Animal Encounters

Explore the Animal Kingdom

From ferocious felines and scaly reptiles to fluffy critters and household pets we provide the best resources for your child to appreciate all the amazing creatures Orange County has to offer.

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Looking to Volunteer? Visit an Animal Shelter!

Courtesy Girls of Dog Rescue Teen volunteers can learn valuable life and work skills while enriching the lives of local rescue animals. Animal-loving families looking for after-school activities for their teens need look no further than their local animal shelter or rescue. Four-legged friends living in overcrowded shelters can experience days dragging into weeks and even months before finding their forever home, if they’re lucky. This is where teens and their families can help. Youth volunteers, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can offer help like doing laundry and cleaning community cat or critter rooms. Volunteers ages 18 and older...

Animal Appreciation

How can I teach my young child to respect, observe and appreciate wildlife at zoos and while in nature? There are many ways to help children respect wildlife.

Animal Encounters

Get up-close-and-personal to all kinds of animal life with these unique adventures. Knott’s Livery Stable depending on the season, can have different animals

Stay & Play

Cool down, chill out and zip along while staying close to home this summer vacation. The itch to get out and go do something only gets worse for the average kid

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Making Waves of the Future

Discovery Cube Orange County launches two new interactive, ocean-themed exhibits for fun, education and hands-on experiences to inspire the next generation.

Summer At Sesame Place

Plunge into this new San Diego amusement and waterpark for a memorable family summer adventure. “Five, four, three, two, one!” Splash. “Here it comes again,”

Rescue Therapy

(Photo courtesy of FarmHouse Rescue) Danielle Judd during storytime at the chicken coop on the farm. Children can tune in to live cameras through the farm's Smile Club program. A local mom founds a nonprofit that saves animals and brings healing to others after her own near-death experience. Danielle Judd is the first to tell you: She. Is. Exhausted. Not that you’d ever guess hearing about her days of juggling three kids ages 6, 7 and 18, 10s of volunteers and 60-plus farm animals in her front and backyard while still finding time for her husband and side projects. But,...

Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam, Big Bear

Check Out the Live Footage of Eagles Jackie and Shadow Friends of Big Bear Valley planned, raised funds, obtained permits and installed a Bald Eagle Nest camera on the first ever active bald eagle nest in Big Bear Valley, California. The camera and sound system is solar powered and runs live stream—available to watch 24/7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE This nest is in the San Bernardino National Forest land. It has been in active use since the fall of 2013. The surrounding area is closed to the public during nesting season to protect the eagles—bald eagles have been known to abandon nests...

Sea Change

Students ready to board the Crystal Cove Conservancy Science Cruise out of Davey’s Locker. (Photo courtesy of Davey’s Locker Sportfishing) The Marine Protected Area Science Cruise offers underserved students hands-on science field trips. For some, it’s a chance to get out of class and do something different. For others, it’s a pivotal moment that opens doors to new opportunities and career choices. Either way, local students — many from Title 1 and underserved schools — are playing an important role in protecting the environment. All of this is happening through the Marine Protected Area Science Cruise, a program that’s been...

Small Zoo, Big Cats

https://youtu.be/kDPMq3XzFc8 The OC Zoo in Orange has expanded its ‘pawprint’ to house a new Large Mammal Exhibit and five large felines for families to enjoy year round. A waterfall flows through the rocky scenery of Santiago’s new digs. He’s still exploring the space, but the sound seems soothing. That, and the meaty treat he gets from a zookeeper who has stopped by to give him a quick health check. It’s barely been 48 hours, but the OC Zoo’s new big cat exhibit appears to be a hit. Especially with its oldest cat. Santiago, an 11-year-old mountain lion found orphaned in...

Creature Comforts

(Ethan with Anneliese Schools miniature horse/ Photo Courtesy of Anneliese Schools) Anneliese Schools Animal Care Coordinator Janet O’Faolain talks about the important role animals can play in child development. Stefanie Speed A New York native, Janet O’Faolain found it therapeutic being around the horses in Central Park. She learned about therapeutic horsemanship and began volunteering in the Bronx. When she moved to California, she volunteered at The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano. “I was studying yoga and yoga therapy while volunteering,” she said. “I wanted to do both. In 2008, I became a therapeutic riding instructor through...

Marine Life and Coastal Adventures in Orange County

[caption id="attachment_34890" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo by Mike Johnson/Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari[/caption] We don’t have to go far to experience marine life and coastal adventures in Orange County. This might not be the time of year to take a cooling swim in the ocean waves. But it’s definitely the right season to appreciate living along the coast in ways that are just as fun. February and the next couple of months are prime whale-watching season as the California gray whales work their way north back to Alaska. There’s a good chance you’ll see a lot more, too. Whales...

ZOOMARS Petting Zoo and Gillie the Guinea Pig

[caption id="attachment_34157" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Cute Kid Cover Contest 2019 Winner Leilani Salvador also loves horses. At ZOOMARS she meets this gorgeous Norwegian Fjord named Thor, one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds.[/caption] The fast and furry-ous rise of San Juan Capistrano–based ZOOMARS is a story within a story. It’s a place for horses, rabbits, goats, and of course, guinea pigs. It’s a place for kids to play and learn. It’s a place with a long and unique history. It’s ZOOMARS Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano, where Gillie Guinea Pig’s story began. “Last year I launched the children’s book,...

