ML Interest Tag: zebra

Local Vacation Vibes You Can Recreate at Home

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

These days our homes are serving as work places, schools, playgrounds and even vacation destinations. You can’t hit the road, but you can hit the information highway for an afternoon at some of our favorite local travel spots. Go on a virtual field trip to the National Air and Space museum, travel back in time for a romp through 18th century Colonial Williamsburg or spend the day sipping chocolate milkshakes and riding Hershey Park’s virtual coasters. Read on for five trips you can take from the comfort of your couch happy travels!

photo: Hershey Park

Soak Up the Sweet Stuff
Grab a mug or a Mason jar and get ready to design your own King Size Shake as you sip your way through the Sweetest Place on Earth. (Don’t forget to share your creation on Facebook!). Take a spin on a virtual roller coaster (mug in hand, natch) and then print and color scenes from Hershey Park. Still want more? You can check in on Hershey’s ZooAmerica through live streams every weekday at 11 a.m.

Online: hersheypa.com

photo: National Aquarium 

Dive In To Adventure
Go on an aquatic adventure with Baltimore’s National Aquarium. Print and cut-out an octopus mask for an authentic trip under-the-sea. Looking for some 8-legged companions? You can make your own socktopus with this tutorial. Every fish knows that the best place to be is in school (pun intended), so practice your alphabet with these ABC print outs, Anemone to Zebra Mussel. Turn on the live cams for the Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion or Pacific Coral Reef for the perfect backdrop to this at-home fun.

Online: aqua.org/activities

photo: Colonial Williamsburg

Time Travel Back to the 18th Century
Take a trip back in time with downloadable activity pages, 18th century recipes and DIY videos on colonial crafts. Color a famous painting from the historic collection, bake gooey Chelsea buns (the 18th version of a sticky bun), cook up some carrot puffs, and try your hand at creating an authentic colonial spring wreath.  And if you have any questions on how to live the 18th century life (virually), you can ask 18th celebs, like Martha Washington or Thomas Jefferson, during their live chat sessions every weekday at 2 p.m.

Online: colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/explore-from-home

photo: Meghan Yudes Meyers

All Aboard! for Train Time Fun
Add some train-themed story times to your train play, courtesy of the B&O Railroad Museum. Every Tues. and Thurs. a new Junior Junction story goes live with an activity to complete after the book. You’ll also find coloring sheets, word search puzzles and history lessons on their at-home activity page.

Online: borail.org

photo: Wikilmages via Pixabay

Blast Off into Air & Space
You can virtually stroll the National Air and Space Mueum’s  Udvar Hazy Center or National Mall building, but the real fun comes in hoping into the cockpits of some of the museum’s historic collection. Get panoramic views of iconic crafts like the Space Shuttle Discovery or the Spirit of St. Louis. When you’re done touring the museum, be sure to check out the space-themed games, like Pilot Pals (geared towards kids K-1).

Online:

—Meghan Yudes Meyers

featured photo: Hershey Park

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“Mom, Do I Have to Hold Hands?”

By Gay Cioffi

As a parent, grandparent and educator, I am fascinated by the interactions of parents and their children. When I travel to New York for work several times a month, I have lots of opportunities for fieldwork as I make my way from Manhattan to Brooklyn. There are families with young children everywhere! 

While venturing out for a long walk this past Saturday morning with my husband, Mark, I witnessed a father and his young son negotiating how the child would walk across the street. Actually, negotiating is the wrong word, because the parent was very clear that there was only one way to get to the other side… holding hands.

As those of you who have struggled with the independent child who is not a hand holder know, a situation like this—where a child’s safety is at stake—can be especially challenging,

Pedestrian accidents are a leading cause of death and trauma in young children and it is a matter that parents and caregivers should be informed and clear about.

Children should be taught from a very early age about street safety.  Modeling actions and saying the words out loud, “Stop, look (left, right and left again) and listen” should be part of every stroll when young children are out walking. As well as learning to recognize a cross-walk or as it is known in some places, a zebra crossing (kids love that!) And no one’s going to like this part: holding hands is an absolute imperative. 

