Edmonton and its surrounding regions offer families wonderful opportunities to interact with animals, from traditional zoos to farms where children can touch and feed farm animals. Whether parents are looking for an educational experience at a large zoo or want their children to enjoy the agricultural atmosphere of a family farm, the Edmonton region offers a variety of options that provide unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of the world of animals and nature.
Edmonton Valley Zoo – An Intimate and Educational Experience
Edmonton's Valley Zoo (also known as Valley Zoo), located in the heart of Edmonton's river valley in Wilf LaRoche Park at 13315 Buena Vista Road, is one of the city's most famous and beloved family destinations. The zoo opened on July 1, 1959, as a replacement for the previous Borden Park Zoo, which was demolished to make way for the expansion of Northlands Park. Today, the zoo is home to more than 250 animals representing over 100 different species, both exotic and local.
Unlike most large zoos around the world, Edmonton's Valley Zoo is distinguished by its intimacy and proximity to visitors. The zoo maintains a strong focus on conservation, nature preservation, and education, supporting Species Survival Plans (SSP) for five species: Grevy's Zebras, Amur Tigers, Goeldi Monkeys, Snow Leopards, and Red Pandas. In 2008, the zoo team joined the Year of the Frog initiative to prevent the extinction of frogs, and also works in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society on projects in Madagascar to save lemurs.
The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Christmas (364 days a year), and is currently accredited by Canadian Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, being one of only three accredited zoos in Alberta. Admission tickets can be booked online to guarantee entry and avoid queuing, or visitors can arrive without a reservation and pay for admission at the ticket office.
Exhibits and Experiences at Edmonton's Valley Zoo
The Inner Zoo is the original area of Storyland Zoo, which was built in 1952 and expanded in 1959. This area includes emus, cockatoos, skunks, keas, and black swans, which can be seen during the summer months. The area has the charm of an old-fashioned amusement park with original structures from the 1950s.
The Makira Outpost is a huge, simple, and beautiful enclosure for the zoo's lemurs. The spacious park has an open island area with trees for climbing and an indoor enclosure with plenty of natural light and space to move around. This park is home to ring-tailed lemurs, red lemurs, lemur mongooses, and African spurred tortoises.
Nature's Wild Backyard began its first phase in 2019 with a focus on the Red Pandas exhibit, which has become a star attraction. Adjacent to the park is a children's park that allows children and adults to get a closer look at the pandas in their enclosures. The park also includes a spray park for cooling off on hot days, carousels, and a mini steam train for rides. Urban Farm is home to numerous domestic animals, including Juliana pigs, chickens, ponies, Baby Doll sheep, and rabbits, where children can interact with the animals and learn about agricultural processes. Urban Farm includes a restaurant, ice cream shop, and big plans for additional exhibits.
The Back Paddocks are home to the zoo's larger livestock and hoofed animals, including Bactrian camels, reindeer, guanacos, and Sichuan takins. These animals can often be seen roaming around the large territory, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors.
The Birds of Prey Exhibit includes bald eagles, snowy owls, and peregrine falcons. These “non-release” predators are often used in educational programs where visitors can learn about the roles these birds play in the ecosystem.
Carnivore Alley is home to most of the zoo's carnivores, including red foxes, Amur tigers, Arctic wolves, snow leopards, African serval cats, and Canadian lynx. The Elephant House is home to Lucy, an Asian female elephant who was orphaned in Sri Lanka and arrived at the zoo in 1977 at the age of two.
The Saito Centre is home to the zoo's more fragile animals and is the winter home for primates. The night wing, reptiles, and froggery also live in the center. Here you can see green and black poison dart frogs, painted poison dart frogs, Himalayan rock snakes, and crested geckos.
R. Mollot Arctic Wolf Habitat opened in April 2025, marking a significant advancement in the zoo's overall animal and conservation education. This expanded park covers 5,000 square meters (1.24 acres) and is the largest of its kind in Alberta. The park includes a climate-controlled indoor area with heating and air conditioning for the wolves' comfort throughout the year, as well as an outdoor environment with native plants, large rocks, stumps, a pond with a waterfall, and an underground den. The park is home to three Arctic wolves: Tundra, a long-time resident of the zoo, and two females, Aspen and Anuri, who arrived from France in February 2024.
Additional attractions and opportunities at Edmonton Valley Zoo
The zoo offers live interactive animal shows throughout the day, where visitors can learn firsthand about the behavior and characteristics of different species. Miniature trains run throughout the park, providing a convenient way for parents with older children or people with limited mobility to explore the entire complex.
The Conservation Carousel is a giant carousel where each animal represents an endangered species that the zoo cares for. All proceeds go to conservation programs supported by Edmonton Valley Zoo. Riders must be less than 50 inches (127 cm) tall.
Zoo School gives schoolchildren the opportunity to meet the animals and become zoologists for a day on a wonderful experiential expedition. Zoo Lights is an annual nighttime event featuring hundreds of colorful lights that identify animals throughout the park, transforming the typical zoo experience into a magical nighttime journey.
Meltwater Play is an interactive playground at the zoo that allows children to enjoy water games during their visit. For parents who need a break, there are numerous seating areas and shaded areas throughout the zoo.
Admission tickets vary: adults cost around $20, children (2–14) around $15, and children under 2 are free. Zoo membership offers unlimited visits and numerous benefits for frequent visitors.
