Why Kids Love the Zoo

I don't know about your kids, but my kids love the Zoo. Why you ask? Great question! Let's explore that a bit shall we?

Last week when my fabulous sister-in-law, Christy, had the idea to take the kids to the zoo she invited us along. My kids absolutely adore her kids so we immediately said yes. We met at the zoo at 9:30am and promptly discovered that the zoo didn't open until 10am (I have been going to the zoo for years and had no idea that their hours vary depending on the season). So, after killing some time we finally entered the zoo at 10am.

We get our zoo maps and ask the kids, "What do you guys want to see first?" 

A chorus of answers breaks out:

"The train!"

"The carousel!"

"The playground!"
"The mushroom house!" (this is what they call it; I'm not sure of the actual name)

Christy and I look at each other...we know the drill because this happens every time we visit the zoo. You would think by now we'd have learned our lesson and stopped asking them where they want to go. We both want to shout above the cacophony, "Kids, this is the ZOO! We came to see the animals," but instead we say, "Let's head over to Australia and we will see if the carousel is open on the way."

For the kids the zoo is less about the animals and more about the fun things to do at the zoo. Don't get me wrong, they like seeing the animals, but after looking at said animal for approximately 47 seconds they are ready to move on to bigger and better adventures like climbing on the manatee statue or riding the zoo train.

Here is a peek into a typical morning at the zoo:

Head toward Australia (under the bridge)

Stop for 57 second flamingo viewing

Stop to play and pose on shark statue next to flamingos for 2 minutes 37 seconds

Stop at Aquarium for 1 minute 14 second viewing of fish, sharks, etc.

Play on ramp and benches in Aquarium for 5 minutes

Stop at Manatee exhibit

Look at manatees for 52 seconds and ask 1 question

Play on manatee boat/video display for 8 minutes
Play on mantee statues as we are leaving the exhibit

Pass carousel on way to Australia and note that it is closed (the horror)

Approach Australia entrance and get distracted by colorful insect themed playground

Explain that the playground is closed for the season and will open in spring

Field cries of "I'm hungry" (10:30am)

Forget about Australia and head toward gorillas

On the way to the gorillas stop for 59 second viewing of leopard

View gorillas (and an adorable baby gorilla) for 1 minute 21 seconds

Play on gorilla statues outside exhibit for 4 minutes

Have lunch at 11am

Head toward North America section for train ride and mushroom house

On our way back past carousel discover that it is now open, and you know what happened next...

(Who could say no to that face?)

Arrive in North America and head straight to mushroom house - spend at least 12 minutes

(hence the name)

Continuing further into North America we encounter the train and, you guessed it, go for a ride

We saw a few more animals (not pictured), stopped at the dinosaur

playground (which has been changed and is not really fun anymore),

and finally headed home from our zoo adventure around 1pm.

And there you have it folks! Just a few of the reasons kids love the zoo!