Zoos, the aquarium and animal farms for kids around Boston

From penguins to gorillas and otters to hand-fed deer, there's a surprising range of animals within an hour of Boston, and a few free or cheap options so it needn't be $100 in tickets every time.

For a big zoo, choose Franklin Park Zoo in Boston (gorillas and the Tropical Forest) or the small, well-kept Stone Zoo up north, done in two hours before a toddler melts down; the penguin pool and the four-story tank at the New England Aquarium can hold a 2-year-old for an hour. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum costs a few dollars, with rescued otters and owls. For something special, walk through the deer forest at Southwick's in Mendon with a handful of feed, or drive an hour to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence for the elephants. Free: the goats and sheep at Wright-Locke and Gore Place.

• 6 places
• 6 stroller-friendly
• closest is 20 min away