FunKidsActivities
Dave Marchetti's Animal Experiences

Dave Marchetti's Animal Experiences

29 Argyle Ave, Riverside, RI 02915, USA

Overview

Category:Petting Zoos
Location:Providence, RI

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Dave Marchetti's Animal Experiences offers a highly interactive, educational, and personalized animal encounter delivered directly to your home or party venue. Its unique value proposition lies in Dave's exceptional ability to engage a wide range of children (from 3-year-olds to 10-year-olds) for extended periods (up to two hours) by allowing them to hold a 'ton' of animals, including many reptiles like snakes and lizards. Parents consistently praise Dave's professionalism, patience, and genuine passion for teaching, making it an unforgettable and stress-free birthday party or special event experience.

Key Highlights

  • Children get extensive hands-on interaction, including holding 'pretty much any reptile they wanted' and 'a ton' of animals.
  • Dave Marchetti is described as extremely professional, easy to communicate with during booking, and always arriving on time.
  • Exceptional ability to engage and entertain children of various ages (even 3 and 4-year-olds) for nearly two hours, maintaining their fascination.
  • Dave's demeanor is consistently highlighted as patient, gentle, laid-back, mild-mannered, and genuinely enthusiastic about teaching kids.
  • Educational aspect is strong: Dave shares facts, answers 'a lot' of questions thoroughly, and adults also learn new things.
  • Particularly suitable for children who are 'obsessed with animals, snakes, and lizards'.

Standout Features

  • Interactive animal handling with diverse animals, including many reptiles (snakes, lizards, and 'Wally').
  • Dave's professional, patient, and engaging persona makes the experience enjoyable and educational for all ages.
  • Convenience of an in-home or at-venue service, removing the need for travel to a facility.
  • Strong educational component with facts and Q&A, fostering genuine learning.
  • High entertainment value that keeps both children and adults thoroughly engaged for the duration.

Perfect For

Perfect for 3-4 year olds: Maintained their attention for almost two hours, kids were 'completely fascinated' by animals.
Excellent for 5 year olds: Described as the 'best birthday party ever' for a 5-year-old.
Great for 10 year olds: Daughter had an 'AWESOME birthday party', loved holding animals.
Suitable for a broad range of children from preschoolers to pre-teens, and even adults enjoy and learn.

Ideal For

Birthday parties for children aged 3-10+ who have a strong interest in animals, especially reptiles.
Families seeking a unique, interactive, and educational entertainment experience at their own home or chosen venue.
Parents looking for a highly professional and patient entertainer who can captivate young audiences for an extended period.
Events where adults also wish to participate, learn, and be entertained alongside the children.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Consider this a top option if your child is 'obsessed with animals, snakes, and lizards'.
  • Dave is easy to communicate with for booking, so reach out early for party planning.
  • Encourage children to prepare questions, as Dave is eager and patient in answering them.
  • Ideal for birthday parties, as multiple reviews laud it as the 'best birthday party ever' for various age groups (3-10+).

Price & Value

No specific pricing is mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent '5-star' ratings and glowing endorsements like 'best birthday party ever' and 'one of the best experiences' strongly indicate that customers perceive the value received as exceptionally high, justifying the cost for a unique and memorable event.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned for Dave's service directly. As a mobile service, accessibility would depend on the customer's chosen location for the experience.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not applicable, as this is a mobile service brought to the customer's location, not a fixed venue with its own food policy.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not applicable, as this is a mobile service brought to the customer's location. Parking would be dependent on the customer's home or party venue.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Not applicable, as this is a private, booked service. Crowd level is determined by the customer's guest list, not a public venue's typical attendance.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Implied safety through Dave's consistently described 'gentle nature', 'patience', and 'great with children' demeanor, suggesting careful supervision and handling of both animals and kids during interactions.
  • No explicit safety features like staff monitoring play areas or first aid stations are mentioned, as it's a mobile service.

Pricing/Package/Events

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Animal Experiences is fully insured.
  • With larger groups, responsible adults will need to assist children during the hands-on portion of the show.
  • A permit change from the state of RI prohibits people from being able to pet and hold Wally, the alligator.
  • Amphibians are sensitive to hand sanitizer and other substances on skin; bringing amphibians to shows has been reduced.
  • Shows are designed to be safe and hands-on.

📅Booking Policy

  • Contact via phone (401-258-6412) or website email form to schedule an experience.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 13, 2025

Photos

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What People Say

What's Great

  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
  • Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 8 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Alissa DaSilva

Alissa DaSilva

a week ago

My 10 year old daughter had an AWESOME birthday party!! 🥳 Dave brought a ton of animals! The kids liked hearing facts about the animals, but they loved holding them! I would definitely recommend Dave Marchetti’s Animal Experiences! 5/5 stars! 🤩👍

Emily Silvia

Emily Silvia

a month ago

Five stars, best birthday party ever! We hired Dave for our son’s 5th birthday party and everyone had a blast. Dave was extremely professional, easy to communicate with when booking, and showed up on time to our home. Most importantly, he was great with all the children. Dave was very patient through all the kids’ excitement and was eager to share all of his wonderful animals with the group. Don’t hesitate to hire Dave for your next party!

Renisha Talbot

Renisha Talbot

3 years ago

This was HANDS DOWN one of the best experiences my children and their friends have ever had with live animals! Dave is a natural not only with his animals but also with the kids. He has such a laid back and gentle nature and you can tell he genuinely enjoys teaching kids about the animals. He answered all of their questions (and the kids had A LOT of questions) and was so pleasant and mild mannered. My kids haven’t stopped talking about their experience with Dave since he left! If your little one is obsessed with animals, snakes, and lizards (like mine) stop searching and hire Dave Marchetti! You will not be disappointed!

Lucia Salem

Lucia Salem

3 years ago

Dave's animal experience was amazing! I booked him for my daughters birthday party and it was a hit! He was great with the kids. He has so much patience and knows how to keep them entertained. The adults also really enjoyed the show. We all learned something new that day.

Kyle Klapp

Kyle Klapp

a year ago

My wife and I were racking our brain for this ideas for our son’s fourth birthday party. We stumbled upon some reviews for Dave’s animal experience. Our son loves reptiles so we figured we would give it a shot. We booked Dave for a 2pm appt, and let me say…. He did not disappoint. The kids were completely fascinated by every animal he brought; especially Wally. I couldn’t believe he was able to maintain the attention of a bunch of three and four year olds for almost two hours. The kids got to hold pretty much any reptile the wanted. It was amazing!!! Even the adults had fun. If you’re not sure what to do for a bday party, I highly recommend Dave’s Animal Experience!!!

Contact Information

29 Argyle Ave, Riverside, RI 02915, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
5.0
Total Reviews50
Recent Reviews5