Spring means one thing (apart from Easter Eggs!) – and that’s cute baby animals!
We don’t have a petting zoo in Halifax, but there are plenty within an hour’s drive.
Here’s our list of where you will be sure to find sweet little animals, and maybe get to feed a lamb a bottle – or see one being born!
**PLEASE NOTE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, THESE ARE NOT SAFE ACTIVITIES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN**
The owners tell us they have little goats and a wallaby so far but are expecting baby alpacas later in the year! Although the animals are tucked up for winter, they will be back in the spring (the Easter holidays, weather permitting) and you can also enjoy ice cream, a new adventure playground, crazy golf and ride Charlotte’s Express. New for this year is an animal trailer – a bouncy ride around the fields in a mini tractor.
It’s free to see the animals and play, but there are charges for the rides.
With over 120 animals from reindeer to lemurs, you’ll be sure to find some little ones at Ponderosa Zoo. There’s an adventure playground, soft play, cafe and much more. Don’t forget a bucket and spade – the sandpit is fab!
We spent a happy afternoon gazing at lambs cuddling up to their mamas (and each other) here last year, and my kids played in the playground for HOURS. All the farmyard friends are classed as rare breeds and children under five are free. There’s a Farmyard Babies event between April 4-19, 2020 and while there are already teeny tiny Saddlebag piglets, more baby animals are expected soon!
Most of the lambs at Hesketh Farm are due at Easter, so you might even see a birth! Listen out for the bell, ringing to let you know the lambs are due a feed. You can even lend a hand! Other animals includes calves, piglets, goats, chicks and shetland ponies and there is plenty of play equipment both in and outside.
Apparently, there’s a high chance that you will witness a live lamb birth from the roundhouse if you visit during the Easter holidays. The shepherds are currently caring for more than 400 pregnant ewes and when the lambs are born you’ll be able to see bottle feeding demonstrations and meet the new arrivals. Lambing week is during April 14-19, 2020.
Head over during the Easter holidays to see some lovely new arrivals and lamb feeding. There’s a play area with a designated baby area too, one for older kids and some role play areas.
The lambs are due at Easter, but you can also see alpacas, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, donkeys and ducks. There is also a small playground, woodlands walks and a cafe.
It’s free to visit and walk around the outside animal area and you can visit pigs, rabbits and other animals inside the barn and buy animal feed in the farm shop. There’s also an indoor sandpit and small play area. Reopens April 4, 2020. There are already lambs ……..
*Check Facebook page for farm opening times and lambing details
There are baby animals being born every day at the moment, with chicks, kids, calves and lambs. You can meet the animals and help feed them with feed from the farm shop. There will be bottle feeding sessions too, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Do you have a favourite place to go and see baby animals? Let us know in Calderdale Mumbler Chat Group. Don’t forget to like and follow Calderdale Mumbler News Page for lots more local info and events!