Editor’s Picks: October 2019

PICK OF THE MONTHRoger’s Gardens Halloween Boutique: Malice in Wonderland Tuesday, October 1-Thursday, October 31 Roger’s Gardens has gone all Lewis Carroll for its Halloween Boutique (open 9 am-6 pm daily). Let the White Rabbit be your guide into this strange den of Halloween decorations, a labyrinth of decor ready to help make your home Halloween-ready. Explore the Mad Hatter’s treasure-stuffed workshop and perhaps sit down to celebrate a very merry un-birthday by pulling up a chair for a cup of tea at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. And watch out for the Red Queen — or you may just...

Editor’s Picks: June 2019

PICK OF THE MONTHDuck-A-Thon May 31 to June 2 More than 2,500 tiny rubber ducks will be battling for prizes in this unique competition. The first 60 ducks to reach shore after being dropped from the pier will win a prize for their owners. The first place winner wins $1,000. However, the real winners of this three-day event are the recipients of this fundraising effort—those in the AltaMed Medical and Dental Group’s program for the uninsured and medically underserved patients. Ducks are dropped from the side of the pier into a controlled area monitored by volunteers on surfboards. Volunteers and...

Summer Science Programs for Kids

[caption id="attachment_31917" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo courtesy of Bionerds Inc.[/caption] The ruddy duck is a diving bird. Its plump, cinnamon-colored body bobs on the surface of a pond at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, supposedly catching its breath. Audubon naturalist Jay Miller points out the duck’s baby-blue beak, a beak so bright people have asked him if it was painted on. A collective gasp rises from the audience as it dips out of view. Another cry is heard: “Look! An osprey!” The giant bird, wings poised in a shallow V, sails across the sky. But it wasn’t Miller who identified it:...

Editor’s Picks: May 2019

PICK OF THE MONTHBear Awareness DaySaturday, May 4th Ursine enthusiasts will barely be able to contain their excitement over today’s activities (10 am–3 pm). Gather family and friends for a day of bear-themed activities, zookeeper chats and more. Chat with bear keepers and visit learning stations where you can discover the latest in bear research and conservation. Find out how to react in a bear encounter and ways to “bear-proof” camping sites. There will be bear-related craft projects designed for kids too.Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free)....

Editor’s Picks: March 2019

PICK OF THE MONTH 48th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales March 2-3, 9-10 This whale-sized festival crams an incredible number of events into two weekends at Dana Point Harbor during the gray whale’s annual winter migratory ritual. The Festival of Whales Parade kicks off the festivities on Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. Attendees can view the parade from the side of Pacific Coast Highway between Selva Road and Street of the Golden Lantern, where they can enjoy the parade featuring giant helium balloons, community organizations and more. The sand sculpting competition, the clam chowder cook-off, the Diamond Dig,...

Editor’s Picks: September 2018

Pick of the Month Parenting OC's Learn & Grow Expo Saturday, October 6 This health, education and special needs expo gives families the opportunity to connect with more than 60 exhibitors that focus on healthy living. These are experts in the community that can offer parents valuable tools, experience and wisdom to help them raise kids that are healthy in body and mind. The event includes free health screenings, nutrition and fitness demos and family activities, including face painting, balloon art and strolling entertainment. Families who attend will receive a free child admission for a full day at Discovery Cube...

Editor’s Picks: August 2018

Pick of the Month The OC Fair Don’t let the summer pass you by without a visit to the OC Fair. With a theme of “Free Your Inner Farmer” this year, it’s the perfect time to teach your little ones more about agriculture. Wander over to Centennial Farm for photos of the adorable baby piglets and the energetic goats. Also, among the new attractions are the Selfie Pop-Up Museum and the nerve-wracking Daredevils & Wheels stunt show. And of course, there’s carnival rides and games, live performances, action sports events, agricultural demonstrations and animal competitions. You definitely don’t want to...

Editor’s Picks: June 2017

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson Friday June 23 Swimming is a skill that not only opens up all the best Orange County has to offer in its fun community pools, excellent beach areas, surfing, sailing, diving and more; it is essential to keep your kids safe. There are just too many opportunities for kids to encounter bodies of water to assume you will always be by their side. It can be difficult taking the plunge, especially if your child is a bit older or has fears around water, so this is a perfect opportunity to join in a large scale lesson...

Animal Steps in the Right Direction

Parents have a tough balancing act when it comes to indulging our kids’ passion for connecting with animals and deciding what is right based on our family values. Two well-known organizations have made some pretty big steps in a direction that makes those judgment calls a little easier. SeaWorld San Diego Amid much controversy (and tragic events we have all seen in the news the past few years), SeaWorld recently announced a change in their programming and policies for the future. The park will no longer engage in theatrical-style shows with their orcas, opting for an animal education demonstration that...

Alana Yarbrough: Odysseo by Cavalia

As a parent, experiencing a sense of sheer wonder like you did as a child can be a rare experience. From stunning horses to enthralling riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and singers, Cavalia is a family affair. Created by the Latourelle family and their sons for your family’s delight, the internationally acclaimed show is an epic journey of nature’s greatest wonders while showcasing the beautiful relationship of horse and human. Take your eyes, ears, mind, and heart on a galloping adventure with 65 horses of 11 different breeds and 45 artists from around the world, including the United States, Canada,...

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