Many animals are waiting to meet you at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo courtesy of the park

Great Animal Farms and Petting Zoos in Northern Virginia

1. Leesburg Animal Park — Leesburg

Kids will love to feed and pet the roaming goats, sheep, llamas, and other farm animals at Leesburg Animal Park's great petting zoo. The fun doesn't stop there, though. Families can also enjoy live animal shows, take a wagon ride, and see exotic animals like camels, wallabies, and coatis. There are also indoor and outdoor playgrounds, pony rides (for a small fee), and an indoor Discovery Room with crafts and other hands-on activities.

2. Nova Wild — Reston

Get up close with various species such as bison, fallow deer, and llamas on a self-drive safari at this non-profit zoo. There are also many other reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, birds, and smaller mammals on display, from ring-tailed lemurs and red kangaroos to silvery cheeked hornbills and red foot tortoises. For a truly special experience, splurge on an up-close encounter with an anteater, capybara, or sloth.

3. Great Country Farms — Bluemont

This farm is known for its 15-acre play area that includes several mazes, jumping pillows, a ninja obstacle course, mini golf, slides, wooden play structures, and more. But it also has a barnyard area where families can feed goats and meet pot-bellied pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. 

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How many baby animals can you spot at Frying Pan Farm Park? Photo courtesy of the park

4. Frying Pan Farm Park — Herndon

Kids can hang out with horses, chickens, peacocks, rabbits, sheep, goats, cows and pigs at Kidwell Farm, Frying Pan Farm Park's recreation of a '30s working homestead. Wagon rides and farm tours are also available. Once they've had their fill of the farm, children can play on the playground and ride the 1920s carousel. Admission to the park and the farm are free, but the carousel costs a small fee.

5. Georges Mill Farm — Lovettsville

Make an appointment to visit this eighth-generation family farm that specializes in producing goat cheese, pastured pork, and eggs. Kids will love seeing the farm's resident goats, pigs, and chickens at any time, but the real fun happens in March and April. That's when families can purchase tickets to bottle feed and/or snuggle baby goats on weekends. Each ticket is good for one hour of time with the goats.

6. Hope & Serenity Farm Sanctuary — Nokesville

This non-profit animal sanctuary houses over 250 formerly neglected and abused farm animals. Families can make an appointment to tour the sanctuary for a donation of $20 per person, during which they can meet and feed alpacas, llamas, cows, pigs, sheep, and more. The farm offers a three-hour Junior Caretaker Experience for ages 6-12 each Monday (drop-off is allowed) and a three-hour preschool experience on Mondays and Thursdays that includes animal engagement, storytime, and more. 

7. Ever After Alpaca Farm — Broad Run

Visiting this unique farm, open from spring through fall, is by appointment only. Book a one-hour Alpaca Interaction Encounter online for $20 per person, during which you and your kids can hand feed, pet, play with, and feed the friendly and fluffy alpacas.

RELATED: 11 Best US Aquariums for Your Next Family Vacation

Go on safari at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Photo courtesy of the preserve

Great Animals Farms and Petting Zoos in Maryland

8. Catoctin Wildlife Preserve — Thurmont

This 50-acre park is home to hundreds of exotic animals including bears, monkeys, panthers, alligators, and more. There is also a butterfly garden and opportunities to pet and feed animals like deer, sheep, and alpacas. Families can also take a one-hour safari ride that allows them to interact with and feed zebras, bison, camels, antelope, and more. The preserve is open daily from late March/early April through the end of October.

9. Clark's Elioak Farm — Ellicott City

This farm is truly magical for young kids, with a fairy garden, an enchanted forest, storytimes, pony rides, train and wagon rides, and more. There's also a petting zoo with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other friendly farm animals. The farm is open early April through early November on Tuesdays through Sundays.

10. Old Maryland Farm — Upper Marlboro

Though this farm inside Watkins Regional Park is not a petting zoo, it's a great place for kids to learn about farm life in Maryland. Families can interact with agricultural exhibits and display gardens and see plenty of farm animals, including horses, pigs, chickens, llamas, and more. The farm also offers curriculum-based programs and other activities. Old Maryland Farm is open Tuesdays through Sundays. The best part is, it's free!

11. South Mountain Creamery — Middletown

This family-owned working farm is home to over 500 dairy cows and a whopping 16,000 chickens. Families can tour the entire farm (either guided or self-guided), including the Milking Barn, the Cow Barns, the Maternity Ward, and the Calf Barn. They can also watch the cows get milked each day from 1:30-3:30pm. And on weekends and school holidays, they can even bottle-feed baby cows! Stop by Karen's Kountry Store for fresh ice cream made on-site.

12. Green Meadows Petting Farm — Ijamsville

At Green Meadows Petting Farm, visitors can get hands-on and up close with more than 200 animals, including plenty of babies! Unlike at most petting zoos, the farm provides the food for free, so little ones can feed to their hearts' content. Other activities include pig races, hayrides, slides, a large play area, and more.