There is a saying: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. So if winter outside tries to discourage you from trips, we say the opposite! Put on the warmest clothes you have, choose your most comfortable shoes, and head into nature. Animals, wrapped in their warm fur coats, are waiting for visitors to treat them to a tasty carrot or a crunchy cabbage leaf.
In this guide, “Animal farms in winter in Lithuania: where to go with children” we selected places where the cold season offers more than just meeting animals. You can also enjoy educational activities, hikes, manor surroundings, or simply cozy time outdoors.
Animal farms in winter in Lithuania: where to go with children
Perliniai danieliai (Fallow deer) park, Kaišiadorys district
Imagine a 6-hectare area where more than a hundred graceful spotted fallow deer roam freely. The deer do not feel shy at all. Instead, they happily accept treats. Before your visit, bring carrots, apples, cabbage, or beets. Little guests will feel excited to feed these wonderful animals from their hands. Also, lucky visitors may even spot wild squirrels. Belgian rabbits live in the park too. However, check the official website to see what food you can give to the animals.
After meeting the animals, you can make a campfire in one of the picnic areas. Here you will find a grill area, barbecues, and even warm water. Not only in summer, but also during winter season, this place offers great conditions to spend time in nature with animals.
Additionally, the park is very easy to reach. It suits both educational groups and families. It stands only 400 meters from the Karčiupis train stop. You can also reach the park easily by car. It is located just 6 km from Lithuania’s main road A1 (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda).
The park also offers educational activities about its animals. During them, you will learn about their lifestyle, life cycle, and other interesting facts.
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Bistrampolis Manor farm, Panevėžys district
Bistrampolis Manor hides a real animal paradise: a mini zoo that opened in June 2021. This is one of those places where you can admire the beauty of the manor ensemble and also spend a few hours with many different animals.
At the moment, you can meet fallow deer, Anglo Nubian goats, Cameroon goats, Skudde sheep, dwarf sheep, alpacas, llamas, Shetland ponies, peacocks, hens, roosters, and other farm animals. The farm continues to add new residents. Visitors can enter the enclosure, which allows them to get closer to the animals. You can feed them and experience the best emotions.
After spending time with the animals, stop by the manor restaurant. A beautiful setting and warm food will help you warm up.
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Taujėnai Manor menagerie, Ukmergė district
The Menagerie in Taujėnai Manor Park makes a very fun stop for families who want to escape into nature in winter and still enjoy activities for kids. Here you can see various animals during a walk through the manor park. You will find alpacas, Cameroon goats, a donkey, a pony family, peacocks, ostriches, fallow deer, pheasants, and also domestic birds and water birds. For children, this often becomes one of the most memorable places because they can see the animals very close.
Taujėnai Manor also organizes different educational programs. Meanwhile, the park currently hosts the Ice sculpture and light festival at Taujėnai Manor, “The eternal story in ice.” A great trip is guaranteed!
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Rietavas stud farm
Rietavas stud farm is one of the most interesting and most exciting places for children in this small Samogitian town. Located near the centre of Rietavas, the equestrian centre is famous not only for its beautiful horses, but also for its well-maintained territory and great instructors and staff. Here you can see how people take care of horses and learn about their lives. Moreover, you can ride a horse too, both a big horse and a smaller pony.
More about Rietavas city read in the article – A city in Lithuania that surprised and fascinated: Rietavas with children.
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Margas Ponis (Spotty Pony), Pakruojis district
Margas Ponis is a real discovery for families who want closer contact with animals and a warm, cozy welcome. Of course, ponies and horses are the main stars here. However, visitors usually love not only the animals but also the human, family-like atmosphere.
When you visit Margas Ponis, you will be surprised by how much there is. You will see horses, ponies, various breeds of farm birds, incredibly cute little goats, and rabbits. All of them have names. Also, all of them are part of one big, friendly family.
However, you must arrange your visit in advance!
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Sheep herding education and farm “Unikalus greitis”, Birštonas district
Unikalus Greitis farm is located in Panemunys village, Birštonas district. Here you can join unique sheep herding educational activities. The owner, Audronė Naruševičė, takes care of this place with love and dedication. The farm raises sheep, alpacas, ponies, and other animals. Unikalus Greitis is also known for its Border Collie kennel. These intelligent and energetic dogs not only delight visitors, but also take part in educational programs.
You can visit the farm only by booking a family education session in advance. Then you can come with your family or friends. You will meet Border Collies and learn about their special abilities while working with sheep flocks. The farm has Border Collies trained to herd sheep professionally. So, you will have a chance to see their work up close!
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Safari park in Anykščiai
Safari Park is a unique place and the only one of its kind in Lithuania! It is a wonderful family business. The owners put their whole heart into it. As a result, the park looks well cared for, extremely neat, and very interesting for both children and adults.