Children are impulsive and even those children who run ahead and seem to always stop when they get to the corner, cannot be trusted to not dash out for a ball or shiny coin or some other distraction. Children under the age of 7 do not have the cognitive, perceptual or behavioral skills to be trusted not to act quickly and impulsively in certain situations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children up to the age of 10 are not developmentally capable of judging the distance and speed of cars.

An Academy study showed that parent’s expectations of their child’s ability to assess street safety were not in line with their developmental ability and in most cases, parents overestimated their child’s ability to correctly judge safety situations.

Everything about parenting is a balancing act. Reinforcing your child’s independence while keeping them safe and healthy is just another example of the daily challenges all parents face. But, just like the use of a car seat or seat belt, pedestrian safety should not be negotiable.  

I will add that in addition to modeling good street safe behavior, including not walking and texting or looking at your phone, you can have a conversation with your child about how to be safe before venturing out. That’s what good nursery school teachers do before every outing, whether it’s moving from the classroom to the gym, or venturing out to the neighborhood park.   

When parents at our school were surveyed about the pluses and minuses of using the local city park for our outdoor play, many parents cited going to the nearby park as a positive because in addition to being a great park for fresh air and physical activity, their children through their daily walks to the park had become better at street safety; holding hands and knowing what to do at each street crossing.

The father that I witnessed while strolling through Brooklyn, reminded his whining and resistant child, in a kind but firm voice, that the rule was that you hold hands when crossing the street. No discussion. The child didn’t like it, complained loudly, but got to the other side of an extremely busy street safely.

I restrained myself from approaching this father and congratulating him on his clarity and success. But what I witnessed reminded me of the importance of this issue. Safe travels!

This post originally appeared on www.littlefolksbigquestions.com.

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

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How to Establish a Successful Morning Routine for Kids

By Amanda Tallent

Morning routines are everything when it comes to getting out the door without letting the morning madness get to you. And, let’s face it. From your alarm clock waking you up at the crack of dawn to making sure your kiddos are fed and out the door on time, things can get stressful. 

However, with a little planning, and a solid morning routine, you can transform how your family handles the morning rush. Read on because we’re sharing 7 tips on how to establish a morning routine for kids that may set the tone for a more positive and productive day. 

1. It All Starts with Sleep 

While we may be talking about morning routines, a seamless morning routine really all starts with how your kid’s slept the night before (and you too!) Hitting the hay earlier and setting your little ones up for a solid night’s sleep is the number one step to hit the ground running with a much smoother morning routine. 

Think about it this way. When your child is overtired, nothing seems to run smoothly, right? So, make sleep a priority. 

As a general rule of thumb, The Sleep Foundation says that toddlers (ages 1-2) need 11-14 hours of sleep. Preschoolers (ages 3-5) need 10-13 hours of sleep, school-aged children (ages 6-13) require 9-11 hours, and teenagers (ages 14-17) should be getting 8-10 hours each night. 

Here are a few tips to help establish a better evening routine to set your whole family up for a smoother morning. 

  • Have a predictable evening routine. 

  • Try using noise machines to block out outside noise. 

  • Consider using blackout curtains to set the tone for sleep. 

  • Get the kids into bed early enough to make sure they are getting the amount of sleep their growing bodies need. 

2. Plan Ahead 

Planning is key to avoiding chaos, so consider planning ahead a bit before your busy morning starts. If you can carve our just ten minutes to plan ahead the night before, you will feel so much less stressed when the morning rolls around. Have lunches to pack? Try getting everything out and ready to go the night before. Need to pick out clothes for the kiddos? Try setting those out the night before. 

Crossing just a few things off of your to-do the night before will ultimately save you tons of time during the morning rush. 

3. Claim Your Own Power Half Hour 

If you can manage it, try waking up just a little earlier than the rest of the house, and get some “me time” in! Make the first half-hour of your day your power half-hour to focus on you. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy it while it’s actually still hot. Listen to your favorite podcast, or roll out your yoga mat and get a quick yoga flow in. Doing something for yourself before you dive into your morning routine will help you feel more centered. Hint: A more centered parent equals a smoother morning! 

