground Fun at the Long Island Game Farm

Seasonal pony rides begin in mid-May and are a family favorite. The Wild Play Park is a newer addition and a unique play space built using repurposed materials and natural elements. Kids can scale a rock wall, jump the tree stumps, and balance on the ropes. There’s also an antique-looking miniature train on the grounds for the kids to climb and sit on. Besides memorable photos with some furry friends, the Art on the Farm program has crafted vibrant murals around the park, which are perfect for an Instagram post.

Special Events and More Fun at the Long Island Game Farm

Long Island Game Farms offers special shows and events for some holidays. The park is planning a Mother’s Day discount and raffle for moms and an Extreme Raptor Show is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. The park also offers party packages to host a zoo-themed birthday for kids.

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Kids can hand-feed a furry, friendly wallaby during a visit to the Long Island Game Farm.

Know Before You Go to the Long Island Game Farm

• During April and May the Long Island Game Farm is open Thursdays through Sundays. It is open daily for spring break. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, it is open daily.
• Allow about a half-day for your visit. We spent about 3 hours exploring and would have stayed a bit longer, but it was a chilly day.
• Food on site includes a snack bar with kid-friendly options, though hours vary depending on season. You can also pack lunch and some snacks. There are plenty of picnic tables and benches to take a break and recharge.
• Do not feed the animals any “outside” food. Animal-safe food can be purchased at the park.
• Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance booth. Several options are available, including general admission tickets, animal-specific encounters, and season passes.
• VIP tours can be set up in advance year-round
• Children ages 2 and younger enter for FREE.
• There is ample free parking in the grass lot outside the park.
• The Long Island Game Farm is handicap and stroller accessible. The only areas not accessible are the Nursery and Bambiland due to the uneven terrain.
• Restrooms are located on-site.

Unless noted, all photos by author