Glamaour Era December edition Glamaour Era december edition | Page 25
Children can't help but be drawn to animals, so a visit to the zoo is always a winning and memorable choice for a summer outing.
Introducing children to animals of all kinds, especially endangered species, will help foster a lifelong appreciation of them. With more
and more animals needing help, educating children about conservation is more important than ever. However, cranky moods brought on
by long lines, hot sun and worn out legs can quickly mar a day at the zoo.
With these tips and insights, you can get the most out of your visit, making your zoo adventure one the kids will never forget!
Animals and children - especially the little
ones - li ve on very different schedules than
the adult human. Both will hit that time of
day when they really need to retreat from
the crowds and have some down time. Aim
to visit at opening time, when the kids are
fresh and ready and the animals are more
likely to be up and about.
The costs of any outing can quickly add
up, but this summer, you can stretch your
dollars with free admission for the kids.
With every purchase of two specially
marked Stonyeld YoKids yogurts
multipacks, you can get a free kid's ticket
with the purchase of an adult ticket to a
participating zoo or aquarium. (The offer
is valid until Sept. 30, 2017) To get your
ticket, visit
www.stonyeld.com/azasafe/redemption,
choose a participating zoo or aquarium,
upload the image of your receipt, ll out
the simple online form and you're done.
The Stonyeld YoKids yogurt containers
even feature many endangered species like
penguins, cheetahs and elephants, so kids
will be excited to collect them all.
Make the visit more meaningful by
learning together about the animals in
advance. This can be as simple as stopping
at the library a week in advance and
checking out a small pile of age-
appropriate books about monkeys, lions
and other animals. In addition to that,
explore online for high-quality animal
printouts and games.
Bring your adventure pack
Since many animals love dinnertime as
much as any human, contact the zoo
ahead of time and get the feeding
schedule. When kids get to see their
favorite animals enjoy their supper, it adds
to the experience. In addition to that, zoos
often have special programs and events,
whether it's day camps for kids or close
(but safe) encounters with the animals.
Check the zoo's website and plan
accordingly.
H
aving all the right gear handy will greatly reduce stress for everyone while eliminating the need to purchase extra supplies at the gift
shop. Pack your backpack with sun gear, including sunscreen, sunglasses and baseball caps. In the heat of summer, you want to avoid
dehydration, so include a water bottle for each family member. If you want to bring snacks, try freezing some YoKids squeezers ahead of time -
it's the perfect on-the-go treat. Many zoos have policies about food in the exhibit area, so be aware and plan ahead before you approach the
ticket booth.
Skip the stroller
Don't tax your lower back from repeatedly lifting young children from their strollers. Instead, use a wagon to help them get around.
This will give young legs a rest while giving them the freedom to climb in and out themselves as the family moves from exhibit to exhibit. If
you don't own a wagon, check if the zoo offers rentals.
A trip to the zoo is the perfect gateway to learn more about the world we live in. When the experience is positive and engaging, kids will come
away with a deeper appreciation for wildlife and our role as humans to preserve and protect.