4. Ease into That Wakeup Call 

Think about how you feel when your blaring alarm clock goes off at the crack of dawn. For many of us, we dread that wakeup call. So, ease into your little one’s wakeup call. If they have a hard time rolling out of bed in the morning, ease into it. Try playing some gentle music, lay in bed with them for a few minutes talking about the plans for the day, or simply offer a hug and some positive words to help your kid’s wake up on the right side of the bed. 

 

5. Get Your Children Involved in the Routine

If your children are old enough, consider getting them involved in the morning routine. This will help foster some independence, but also make them more excited about waking up and diving right into the morning routine.

Consider making a routine chart of what everyone is responsible for each morning, and everyone gets to check their tasks off when they are complete. This example from The Zebra includes a printable morning and routine chart for your family to help them get out of the house on time. 

6. Get Nourished 

Setting the tone for a productive day also starts with nourishing the body. Kiddos (and adults) need something wholesome that’s rich in protein and healthy fat to stabilize blood sugar and help kids stay full until lunchtime. So, consider offering things like eggs with a side of fruit and a piece of toast with mashed avocado or almond butter. Or, on the days you’re in a rush, blend up a kid-approved smoothie.

7. Be Flexible 

As parents, it may seem like we’re always having to bend and flex. Our kid’s needs are ever-changing, and being able to be flexible in your morning routine is just another way to challenge that inner parent patience we all have to muster up. Being flexible when things don’t go exactly as planned will help you bounce right back, instead of letting the morning rush get the best of the entire house. Just remember that not all is lost if your morning routine is slightly thrown off track. Just roll with it! 

A Sample Morning Routine for Kids 

Want to see what a sample morning routine put into real-time looks like? Here’s an example of a morning routine that can be tweaked to work for you. 

The Night Before

8:00 PM: Light’s out for kiddos

8:30 PM: Lay clothes out, get lunch ready

Morning 

5:30 AM: Parent power half hour 

6:00 AM: Kiddos gentle wake-up call 

6:30 AM: Morning schedule

7:00 AM: Enjoy a nourishing breakfast 

7:30 AM: Out the door for a positive and productive day! 

With a solid morning routine, you will quickly see just how powerful they can be for getting out the door and seizing the day. 

I declared my dream of being a mom at the age of five years old on my kindergarten graduation day when answering the age-old question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Many years later, it still seems like the best job in the world. 

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The Spotted Zebra x Disney Collection Is Available on Amazon Right Now

by Erica Loop

A new Spotted Zebra-Disney-Amazon collab is here—and your kiddo is going to want absolutely everything in the awesomely amazing line!

The Spotted Zebra x Disney collection is available exclusively on Amazon and features fave characters from franchises such as Frozen and Star Wars. You’ll also find plenty of pieces in Marvel and Mickey and Minnie Mouse themes.

The exclusive line comes in sizes ranging from 2T to XXL (ages 2 through 14) and has tees and leggings for tots to teens. If your littles just can’t decide on one style, don’t worry. The line features multipacks with two to four pieces each.

Find the collection (which is all $30 and under!) on Amazon right now.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Spotted Zebra x Disney

 

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Recall Alert! Kids II Recalls Nearly 700,000 Baby Sleepers Sold Under Several Brands

by Shahrzad Warkentin

On the heels of Fisher Price’s massive recall of the Rock ’N Play Sleepers comes another large recall of baby sleepers. Kids II has issued a recall of nearly 700,000 inclined baby sleepers sold under several brand names and models due to five infant fatalities.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Kids II for a refund or voucher. Read on for a full explanation of why the company has issued a recall.

Recalled Product Description: Kids II Inclined Baby Sleepers 

The recalled Kids II sleepers were sold under Ingenuity, Bright Starts, Disney Baby and DreamComfort brands at major retailers including Walmart, Target and Toys”R”Us and online from Mar. 2012 through Apr. 26, 2019 for approximately $40 to $80.

