A day at the Zoo with your family can be an enjoyable experience. The Zoo is a great place to spend a day with your family. There are so many things to see and discuss, and you can make some wonderful memories. Like most family trips, the trip may not turn out as you had hoped.
We’ve taken our children to the Zoo many times and have figured out some tips to help you make the most of the trip.
Make the most of a visit to the Zoo.
- Put on good shoes. Everyone. You’ll walk a lot in the Zoo, and nothing can ruin a fun day like uncomfortable shoes. You know your children will complain when you are the furthest from the exit. Make sure everyone is wearing shoes that you can walk in before you leave.
- Always bring a change for your children. You never know if there will be a water feature in your Zoo or if a goat might get too excited at the petting farm. Even if you think your older children won’t need a change, bring an extra shirt or pair of pants just in case. You’d rather not need them than have your child smell like a rotten animal all day. Also, bring a plastic or ziplock bag for wet or dirty clothing.
- You can find free tickets at your local library. We have “Discover and Go,” which allows you to get tickets for many places, including the Zoo. However, they are not suitable for last-minute visits and may only cover certain family members. If you plan ahead, check if your local library offers a similar program.
- Bring snacks or lunch. Most zoos will allow you to bring food in, saving you money on meals and snacks. You can confirm this on the zoo website. Even if you intend to purchase your meal at the Zoo, bring some snacks for your kids to keep them happy.
- If you’re thinking about getting a membership, consider the cost. At one local Zoo, we can pay for it if our family visits twice in a single year. Some zoos offer additional benefits, such as discounts on food at the store. Your membership is likely to be tax-deductible, which makes it even more attractive!
- Before you go, plan your trip and visit your children’s favourite animals.
Having your child complain about not seeing their favourite animal and then finding out that you are on the other side of the Zoo is not a good way to end your day. Look at the map before you go to your Zoo and visit all of your child’s favourites. You can still see your Zoo in one day if you plan. Some exhibits may be hidden and easy to miss. - Take advantage of your visit to educate children about animals. Read the signs about them and engage in a discussion with the kids. My sons and I are always learning new things when we visit the Zoo.
- Extend your child’s worldview by talking about animals. Talk about countries where the animals are from and help them expand their perspective. We can, for example, use the missing horn of the rhino in our Zoo to discuss poachers and why it is important to respect animals. We can discuss the fact that blinded sea lions are safer in the Zoo rather than in the wild and why the Zoo is a great place for animals.
- Plan for your visit to the gift shop. A child who is desperate to buy a souvenir but whose parents are refusing to give it to them will be more likely to succeed than a kid with a sour smell and uncomfortable feet. Talk to your children about any plans for purchases before you arrive (or, if none are planned, let them know that). Plan to bring your child’s savings. Decide when you will visit the stores (we like to do it at the end of the journey), how long you want them to spend looking, and anything else you think might help.
- A zoo is a great place to teach your children about giving back. Give your children the opportunity to see and feel what it’s like to support a cause.
We hope you will visit the Zoo often. These tips will help you make the most out of your visit to the Zoo. What are your zoo tips?
