Page 5 | Adults at petting zoos/farms/kids days out

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 2026-10-19T11:42:04+00:00

Has anyone else noticed a massive uptick in grown adults (many in late teens and 20s) going on days out aimed at kids/young families? I’m finding it increasingly irritating - small children having to queue behind grown adults to stroke rabbits or see tanks of fish. (Exception where there is clearly a disability at play)

Marycontrarygarden · 19/10/2026 13:15

BirdLandedonmyHead · 19/10/2026 12:58

Our local petting zoo has regular adults only nights.

Its on my to do list.

Christ, the animals aren't even left alone at night. What is wrong with people.

Paganpentacle · 19/10/2026 13:16

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 12:55

Because it encourages them to infantilise themselves. We’re adults for gods sake 😂

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Where is it written adults can't spend time with animals?
Does this also apply to anyone who has animals at home? Should we exterminate them immediately OR hand them over to small children?

TossieFleacake · 19/10/2026 13:16

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:13

I saw adult couples and older adults with their grown up kids rushing to be first in the queue when they called the goat walk. Ill admit I did think, you sad bastards 😬

Why is it sad to be excited to be close to animals?
Contrary to you, it would've filled me with joy to see other adults really excited and happy for something.

Life is much nicer if you look for the glimmers instead of allowing everything to trigger a negative response.

YksiKaksiKolme · 19/10/2026 13:16

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:15

Clearly the adults didn’t learn that! Or much at all - come on, it’s for kids, let them enjoy it. It’s the same category as adults that are obsessed with Disney, or get upset if they don’t get the birthday cake they want.

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I have seen children skip the line...

Original poster

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:16

SiegfriedSassoon · 19/10/2026 13:14

Having had my children over 17 years, it's definitely changed a lot in terms of more childless adults going to places that traditionally were more aimed at children. For example, when we first started going to Centre Parcs 17 years ago it was very wholesome, simple and family orientated. But I wouldn't go there now as the market has changed and I don't want to be around the people that frequent it now.

Look at all the adults that go to Disney with no children, and are happy for little kids to be waiting their turn while grown adults preen and pose with the characters for photos.

I'd feel very silly making children wait to pet a rabbit while I, a woman in my 40s, sat and had my turn. But each to their own and they are perfectly within their rights to do so.

I do think adults have become more childish. MIL and her friends have become quite strange in recent years, going to escape rooms and theme parks. And yet 20 years ago she had much more adult pursuits like watercolouring and going to Chelsea flower show. It's peculiar. I wonder if people are regressing as a stress response to life.

Edited

Absolutely - they’re perfectly within their rights. But I think it’s a bit sad and silly.

OP posts:

Completeme · 19/10/2026 13:17

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:02

I have a dog, I have lots of endorphins. I wouldn’t enjoy watching a 4 year old wait as I stroked a rabbit though!

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Hang on. So not only have you got this bizarre idea that adults are not allowed to enjoy spending time with animals. But you think they’re just doing it so they get to ‘enjoy’ making children queue?

Oh op, I’m sorry for whatever’s happened to you in life.

Timeforachange26 · 19/10/2026 13:17

Needmorelego · 19/10/2026 12:57

I like rabbits.
I live in a flat so can't exactly keep one as a pet.
I love popping into Pets at Home to see some. If I had chance to give one a stroke.... then I am going to.
I say hello to every cat I pass in the street (and a stroke if the cat is up for it).
I say hello to dogs I pass in the street too.
I one said hello to a guinea pig that was in a carrier at a train station.
I also chat to the squirrels in the park.
Guess that makes me a very childish 51 year old.
Oh well.

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Yeah I've a tendency to stroke random cats in the street despite having 2 at home. And did stroke goats while travelling in India. I love goats. Tbh I took my kids to petting farm so I could see the goats ( live too far away now else I'd still pop in if had time)

ToadRage · 19/10/2026 13:17

You sound like my mother. She is very black and white about what is for adults and what is for children. She also does not know how to have fun. She doesn't get why my adult friend and I sometimes like to watch Disney, she thought I would be the only adult at Harry Potter studio tour. Sometimes we like to do stuff aimed at kids. I will never have kids so I will have no other opportunity.

PumpkinHalloween · 19/10/2026 13:17

I totally agree with you, OP.

romdowa · 19/10/2026 13:18

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 12:54

I didn’t get the opportunity to go on the teacup rides, doesn’t mean I’m going to do it at 35!

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Im 38 and went on the teacups during the summer. You should give it a go and loosen up a little

WearyAuldWumman · 19/10/2026 13:18

I'll hold up my hand here.

I'm 66 and only now getting the chance to do things that weren't available to me when I was younger.