Why the Vehicles Were Recalled

“Since the 2012 product introduction, five infant fatalities have occurred in the Kids II Rocking Sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach while unrestrained, or under other circumstances,” according to the recall notice posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

How To Tell If Your Baby Sleeper Is Part of the Recall

All models of Kids II Rocking Sleepers have been recalled. Here is a full list of the names and model numbers affected:

  • Bright Starts Playtime To Bedtime Rocking Sleeper: 10081
  • Rock & Dream Sleeper – Iggy: 10126
  • Ingenuity Rock And Dream Sleeper Lucy: 10127
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Cuddle Giraffe: 10148
  • Bright Starts Pretty In Pink Playtime To Bedtime Rocking Sleeper: 10178
  • Ingenuity Smartrock Poweradapt Sleeper Cambridge: 10289
  • Ingenuity Rock N’ Soothe Sleeper Dayton: 10292
  • Automatic Rock ‘N Soothe Sleeper – Cuddle Lamb: 10320
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Cuddle Lion: 10380
  • Ingenuity Soothing Light Rocking Sleeper Vesper: 10568
  • Bright Starts Toucan Tango Rocking Sleeper: 10729
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Zoo Zoo Zebra: 10872
  • DreamComfort Automatic Rocking Sleeper – Whitley: 10888
  • DreamComfort Soothing Light Rocking Sleeper – Addington: 10890
  • Bright Starts Rocking Sleeper Jungle Bursts: 11021
  • Bright Starts Pretty In Pink Rocking Sleeper Jungle Blooms: 11022
  • Rock n’ Soothe Sleeper – Moxley: 11063
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Lullaby Lion: 11164
  • Ingenuity Rock N’ Soothe Sleeper Sunny Snuggles: 11171
  • Ingenuity Rock N’ Soothe Sleeper Dayton: 11357
  • Ingenuity Dream Comfort Automatic Rocking Sleeper Braden: 11429
  • DreamComfort Automatic Rocking Sleeper – Anders: 11714
  • Automatic Rock ‘n Soothe Sleeper – Nolan: 11792
  • Bright Starts Rocking Sleeper – Jungle Garden: 11894
  • Bright Starts Rocking Sleeper – Evening Safari: 11895
  • Automatic Rock ‘n Soothe Sleeper – Flora the Unicorn: 11962
  • Automatic Rock N Soothe Sleeper – Nolan – Display: 12115
  • Taggies Snuggle Me Sleeper Nestling Vine: 60130
  • Bright Starts Playtime To Bedtime Sleeper: 60131
  • Bright Starts Pretty In Pink Playtime To Bedtime Sleeper: 60163
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Deluxe Emerson: 60327
  • Disney Baby/Bright Starts Bows & Butterflies Sleeper Minnie Mouse: 60328
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Lullaby Lamb: 60331
  • Bright Starts Playtime To Bedtime Sleeper Playful Pinwheels: 60401
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Deluxe Winslow: 60600
  • Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Deluxe Seneca: 60635

What Parents Can Do

If you have one of the sleepers listed stop using immediately. Consumers can call Kids II 1-866-869-7954 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit www.kids2.com/recalls for more information on getting a refund.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of CPSC

 

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Spin Me Right Round! 8 Whimsical SoCal Carousels

by Nikki Walsh

Carousel rides are a whimsical part of childhood we all cherish. Make new memories with your kids by giving them a whirl on an enchanting carousel they’ll always remember. From prancing horses and roaring tigers to hand painted murals and antique works of art, scroll down for where to pony-up for the ride of your life!

Seaport Village

Brianne Grajkowski

The enclosed, hand-carved carousel in Seaport Village was built in 1895. A ride around this carousel is a must-do after walking around all the nearby shops. With 54 animals and two horse-drawn carriages, there is sure to be a spot for every animal lover. So even if you see a bunch of kids waiting for a turn, don’t leave — you’ll never wait longer than a few minutes.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $3/person

849 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
Online: seaportvillage.com/entertainment/attractions

San Diego Safari Park's Conservation Carousel

San Diego Safari Park

Choose between 60 colorful, rare and endangered animals to take a spin on––including a giraffe, rhino, zebra, or a cheetah, at the Conservation Carousel located inside the Safari Base Camp at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Unlimited rides cost $6.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd.
Escondido, CA 92027
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to closing
Cost:  $6/all-day wristband (also budget for admission to the park)
Online: sdzsafaripark.org/conservation-carousel

South Coast Plaza

Mark L.