In the fenced 50-hectare park of hills, small forests, and wetlands, you will find more than 200 animals. Zebras, fallow deer, black African ostriches, Highland cattle, llamas, alpacas, mouflons, donkeys, Welsh ponies, camels, and buffalo roam freely here. You can see them up close without cages, as if they lived in the wild. You can drive the Safari Park off-road vehicle yourself, or you can visit the park with a tour. The territory looks very tidy and very beautiful!
↩︎ Back to listAlpaca breeding (Dargaičiai zoo)
Dargaičiai Zoo looks exceptionally neat. The animals are well cared for and have plenty of space. Being here feels truly pleasant. Of course, the most fun part is meeting alpacas and other animals. Currently, more than 100 animals live in the zoo. You can see alpacas, llamas, a camel, chinchillas, Rex rabbits, donkeys, Queșland Islands sheep, Dutch miniature goats, the smallest horse breed in the world (Falabella), African ostriches, Jacob sheep, Coburg fox sheep, a Highland cow, an Arabian horse, and Valais blacknose sheep.
With the owners’ supervision, you can feed the animals, pet them, and take photos together. Children can also ride friendly ponies.
Until the season begins, the zoo welcomes visitors only on weekends and public holidays from 11:00 to 16:00. However, the zoo also accepts excursions on weekdays.
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Vokės Vingis Alpacas, Vilnius
Vokės Vingis Alpacas is one of the most convenient places for Vilnius families (and not only). It is perfect when you want a calm winter trip with kids and animals, but you do not want to travel far outside the city. The farm offers alpaca educational sessions near the Vokė River. The program also fits families well, so it feels interesting and comfortable.
First, during the education session, the guide talks about alpacas in a small pavilion. You will learn about their origin, how people raise them, and why they are so valued. People appreciate them for their wool and also for their calm character. Then comes the most exciting part for kids: meeting alpacas in the enclosure. You can watch them, stay close, and feed them. The price already includes the feed. The session lasts about 1 hour, so it works well even for families with younger children.
During the cold season, alpacas welcome visitors on weekends at 11:00 and 15:00.
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Miško sapno žirgai (Forest dream horses), Kaunas district
Miško sapno žirgai is a special place. In winter, you can not only visit horses here, but you can also join their winter adventure: a hike on forest trails with mini horses.
The hike lasts about 2 hours. It includes walking along forest paths while leading a mini horse and talking about horses’ lives. During the hike, you will also visit Miško senis. Then, when you return to the Miško sapno žirgai space, you will enjoy tea and share impressions.
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Juodoji gražuolė (Black beauty), Alytus district
The family farm JUODOJI GRAŽUOLĖ is located only 10 km from Alytus city, in the village of Geniai. It offers a peaceful break from everyday city noise, full of nature and calm.
Juodoji Gražuolė is home to various animals. The farm offers practical activities that bring everyone closer to rural life. You can pet, feed, and even groom the farm animals. The ponies and horses are well trained for riding. The farm also offers carriage rides in summer and sleigh rides in winter.
Juodoji Gražuolė has a flexible visiting schedule. It works every day because this is not only a farm, but also a family home. To ensure a personal experience, the owners kindly ask you to call and arrange the visit in advance. This way they can give you special attention.
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Molainiai stud farm, Panevėžys district
Molainiai stud farm is located in a scenic place between two ponds. It offers many activities for horse lovers. If you love animals and want to meet them more closely, come to spend time in nature. You can also enjoy a fun family trip with one of the ten horses raised here.
Molainiai stud farm organizes tourist rides. During them, you will have a great time riding a horse through beautiful surroundings. The centre also holds individual and group show-jumping trainings.
Molainiai stud farm is very family-friendly. It offers fun educational programs where you will learn about horses and their lives. You will also be able to feed, groom, pet, and ride them. Do not forget to bring apples, carrots, and bread, which horses love. Besides riding, you can also come to do a beautiful photo shoot with horses at Molainiai.
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Arčiau gamtos Anykščiai (Closer to nature)
Arčiau Gamtos Anykščiai is a very special place for families. Here you can stay in a small house that stands inside a fallow deer enclosure. So, you will see the animals very close (sometimes even right by the windows). Nearby you can also see Highlands.
However, this place is special not only because of the overnight stay. Families can also come and feed the animals for free.
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Lithuanian Zoological Garden, Kaunas
If you want a fun winter trip with kids in the city, the Lithuanian Zoo in Kaunas offers a great chance to visit for a lower price in January and February. Until February 28, the zoo applies a 50% discount on all tickets.
During the discount period, ticket prices at the ticket office are: 5 EUR for an adult (instead of 10 EUR), and 2.5 EUR for a child, student, or senior (instead of 5 EUR). If you buy tickets online, they cost even less: 4.5 EUR for an adult, and 2 EUR for a child, student, or senior (discounts do not combine).
The zoo feels especially interesting in winter because animals behave differently during this season. Also, you can see heat-loving animals indoors (in the exotarium).
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