You'e got to visit TGR Exotics Wildlife Park!

What an amazing find for those in the Houston area!  TGR Exotics Wildlife Park is just north of Houston in Spring and showcases an incredible array of exotic animals.  This is a great alternative to the larger Houston Zoo, especially if you have young children.  We recently attended a playdate out on their property during their pumpkin patch season.  They have a fenced-in play space for kids to look at bunny rabbits, do arts and crafts activities, dig in troughs filled with dried corn, paint pumpkins, and pet the resident tabby cat.  (Out of all the exotic species living at the park my daughter loved that tom cat more than anything else!)  The owner even brought out one of the young joey kangaroos for the kids to pet.  That was a first for us! 

Above is a photo of one of the young camels that the kids were able to touch through the fence.  He was pretty friendly and the kids got to feel his coat, scratch his nose, and even learn about how they chew cud (smelling his burps was a highlight for our giggly group).  On our hayride we saw miniature horses, a loud turkey, goats, kangaroos, coatis, bearkats, and another one of my daughter's favorites-- the lovable capybara!  That's the largest rodent in the world...think giant hamster.

The owner was incredibly hospitable and fantastic with the children.  This was such a unique learning experience for us that we will be back many more times in the future.  The facility is well-maintained, the animals are loved, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable.  I highly recommend this for your visit to Houston or for those living in the area.  What a find! Here's their website for more info:
http://www.tgrexotics.com/