The Zoo

Quarters for feed, in case there is a petting zoo. THAT'S my son's FAVORITE! (AND a Zip Lock bag to carry the feed. Makes it a lot easier.)

We just went to the zoo today! I don't have much more to say that hasn't already been said. But I do want to prepare you...you may be WAY more excited about it than your 21 month old! LOL! I was so stoked to go today with our 3 year old and 20 month old. Don't get me wrong, they liked it, but they were most excited about things that were normal - the grassy area to run around, the picnic tables that we ate lunch.

Oh, bring some spare change. Both the aquarium and the zoo we recently went to had these tunnel things that you put change into and it swirls around until it goes into the hole at the bottom. BY FAR the coolest thing on earth for young kiddos!

Our zoo does not allow packed lunches into the zoo, but you can go out and eat lunch at picnic tables. They stamp your hand so you can get back in. If your zoo has a website I would check it for their rules and regulations. Have fun!!

We can bring food into our zoo and so we usually go through half the zoo before lunch and then stop at a large open grassy area to let the kids run and have a picnic. Then we usually only stay another hour after lunch before we leave so we don't end up with all the kids melting down. We bring bottles of water for each of the kids also. Our zoo food is so over priced so we only ever buy a snack that is shared rather than spending an arm and a leg on meals for everyone.

I bring food and drinks because I hate to waste time standing in line! Have fun!

Contact the zoo you are attending directly (or check their website) to find out about food. Most zoos that I have been to do not allow outside food/drinks in. They also don't usually use/allow straws (hazard for the animals). Most places DO allow sippy cups/bottles and the like for babies/toddlers. But beyond that, it'd be best to find out before you get there.
Many places have picnic areas, and you can go back out to the car, do your picnic, then go back in for another area of the zoo or a playground area--most zoos have some sort of playground inside.
I would also recommend that you try to go early in the morning. Many animals are lazy when the weather starts to warm up and they can be a little "boring" to watch as they aren't DOING anything. lol Most zoos feed the animals in the mornings, too, and that can be exciting to see.

Most zoos sell food, but you'll pay more than the ticket price for all of you to eat. Some places have restrictions on outside food, though.

My best advice would be to not expect that you'll be there all day. Our first trip I think we were there MAYBE 3 hours before my kiddo was wiped out. That first trip is just so exciting for them.

Also, plan for your kiddo to have some time to walk around. We brought our child harness (I know there are nay-sayers but we don't go ANYWHERE! w/o it.) and our baby carrier. She could walk w/ us without our having to make her hold our hand the whole time and then hop back into the baby carrier when she wanted a break.

Mostly, have fun!

Hi Natasha-

I always like to do my "homework" when I go to a new place by going to their official website. For a zoo, I would want to know if I am allowed to bring in my own food, the hours, the fees and times for different attractions such as the dolphin show, and a map of the grounds. Yes... I am a planner. I like printing a map at home and highlighting the places that we definitely want to see.
Go with the flow and do what your little one is happy with doing. Don't rush just to fit everything all in or your child may get grumpy. We have a terrific zoo around 30 min. away that let's us bring in our own food. If you are allowed to do that, I suggest a blanket as well even if there are picnic tables. Bring hand sanitizer/wipes, water bottles, sun screen, wagon or stroller, snacks, lunch (if you're allowed) blanket, camera, and quarters for the corn feed to feed the animals in the children's zoo. (Of course extra clothes for your little one too... just in case.) We also have a spray area that helps on hot days. Little ones often change into their swim suits during this time. (So... if you do, don't forget a towel.)
Do not over do.... go when your toddler gets tired, grumpy.... unless she/he falls asleep and takes a good nap while at the zoo.

Oh... one more thing, I like websites that give you detailed information about a SPECFIC place from other customers. Yelp.com and tripadvisor.com are two sites that I use for this. So you could go to one of these sites and type in the zoo's name and you'll get reviews from others who have been there. I get good tips that you wouldn't even think about..... such as.... "park in the north parking lot because the south lot is extremely busy".

Have fun and you can even show your child some pictures of animals before you go and tell her a bit about them and then ask for her input....about which ones she wants to definitely see on Monday.

The zoo is so fun! I always pack a lunch and bring our own drinks, our zoo allows food but even if yours doesn't you can still go out to the car to eat. The food is so over priced but I'll always just end up buying an ice cream cone for the kids. I don't really pack anything special aside from the usual diaper bag, bring cash and quarters. Put good walking shoes on your little one.

i would bring your own food, the zoo food is expensive and not usually healthy. bring drinks, maybe sunglasses for your child, sunscreen if it is going to be sunny. extra clothes. pretty much the usual for any trip.