When you think of petting zoo here in the Beaufort area, you may picture a local event that offers a section that is set up where all the kids reach through the fence to have a chance to pet a live animal.
But now, the Beaufort Barnyard & Petting Zoo is opening this weekend and it offers a hands-on family experience where children can pet, interact, and play with a variety of animals, without having to reach through that fence.
This one allows its young visitors to enter the enclosure and sit and play with the animals.
Local well known animal lover Nichole Bradley, owner of Sea Island Carriage Company on downtown’s Bay Street and the Savannah Carriage Tours in downtown Savannah, has taken her love of horses and other animals to a brand new level, opening up the petting zoo at her farm off of Burton Hill Road here in town.
The Beaufort Barnyard offers a variety of animals to play with including miniature horses, mini donkeys, pigs, Nigerian dwarf goats, a miniature mule, bunny rabbits and draft horses.
Oh, and it’s also home to the only unicorn that you’ll find here in Beaufort.
“It all started as a hobby,” Nichole said. “Then I decided that I wanted to share my love of animals with everyone, so, here we are.”
“Kids of all ages will get to enjoy the animals at the Beaufort Barnyard,” she added. “The big thing for the kids here at my farm is that they get to go inside the enclosure with the animals and interact with them, it’s much different than just petting them through a fence.”
“Petting zoos are great for kids because of the immense amount of sensory input. Almost all five senses are used in children who visit the petting zoo. Along with being an educational experience, it’s also memorable and fun, and that’s what we want; to give our visitors a fun and memorable time.”
Open by reservation only, the Beaufort Barnyard is offering its space and its animals for family outings, kids birthday parties, school, church and organization visits, kids youth groups, play dates and more; with plans in the works to also offer an event venue, on site pony rides and even a “traveling petting zoo” to bring the animals out to your setting for special events and kids parties.
The cost to visit is $12 per person, with children 2 and under admitted free. Group rates are also available. You can call 843-694-3363 for reservations and follow the Beaufort Barnyard & Petting Zoo on Facebook here.
