Even if you can’t go to the museum or the zoo, you can still explore these places virtually. Many locations are offering opportunities for your kids to experience some awesome places from the comfort of your living room.

photo: Rawpixel

—Jennifer Swartvagher & Karly Wood

 

Featured image: iStock 

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Bindi Irwin and husband Chandler Powell are parents! The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star (and daughter of famed “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin) welcomed daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell on Mar. 25.

March has a whole new meaning for Irwin and Powell now. Not only is it the couple’s anniversary, but it’s also their first child’s birth month. Irwin posted a sweet family Instagram pic and a caption celebrating both awesome occasions.

Irwin wrote on IG, “March 25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life. Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter.”

She continued, explaining her new daughter’s special name, “Grace Warrior Irwin Powell. Our graceful warrior is the most beautiful light. Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler’s family dating back to the 1700s. Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad.”

Irwin also posted an adorable onesie pic with her newborn’s name and birth stats. According to the post, baby Grace Warrior Irwin Powell was born at 5:52 p.m., weighs seven pounds and seven ounces and is 20 inches long!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Shutterstock

 

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A very special animal just made her grand debut! After a 14-month pregnancy (yes, 14 long, long, long months) new mom K’tusha the okapi gave birth to a baby girl at the Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom.

If you’re not familiar with the okapi, that’s okay. The okapi is an unusual animal that lives in the rainforest regions of Central Africa. The only living relative of the giraffe, the okapi has the large, upright ears of its long-necked cousin—but white and black zebra-like stripes on its hindquarters.

The zoo’s staff names the young okapi Nia Nia, after the village at the center of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. This area, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the only place where this awesome animal lives naturally.

The new member of the Chester Zoo family took her first steps for the world to see recently. The zoo’s CCTV cameras caught Nia Nia in action, as she strolled outside with her doting mama.

Nick Davis, Deputy Curator of Mammals at the zoo, said of the okapi, in a press release, “These gentle creatures have been heavily targeted by poachers in recent years, mainly as a result of the illegal bushmeat trade, which is growing across nearly all of its natural range – making conservation efforts to protect these animals really difficult…so not only is Nia Nia’s arrival an important moment for us, it’s an important moment for the species.”

Visit the Chester Zoo’s website here for more info on this amazing okapi.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Brian McGowan via Unsplash

 

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It’s that time of year again. Today, American Girl unveiled its 2021 Girl of the Year, Kira Bailey. Kira—a nurturing and inquisitive 10-year-old who cares deeply for animals and the environment—joins American Girl’s line of contemporary characters that inspires children to make a positive difference in the world. 

Kira's Gift Trunk

Whether she’s caring for an orphaned koala joey or facing a bushfire that’s threatening her great-aunts’ wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Kira confronts critical ecological issues, such as wildlife protection and the threat of climate change, that are more relevant to our planet than ever.

“As American Girl kicks off its 35th year, Kira joins our lineup of diverse and purposeful characters who star in stories that reflect the realities of the times—whether it’s historical or modern-day,” says Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As we all witnessed the bushfires rage in Australia last year and start up again this September, and the devastating wildfires in the western United States, we knew it was important to focus Kira’s story on the major conservation and climate challenges facing our planet today—causes that are extremely important to today’s youth. Through Kira, we hope our fans will learn that we all have a part to play in taking positive action for our planet.”

To further support Kira’s message, American Girl is partnering with NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, Inc. (WIRES), Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned animals, including those impacted by bushfires and drought. Today through December 30, 2021, American Girl is supporting the organization’s mission to rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife by matching customer donations dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $25,000. To learn more about how American Girl is helping WIRES, visit www.americangirl.com/kira.

“Last year, Australia’s fire season was unlike anything previously experienced in terms of scale and severity, with fires destroying millions of hectares of land—much of which was threatened-species habitat,” says Kyla Shelley, Chief Operating Officer for WIRES. “Wild species worldwide are facing enormous challenges—including extinction—mainly due to habitat loss, natural disasters, and climate change. Just like Kira discovers, everyone can get involved in wildlife rescue and protection, and it’s not too late to make a difference wherever you live.” 

To create Kira, American Girl worked hand in hand with author Erin Teagan, who holds a master’s degree in science and traveled to Australia to gain a deeper understanding of Kira’s experiences. Other consultants specializing in Australian wildlife and culture reviewed all aspects of Kira’s world—from manuscripts to products—to help ensure every detail was rooted in real practices and science, with the following two experts playing an integral role:

  • Dr. Alison Bee — Veterinarian, owner and manager of Magnetic Island Animal Hospital, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas in North Queensland, Australia 
  • Tassin Barnard — Owner and manager of the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park, a wildlife preserve on the central coast of New South Wales.

