Kids, generally speaking, love animals. After all, animals are cute, interesting, stinky, and all kinds of awesome adjectives that children value. Parents tend to love animals for the same reasons, but we are also able to make said fascination into a wonderful learning experience, because that’s what parents do. (We can’t help ourselves.) An appreciation for animals allows for greater empathy, expanding awareness and encouraging imagination while initiating conversations about the environment, biology and tons of awe-inspiring scientific knowledge.
The greater Los Angeles area offers a number of family friendly opportunities to learn about and share the love of farm animals and wildlife. Here are some of our favorites:
Where: 15825 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA
The Gentle Barn is one of our favorite places to visit on a Sunday (the only day it is open to the public). Located in Santa Clarita, it is a sanctuary for neglected animals as well as an amazing hands-on experience for children who are at-risk and those with special needs. The highlight of any trip to The Gentle Barn might be a cow hug, but here’s something you may not know—turkeys like hugs, too. We also love buying bags of carrots to feed the many horses on property, but not nearly as much as the horses do!
Insider tip: Visitors are asked for a $10 donation to enter and there is a short presentation about the benefits of a plant-based diet, but it isn’t preachy (and it’s true, which makes it a bit easier to digest, pun intended).
2. Danny’s Farm
Where: 9889 Helen Avenue, Shadow Hills, CA
Danny’s Farm was founded by former Los Angeles Dodger Pitcher Jim Gott and his wife Cathy in Pomona to honor their son Danny, who is diagnosed with Autism, and his affinity for animals. Their tagline says it all: Special animals for special kids. Not only does the petting farm offer a safe social environment for children and adults with autism and other developmental challenges, but they also provide incredible employment opportunities and mentoring for adults with developmental disabilities.
Insider tip: The petting farm is only open to the public on certain Saturdays, so check before you go!
Where: 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, Acton, CA
Farm Sanctuary is exactly what it sounds like, meaning they provide lifelong care to rescued farm animals. Open to the public on Sundays, the Farm Sanctuary is located on 26-acres and houses approximately 100 animals. Farm Sanctuary has curated years of experience and information regarding species-specific animal care and makes it available to the public. In addition, they also coordinated the Farm Animal Adoption Network which allows members to adopt and care for animals on their own property. Needless to say, this isn’t a fancy souvenir, and there are a few steps involved in the process (and if your current living situation doesn’t allow for the adoption of a cow there are plenty of places in L.A. that would you to save a cat or dog and they’re cute, too.)
Insider tip: Group tours are available at 11am, 1 and 3pm on Sunday. Adults are $10, children (ages 3-12) are $5, and children under 3 are free.
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Where: 19100 Esguerra Rd, Santa Clarita, CA
The Gibbon Conservation Center is located in Santa Clarita, and it is an amazing place. It is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to noon. (It’s $15 for adults and $5 for children ages six to 12; kids five and under are free). The GCC does all kinds of good for gibbons and provides consulting for zoos, museums, and government agencies. They rescue gibbons from Asia and is the only institution in the world to breed all four genera of the species. One of our favorite things about the GCC is that it offers extensive volunteer opportunities, and who doesn’t want to work with gibbons?
Insider tip: There is a picnic area available for guest usage, but please keep in mind that gibbons can catch all kinds of yuckies from humans, so if you are ill please postpone your visit.
Where: 10101 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA
The STAR Eco Station in Culver City is all about “preservation through education” and offers tours on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm. (Prices range from $6 to $8 per person; infants are free). Visitors are able to experience lessons in ecology and environmentalism via hands-on encounters with all kinds of exotic rescued wildlife. Yes, there may be touching!
Insider tip: Throughout the year they offer fun events for the whole family, so make sure to sign up for their e-newsletter to stay in the know!
Where: 16027 Yarnell Street, Sylmar, CA
The Wildlife Learning Center is wonderful for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is the rare animal sanctuary that is open to the public seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. (Admission ranges from $6 to $7 per person; children two and under are free.) Guests are able to walk the grounds and meet 50 different species of animals from all around the world. The WLC works hard to battle “Nature Deficit Disorder” which they attribute to kids and their dependency/addiction to technology, but if we’re honest it’s a lot of grown-ups, too (ironically, their website offers interactive fun the whole family will love).
Insider tip: WLC does a lot of work with the entertainment business to make sure that animals receive the best care possible, but it is also the home of a celebrity, Zeus, the famous blind owl with stars in his eyes—his habitat is viewable from the gift shop.
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Photo credits: Michael Freund (2), The Gentle Barn, Danny’s Farm, STAR Eco Station
