Benefits of a Petting Zoo

There are many benefits to your child or your children when you take them to a petting zoo for the first time. One of the first benefits is that your child or children can get to see the different kinds of animals first hand.

Many children like the ones who live in the cities do not get to see the kinds of animals that live in petting zoos. A zoo of this kind can have a variety of different animals that are usually hand raised and very gentle.

In a petting zoo, you will usually find baby animals like goats, chickens, burros, lammas, lambs, and often-small baby calves as well. These kinds of baby animals have usually been, orphaned for one reason or another and need a human to raise and care for them.

The people who raise the babies will pay for the care of the babies by charging a small fee for people to visit, pet and interact with the animals. The fee covers some for their coast for the milk supplements, feeds, and veterinarian bills the babies need.

Touching an animal is new and exciting to a child and you can watch as your child finds his or her favorite animal. One animal in particular at the petting zoo will fascinate your child. Touching the animals at the petting zoo is a benefit to your child as well. The animals have a different texture to their hair and skin.

The different textures will be a new experience to your child. You child will also gain knowledge of the different kinds of animals at the petting zoo. He or she will learn the difference between a baby burro, and a baby lamb. The two look similar when they are small however; they are totally, different species of animals.

One of the next benefits to your child is the zoo allows your child to hear the different sounds around him or her. The animals make quite different sounds. This will be unlike anything he or she has ever experienced.

A petting zoo is often, designed for small children and pre-teens to have a wonderful experience especially if your child lives in a city situation. The petting zoos give the parents the opportunity to expose their children to the animals and let the children have fun. The children can pet all the animals and feed the animals by hand as well. To a small child who has never seen these creatures before this is fun, new and exciting all at the same time.

Irsan's passion is to write on wide varieties of subjects. His latest writing is at coby dvd player [http://www.cobydvdplayer.net] which contains reviews on coby 7 portable DVD player [http://www.cobydvdplayer.net/coby-7-portable-dvd-player.html] and other information about dvd players.

Petting Zoo Birthday Parties

Hosting a petting zoo party for your child's birthday provides fabulous, fun entertainment that will keep even very young children mesmerized.

Few party activities are more fascinating to tiny tots-and older children-than petting and feeding gentle furry and feathered farm animals, says Melanie Pien, owner of Pied Piper Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, in Carmel, New York.

"Kids get to touch and pet a variety of different animals. They love the different feels of each one," says Pien, who has run the family business for 20 years, and whose company does between 600 and 700 parties a year.

Many adults love the animals as much as kids do, Pien notes. "Some people rent specific animals for the kids and other animals for the parents."

Pien recommends that for very young children, the petting zoo alone (without pony rides) is probably the best idea. Older children will more likely enjoy the pony rides and won't be frightened.

Other advice for parents considering a petting zoo for their kids' parties:

The best ages for petting zoo parties: Interestingly, Pien contends, age really isn't a factor. She points out that she recently did a party for 18-year-olds. "Parents sometimes have petting zoo parties expressly to introduce very young children to animals," she says. As a general rule, though, she advises, "Be sure your kids love animals before you decide to have such a party."


How long: An hour is usually perfect for a group of 20 kids, says Pien. However, some party-givers choose to increase the time by a half hour or an hour.


What to check before hiring any company: The most important factor is current USDA certification, Pien says. Having a license indicates that inspectors have reviewed all animal health care records and have visited the farm to review the living conditions and daily routine care given to the animals.


Insurance is essential: Be sure that the company has full liability coverage for both pony rides and the petting zoo. In addition, many companies offer more insurance options, such as allowing customers to become additional insureds or co-insureds for the day of the party.


Party safety: Keep all food, babies' pacifiers, kids' toys, and other personal belongings away from the area in which interaction with the animals will take place, says Pien.

Equally important, she notes, have running water, soap, and disposable towels available for thorough hand washing immediately after children touch the animals and before they continue with any other party activities. Adults should carefully supervise hand washing for all children-especially, those under age five.

If pony rides are part of the party fun, be sure that pony-ride staff will walk on the side of the pony, next to each child, with one arm on the child's back. Not only does this precaution help keep kids safe; it also makes little ones feel more secure.

Carole Jace is a writer for the popular site, CelebratewithStyle.com The site features advice on planning a party for family members and friends, as well as holiday, business, social, and fundraising events.

It offers ideas and advice from experts on food for parties, stylish decor, dress-up fashion, and beauty. It also provides great tips for kids' birthdays, teen events, and wedding-related festivities