I went to the local ComicCon for the first time a couple of years ago - not one of the big events with celebrities, just stalls and people enjoying themselves in costumes.

A stormtrooper stole my latte!

Thoroughly enjoyed myself.

AlphabetBird · 19/10/2026 13:18

People can do what they want. I think maintaining an interest in the world and having lots of experiences is an excellent personality trait at any age.

Specifically though, it’s really well documented that young people drink less than ever before. Perhaps spending disposable income on stroking a bunny is unambiguously better than spending it on trebles from a personal and public health perspective.

sittingonabeach · 19/10/2026 13:18

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:15

Clearly the adults didn’t learn that! Or much at all - come on, it’s for kids, let them enjoy it. It’s the same category as adults that are obsessed with Disney, or get upset if they don’t get the birthday cake they want.

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Do you not have much joy in your life?

Went to Disney when DC were little as part of holiday in France. I think I was as enchanted by it as DC and got excited seeing the characters 😀

Completeme · 19/10/2026 13:19

Can you express why you think it’s ’sad and silly’ as you just keep repeating this but with no explanation as to why.

SusanSHelit · 19/10/2026 13:19

And what, precisely, is wrong with being a bit silly every now and then? Being an adult is hard. It's OK to have fun every now and then you know

Original poster

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:19

Completeme · 19/10/2026 13:19

Can you express why you think it’s ’sad and silly’ as you just keep repeating this but with no explanation as to why.

In the same way I hope you would find a grown adults on a peppa pig ride by themselves a bit silly, it’s for kids.

OP posts:

CrystalSingerFan · 19/10/2026 13:20

Timeforachange26 · 19/10/2026 13:17

Yeah I've a tendency to stroke random cats in the street despite having 2 at home. And did stroke goats while travelling in India. I love goats. Tbh I took my kids to petting farm so I could see the goats ( live too far away now else I'd still pop in if had time)

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I hope you've read and enjoyed Heidi. Fabulous book. Great goats.

Timeforachange26 · 19/10/2026 13:20

romdowa · 19/10/2026 13:18

Im 38 and went on the teacups during the summer. You should give it a go and loosen up a little

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I went on a couple of years ago in my 50s Admittedly I did take a 6 year old with me. Discovered that I found them too tame these days

sittingonabeach · 19/10/2026 13:20

i don’t do rollercoasters but teacup rides are my sort of level 😂

SiegfriedSassoon · 19/10/2026 13:20

Another example is pools with slides, so much waiting for the children now because of all these grown adults (not with kids) lumbering up to have yet another turn on the slide. I vividly remember queuing for the slides as a kid. It was just kids and the odd parent whose child was too young/scared to go alone.

Imanautumn · 19/10/2026 13:20

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 19/10/2026 12:44

If I pay my money I'm stroking a rabbit.

👍🏻

StillgotmyiPod · 19/10/2026 13:20

Has anyone yet explained why it is childish / sad to want to stroke animals, or to go to a petting zoo?

XenoBitch · 19/10/2026 13:21

SiegfriedSassoon · 19/10/2026 13:14

Having had my children over 17 years, it's definitely changed a lot in terms of more childless adults going to places that traditionally were more aimed at children. For example, when we first started going to Centre Parcs 17 years ago it was very wholesome, simple and family orientated. But I wouldn't go there now as the market has changed and I don't want to be around the people that frequent it now.

Look at all the adults that go to Disney with no children, and are happy for little kids to be waiting their turn while grown adults preen and pose with the characters for photos.

I'd feel very silly making children wait to pet a rabbit while I, a woman in my 40s, sat and had my turn. But each to their own and they are perfectly within their rights to do so.

I do think adults have become more childish. MIL and her friends have become quite strange in recent years, going to escape rooms and theme parks. And yet 20 years ago she had much more adult pursuits like watercolouring and going to Chelsea flower show. It's peculiar. I wonder if people are regressing as a stress response to life.

Edited

Fucking hell... "adult pursuits" like watercolours and Chelsea flower show 😂

Does it matter what other people enjoy?

Completeme · 19/10/2026 13:21

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 19/10/2026 13:19

In the same way I hope you would find a grown adults on a peppa pig ride by themselves a bit silly, it’s for kids.

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But why do you think animals are for kids? No-one has ever said this. Peppa Pig is a children’s cartoon character. Goats aren’t

Muffsies · 19/10/2026 13:22

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 19/10/2026 12:44

If I pay my money I'm stroking a rabbit.

Damn straight. Make with the fluffy animals already, I'm feeding me a goat.

OP, I hadn't noticed more adults doing these things, but i do think it's nice to join in with the kids and do things together like holding the bunnies and feeding the lambs. If space was limited i wouldn't deprive a kid tho.