Toddler

Days Out

A Day at the Zoo

Madagascar and The Lion King may keep your children entertained for hours, but there is nothing like taking them to see the real kings of the forest. Zoos make an extra special effort to come up with creative workshops and events to get children involved with wildlife and nature. Check out their best activities for Mother's Day, Easter and more!

	South-East Marwell Wildlife www.marwell.org.uk 18 March: spoil your Mum with a special 3 course lunch at Marwell Hall. 31 Mar- 15 Apr: This Easter, visitor have a chance to win a close encounter with the zoo's towering giraffes by attending the Giraffe talk, every day at 11am. Find out why a giraffe’s tongue is purple and why male giraffe like “necking”. Children can also enjoy a Wild Egg Hunt over the Easter bank holiday weekend, 6-9 Apr, meet the Easter Bunny for a chocolate egg with every completed trail along with the chance to win a monster chocolate egg. NB*A giant wildlife mosaic is being made to celebrate Marwell's 40th anniversary. The unveiling takes place on 22 May. Until then, during the weekend children make a paper and shiny foil bug mosaic to take home.
	South-West Bristol Zoo www.bristolzoo.org.uk 18 March: to celebrate Mother's Day Bristol zoo is offering a free entry for mums who visit with a full paying adult or child. Click here for a voucher! 31 Mar-22 Apr: visitors can take part in Bristol Zoo’s free golden egg hunt. There will be 10 golden eggs hidden around the Zoo for visitors to find. Children who complete the trail will receive a tasty treat. Over the Easter weekend, 6-9 Apr, Bristol Zoo’s mascot, Larry the Lemur, who can be found wandering around the Zoo. Dartmore Zoo www.dartmoorzoo.org The original zoo, that inspired the movie 'We Bought a Zoo', has a couple of new additions to its family. Vanilla and Toffee, the zoo's pigmy goats, have given birth to four young pigmy goats who are now in the Petting Zoo area for you to come and visit. Also, three equally cute capybara babies were born, early last December. Although capybara's are the worlds largest rodents, there is no denying that the babies are absolutely adorable.

	North-West Chester Zoo www.chesterzoo.org 1 April: check out the zoo's new exhibition! 19 life-like robotic replicas the pre-historic creatures that roamed the earth. Look out for the giant Brachiosaurus, the iconic Stegosaurus and the most feared predator of all time; the T-Rex! Children can experience exactly what it would have been like to get close to such huge beasts. Chester's ‘Dinosaur Keepers’ teach families everything about the extinct giants and the special effects that helped bring them to life. Find out more here.
	East Mids Chestnut Centre Conservation Park www.chestnutcentre.co.uk During the Easter Holidays hunt for eggs in the zoo's activity walk and Easter egg hunt, with questions to answer, tasks to perform and activities to do. £1.50/person. For Otter Enrichment Day meet the otters at the Chestnut Centre and make toys to help keep them happy! Wed. 4 Apr. 11am-2pm, £7/child.
	West Mids Twycross Zoo www.twycrosszoo.org 18 March: the whole family is invited to celebrate Mother's Day. Enjoy a delicious 3 course meal while over looking a private bird aviary. £16.95/person. 7-9 April: pick up a clue sheet to take part of an amazing Easter egg hunt around the zoo! £.150/child. From 12-1pm join Tipsy in having some fun making an Easter Bonnet for Twycross' Easter Bonnet parade!
	Yorkshire Harewood Bird Garden www.harewood.org 18 March: how about a delicious family lunch for Mother's Day? Along with a live performance by the talented Charlie Barnes, Mum's can celebrate their day with a complimentary glass of Bucks Fizz or Prosecco! Find out more here! 6-9 April: Sticky fingers and rosy cheeks abound at Harewood this Easter Weekend. Get in the Easter spirit at Children’s Craft Village, or explore Easter egg trails through the bird garden. But don't forget to save some time for the famous Easter Egg hunt around the grounds and the chance to see Harewood’s very own chef demonstrating traditional chocolate egg making. Harrogate International Youth Festival music group will also be performing on two of the days. Click here for more.
	Central Africa Alive! www.africa-alive.co.uk 31 Mar-15 Apr: this Easter and discover how animals have become part of our everyday language. Whipsnade Zoo www.zsl.org This Easter the sealions at Whipsnade are getting ready to make a big splash in their newly refurbished pool. Dom, Bailey, Lara, Kyra and Salt have returned to Whipsnade following a two-month vacation at London Zoo. The show takes place three times a day and gives visitors the chance to see the them demonstrate aquatic skills. Read more here!

	Colchester Zoo www.colchester-zoo.co.uk 18 March: celebrate Mother's Day by taking your mum on a mother and baby trail. Meet some of Colchester's most loved animal mums and their babies through themed talks, feeds and activities at their enclosures. Join in making Mother’s Day crafts in the Discovery Centre or enjoy a delicious traditional mother’s day roast without all the cooking! 31 Mar-15 Apr: during the Easter break children have a chance to wander through the zoo's Easter wonderland. The Easter bunny, baby chicks and other Easter themed animal are at your disposal. Look out for adorable spring babies, you’re sure to have a cracking time! Read the events timetable here. East Banham Zoo www.banhamzoo.co.uk 18 March: mums go free at Banham! For your free voucher click here. 31 Mar-15 Apr: egg-splore Banham Zoo and get hands-on with some egg-citing creatures! Children can enjoy a day oof craft sessions, face paints and an egg-sclusive new trail!