You are never too young or too old to enjoy an outing at the local zoo.

Description:
Take your family on a trip to your local zoo. If it is a large zoo, don't try to see all of it in one day, because you and your family will wind up tired and cranky. You can always plan more outings to the zoo at a later time. Pick just one area, such as the monkeys and the gorillas or the children's petting zoo. Then, get some suitable books at the children's library and read to your children about the animals you will see.

Step by Step:

• Call your local zoo and ask them to send you information about the zoo. Be sure to inquire as to whether they have family memberships available that will give you year round visiting privileges.
• Pick the area of the zoo you will visit.
• Get library books about the animals you will see and read them to your children.
• Try to go to the zoo during the week, because it will be less crowded.
• Pack a lunch the night before and set out what you will wear. Wear comfortable shoes and hats to keep off the sun.
• Try to get to the zoo when it first opens, because the animals are more active then.
• Explore the area of the zoo that you have selected.
• At lunchtime go to the picnic area and enjoy your lunch with your family.
• Your children will be ready for a nap afterward and will probably fall asleep in the car!
  
  Materials:
  Library books about the animals
  Zoo information
  Picnic lunch