Activities With Animals

Kids who live in the city (or the suburbs) don’t get enough interaction with animals. Fortunately if you have a young animal lover in your home, there are opportunities for them to get up close with lots of animals.

Kids and animals belong together. Learning about and interacting with animals helps kids interact with people. It encourages empathy, kindness and leadership. The hard work that’s usually involved in dealing with animals gives kids a sense of accomplishment. And animals always provide a boost to a kid’s self esteem.

Whether it’s horseback riding, ocean conservation or dog training, animals are good for kids.

Animals, especially large animals like horses, require space. If you live in the city, you probably don’t come across a lot of animals on a daily basis. All the more reason to search out these experiences for your kids.

Fortunately San Diego has a lot of open spaces and kids farms not to far from the city. Horseback Riding classes, lessons and camps are available at a ranch near you. There are zoos, small and large, with great childrens’ programs. And our proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes interaction with sea animals a natural.

Horseback riding is very popular among kids. The smallest children love to ride ponies. As kids get older, they can learn to give direction to horses. Of course horses need a lot of care too, and most horseback riding programs include feeding, grooming and taking care of tack. Some horseback riding summer camps include other activities, like arts and crafts, while some focus exclusively on horses and other farm animals.

Whatever activity you choose, your child will have fun and learn a lot.

Farm Animals

Local petting zoos have farm animals that your kids can touch and hold, like rabbits, goats, chickens, sheep and pigs. Many of them offer pony rides, which are often less scary for little kids than riding a large horse. If you’re planning a birthday party or other group event, there are mobile petting zoo that will bring the animals to you!

Zoo Animals and Exotic Animals

Exotic animals don’t have to be dangerous, just unusual. Reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, large birds and even mammals that we don’t usually see in a pet store qualify as exotic to kids.