The Barnyardigans Bring the Zoo to You (Business Closed)

Bring the petting zoo to your party with the Barnyardigans, a mobile petting zoo and pony ride company that specializes in children’s birthday parties. The Barnyyardigans brings animals to your birthday party venue whether it's your house, backyard, or local open space area or park—they'll even work with you and your local city recreation department in finding a suitable party venue that permits animals. They're certified and fully insured, and are licensed by the Marin Humane Society. You may have even seen the Barnyardigans zoo at various spots throughout Marin and Sonoma counties this fall, including the Nicasio Valley Farms pumpkin patch and Garlock Christmas Tree Farm in Sebastopol.

Located in the bucolic West Marin village of Nicasio, the Barnyardigans is owned and operated by Marin moms who know both children and animals. Tory Thompson is a mother of three- and five-year-old daughters and Mary Chapman is a true animal aficionado.

The Barnyardigans petting zoo is an interactive animal experience that is educational, safe and fun. All animals are extremely friendly, clean, and used to being handled by young children. Children can play with, pet, and feed the animals in a fully enclosed petting zoo area while a Barnyardigan staff member assists in the handling and educates the children with fun animal facts. Animals in the Barnyardigan stable include bunnies, guinea pigs, chinchillas, chickens, Jacob sheep, alpacas, donkeys, and ponies. A minumum area of twelve by twelve feet is required to set up the Barnyardigans' portable pen. Setup can be indoors or out, and they handle the clean-up.

Pony rides, with a focus on safety and fun, are also offered. Ponies vary in size and are matched to the ages of birthday party guests. Pony handlers always walk next to the pony when leading a child, allowing them to talk to the child and make sure he or she is having a great time and feeling secure.

Parents can design their child’s party to include one or both of these party options, and there are additional add-on options such as small pony and donkey brushing, alpacas, customized Barnyardigans birthday party invitations, and Barnyardigans t-shirts. Also included with every party is a free take-home keepsake for each birthday attendee—a framed photo of each child with their favorite Barnyardigan animal. Rates start at $150 per hour, depending on the service.

The Barnyardigans also have a beautiful red barn equine facility at their Nicasio site that is available on a limited basis for parties and events. Petting zoos and pony rides can easily be accommodated at the barn. For more information, visit www.thebarnyardigans.com.