Kira's Animal Rescue

In the two-book series, Kira is excited to leave her home state of Michigan and spend her summer abroad at her great-aunts’ Mamie and Lynette’s wildlife sanctuary and vet clinic in Queensland, Australia. There she learns to care for injured or orphaned animals with her new friend Alexis. But when a roving predator and a raging bushfire threaten the sanctuary, Kira must rise to the challenge to protect her family and the animals she loves. In the end, Kira learns you can’t let the fear of the worst keep you from living your best.

Kira's Comfy Platform Tent

Bringing the stories to life is a beautiful 18-inch Kira doll, featuring green eyes and long, wavy blonde hair, that comes dressed in a tie-dye tank, sporty skirt, and lace-up boots perfect for bushwalking. Kira’s signature accessories include an outdoor backpack with koala keychain and a wide-brimmed hat to protect her from the Australian sun. Girls can choose from several other Australian-inspired outfits, including Kira’s girl-and-doll koala PJs, as well as adorable plush animals like a kangaroo and joey, koala, and a wombat (part of Kira’s Wildlife Rescue Set). To extend the play further, there’s Kira’s Animal Exam Table and Comfy Platform Tent—both with over 20 authentic accessories—to fuel girls’ imaginations.

Kira Exam Table & Wildlife Rescue Set

To celebrate Kira’s debut, fans can participate in the following activities and events:

  • Tune in to American Girl’s first-ever Virtual 2021 Girl of the Year Event on December 31 at 3 p.m. ET and be among the first to see Kira’s products, watch Kira videos, check out real wildlife in care in Australia, and other fun activities.
  • Visit American Girl retail stores on Dec. 31–Jan. 3 to explore and shop Kira’s world, where kids will receive a free tote bag with a kangaroo joey design and a koala craft while supplies last.
  • Watch Kira-inspired videos on American Girl’s popular YouTube and YouTube Kids Channel, including a six-week “Meet Kira” stop-motion series, plus Kira music videos, DIY crafts, and other Kira-inspired content throughout the year.
  • Learn more from the experts involved in Kira’s development and other amazing girls who are making a positive difference for our planet by tuning into our “Making of Kira” video and reading about “Why Kira Matters.”
  • Have fun on Kira’s free dedicated play site and explore her wildlife sanctuary and play Kira-themed games.  

As a companion to Kira’s stories, American Girl is also introducing a nonfiction advice book, Love the Earth, for readers 8 and up. The fully illustrated guide helps readers understand climate change and offers tips and tools for living an earth-friendly life. Available Jan. 1, the book is a great choice for emerging environmentalists who want to speak up for climate change solutions. More climate-related events and partnerships will launch in Apr. 2021.

The Kira collection is available Dec. 31, 2020, at americangirl.com and at all American Girl retail locations nationwide and, starting Jan. 1, 2021, at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo and Chapters locations in Canada and online at Indigo.ca. The Kira doll and book retails for $110 and the Kira books ($7.99 each) can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of American Girl

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It’s been a big year for Bindi Irwin. The newly married conservationist is now pregnant!

Irwin announced the special news on her Instagram today, sharing “Baby Wildlife Warrior due 2021.” This is the first child for the TV personality and her husband since March, Chandler Powell.

Irwin and Powell both shared the news on their Instagram accounts, sharing that “it’s an honour to share this special moment in our lives with you.” The star is in her first trimester, but did not share her exact due date.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: DFree/Shutterstock.com

 

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You may feel like your house is a zoo, but it’s still not as wild as the real thing. If your kids are starting to think tigers only exist in memes…it’s time to break free!

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are back with a roar and thrilled to welcome you again! Their top priority is the safety and well-being of their guests, team members and their wildlife—which they’ve kept safe for over 100 years. Read on to learn more about safety measures in place, meet the newest additions to their family and to get excited about planning your trip!

Welcome Back to Wonder at the Zoo

After the zoo’s longest closure in its history, the team members and animals are excited to welcome you back! Visit old friends and meet some new ones, as you stroll through the zoo, getting up close and personal with your family’s favorite animals. With over 3,500 animals and 650 species and subspecies, you know you’ll be in for a wild adventure!

