There’s a reason that “Old MacDonald” is the most beloved song of the toddler years: Most kids love animals. But our little one is unlikely to cross paths with too many different species besides dogs and cats in his everyday life, except from TV & books. Our best bet for animal education is to go on a family outing to a zoo near us of course! A petting zoo seemed more fun as he will have the chance to get closer to the animals 🙂
Farm In The City
This is a Malaysian village themed petting zoo located near Taman Equine, Seri Kembangan, between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. This place is very near us but yet we haven’t made any visits. Finally we brought Mini C along and we were glad we did, as he was really excited and happy to see so many “real animals out of their cages” and had the chance to actually feed them.
Here, children can pet cute and cuddly animals within enclosures that are designed to mimic natural habitats. More than 100 species of exotic and rare species are on displayed behind glass walls or in open compounds – there are no steel barred cages for the creatures living here.
The farm has been divided into 11 habitats:
- Mood’s Lake
- Turtle & Tortoise Farm
- Bird Aviary
- Reptile Cavern
- Rabbit Farm
- Pets Village
- Jungle Walk
- Vegetable & Fruit Farm
- Savannah
- Longkang Fishing
- Kampong Mahmood
The kampung setting has been well landscaped and planted with over 60 types of tropical fruit tree and shrubs. Also, the whole place is well shaded and thus not really scorching hot as it’s not too exposed under the hot sun.
Other favourites include the common marmoset, giant tortoises, a colourful collection of iguanas, various exotic poultry, porcupines, ‘dinosaur turtles’ and other rare turtles, skunk, racoons, ferrets, prairie dogs, crocodiles and snakes above!
Admission Charges and Opening Times (2017 Ticket Prices)
A get-around map will be provided too with feeding times for some stations.
The youngest toddlers can be stimulated and engaged on a visit to the zoo, even if they just look and listen from afar, or from the comfort of our arms. Older kids at the zoo can delve more deeply into the fascinating elements of animal life, like what they eat or where they live, as they listen to a trainer talk or watch (or even participate in) a feeding. Even though the fun and learning quotients are high, it’s still best to keep your zoo trip to about two hours, which is the max that munchkins can manage without getting tired or cranky. So true! Anything more than that, they will feel bored already.
Here are some tips for parents to take note before visiting the zoo:
1. Read and sing all about it. Your animal-lover will enjoy his zoo visit even more if he knows a bit about what and who he’ll encounter. Look at books highlighting the creatures that live at the zoo (pop-ups or books that make sounds are particularly fun). Watch a tot-friendly video about animals, and of course, sing songs about animals and the noises they make: “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Down by the Bay” (“did you ever see a llama wearing pajamas?”).
2. Dress for success. Comfy walking shoes are a must for your tot and for you.
3. Pack healthy snacks. Aside from animals, zoos are full of ice-cream carts and snacks stands, which can sabotage your visit with a battle over treats or, if you give in, a sugar-spiked crash and burn. Bypass the junk food and boost your kid’s energy by bringing healthy treats from home. If you do allow a special treat on your kid’s day out, buy it as you go to soften the blow of leaving.
3. Bring a stroller. Even the hardiest walker can get tuckered out by all the terrain you’ll cover walking around the zoo. But for Farm in the City, without a stroller is still alright, as the area to cover is not too big.
4. During your visit to the zoo, stick (mostly) to the petting zoo first, like this Farm in The City. It’s tempting to take your kids to see lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), but these creatures hang in sprawling landscapes, making them tougher for toddlers to spot. The petting zoo is a much better place to take toddlers because little ones can see animals up close and even interact with them. If your sweetie’s heart is set on seeing safari animals, head over during scheduled feeding times or trainer talks to guarantee a good view.
5. Walk the walk, talk the talk. Kids love to imitate, so a trip to the zoo is the perfect time to practice their mimicry skills. Challenge your child to neigh like a horse, hop like a rabbit or walk like a tortoise. It was fun watching Mini C mimic all these at home. All the time! Haha.
Jalan Prima Tropika Barat, Bandar Putra Permai, 43300 Seri Kembangan.
WAZE: https://waze.to/lr/hw282cqefw
Operating Hours
Monday: 10 am – 6 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday, Sunday, School & Public Holidays: 9.30 am – 6 pm.
Tel: +603 8941 3099/2099
Hi there. Might you have any recommendations of a place to lunch/brunch at for two parents and a toddler in the area of FITC please? Need to eat with the child after a morning visit to FITC. Thanks!