With two carousels and your favorite retail stores, you should give South Coast Plaza a turn. Start at the Level One carousel on Bristol Street that sits right next to babyGap and Gymboree go for a spin, shop then head to the other side of the mall. There are over 40 restaurants, including Ruby's Diner and Rainforest Cafe which is perfect with the crew in tow. Take a stroll through the plaza and cruise across the bridge to Level One Bear Street and take a second carousel ride. Further, it's good to know there's a family restroom and strollers for hire.

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $1/person

3333 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
800-782-8888
Online: southcoastplaza.com

Balboa Park

Friends of Balboa Park

The carousel at Balboa Park was added in 1910 right by the San Diego Zoo. All of the animals are original and hand-carved (minus two pairs). The hand painted murals at the top of the carousel are also original works of art. This 5-minute ride also includes the old brass ring game – one of the few carousels in the world still offering it. The lucky winner gets another ride around.

Mark your calendar for National Carousel Day July 25th, when kids can ride this carousel for free from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hours: Saturday, Sunday and school holidays, 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $3/person

2920 Zoo Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
Online: balboapark.org/balboa-park-carousel

Irvine Spectrum

Krishna C. via Yelp

Round and round you go! You'll find an antique carousel with plenty of different animal choices right in the middle of fabulous shopping, restaurants and a movie theatre. Even more, there's a giant wheel to get up and away too! Further, if you head down by Target you'll find a great new climbing playground where littles can explore for free. Also, with restaurants like Dave & Busters, Luna Grill, The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen, there are a ton of places to grab something to eat.

Hours: Sun.-Thur., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: $3.00/person if above 42". Under 42" kids only require an adult ticket.

670 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
Online: irvinespectrumcenter.com

The Great Park Carousel

N C. via Yelp

This carousel is perfect for half-pints who want to ride something besides a horse. Yes, there are horses, but there's also a pig, cat, panda, reindeer, zebra and more to choose for your three-minute ride. When done riding the carousel, you can make it a play day. Check out (for free) a football, soccer ball, basketball, Bocce ball set, Frisbee or jump rope from the Visitors center and play til your heart's content. Pack snacks or a lunch for eats when everyone gets hungry.

Hours: Thurs., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Closed Mon.–Weds.
Cost: $2/ride; $3/all day

Orange County Great Park
6690 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Online: cityofirvine.org

Belmont Park

Yad L. via Yelp

The Liberty carousel at Belmont Park is an antique reproduction that looks just as authentic as an original. Located at the entrance of the park, it’s sure to grab your kids’ interest. There are a few rides at Belmont Park but the carousel really appeals to toddlers. The scary roller coaster in the background may be a better pick for the school-aged kids. The sweet part about the Liberty carousel is that it’s right by the beach, perfect for washing off all that cotton candy from the park.

Hours: Mon.-Thurs., Closed; Fri. & Sat., 11a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $4/person

3146 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109
Online: belmontpark.com

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

Eriny R. via Yelp

Built almost 100 years ago and restored in the 1980s, the Santa Monica Pier Carousel is housed inside the historic Looff Hippodrome. Make a day of it. First, give the carousel a whirl. (Good to know that the moving animals are on the inside!) Then, enjoy an ice-cream cone at the nearby sweet shop. Next, stroll through the rest of the Pacific Park amusement, then end up checking out the sea creatures at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

Hours: Check website. Varies with the season.
Cost: $2/adult, $1/child

200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-8901
Online: smgov.net

-Brianne Grajkowski and Nikki Walsh

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Pillow Pets Are the Latest “Retro” Toy Making a Comeback

by Erica Loop

The New York Toy Fair 2018 is bringing innovations and new products galore to us ‘always on the search for the next big thing’ mamas. But not every toy that’s making its way to the showcase is brand-new. Pillow Pets are coming back, and in a major way.

The original Pillow Pets line is relaunching this year. The “Signature” line will include popular pets, featuring the panda, penguin, unicorn and zebra.

Along with the re-release of the original naptime pals, Pillow Pets is launching several brand-new products. These include products specifically for babies. The My First Pillow Pet line will come in pastel colors and feature three sizes — 5-inch, 11-inch and 18-inch pets. But this isn’t the only line for babies that Pillow Pets is debuting. The Natural Pillow Pets line has cuddly soft that are made from Sherpa materials.

