Why You Should Take Your Kids to the Zoo

I thought it appropriate to publish an article about some family fun as we begin our spring break. One of our favorite places to go to together is the San Antonio Zoo! Our zoo here is fantastic! It is just big enough to feel thorough without getting too draining, and they have done an incredible job in regards to kid-friendly activities and attractions. We love our zoo! But I know a lot of people feel that attending a zoo is feeding the caged-animal-cruelty-and-abuse monster. I did some research and took a hell of a lot of photos, and I am here to say: zoos are wonderful, and I will continue to take my kids to the zoo on a regular basis. My support equals education and protection for wildlife, and an immeasurable experience for my children. Here’s why you should take your kids to the zoo.

I have not been compensated nor approached by any person nor organization to write this article. The opinions are my own. My family chooses to have a zoo membership, and we also support other efforts towards conservation.

The thing here is that a lot of well-meaning animal activists shun the zoo and shame patrons because “You’re just feeding the problem by giving more money to trappers and greedy hunters, so that animals can be caged and tested on and hunted. If you love the animals, just support conservation and boycott all zoos!” I have personally been attacked before – that’s actually what sparked the need to research this topic, and ultimately write this article. I was horrified that I might have innocently been fueling the problem.

Zoos are not like elephant rides or dancing bears, where the animals are chained up and forced to perform. Those situations are horrific and should be stopped (as should all trophy hunting and killing for fun, but I digress). The whole point of a zoo is to create awareness and to educate people about our world.

Where Does My Money Go?

I think a lot of people, myself included, were a bit hesitant at first to pay for tickets or a membership to the zoo. What are these people doing with my money?! Am I helping the cause to preserve our natural world, or funding the problem?

Does it make fiscal sense for you to take your kids to the zoo, or not?

This is totally understandable, if you care about animals and the future of our planet in general. But I can assure you, paying for a zoo ticket does not mean that your well-meaning funds end up in the pockets of bad people.

The stronger argument here is, “Well, zoos are doing something to help spread awareness and support conservation, but it’s not enough.” That makes a lot more sense to me. And it’s true: in 2014, most zoos were only giving 1% of income to conservation. It’s not enough to go see the pretty tigers and elephants at the zoo, without being reminded that we need to do more than just take a few photos with our kids.

This article is from the San Antonio Zoo in regards to their conservation efforts. It does not contain specific numbers and percentages; I’m hoping to get those details, and if I do I will update them here.

This 2014 article goes into more detail about what zoos are – and are not – doing to help conservation. (It’s a bit outdated but it does echo the main concerns that I’ve heard from well-meaning parents about if you should take your kids to the zoo.)

As parents and guardians of children, we need to be honest with our kids as we show them the beautiful world we live in. Yes elephants are intelligent and powerful and empathetic creatures, but they also need our help. Even “popular” animals like tigers are in danger. We need to plant the seeds of environmental awareness, conservation, and education with our own children. And then we need to hold organizations like zoos accountable to do the same. But it begins with us.

And for me and my family, I feel that if you take your kids to the zoo, you have a unique opportunity to show them some of the most beautiful and intriguing animals on earth… and then begin dialogue of what we can do to make sure they stick around for generations to come.

Should You Take Your Kids to the Zoo?

Zoos are a great place for young children! Don’t feel that your child is “too young” to enjoy the zoo.

If you have a newborn or a baby who isn’t really walking yet, you will probably keep them in their carrier (hooray baby wearing!) or stroller for most of the ride. In that case, your child will still get to see animals, be in the sunshine, and hear the sounds of nature all around them! In other words, it’s a great way for Mom or Dad to get some exercise.

A lot of zoos, like our beloved San Antonio Zoo, also have special attractions and “zones” just for kids! The tiny tot area at our zoo has an indoor section with a beautiful nursing room, changing tables, and all sorts of imaginative play. There’s even a soft water bed for babies to lay on. Considerations like these make it a lot easier for you to take your kids to the zoo, even if they’re young or you have never gone before.

The Tiny Tot Nature Spot has outdoor mud kitchen play, as well as a beach area where kids can play in sand and water. There’s a farm petting zoo area in the far back of the property that we actually have never been to – I never even realized that it was there until I looked on the map!

Check with your zoo’s website to ensure that you can bring in outside food/drink, and that the route is stroller-friendly. Our zoo does have strollers to rent, but they are costly! And you probably have to park the stroller outside any indoor attractions, like a reptile house or aquarium. So pack your valuables accordingly. (And zoo food is delicious but expensive so see if you can pack a picnic to enjoy later – we experience the zoo until lunch time and then go get our picnic out of the car and eat at the tables by the parking lot.)

Older children can walk alongside Mom or Dad and be able to see into all of the exhibits. Check out my video at the end of the article to see some of the meaningful experiences my son has had with the sleepy lioness, the wild birds in the aviary, and more!

If your child likes to be adventurous, invest in a child leash or backpack so you can keep a hand on them. And talk with your child about safety, staying close, etc.

“At San Antonio Zoo we want our gusts to L.E.A.P. for wildlife. Our mission is to inspire people to LOVE, ENGAGE with, ACT for, and PROTECT animals and the places they live through sharing our passion for animal care, education, and conservation. In an effort to securing a future for wildlife, San Antonio Zoo participates in a wide variety of field conservation efforts locally, and around the world.

San Antonio Zoo’s animal care, research and conservation, and education departments work tirelessly to provide the absolute best for the animals in their care. This includes utilizing the best medical and husbandry techniques, offering stimulating and enriching environments, creating mutually beneficial bonds between keepers and animals, and offering excellence in animal nutrition.

Our new vision for the zoo centers around greater emphasis on conservation and education programs such as the new Will Smith Zoo School nature-based preschool which opened in January. We invite the community to get involved. Come see what we’re all about, support our programs. Together we can help secure a future for wildlife.” – Jennifer Pue, Marketing Manager, San Antonio Zoo

See the San Antonio Zoo’s official website here. They have a free app too! And special thanks to Jennifer Pue, Marketing Manager with the SA Zoo, for all of her kindness and assistance!

I hope that you now have the information – and the desire – to take your kids to the zoo! We certainly enjoy ours, and will continue to do what we can to teach awareness and conservation of our precious earth. I’d love to get your thoughts in the comments, and as always thanks for sharing my content!