A Few Good Things to Take to the Zoo & Some Zoo Fashion

So you're going to the zoo, maybe? The zoo is one of the few places that we can go as a family and everyone is on board with the idea. My boys range from 9 to 16 so they tend to have very different ideas of what's fun. Not with the zoo. We ALL think it's fun!  This year we are making good use of our zoo membership by visiting few times, however we can always add more! And thanks to my brother, we did...

My brother, my little nephew, Liam, and a sweet friend, Sandra, headed to the zoo for yet another adventure in the wild! Unfortunately, it was a long night beforehand so I begged to pop into this fabulous coffee shop located across from the Atlanta Zoo, called Grant Park Coffee. So, so good! If you visit the this zoo be sure to add the shop to itinerary! This made the unfortunate lack of sleep almost worth it!

With promises not to hold us up too long, I went in, grabbed my coffee and was ready to go.

Rather than take you through the whole park, I thought I'd share what we like to bring with us to the zoo for an enhanced experience. Of course what we take has changed over the course of the years. We no longer need the diaper bag, sippy cups, etc. However, I do make the boys pack their own water bottles and decide how they will carry them around the zoo. Most visits we don't even have the stroller now, but this time we did!

Coffee

Shine Graphic Tee by Beats & Breath Designs

Okay, I don't usually take coffee but after visiting Grant Park Coffee, I think I'm adding it to my list! In fact, I told my husband we should go on a day date without the boys to hit up this coffee shop and wander the zoo at our leisure.

Packed Lunch

Since we are zoo members, there are times when we skip on the packed lunch and support the zoo by purchasing lunch in, but there's something about a good, healthy lunch from home that makes me smile - and of course there's something about saving money where we can! As you can see, we packed lunch this go round and Ms. Sandra shared some of her fresh boiled eggs with us that she retrieved from her chickens that week!

Binoculars

My boys loved having their binoculars with and this was another FIRST for us. Why didn't we think of it before? Even the adults got in on the up-close fun. The boys were entertained longer at each viewing location because they could see better. Makes sense, right?

Camera for the Not-So-Little-But-Not-So-Big Kids

My older boys wouldn't care about taking pictures, but Evan loved it. He used an old iPhone to snap pictures at every habitat. Watching him use what he's learned in all our blog photoshoots throughout the zoo made me smile! Of course later, he enjoyed sharing his photos with whoever would listen.

Good Shoes & Accessories: 

Adventure Bracelet: Premier Engravables, White Stretch Bracelet: Color Play

Aright, you don't need accessories but they are so fun and send little reminders to my brain. Adventure Awaits! In the big and the small, adventure awaits, my friends. And as far as the shoes...I have loved my chaco sandals for long walks in warmer weather. They are non-slip and give tons of support!

Your Silly Side:

Depending on the weather, the amount of walking, or the amount of sleep we all get, the circumstances can affect our moods - and their moods. I have to remind myself that we are there to explore and have fun together. The fact that we have a season pass takes the pressure off to see everything, so we just enjoy the day as it goes. If an exhibit is down, or an animal is not showing off for us we know we can catch them the next time.

I prepare myself for the younger ones to want to goof off, play on the playground (which they can do anytime, but that makes no difference! lol), hang at the animal petting coral (yuck) and get distracted throughout our adventure. I prepare them ahead of time with what we will and will not be able to do on that particular visit. It's not perfect but it helps.

Alright, those are the things that seem to work for our family, but here's a quick list of the more obvious items for the heck of it.

• Sunscreen
• Water
• Shades
• Lots of Snacks
• Hand-sanitizing Wipes
• Car Entertainment
• Back Pack 
• Bandaids (you never know)

And lastly, I thought I'd mention the idea to play Zoo Bingo or have a Zoo Scavenger Hunt the next time we go to keep their interest in zoo trips.  Pinterest has lots of great ideas for a variety of ages. Click HERE to see more. I may make an advanced hunt for my older boys, as they like that type of challenge.

When is the last time you visited a zoo near you? What was your experience like and what items were you glad you had with you?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Chrissy

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