New at the Zoo

Two words: baby animals! While the San Diego Zoo was closed, they got a few adorable new additions. Akobi, a pygmy hippo calf (the first born at the zoo in more than 40 years!) and Agapito, an Andean bear cub are two of the not-so-little ones that your kids can see. The zoo also welcomed two Amur leopard cubs (an endangered species) and twin ring-tailed lemurs!

Welcome Back to the Wild at the Safari Park

Get up close to your favorite wildlife at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! With a diverse array of habitats, including Africa, Asia, Australia and North America, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled the world! The Safari Park’s expansive grounds give your family freedom to roam and explore at your own pace—meaning you can spend as much time with the giraffes as you’d like!

New at the Safari Park

The Safari Park also welcomed a few new friends! Come meet the babies: an adorable cheetah cub, two porcupine pups (aka “porcupettes”) and an already-famous giraffe calf whose name, Zahara, was chosen by her online fans. You can also meet one-horned rhino calves, a zebra foal and the park’s first-ever echidna baby, which is also called a puggle!

Get Close to the Animals–Not Other People

Now you can always skip the crowds and experience the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park like never before. Capacity is reduced to less than half of full capacity to allow for social distancing, meaning you get to spend more time watching your favorite animals, all with a front-row view.

In order to keep people at a safe distance, the zoo has also modified how guests move through the park. The changes include posted signs, some one-way direction routes, ground spacing markers to indicate six feet of separation and socially-distanced seating.

Face masks are required for guests age two and up, and you can even purchase your own special zoo face mask with your kid’s favorite animal at ShopZoo.com! You’ll also see team members throughout the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park to remind guests of facial covering and social distancing.

Plus, they’ve got extra cleaning covered, with additional and more frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the facilities on an ongoing basis each day. Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are readily available in the parks for guests to use, as well.

Hours, Tickets & More

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are open every day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are subject to change, so check their zoo and safari park websites for the most up-to-date hours and information. Due to limited capacity, tickets in advance are recommended.

Please visit their website for additional information including a full list of safety measures, what to expect during your visit and FAQ’s.

Now get out there and go wild!

 

–Jamie Aderski

 

Photos courtesy of the San Diego Zoo

What better way to keep everyone happy than to get out in nature. Even the little ones can enjoy these Bay Area hikes for kids that have paved paths, restrooms and are perfect for little legs and strollers. Pack the water bottles and the snacks and get ready for a day in the fresh air on one of our favorite Bay Area stroller hikes!

San Francisco

Crissy Field
This flat-paved trail offers photo-worthy views of the SF Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, beach access, picnic areas and historical landmarks. In the West Bluff area you’ll find the Warming Hut, which serves fresh pastries and a variety of drinks. The Torpedo Wharf is fun to explore while spying for seals. The close up views of the bridge here are impressive.
Location: Mason St., San Francisco

Golden Gate Park
We all know how much this park has to offer, though its size may seem daunting for a simple stroll. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the wide, beautifully-landscaped trails with gardens and playgrounds along the way. Try entering at Stanyan and Haight and walking your way toward the coast.
Location: Stanyan and Haight, San Francisco

MacLaren Park 
From playgrounds to a lake, there is lots to explore in San Francisco’s second largest park. With over seven miles of scenic trails, the 2.7-mile Philosophers Trail is a good one for the stroller bunch. Take in the cityscape and ocean views, pack a snack and take a break at one of the many picnic areas.
Location: 100 John F. Shelley Dr., San Francisco

Lands End/Sutro Heights Park
Most of the main Coastal Trail can be done with wheels. Camino del Mar Trail is another one to consider. It is best accessed from the War Memorial parking lot, there are some stairs but still manageable and loops at the Legion of Honor. Stop by the visitors center near the main parking lot, there’s a cafe, restrooms and information plaques. Be sure to check out Sutro Bath ruins while there. For more stroller friendly trails with amazing ocean views, stroll across to Sutro Heights Park and explore the area that was formerly Sutro Estates and Gardens.
Location: 680 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco

The Presidio
The Presidio is super stroller friendly with tons of trails for exploring and amazing views of the San Francisco Bay. Download this guide for an interactive experience while hiking on the Ecology Trail or Anza Trail. The guide points out native plants and animals, talks about the history of The Presidio and helps kids explore the area while hiking.
Location: 210 Lincoln Boulevard on the Presidio’s Main Post, San Francisco

