Visiting the zoo is one of our favorite experiences as a family. For the past nine years we have made over a hundred trips to the zoo. We have enjoyed the many hours in the great outdoors and seeing all kinds of animals. We’ve been fortunate enough to have visited seven different zoos in four different states. Each one has something unique and special to offer. Although I am not a zoo expert, I’ve picked up a few tricks that have helped our experience a go little smoother on the wallet and on my sanity.
Here are my 10 tips for heading to the zoo!
1. Check Prices Online
Take a few minutes to check out the details online. Each zoo has different things to offer, therefore, their admission pricing and specials will be different as well. Some may offer a military discount while others an online-only special. Check their website! And always, always compare the daily pricing to the yearly membership fee for the number of family members that plan to go. The cost may surprise you. We have found that most yearly membership fees (which is an unlimited pass) cost the same amount as it would for us to go just twice. If you’re planning on making the trip somewhat regularly, investing in a membership may be the best route for you to take.
2. Check Groupon
Along with checking the zoo website, take a quick peak on Groupon. At different times of the year I have seen a membership on Groupon for the same zoo we were planning to visit at half the membership cost and it was not offered on the actual zoo website. Or perhaps there is a different zoo nearby you haven’t considered and that one has a too-good-to-pass-up offer. It’s worth it to a look!
3. Check Dates & Times
One of the worst things that can happen to a well prepared parent is to have a plan go to waste because they failed to see if their destination is open on that day. Can you imagine? packing up all the essentials, buying the tickets, dragging your kids out, loading up all the gear- just to learn that the zoo has closed early or isn’t even open? Make a quick call ahead or look on their website.
4. Check the Weather
There have been a few times I peeked outside, realized how beautiful it was only to be fooled a few hours later. It may be beautiful when you are leaving, but you may just hit a cold front (or rain) later. The weather may not stop you from going, but it will help you better prepare yourself and the kids. And get the sunscreen on those kids too! We went to the zoo just last month, perfect 60 degree weather, a nice overcast sky and yet my kids still got a tad burned. The sun is strong, let’s protect our skin!
5. Check the Zoo Calendar
I am too spontaneous to plan a zoo trip too far in advance. Usually we just pick a day that works for us a week or so before we go. However, if you like to plan in advance this may be a great option for you. Zoo’s have activities all year long. Check their monthly calendars on their website. There are many fun events, celebrations, parties, and extra encounters throughout the year!
So you’ve done your research, you’ve chosen your date… now what?
Now it’s time to pack these essentials:
6. Bring Disinfectant
I strongly suggest you bring either wipes, a small bottle of sanitizer or some other form of disinfectant. Inevitably you’ll use the bathroom and the soap is all gone or the kids might touch something sticky/dirty/disgusting. Worst case scenario– you won’t need to use the wipes. Best case scenario– you’ll be prepared if you need to.
7. Bring Extra Clothes
I typically pack extra clothes for my youngest every time we go. But in the summer months I will also bring either extra clothes or swimsuits (depending on which zoo we hit) for all 3 kids. Sometimes, zoos fail to advertise their extra perks well. So unless you’ve been there before you might not know about their splash areas or their water mists. In Arizona, a couple of the zoos had a splash pad to cool off. They are great little areas but kids get soaked!
8. Bring Food
I can’t stress this one enough. We typically spend 3-4 hours at the zoo alone. With transportation it turns out to be a 6+ hour adventure. If you don’t plan ahead that is a lot of eating out. Multiply hunger by a family of five and that is a lot of money! And zoo food is expensive! If we are not prepared, we can easily rack up $90-100 on one day eating out. That’s insane! Just think how that would add up over time if you have a membership. Here’s what we do: eat right before we leave, pack (at least) one snack for everyone (popcorn or chips) and make sandwiches (ham seems to be our favorite). We don’t munch on anything until the kids do some good walking first. We also split when we eat snacks and when we eat a meal. It’s not that we don’t ever buy food at the zoo, sometimes we do, we just aware of the cost it takes to feed “starving” bellies. Oh, and since we’re at the topic, bringing our own water bottles helps with that too!
9. Bring Cash
It’s always good to have cash on hand. You never know when the card readers won’t be working. Not to mention, sometimes rides may only take a cash payment – again – a lesson we learned the hard way. Other than dollar bills, quarters come in real handy too! In Missouri, there were a handful of vending machines that gave you food to feed the animals when you put a quarter in.
Our family also collects souvenirs to put in our penny passports. Have you heard of them? My kids LOVE these. It’s a pressed penny with a design and name of location. All you need is a couple of quarters and a shiny penny. They are our keepsakes that we have collected all over the country. It’s a nice memory of all the places we’ve been.
10. Bring a Stroller
Our youngest will be three this weekend and he has never been the one to sit in a stroller. If I’m being completely honest, the reason we bring it is to store all of our extra’s in: clothes, food, drinks… it’s easier to push all the items than carry them. I’m trying to work smarter, not harder, folks! And hey, that one time when someone’s little legs get tired- we are ready!
Having all these items won’t guarantee that you will have a hassle-free trip but it sure will make life a little easier on you.
How do you plan your trip to the zoo?
Joy in Snuggles
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