6 Places Where You Can Meet Baby Animals on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of Nalo Keiki Paniolo

Baby goats, mini piglets and lambs, oh my! Here are the petting zoos, parks and family-run farms on O‘ahu where keiki can meet and bond with animals.

Keiki & Plow

Photo: Courtesy of Keiki & Plow

Open Farm days at Keiki & Plow give keiki a chance to play on this family-run farm in Hawai‘i Kai. There’s a digging pit, mud kitchen, giant slide, pirate ship and more. The whole family can also visit the chickens, ducks, bunnies, goats and sheep. Plus, during Open Farm days, you can buy U-Pick Baskets and harvest whatever organically grown produce looks yummy!

• Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m.; June 20 to Aug. 4, Open Farm extends to Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. as well. Tickets required, walk-ins not accepted.
• $12 for adults, $10 for keiki, 2 and under are free
• Booking for private parties is available as well
• 587 Pakala St.
• (808) 499-4926
• keikiandplow.com, @keikiandplow

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Honolulu Zoo

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

The zoo is always a great go-to for an enriching animal experience! Aside from all the exhibits (and, of course, the ever-popular playground area), the hands-on activities, such as at the goat petting zoo, are not to be missed.

• $8 kama‘āina adults, $4 kama‘āina children 3 to 12 years old
• Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last guests are allowed in at 3 p.m.
• 151 Kapahulu Ave.
• (808) 926-3191
• honoluluzoo.org, @thehonoluluzoo

SEE ALSO:  We Tried It: Lawrence Lovestock 🐷

Lawrence Lovestock 

Photo: Maria Kanai

Lawrence Lovestock is a rescue petting farm in Kahalu‘u, a beautiful place that’s become a sanctuary for animals saved from slaughter and/or re-homed by their owners. Gather a group and pet and feed the farm and rescue animals! But don’t forget to bring your own fresh produce (overripe is preferred, so it’s a great way to get rid of your family’s waste). Keiki can give belly rubs to the pigs and interact with ducks, goats and more.

• Farm tours are available Saturdays and Sundays after 1 p.m., from $50 for up to 5 guests (keiki under 2 do not have to be included in the head count)
• 47-581 Mapele Place, Kāne‘ohe
• lawrencelovestock.com, @lawrencelovestock

Nalo Keiki Paniolo

Photo: Courtesy of Nalo Keiki Paniolo

This family-friendly ranch in Waimānalo offers rides on mini ponies, family rides and horseback riding lessons. And after you dismount, visit some of the adorable farm animals there. Lounge beneath the shade of the monkeypod trees with Kaia, the mini goat; Bo, Cotton and Peter, the trio of baby sheep; Mr. Pickles, the mini pig; a crew of bunnies; and newer to the farm, alpaca!

• Rides start at $50 for keiki ages 2 to 7 years old
• Reservations required; book your ride here.
• 41-631 Mokulama St., Waimānalo
• (808) 734-1098
• nalokeikipaniolo.com, @nalo.keiki.paniolo

Sea Life Park

Photo: Courtesy of Sea Life Park

This marine life park focuses on educational and interactive programs, offering up-close-and-personal encounters with your favorite sea creatures, including baby sea animals. Little hands can discover, touch and feed starfish, yellow tang and baby honu at the Discovery Reef Touch pool. Head to the Dolphin Lagoon to meet dolphins and wholphins (a hybrid of a false killer whale and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin). Pinkfong fans won’t want to miss observing the daily baby shark feedings at noon. Premium interactive experiences, like snorkeling in a special lagoon to meet curious rays, can be booked for an additional fee.

• $24.99 for kama‘āina general admission, $19.99 for kama‘āina junior admission (3-12 years old), free for keiki under 2 when purchased online
• Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 41-202 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, #7, Waimānalo
• (808) 259-2500
• sealifeparkhawaii.com, @sealifepark

Sweet Land Farm

Photo: Sweet Land Farms

A trip to this farmstead creamery in Waialua is about more than just delicious artisan cheese and goat milk products. It’s also about baby goats, each with its own personality! In fact, the farm celebrated the birth of its 1,000^th baby goat in 2022! Don’t leave without stocking up on delectable caramel, spreadable chèvre in flavors like green onion and sun-dried tomato and goat’s milk lotions and soaps. Read more about the background of the farm here.

• Open to the public Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no entrance fee). There are two tours at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on Saturdays. $17 for kama‘āina and military, $13 for kama‘āina and military keiki (3 to 11 years old), 2 and under are free.
• 65-1031 A Kaukonahua Road, Waialua
• sweetlandfarmhawaii.com, @sweetlandfarmhawaii