East Bay

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
This easy hike is nearly all flat, with some gentle hills, picnic areas and a children’s playground. You don’t even have to walk to the fishing pier—a shuttle will pick up guests from the parking lot. Over 100 species of birds, myriad wildflowers in season and you could go fishing at the pier.
Location: Location: 5551 Giant Hwy., Richmond

Redwood Regional Park
The paved trail here is short and sweet at one mile long. It's perfect to get a dose of nature without having to strap a day’s worth of baby gear on your back. Bring the stroller for the baby and the bicycle for the toddler, and do two miles round-trip on the Stream Trail. Along the way, enjoy a canopy of redwood trees (bring sweaters for the shade) and a playground.
Location: 7867 Redwood Rd., Oakland

Lafayette Reservoir
Take the Lakeside Nature Trail—a paved, 2.7-miles around the Lafayette Reservoir. It’s mostly flat and shady, with pretty views of the hills and water. When you’re ready to break from walking, choose a table on the east lawn, where the playground will keep little squirm-balls busy. Remember to bring $6 for parking (exact change only), or to bring plenty of quarters for metered, two-hour parking.
Location: 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

Mount Diablo State Park
This rugged mountain may not be the first to come to mind, but it does have its gentler points. Near the summit, the Mary Bowerman Interpretive Trail is quite doable at less than a mile long, with access to the Summit Museum and lots of picnic tables.
Location: Summit Road off of Southgate, Danville

Iron Horse Regional Trail
Here you'll find 32 miles of paved multi-use trails that are perfect for cycling, scootering or pushing strollers. Mostly flat, the trail passes through various parks. If you park at Hillgrade Avenue and head South, you’ll pass by some horses and chickens. Perfect to keep the kids excited, you can bring carrots and feed the horses.
Location: Hillgrade Ave., Dublin

Peninsula

Coyote Point Recreation Area
Coyote Point has several stroller-friendly trails to choose from. Enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay, airplanes at SFO, Eucalyptus groves and more. Dip your feet into the beach and let the little ones run wild at the Magic Mountain Playground. Park on Airport Blvd. to enter park through Bay Trail, or bring $6 for main park entrance.
Location: 1701 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo

Sawyer Camp Segment-Crystal Springs Regional Trail
This is a popular, three-mile segment, within the Crystal Springs Regional Trail. It is wide and paved with serene views of Crystal Springs Reservoir. Your little trekkers will love seeing the native wildlife and the amazing 600+ year old Laurel tree. There are restrooms and picnic tables a long the way but no drinking fountains. Also: no dogs allowed.
Location: Skyline Blvd & Crystal Springs Rd., San Mateo

Crystal Springs Regional Trail
With beautiful views of the reservoir and paved paths, this hike is super kid friendly. Restrooms are found near the Pulgas Water Temple side. Carry your own water.
Location: Skyline Blvd & Crystal Springs Rd, San Mateo

Kate Loweth

Mori Point
Most of the trails here are doable with stroller. Some are inclined and bumpy but worth the awesome ocean views. Keep your eyes open for blooming wild flowers, San Francisco Garter snakes and California red-legged frogs, both threatened native wildlife that thrive in the area. Accessible trail off of Old Mori Rd. has restrooms near by. Dress in layers as it gets pretty windy.
Location: Mori Point Rd. and Bradford Way, Pacifica

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
The .25 mile, flat Redwood trail, loops around towering redwoods and is perfect for strollers. There are restrooms and picnic tables nearby. Some of the other trails are stroller accessible with some unpaved inclines that are done best with a carrier. You’ll find a creek, wildflowers, amphibians and great views of Half Moon Bay. Parking is limited.
Location: Main entrance: Skyline Blvd. (Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of highway 92. Redwood trail: 6.5 miles south of Highway 92, Half Moon Bay

Stanford Dish
This gorgeous hike takes you up into the rolling hills near the famed satellite dish that you can see from 280. Park at Junipero Serra Blvd. and Stanford Ave. and you can catch the paved trail from here. The trail makes a loop of 3.65 miles and is fully exposed and at times can be really steep. Best time to visit is on the weekdays as the trail can get busy with hikers on the weekends. Use the bathroom before you go and carry your water as there are no facilities on site.
Location: Junipero Serra Blvd. and Stanford Ave. in Palo Alto

South Bay

Rancho San Antonio Preserve
There are 24 miles of trails in this preserve, it’s free and has tons of parking. The easy one-mile trek from the main parking lot to the Deer Hollow Farm, is a popular one for families with strollers. Go early on the weekends as the parking lot does fill up. 
Location: 22500 Cristo Rey Dr., Los Altos

