Ima 2 Eight

I wrote several weeks ago about playing hooky with kids and spending the day at the Philadelphia Zoo.

As we plan to head back today on a school-is-out celebratory trip with  friends, I wanted to write about the Zoo itself.

We LOVE this zoo. I do not know if it is just because it is a zoo, or because of familiarity with this one, or because of particular things about the Philadelphia Zoo. We have been to this one many times, and I don’t remember taking my kids to many others.

We have been to the Zooquarium in Cape Cod, but I found it disappointing.

My stepson loved the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo as a child, but alas, those memories were not made with me.

My generous parents have gifted us a zoo membership for a number of the past few years. This includes zoo rides, such as ponies, a carousel, and a hot air balloon ride. While the rides aren’t my favorite part, they make it much easier to take a mixed-age crowd such as mine. Needless to say, with a brood our size, the parking, one visit and one set of rides by six kids paid for the membership. (The rides are expensive otherwise, at $6 per ride kid for some of them. )

The pony ride.

The designated parking lots that are free if you are members make getting there much easier. The park is amenable to bringing your own food, which makes it an easier trip than most for anyone keeping kosher.

There are a nice combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits positioned in such a way that we can enjoy the zoo in the winter, when it rains, and even on a ninety degree day, such as today threatens to be. While I love to explore and see new things, the zoo is just one very typical example of how my children crave familiarity. The fact that the zoo has been seen so many times seems to make it comfortable to them, and give them a sense of mastery, not boredom.

On our last trip I wanted to make the trip more interesting for the kids, and easier on me. I went to their web site looking for some on-line activities for the kids to do when we got there. I couldn’t find any! The web site has a great section for educators, but the material there is mostly designed for in-classroom lessons in preparation for a field trip.

I did find these great scavenger hunts at other web sites:

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/PlanYourVisit/ActivitySheets/Scavenger_Hunt_Home_Habitat.pdf
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/PlanYourVisit/ActivitySheets/Scavenger_Hunt_Creature_Features.pdf
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33516.asp
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/PlanYourVisit/ActivitySheets/ZooBingo2009.pdf

The kids really enjoyed them, and had more focus. I have since been in touch with the Philly Zoo about this, and I was amazed that they returned my call. However, that follow up has not yet resulted in a change to the web site or any Philly Zoo scavenger hunts being emailed to me although I was told they would be.  I hold out hope.

I used to want to take the kids on a lot of different adventures. I have learned to take them where they know, where they want to go, and where I already know how to easily find a bathroom.

I find most museums to be more expensive, and hard to suit to a wide variety if ages. I would love to hear your recommendations for other trips/spots.

I also welcome any suggestions on more strategies for trying something new at the zoo.

This summer the zoo is having a family “Rock and Roar” concert series, and we are planning on going back to see Yosi and The Superdads on August 17th. Is a cute, fun band that the kids just love. (Thanks for the intro, Cindy.)

I would love to see you there. Just look for the Ima with seven kids.