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Feed the giraffes at Turtle Back Zoo during seasonal spring, summer, and fall encounters. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Best New Jersey Animal Encounters for Kids

1. Turtleback Zoo – West Orange

The popular zoo offers pony rides, an opportunity to feed farm animals near the barn, a touch tank with sting rays and sharks, a walk-through aviary open from mid-May until late September and a butterfly tent that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But, perhaps, the best bet for an animal encounter is at the African Adventure section of the zoo. Bring cash and begin your visit here for a chance to hand-feed the giraffes. It is a wonderful experience the whole family will enjoy.

2. Adventure Aquarium – Camden

Voted one of the top-10 aquariums in the country, there are more than 15,000 creatures who call Camden's Adventure Aquarium home. There is a shark-specific touch tank, a stingray touching pool, and a touch tank with sea stars, snails, and anemones. For an additional price, you can train the sea turtles, feed the hippos, and even snorkel with sand tiger sharks.

3. Out of Sight Alpacas – Waretown

This unique alpaca farm offers the opportunity to take leashed alpacas on a walk across the grounds. These training hikes are offered from January through September, weather permitting, but it also offers educational and interactive farm tours year-round. Guests are allowed to touch all the animals including bunnies and piglets, and the farm provides free treats to feed the alpacas and emus.

RELATED: Family-Friendly NJ Alpaca Farms for a Cute and Cozy Day Trip

Meet bunnies and more furry friends during a visit to the interactive Brookhollow's Barnyard. Photo courtesy of the farm

4. Brookhollow’s Barnyard – Boonton

Open from May through October, this adorable farm is set up especially for younger kids to enjoy. It sells souvenir buckets of sliced carrots with a shovel to feed the animals, which include goats, horses, cows, pigs, and alpacas. There are also cute sheds with kid-friendly activities and themed playgrounds to enjoy.

5. SeaQuest – Woodbridge

This themed aquarium has several exhibits, including an Icelandic Fishing Village, the Great Wall of China, and the Amazon River. You can purchase tokens to hand-feed sharks, stingrays, iguanas, Bengal cats, and more. Guests can also enjoy premium interactions, such as meeting and feeding Asian otters named Chip and Dale, Flash the two-toed sloth, or flying squirrels. SeaQuest also offers a safari adventure where kids can get up close to mammals, feathered friends, and large reptiles. Visitors can also put their feet in the “fishy kisses” tank for a gentle exfoliation from toothless fish.

6. Allaire Community Farm – Wall

This small farm in Monmouth County allows guests to feed the chickens, goats, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, and a giant pig named Lily in outdoor pens. On the other side of the farm, there are more goats, ducks, horses, rabbits, and a turkey. Don’t forget to buy a bag of animal feed on your way in!

7. Cape May County Park & Zoo – Cape May

There is no admission fee at this zoo, which is open 364 days a year and features the impressive animals children clamor to see including a zebra, lion, giraffe, cheetah, camel, and snow leopard. For a fee, guests can enjoy six separate animal encounters with a two-toed sloth, capybara, giraffe, camel, tortoise, or pig.

8. Sitting Pretty Farm & Rescue – Pilesgrove

This quaint and affordable animal rescue is a hidden gem. The nonprofit organization rescues and rehabilitates suffering animals. For the small fee of $5, guests can visit horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, alpacas, and bunnies. It offers a bag of popcorn for the animals upon entry, but visitors can also bring their own sliced apples and carrots from home. For an additional $10, kids can enjoy a pony ride.

RELATED: Amazing Petting Zoos in New Jersey Where Kids Can Meet the Animals

Kids can touch sea stars, anemones, and other rockpool creatures in the Tiny Giants Touchpool at Sea Life Aquarium. Photo by Jody Mercier

9. Sea Life Aquarium – East Rutherford

Located inside the American Dream Mall, this aquarium features more than 3,000 creatures. Kids can touch sea stars, anemones, and other rockpool creatures in the Tiny Giants Touchpool and stroll through an underwater tunnel with sharks, tropical fish, stingrays, and more. A bonus: Visitors can purchase a discounted combo ticket that includes admission to the Legoland Discovery Center next door.

10. G&G Stables – Howell

Reservations are required for 45-minute tours at this family-owned farm. Guests are allowed to pet and feed all the animals on-site including pigs, goats, alpacas, and horses. The farm provides animal feed, but visitors are welcome to bring apples, carrots, bananas, lettuce, melons, berries, cucumbers, pears, and broccoli to offer the animals. It's cash-only, and guests can bring picnic blankets and food to enjoy on the grounds.