Santa Teresa County Park
The park has 17 miles of unpaved trails, most are fine for strollers. The Joice and Norred trails offer great views of San Jose and a look at the historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. The Pueblo Day Use Area is a popular stop—there are restrooms, picnic tables and horseshoe pits. There is lots of wildlife in the area, including grazing cows and calves. Bring $6 for parking.
Location: 260 Bernal Rd., San Jose

Fremont Older
This hundreds-of-acres large preserve includes miles of wide, pleasant trails. Enter the park gate at Prospect Road for a view of Silicon Valley, or take the Seven Springs Loop to enjoy the oak groves and search for lizards in the meadow. This trail can be hilly and is popular with bicyclists.
Location: Prospect Rd. off of De Anza Blvd. in Cupertino

Picchetti Ranch Preserve
The 3.7 miles of trails with forested canyons of madrone, coast live oak and California bay provide shade on a warm day. The Zinfandel Trail ducks into the forest, crossing seasonal creeks. The Bear Meadow Trail invites a leisurely walk to a small pond, making a pleasant setting for a picnic and singing some songs. 
Location: 13100 Montebello Rd, Cupertino

Marin/North Bay

Nella DuBon-Koch

Tennessee Valley Trail
This flat, paved and dirt trail, begins at the main parking lot. The 3.4-mile, round trip hike, will take you through coastal hills and habitat to native wildlife. At mid point, you can take the low or main trail. The main is steep through a hill and the lower, to the left, remains flat and simple. There’s a pit toilet at half way point, before reaching the rewarding Tennessee Beach. At low tide you can see remnants of the Tennessee shipwreck, after which the trail is named.
Location: at the end of Tennessee Valley Rd., Mill Valley

Blackie’s Pasture
This trail, which begins at Blackie’s Pasture and continues on to downtown Tiburon, is flat and easy. Stroll along slowly, enjoy the views of the Bay, stop at the playground and read about the history of the area with the help of some reading plaques along the way.
Location: Intersection of Trestle Glen Rd., Tiburon

Nella DuBon-Koch

Verna Dunshee Loop Trail
At less than a mile long, this is as flat and paved as you can get on the Sleeping Lady and the go-to for the stroller set who want to climb a mountain. It’s still Mt. Tam, however, so beware of some narrow passes and steep outlook points. Find the Verna Dunshee Loop on Mt. Tam’s East Peak, by the visitor center ($8 to park), and look forward to a front-row view of the Pacific Ocean and SF Bay.
Location: East Ridgecrest off of Pantol, Mill Valley

Corte Madera Creek Path, Greenbrae
A favorite with locals on bikes, this wide, easy path begins with a neat playground (Hal Brown Park) sectioned off for preschoolers and for older kids. If you can convince the kids off the climbing structure, you can walk with them from here all the way into Ross.
Location: Bon Air Rd., Greenbrae

China Camp State Park
Wheelchair accessible with beautiful views of San Pablo Bay, this one is great to let the young ones stretch their legs as bikes are not allowed. Wildflowers are abundant and placards along the way provide information on the flora and fauna. Park along San Pedro Road at the north end of China Camp and head to the Turtle Back Nature Trail for some shade in the hotter months.
Location: 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael

—Shruti Priya Bapna, Nella DuBon-Koch and Renee Macalino Rutledge

 

LEGO is expanding its lineup of LEGO City and LEGO Friends kits thanks to a collaboration with National Geographic. Builders will be able to assemble ships and undersea vessels in a series of ocean exploration sets as well as jungle animal rescue kits. This new line was developed to create awareness about exploration and the protection of endangered species in the world’s jungles and oceans.

LEGOxNational Geographic

A new campaign has been created to encourage children to explore the world and maybe even develop their own creative ideas on solving the real-life challenges our world is facing. Kids along with their parents will be invited to visit the heights and depths of the earth, and to learn about exploring our world and protecting wildlife in our oceans and jungles. This includes educational content about pandas, sharks, elephants, deep sea creatures and much more. To inspire kids to pursue creativity as a way to one day help protect the world’s wildlife, the campaign will portray stories from six different National Geographic Explorers who are working in creative, unexpected and surprising ways to help address real-life problems that our planet is facing. 

