A trip to the Zoo is a great family day out. You can enjoy a day out with your family at the Zoo.
In this article, we provide some tips from parents on how to make the most of a day at the Zoo. Continue reading to learn more.
Download the Marwell Zoo App
Downloading our new app is the best way to plan your day at Marwell Zoo. The app has several great features, including an interactive park map, daily feeding times, and special offers available only to app users. It also includes animal facts, competitions, and tips about food and drinks in the park.
Our app allows you to plan your day easily and adds an extra layer of experience. Download the app for free from the Google Play Store or App Store.
Purchase your tickets in advance.
When you have little ones, standing in line can be an unpleasant way to begin a day. We try to accommodate our guests as quickly as we can, but when the excitement is high and kids are fidgety, even waiting a few minutes can make them feel uncomfortable.
Purchase your tickets in advance to skip the queue. This will allow you to make the most of your time without having to sort tickets or pay for entry.
Kaz, mother of Lily and blogger, gave this advice: “We recommend visiting later in the day, as mornings at zoos are often busy.” After seeing the animals, those with young children will often head home or to the play areas. Zoos become quieter throughout the day.
Rachel, a mother of two, recommends arriving early to avoid the crowds and to ensure that your children are not tired. “I recommend going early to the Zoo before it becomes too crowded and hot in the summer. Also, don’t wait until your children are tired to go! You will both enjoy the Zoo, and they will. It is not fun to deal with grumpy, overtired children who stress out parents and carers. They will also sleep in the back seat of the car when you get home.
Once you decide what is best for you and your family, you will find plenty to do and see.
When you arrive, plan your time.
Marwell has 140 acres of parkland, and there are thousands of animals for you to see. This is a great place to spend a day. If you have a specific event in mind, such as animal feeding, it is important to plan your visit. Download our free Marwell Zoo App to find out when the animals are fed. We recommend that you catch one. They’re a great opportunity to learn about the animals and to get a closer look at them. You can check back on the Events tab in our app to see if we have added any feeds.
Our app is the best way to plan your trip! It will give you a map of the park, times for animal feeding, events and activities, special offers, competitions, and much more. You can avoid being on the opposite side of the park, with just a few minutes left before the animal feed that you want to see.
Plan your day before you arrive at Marwell Zoo. Make sure that everyone knows the times and locations for your must-see moments.
Plan your trip around zoo events.
Marwell is always hosting exciting events. If you can adjust your dates, try to coincide with one of them. You can enjoy both the Zoo and the additional events. If you have an annual membership, you can mix up your visits.
Be comfortable
Walking is a must for a zoo day! It’s important to be comfortable as you will explore the facilities and animals. Our guests should always wear comfortable shoes that won’t rub all day. Dressing for the weather is also important and can make an outdoor rainy day more enjoyable. A pushchair is a good idea if you have a younger child. You won’t have to carry your child if their legs are tired, and you can store your belongings inside the chair instead of carrying them around in a bag.
Jo Boyne is a blogger and mum to one. She was quick to point out that her tip: “I would wear comfortable shoes!” On a day trip, I usually end up with tired and sore feet. “Comfort over style, every time.”
Claire said the same thing: “There’s a lot to walk, so pace yourself.” There are many places to stop and refuel.
Check out our guide for those with accessibility requirements. The guide explains how we support those with special needs, our guide dog policy, how we help people on the autism spectrum, how you can claim free caregiver tickets and more.
Explain why you may not see all the animals.
Our animals are allowed to choose where they want to spend the day in their enclosure. If you can’t see them at first, it may be because they like to be under a tree shade or indoors.
If your children don’t get to see the animal, it will help to avoid disappointment. This is a wonderful way to teach your children the value of patience.
Kaz offers this tip: “We suggest preparing children who may be disappointed that they didn’t see certain animals. The weather can affect whether animals are outside or indoors. Some animals will prefer to stay indoors if it’s too cold, wet or hot. Preparing children for the possibility of not seeing certain animals is often helpful. Some of our best zoo visits have taken place on rainy or overcast days. People often change their mind about going out but the animals love it!”
Have extra entertainment to hand.
You can use some additional entertainment when you need to wait in line for an ice cream at midday or want to sit down and take a short break. You might need something to keep your kids’ minds active, even though there are many animals in the area.
Catherine, a blogger and mother of two at Growing Family, suggested this: “My tip would be to have a few tricks up your sleeves for when you start to feel tired or need to wait in line for something. You can keep children entertained with simple games such as ‘I went shopping’, ‘Would you prefer?’, twenty questions or ‘I’ve been to the market.’ Or you could make a list of animals at the Zoo that they need to find. “Having some snacks in your bag is a great idea.”
Plan your post-visit activities.
The zoo experience doesn’t end when you leave! You can take advantage of the knowledge and experiences gained during your visit. You can quiz your family about the things you learned that day or have your kids create an animal facts file. This is a fun way to highlight new information and be creative.
You can also go to the next step in their love for an animal. If your child is a fan of a particular species, you can give them an adoption. You can choose from a variety of adoption packages. For example, you could adopt a Humboldt Penguin, an Amur Tiger, or a Red Panda. You’ll receive some incredible rewards, and you can feel good about supporting an animal that you and your family love.
We are confident that you will have a memorable day at the Zoo if you follow these tips. You can have a great time, learn a lot, and create memories with family. Invest in an annual membership if the Zoo’s your favourite place to spend a day. You can come as many times as you want. Enjoy unlimited visits at the cost of just three!
Visit our Zoo News section to find out more.
