Recently, my daughter had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Mini Keeper Animal Experience at Peak Wildlife Park, a gift from her grandparents, and it was nothing short of magical. For anyone looking to give their child a hands-on introduction to wildlife care, this experience is a perfect blend of education, fun, and unforgettable memories.
Peak Wildlife Park is set on the edge of the Peak District in Leek, Staffordshire. Their animals include polar bears, red pandas, penquins, lemurs and much more. The park is wheelchair accessible and they offer a range of foods in their cafe, but also benefit from a dedicated picnic area, should you want to take a pack lunch, like we did.
From the moment we arrived, the team at Peak Wildlife Park made us feel welcome and excited. The Mini Keeper experience is designed for children aged 5 and above, and my daughter, being 6, was the perfect candidate for this immersive adventure. The experience lasts about one hour, and it’s clear from the start that the park prioritises both animal welfare and participant engagement.
What the Experience Includes
- Costs £125.00 per participant
- Duration: about 1 hour with keeper-led interaction with some of the park’s animals
- Animals may include rabbits, goats, sheep, wallabies, and a giant tortoise. (Specific animals can vary depending on availability.)
- Hands-on experience: you’ll help give the animals their dinner, etc.
- You get a special certificate to commemorate the experience
- Park entry is included for the participant(s) in the experience, but you’ll need to pay for additional tickets for parents or siblings.
- The park also has a decent outdoor play area, which Indie loved!
Rules and Restrictions
- Minimum age is 5 years old
- Children aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. The adult does not participate in the animal-handling parts of the experience, just needs a day-entry ticket.
- Maximum capacity is 2 people (or 1 family) per timeslot for the Mini Keeper Experience.
Meeting the Animals
One of the highlights of the experience is the opportunity to meet a variety of animals up close. Depending on the day, children can interact with friendly creatures such as rabbits, goats, sheep, wallabies, and even a giant tortoise. My daughter was especially thrilled to meet the wallabies—they were curious, gentle, and surprisingly playful. Each animal encounter is carefully guided by experienced keepers, who ensure that interactions are safe, educational, and fun.
The keepers don’t just allow children to observe the animals—they teach them how to interact with the animals properly, showing how to approach and care for them. This combination of hands-on experience and instruction is what sets the Mini Keeper experience apart from a typical zoo visit. My daughter learned how to feed the animals and even helped prepare some of their meals under the guidance of the keepers. It was a wonderful way for her to understand the daily responsibilities of wildlife caretakers while building confidence in handling animals safely.
Educational Value
The experience is much more than just feeding animals. Throughout the session, the keeper shared fascinating insights about each species—covering diet, habitat, and behavior.
Our Mini Keeper experience was led by a lovely chap called Ollie. We had plenty of questions about how to bag a career working with exotic animals and learned that Ollie had trained to work with animals for many years. Many of his colleagues had studied at university to do the same. It’s clear that the park has carefully designed this program to instill a sense of responsibility and compassion for animals at an early age.
Personal Touches
At the end of the experience, each participant receives a special certificate, commemorating their day as a Mini Keeper. My daughter was over the moon to receive hers—it made her feel proud of her contributions and created a tangible memento of her adventure.
Another element worth mentioning is the intimate nature of the experience. With a maximum of one family per timeslot, children get plenty of one-on-one attention from the keepers. This ensures that every child has the chance to fully engage with the animals and ask questions. It’s a thoughtful setup that avoids overcrowding and allows for a personalised and meaningful experience.
Tips for Parents
If you’re planning to book this experience, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
- Book early – slots fill up quickly, especially during school holidays and weekends.
- Dress appropriately – comfortable clothing and shoes are essential, as there may be a bit of mud or animal mess.
- Prepare your child – a brief discussion about the animals and their needs can help your child feel more confident.
- Bring a camera – though hands-on interaction is the main focus, capturing a few photos of the experience makes a great keepsake.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Mini Keeper Animal Experience at Peak Wildlife Park exceeded our expectations. It’s a well-organised, engaging, and educational program that allows children to connect with animals in a safe and memorable way. The experience fosters a genuine appreciation for wildlife and encourages young minds to think about conservation and care.
My daughter returned home buzzing with excitement, sharing every detail with the wider family. She even talked about wanting to pursue more wildlife experiences in the future—a testament to how inspiring this programme can be for young animal lovers.
While we thoroughly enjoyed meeting the charming farmyard animals, including the highlight of the giant tortoise, we hope to see the program expand to feature more exotic species. Adding a few additional exotic animals could make an already fantastic experience even more memorable and educational for future participants.
We were also very pleased with how accommodating the staff were regarding parental participation. Although we expected only one parent to join, her stepdad was welcomed onto the tour without hesitation, which made the experience feel even more inclusive and family-friendly. (Thanks Ollie!)
If you’re looking for a unique, hands-on activity that combines fun, learning, and meaningful interaction with animals, the Mini Keeper Animal Experience is a must-do. It’s not just a visit to the park—it’s a chance for children to step into the shoes of a keeper and experience the joy of caring for animals firsthand.
