Kids' FarmExhibit

Hours
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (summer) / 4 p.m. (winter)
  • A close-up of a beige alpaca's face
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Kids' Farm

At Kids’ Farm, visitors can see cows, alpacas, donkeys, goats, chickens and fish. One of the many ways keepers care for animals is by providing them with enrichment — training sessions, objects, toys, sounds and smells that encourage the animals to use their natural behaviors in new and exciting ways.

The Great Cats exhibit is located near the Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel. Visitors can observe Sumatran tigers, African lions, caracals and bobcats at this location.

The black-tailed prairie dog exhibit is located across from the Great Cats exhibit.

The North American porcupine exhibit is located adjacent to the black-tailed prairie dog exhibit.

The Mane Grill is located between Kids’ Farm and the restrooms.

The Smithsonian & SVF Biodiversity Preservation Project aims to preserve and study the frozen germplasm (embryos, semen and other biomaterials) of rare and endangered heritage breeds of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. Heritage breeds often carry genes with good traits: they are resistant to certain diseases and parasites; they are tolerant of heat; the mothers are able to care for their calves; and they are able to efficiently use their grazing areas.

Although SCBI has preserved the genetic materials of corals, giant pandas, and other wild animals, this is the first domestic livestock samples represented in the biorepository. Protecting the genetics and traits of breeds will help ensure genetic diversity, which could protect the global food chain. The project was launched in July 2014 by SVF Foundation founder Mrs. Dorrance H. Hamilton and former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Wayne Clough.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo has four hens named Arya, Ygritte, Zelda and Midna.

The Zoo’s miniature Mediterranean donkeys are all males: George, Pat, Flash and Giuseppe. George has a white coat with gray spots and a floppy mane. Pat’s coat is brown, and his muzzle is black. Flash’s coat is all gray with a prominent dark marking along his back and shoulders. Giuseppe has a brown coat and a white muzzle.

The Zoo’s two male alpacas are named Orion and Cirrus. All alpacas grow a thick wool coat that helps keep them warm in their native mountain habitat. Orion’s coat is beige and Cirrus’ coat is white.

Once a year, typically in April, Kids’ Farm keepers will sheer the alpacas as a special animal demonstration.

Cow

Kids’ Farm is home to a Hereford calf named Willow and a Holstein calf named Magnolia. Magnolia is black and white with black speckles on her nose. Willow is the youngest cow at Kids' Farm. She is red and white with a red spot above her nose.

Kids’ Farm exhibits two Nigerian dwarf goats, sisters Fiesta and Fedora. Fiesta and Fedora were born April 10, 2015. Fiesta is white with black spots, and Fedora is brown and black.