LEGOxNational Geographic

“We know that creativity is an incredible skill, and the 21st century needs all the creative problem-solving it can get.” Says Ellen Catherine Lucy Bowley, LEGO Friends Designer, the LEGO Group. “Caring for our planet is becoming ever more relevant to kids around the world. They are more committed to seeing positive environmental change than any previous generation, and their creativity will play a key role in finding solutions that will help better protect our wildlife. We hope this initiative will inform children of the current challenges explorers are facing and reassure them that even the most simple or unusual idea can make a big difference in the real world. The most important thing is to have a YES YOU CAN attitude. Therefore, this initiative is dedicated to kids with this exact attitude, children who are curious to learn and make a difference for our wildlife.”

LEGOxNational Geographic

Paul Rose, a National Geographic Ocean Explorer who began his journey as a creative child and today explores the ocean in unexpected ways is also featured on the campaign site. He says “As a kid I loved swimming and building things – I lived for making soap-box carts and being in the sea! Even on the coldest, roughest days, I would spend hours in the water imagining myself as a diver exploring the ocean. Amazingly, that dream has come true and, as a National Geographic Ocean Explorer, I now lead marine science expeditions to help protect our threatened ocean. It’s so cool to be able to share my story with kids all over the world and who knows, by following their own dreams, a lot of them could end up stepping into my fins to help explore and protect our ocean one day!”

LEGOxNational Geographic

The LEGO Group and National Geographic have a well-established relationship, previously having collaborated on wildlife awareness sets such as LEGO Friends Sea Life Rescue and LEGO City Jungle sets. However, this is the first time the two brands are partnering on a campaign that seeks to inspire kids to think creatively and may result in a creative solution that can one day help explore and protect our planet.

The site is now live in English and will launch Jul. 1 in additional languages. The LEGO Group is also announcing a contribution towards the National Geographic Society to fund grants in ocean exploration and species conservation.

All of the upcoming LEGO and National Geographic kits will be available starting on Aug. 1.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of LEGO Group

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Just because schools are closed and families are staying indoors for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean your family can’t take a trip to the zoo. So why not visit one of the most famous zoos in the world? The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have tons of ways your kiddos can see animals and enjoy wild adventures, all virtually. From live wildlife cams to learning about plants and animals, here’s a look at how your kiddos can enjoy the Zoo from the comfort of your own home.

Wildlife Cams
Catch all the action on the San Diego Zoo’s 10 Wildlife Live Cams. Each camera features animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These live streaming cams will help your little explorers feel like they’re right there among the polar bears as they watch the wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce, groom and play through their day.

Watch any of San Diego Zoo Global’s wildlife cams here:

Burrowing Owl Cam, presented by Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Elephant Cam, presented by Planet Zoo

Panda Cam

Baboon Cam: Hamadryas baboons, gelada monkeys and Nubian ibex

Penguin Cam, presented by Alaska Airlines

Polar Cam, presented by The Coca-Cola Company

Ape Cam: orangutans and siamangs

Koala Cam 

Giraffe Cam: giraffes, rhinos and other animals from the African Plains

Tiger Cam

Condor Cam

San Diego Zoo Kids
Kids can jump right into the world of wildlife with every visit to San Diego Zoo Kids. This family-friendly website is packed with videos about animals, fun stories, hands-on activities and games. You’ll also find information about how to be a superhero to help save species. Don’t forget to also check out the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel. This channel has tons of videos with “wild and cute” content.

ZOONOOZ Online
Many readers are familiar with the print edition of San Diego Zoo Global’s magazine. But ZOONOOZ online includes even more fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world. New articles are posted on the website each week, so be sure to visit often and check out the latest content.

San Diego Zoo Animals and Plants
Did you know the slender-snouted crocodile is an avid tree climber? Or an ocelot has different markings on each side? From the African giant pouched rat to the zebra, and from cactuses to trees, they’re all on the San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants website. This awesome online site has detailed information, fun trivia, and a user-friendly A-to-Z guide about the most-asked-about species, many of which call the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park home.

Science Blog
Middle and high school students can dig into science on the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research science blog. The engaging posts here cover the latest “flap” from the alala education program in Hawaii.

Help Track Wildlife from the Comfort of Home
Anyone can become a “citizen scientist” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers by helping to count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife online. Participants in San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya can view and classify wildlife images that were taken by remote trail cameras.

While life has been put on hold in many ways, it’s business as usual for the animals of San Diego Zoo Global and the crew of wildlife care specialists that are looking out for them. Be sure to virtually visit them soon!

—Leah R. Singer

Photos courtesy of San Diego Zoo