Green Meadows Petting Farm

If you live in the DC area and have young children, a trip to Green Meadows Petting Farm is in order.  Yesterday, the girls went with their dad and had a very full day petting goats and kids, pigs and piglets, cows and calves, turkeys and chicks and much much more.  Everyone had a chance to milk a cow and take a hay ride.  It was the most interactive petting farm we've seen yet, and the number and variety of animals so far exceed the agricultural fair, which had been a family favorite for years.  It will take a lot more, though, to top this experience.  From llamas to kangaroos and zebras to buffalo and a red tailed deer, the girls and their father were able to get up close to animals and really appreciate them.

Families with small children who are unable to walk long distances will want to bring some sort of large-wheeled stroller or carrier, since the farm is spread across quite a few acres and there is much walking involved.  You would do well to be prepared with ample fluid (especially during the hot July afternoons), and food.  Bring plenty of hand sanitizer, too.  There are places to wash hands, but for little ones, you may want to make sure you follow up with antibacterial gel as you walk from barn to barn.

Still, these are small considerations against the backdrop of big smiles and hands-on experience with all kinds of animals who are usually on a "look but don't touch" basis.  Milking cows was the biggest challenge, but it was the 4 year old who had the most success at it!

To get the most out of your trip, try showing your children the photos of animals at the farm in advance and get a sense of what interests them most.  Be sure to hook up with a tour, as they tour guides will do the best they can to help your children understand and appreciate the animals.  Books about farms and farm animals will go a long way before and after the trip.  Be sure to bring a camera, as there are many great opportunities for photos.