Farms and petting zoos in Edmonton and the surrounding area
Urban Farm at Edmonton Valley Zoo is located right inside Edmonton Valley Zoo, offering the opportunity to touch, feed, and interact with farm animals as part of the larger zoo experience. Parents report that children especially love the opportunity to brush cows and learn about milking. The park also has an incubation area with a visible incubator where you can watch chicks hatch, and visitors can return again and again to watch the little ones grow.
Marine Life at West Edmonton Mall is an underground aquarium, home to over 100 different species of aquatic creatures. They have a special touch tank where visitors can gently touch starfish, sea cucumbers, anemones, and sea urchins. The educational program explains in detail the unique characteristics of these aquatic animals.
Ottewell Farm at Fort Edmonton Park, located in Fort Edmonton Park on 143rd Street, offers a walk back in time with encounters with cute animals. At Ottewell Farm, you can meet a variety of large and small animals and learn about life in 1885. Although the park is currently undergoing renovations, be sure to add this place to your list for future visits.
Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm, located 25 minutes north of Edmonton in Bon Accord (56311 Lily Lake Road), is a working family farm on 35 acres. Parents bring their children to the farm to meet pygmy goats and other farm animals at the petting farm. Children can often feed the animals snacks, which is a favorite activity for many. The farm also has a garden center, greenhouses, seasonal U-Pick fruit, and a corn maze. In addition to the animals, the farm offers numerous attractions for children, including a gem mine, corn and sunflower mazes, puppet shows, trains, ball mazes, tire tossing, and playgrounds. Attractions are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. starting June 25, and tickets MUST be purchased in advance online.
Happy Acres U-Pick, located at 52225 RR 273 in Spruce Grove, not only has U-Pick fields with fruits and vegetables, but also a wonderful selection of animals, many of which roam freely on the farm. Visitors can say “hello” and maybe give a snack to cows, miniature horses, chickens, goats, quails, and even peacocks. This is the best place for children who want to enjoy the farm on an interactive level.
Edmonton Corn Maze, located at 26171 Garden Valley Road in Spruce Grove, is famous for its huge maze, but it also has a petting zoo! After completing the maze, families can complete the agricultural experience with goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, and other animals. Please note that Edmonton Corn Maze does not open until July.
Mobile petting zoos for special events
Thistle Hill Farm & Petting Zoo, established in 1994, is one of Edmonton's oldest petting zoos. Their experienced operators bring their beloved animals to your event or home. Visitors can meet miniature Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, Dorper cross sheep, precious birds, and popular rabbits. It's suitable for all ages, and they are happy to customize your experience.
Wainstay Ranch rescues animals and provides them with a “fur-ever” home—and they want you to be a part of it. They are a mobile petting zoo that brings these rescued creatures, such as pigs, alpacas, ducks, chickens, sheep, rabbits, and miniature donkeys, right to you. If requested, miniature horses can even come as “unicorns!”
Zoo 2 U is another mobile petting zoo, but they don't bring the usual farm animals. Add excitement with an exotic twist. Their family of animals includes hedgehogs, a bearded dragon, an African tortoise, and even a 4-foot ball python.
Other farm offerings in the Edmonton area
K3 Corn Maze & Family Farm, located in Tofield (19409 TWP 512), has summer hours in July and August from Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farm offers a corn maze and family attractions.
Sassy G's Adventure Farm, located in Spruce Grove (51009c Range Road 273), offers a bit of everything with a viewing zoo, children's play areas for toddlers, jumping pillows, obstacle courses, and throwing games. There is also a water gun park and nerf gun park for an additional fee. You can save on admission and guarantee your spot by booking online.
Halfmoon Farm, located in Sherwood Park (52161 Range Road 220), offers personalized, interactive guided animal tours. Expect to see and touch horses, cows, dogs, cats, goats, lambs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and reptiles! Tours are by appointment only starting in May 2025. Tour prices start at $50 per family with additional options such as horseback riding and farm eggs.
Jon's Funny Farm near Westlock has HUNDREDS of animals from 25+ different species on this family-owned farm. Tours can be booked via Facebook messages only from Thursday to Monday at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. Plan for your tour to last about 2.5 hours to see all the creatures, enjoy a leisurely wagon ride, and take great photos! The cost is $20 per person and must be prepaid within 24 hours to confirm your tour appointment.
FARRM – Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement, located in Wetaskiwin, offers tours on limited dates, such as June 29 and July 19, 2025. Come meet the feathered and furry creatures that call this animal rescue home. During your tour, you will learn more about their stories, see their quirks, and get a glimpse of their personalities. Space on the tour is limited, and each tour accommodates only 30 people. The cost is $20+fees per adult, $5+fees for ages 5 and up, and free for children 4 and under.
Conclusion
Edmonton and its surrounding regions truly offer families wonderful opportunities to interact with animals. From the Edmonton Valley Zoo with its intimate atmosphere and numerous educational programs to the network of farms where children can touch and feed farm animals, the region has something for everyone. Whether parents are looking to develop their children's conservation awareness through the zoo or want them to enjoy an agricultural experience on a farm, the options in Edmonton and its surrounding area ensure that families will create lasting memories interacting with animals. With affordable prices, convenient locations, and a wide selection of year-round attractions, the Edmonton region is truly a paradise for children and adults who love animals.