HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Hands-On Barnyard: A Self-Guided Petting Zoo Field Trip at Abma’s Farm
A self-paced group visit to Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough—feed and meet cows, goats, alpacas and more with included snacks; this guide explains logistics, rules, and what to expect.
Hands-On Barnyard: A Self-Guided Petting Zoo Field Trip at Abma’s Farm.
At Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough Township you can move at your own pace through a working petting zoo, meeting cows, pigs, goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, ponies and bunnies while exploring feature spaces such as an education barn, nursery (farrowing) barn and the rabitat—an outing designed for schools, clubs and youth groups to be both hands-on and instructional.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Mix of Barnyard Species to Meet and Feed
The petting zoo gathers a broad assortment of farm animals—cows, goats, sheep, alpaca, pigs, donkeys, ponies and bunnies—each approachable during the self-guided visit; groups receive two animal crackers per person to feed designated animals.
Self-Guided, Educational Barns
Unique on-site features such as an education barn, a farrowing house styled nursery barn and a rabitat let groups linger where learning happens, making the visit simultaneously informal and curriculum-friendly.
School- and Group-Focused Operations
The experience is tailored to organized groups—preschools, day cares and school groups—with minimum and maximum group-size policies and per-person admission that includes feed; the setup emphasizes smooth arrivals and scalable visits.
What the day feels like
What the Visit Feels Like
This is a relaxed, self-paced field trip: arrive at the farm, check in, then disperse through the pens and barns to observe, pet and feed animals using the included snack allotment. There’s no formal tour schedule—groups move according to interest and engagement, typically spending around an hour on site though there is no strict time limit.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this visit suits best—and who should plan alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Each paid admission includes two animal crackers per person for feeding; groups should bring any necessary personal items for children and staff, and note that additional feed is available for purchase on site.
Additional cracker and pellet feed may be purchased at the petting zoo; on-site feed purchases are cash only.
The petting zoo is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible; plan logistics accordingly for group movement across pens and barns.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the per-person cost for a group visit?
Admission is $6.50 per person, and that rate applies to children, teachers, leaders, aids or chaperones.
What is included with each ticket?
Each admission ticket includes two animal crackers per person to feed the animals.
Is there a minimum or maximum group size?
There is a minimum group size of 10 people and a maximum of 75 people per day; larger school groups must split into separate days.
How long does a typical visit last?
Length of visit is approximately one hour depending on group size and engagement; there is no strict time limit on your visit.
Can visitors feed the animals any food they bring?
No—do not feed the animals outside food, as it can make them sick; bunnies may be fed carrot tops only (not whole carrots).
How are additional feed purchases handled?
Additional cracker and pellet feed is available for purchase on site, and purchases in the petting zoo are cash only.
Where do we meet for our visit?
The meeting and check-in location is 282 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844.
When is payment due for group bookings?
A deposit for the group minimum is due at booking and the remaining balance is due upon arrival.