Preparing a Child With Special Needs to Visit the Petting Zoo

Spring is the time of year when many families venture out into the great outdoors and explore new things. Since Spring is associated with new baby animals many families opt to make a trip out to the local petting zoo. When it comes to families with Special Needs Children even a simple trip is one that takes careful planning. While some special needs children have dogs and or cats at home the sites and smells at a petting zoo could be overwhelming if not planned carefully. Goats don’t care if you are young or old big or small when they see a piece of clothing they want to eat they will help themselves even if it is on your body. While some children might laugh about the silly goat other will break down nd cry and for some special needs children that could just be too much to handle which means mom and dad need to become familiar with all of the animals at that petting zoo so they can create a plan to keep their children happy and safe.



A trip to the petting zoo is a day filled with fun and learning for every child, especially if they are not as familiar with farm animals. A child that has special needs can also enjoy a fun day at the petting zoo with family and friends with just a little more planning. The petting zoo is filled with plenty of new and different sights, sounds and sensory stimulation, as well as large crowds of children and adults. If your child has any type of special needs, there are several situations that can be a source of stress or anxiety if parents and children are not properly prepared for the day– so check out these tips to help everyone prepare.

Most child related venues are well aware of the needs of all of their guests, and try to make as many changes, improvements and adaptations as they possibly can to accommodate everyone. To begin preparing a child with special needs for a trip to the petting zoo your first step would be to contact the zoo directly to find out how they can help you before and during your visit. Speak with staff about their programming and how they can help meet the needs of your child and family. Unless you ask about specific resources, you cannot take advantage of them, and knowing about them ahead of time gives you a plan of action if your child begins experiencing any stress or discomfort.

Take the time to do a little homework before the trip to the petting zoo and explore the zoo as much as possible online or speaking with an aide. Really think about what aspects of the petting zoo your child will enjoy the most, and what new experiences they would be able to participate in the most. Find the section of the zoo that will catch your child’s attention the most and create a personal tour just for them, ask zoo staff for help filling in activities and things of interest you can introduce to your child before the trip. The zoo might already have guides that are created for children with sensory, sight and other special needs in mind.

Now that you have a good idea of what there is to see and how to help your child get the most out of a trip, begin building excitement. Stem any stress your child might have over the idea of a trip out and help them focus on the fun. Let your child get in on the planning and ask what they want to see and do. Help them create a list of animals and activities they are excited about and fill in the tour map with their choices. Find new ways to engage your child during and even after their trip to the petting zoo. Pull books, videos and recipes that use fresh dairy and eggs produced by the animals they will be meeting at the petting zoo. There is so much that can be learned from a trip like this and every child can have a great time too.