Get ready for a hands‑on, animal‑filled experience that’s perfect for families and learners of all ages! The Golden Ridge Petting Zoo invites children and adults to enjoy a fun, interactive day with a variety of friendly animals.

This event brings the petting zoo experience to life, offering visitors the chance to meet, interact with, feed, and learn about animals like goats, sheep, alpacas, miniature horses, rabbits, and more. Trained handlers are on hand to share fascinating facts about animal behaviour, habitats, diets, and care, making this experience both entertaining and educational for visitors from toddlers to teens and beyond.

Throughout the day, participants can:

• Gently touch and feed animals, building confidence and sensory awareness
• Ask questions and listen to animal experts, developing curiosity and knowledge
• Observe animal behaviour up close, connecting theory to real life
• Learn about responsibility and empathy through caring interactions

The petting zoo creates a relaxed, welcoming environment where children can engage in meaningful, tactile learning that strengthens their understanding of animals, ecosystems, and responsible care. Whether it’s a child’s first time meeting farm animals or a budding zoologist exploring career interests, the Golden Ridge Petting Zoo supports natural curiosity and awe.

Beyond simply touching and feeding animals, this event helps build:

• Empathy and kindness toward other living beings
• Responsibility and safety awareness around animals
• Observation and questioning skills as learners ask and reflect on animal behaviours
• Confidence and communication as participants engage with handlers and peers

It’s an experience that’s as enriching as it is fun — combining real‑world encounters with opportunities to learn and connect.

Holiday workshop/activity/meet-up

🔹 Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) ENe-INT-01 – Engages with others to communicate observations and ideas about animals. ENe-CRE-01 – Creates simple representations (drawing/writing) of animals they interacted with. PDe-MSP-01 – Demonstrates fine and gross motor skills in safe animal interactions. SCe-ESS-01 – Recognises characteristics of living things and how they interact with the environment. 🔹 Stage 1 (Years 1–2) EN1-INT-01 – Listens and responds to information about animal care and behaviour. EN1-CRE-01 – Composes texts to describe animal features and their experiences. PHE-MSP-01 – Demonstrates safe participation in animal handling activities. SC1-ESS-01 – Recognises similarities and differences between living things and their needs. 🔹 Stage 2 (Years 3–4) EN2-INT-01 – Shares ideas and reflects on animal behaviour and care. EN2-CRE-01 – Composes informative texts about animals and their needs. PHE-MSP-02 – Applies safe animal handling and interaction practices. SC2-ESS-01 – Explains how animals depend on their environment for survival. 🔹 Stage 3 (Years 5–6) EN3-INT-01 – Analyses information about characteristics and needs of animals. EN3-CRE-01 – Produces detailed texts explaining animal behaviour or care. PHE-RRS-01 – Demonstrates responsible and safe practices in animal interactions. SC3-ESS-01 – Investigates how humans and animals influence each other in ecosystems. 🔹 Stage 4 (Years 7–8) EN4-INT-01 – Interprets and discusses information from animal experts and observations. EN4-CRE-01 – Creates structured texts analysing animal behaviour or welfare. PHE-PDH-01 – Applies strategies for safe, respectful participation in outdoor experiences. SC4-BIO-01 – Explains the structure, function, and adaptations of living organisms. 🔹 Stage 5 (Years 9–10) EN5-INT-01 – Evaluates information about animal behaviour, care, and welfare. EN5-CRE-01 – Produces evaluative texts exploring human‑animal relationships. PHE-PDH-02 – Evaluates how interacting with animals contributes to wellbeing and empathy. SC5-BIO-01 – Analyses how animals adapt to environments and how human interactions affect them. 🔹 Stage 6 (Years 11–12) EN6-INT-01 – Critically evaluates texts and information about animal biology and ethics. EN6-CRE-01 – Creates sophisticated analytical or persuasive texts on animal welfare. PHE-PDH-03 – Analyses the role of nature and animal interaction in lifelong health and wellbeing. SC6-BIO-01 – Investigates complex biological concepts such as behaviour, adaptation, and ecology.