The zoo is a favorite trip of mine to take the kids on. I
love animals and so do they. The things
learned can be so amazing. On this trip
to the Topeka zoo in Kansas we got to see animals up and close. I could not believe how close this zoo allows
you to be to the animals. The animals
loved it too as you can see by the picture the lion decided to play with the
kids.
There are some preparations that you can do before heading
to the zoo that will make the trip more memorable for the kids.
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| The Lion was playing with them! |
Look up the animals that are in the zoo which you will be
visiting. Spend a couple of weeks learning
before you leave for the zoo. Ideas of
study could include, where they live, what they eat, when they sleep, how long
the live, reproduction, etc. This could
be whole unit study that you can put together before hand. Get some books from the library find National
Geographic Videos and have fun with it.
Teach your children about maps and directions by using the
zoo map or by teaching them how you will be driving to that location. Teach them how to look up a location on a map
using Google maps. Have them be your GPS
for the trip. (Of course you want to
make sure you know the directions too but this could be a good sense of
direction course for them.)
Research together when it’s most affordable to visit the
zoo, some zoo’s offer dollar days or free days to enter their facilities. Teach them about being financially smart with
money. When doing so teach them about the
costs of food at the zoo and how you could avoid that by eating beforehand or
planning a picnic. Have your children
plan the picnic and take a trip to the store to get the items needed. Have them help you pack up the picnic. They can help pack the vehicle with necessary
supplies.
Have your kids plan out their clothing for the day the day
before you leave. Make sure you check it
just in case one child decides its short weather in the middle of winter. Teach them about time management and show
them a schedule for getting out the door on time.
Of course all of this should be age appropriate but my 3
year old can help make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the morning of by
getting those items for me to make. Give
your kids a chance to grow up and guide them to be productive kids. Trust me your life will be better because you
had them help. It’s more work at first
but when your older children just begin to help out without asking it will be
worth the time you spent. 