If your kiddo needs a nightlight, the Sleeptime Lites line pulls double duty. Like the name says, it’s a Pillow Pet that also has a nightlight function. Sleeptime Lites have their own timers that shut the lights down after 20 minutes.

Pillow Pets is also bringing some of your kiddo’s favorite licensed characters to their new lines. This includes a Sesame Street line with Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster and other characters from the small screen.

Does your child have a favorite bedtime toy? Share their pick with us in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

 

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10 Splurge-Worthy Baby Shower Gifts

by Katie Brown

While the greatest gift you could give new parents would be a 25-hour day including a full night’s rest, we’ve compiled a list of baby shower splurges that are a pretty close second. From the coziest crib sheets to high-tech bassinets, read on to discover something to W-O-W every expecting parent. Dare to dream…or hope guests will go in on big-ticket items!

Finn & Emma Rattle Buddy

This precious hand-knit rattle is made in Peru with organic cotton yarn and eco-friendly inks and dyes and is stuffed with sheep’s wool. It makes for cozy snuggling and stimulates the senses with a shake or two. Choose from Daisy the Zebra, Ramsay the Raccoon, Kellan the Elephant, Finley the Fox, Belle the Bunny, and many more.

Available at finnandemma.com, $28.

Which item is your favorite splurge? Let us know in the comments!

— Katie Brown

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How to Do the Metro Richmond Zoo with Kids (in Just Two Hours)

by rtjamybond

Yes, D.C.’s Smithsonian Zoo is free and awesome and if you haven’t paid a visit you must go (Pandas!). But if you’ve been there, done that, and you need a unique animal-loving fix, consider a visit to the Metro Richmond Zoo, one of the largest and most unique in our area that’s just a quick two-hour drive south of the city. With more than 2,000 animals spread across 70 acres of land, answering the call of the wild can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are five places to get started. 

#1 The Feeding Giraffes
One feature that makes this zoo so popular and fun is the ample opportunity you’ll have to interact with a variety of animals. In the African Plains section, which features addax, impala, zebra, and kudu, along with storks, cranes, ostriches, cheetahs and elephants, you can actually feed the giraffes from a special platform. The zoo houses a herd of nine reticulated giraffe and they are all too happy to nibble some pre-purchased treats from your hand. You can also feed deer, goats, sheep, donkeys and antelope in the children’s farm area.

#2 Monkey Business
Primates are a favorite here and you’ll find rows of lemurs, marmosets, tamarins, New and Old World monkeys, as well as quite a few apes, including siamangs, orangutans, and chimpanzees. You can get up-close-and-personal (but maintain a modicum of safety) through a glass window with Farley and Zoe, two goofy orangutans.

#3 Birds of a Feather…
If birds are your thing, you’ll marvel at the Chilean flamingos and African penguins, and a walk-through aviary of ducks, pheasants, ibises, and spoonbills. The kids will love being able to enter the budgie exhibit and feed the brightly-colored budgerigars, aka parakeets, from feed sticks.

#4 Cats Steal the Show
Favor cute things with whiskers? You’ll enjoy the fact that Metro Richmond Zoo is a Cheetah Breeding Center and has gained worldwide attention for facilitating multiple births of adorable cheetah cubs.

#5 Hitch a Ride
Perhaps the ultimate interactive element at Metro Richmond Zoo is the newly added Treetop Zoofari zip line adventure, where you can zip from tree to tree like Tarzan and get a bird’s eye view of the animals. But if zip lining requires a little too much adrenaline for you, take advantage of the zoo’s Safari Sky Ride, which will give you a similar view, but from the comfort of a moving seat. Or if you prefer to stay closer to the ground, you can take the safari train for a special view of India and Chinese natives, such as blackbuck, mouflon, Himalayan tahr and takin. Impress your little ones by mentioning that the takin is considered a national treasure in China, much like the giant pandas.

Metro Richmond Zoo
8300 Beaver Bridge Rd. (Moseley, Va)
Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $17.25; kids ages 2-11/$11.25
804-739-5666
Online: metrorichmondzoo.com

Have you visited this zoo yet? Tell us about your favorite part in the comments below. 

–Jamy Bond

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