Holidays with kids - animal magic

Small children have a natural love of animals, and can spend hours finding out about them and caring for them. If you are planning a holiday with young ones, here are 10 ideas for activities with children's favourites

Small children have a natural love of animals, and can spend hours finding out about them and caring for them. If you are planning a holiday with young ones, here are 10 ideas for activities with children's favourites, from the South West of England

Lambs

Bottle-feeding lambs is one of the most enchanting things that a child can do. All they have to do is hold the bottle and the lamb will do the rest. Spring is the perfect time to stay at West Ilkerton Farm in Devon for lamb-feeding.
Pigs

Piglets are the most entertaining animals you'll see on the farm as they scuttle about playing or trying to find a way out. And when they do, watch them go!
Hens

When children collect the eggs from a hen they can really make the connection about where their food comes from. And chicks are just cute little bundles of yellow fluff. Elberry Farm in Devon is one where everyone is welcome to help collect eggs.
Ponies

To see the herds of wild ponies on Exmoor is really unusual and interesting for children. Especially if you manage to get close to them.
Alpacas

Alpacas are very appealing to small children with their huge brown eyes and soft shaggy coats. It's also very easy for them to see where wool comes from. Many farms, such as Knowle Farm in Devon, have alpacas mingling with their other animals.
Donkeys

Many kids have come across donkeys in animated films, and love the opportunity to have a ride. Weston-super-Mare is a great seaside resort with all the traditional seaside attractions, including their famous donkeys!
Monkeys

Monkeys and apes are the entertainers of the animal kingdom and small children are captivated by their antics and almost human facial expressions. Monkey World in Dorset is home to over 160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys.
Goats

Watching goats clamber around the farmyard looking for something to chew or simply enjoying the climb is great fun. And then there's the cheese, yum!
Seals

With their huge eyes and inquisitive nature, you can't get much cuter than a seal. At The National Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall, kids can encounter seals, otters and penguins in their underwater viewing areas, plus visit the Seal hospital.
Cows

Cows are very much the workers of the farm with their twice daily plod to the milking sheds. Children love the opportunity to help open the gates to let them through.