Autumn is a great time to visit a children’s zoo, given the number of special programs geared toward kids. For instance, the Henry Vilas Zoo has trick-or-treating, a fun house and music. Fort Wayne Zoo has a mystery maze, meet-Broomhilda-the-Witch, a petting zoo, pumpkin bowling, carnival games and a haunted train ride. The National Zoo in Washington DC has haunted trails, trick-or-treating, animal encounters and festive decor. Your family can get fall discounts at the National Aquarium in Baltimore ($8 instead of $29.95) and kids are free at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for the entire month of October (down from $26/$18). The Indianapolis Zoo also reduces their prices during the month of November. Additionally, “Crowds are down and animals are more active due to cooler temperatures,” says Allen Nyhuis, co-author of “America’s Best Zoos,” a guide book for families.

The top children’s zoo, according to Child Magazine, is the 56-acre Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, where your child can see 1,614 exotic animals. The Australian-themed petting zoo lets the kids feed pet kangaroos and wallabies, mimic sheep herding and visit a water-play area with animal fountains and statues. Your kids will love the Safari Africa exhibit, featuring giraffes, elephants, zebras, warthogs, bongos and African ground hornbill birds. The “Spirit of the Skies” show features high-flying hawks, bald eagles, vultures and owls. Kids can hold lorikeets and feed them nectar, pet koi fish, ride on a camel, feed sting rays and act at a summer camp. With 35 educational programs designed to leave lasting impressions on youngsters, you can be sure your kids will never forget this trip to the zoo. For more information, visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

The Oklahoma City Children’s Zoo was another top contender in the Child Magazine “Top 10 Zoos for Kids.” With 1,520 animals on 110 acres, you will see one of the best butterfly gardens amid 15,000 plants and a “Great EscApe” animal exhibit containing a realistic tropical rainforest complete with waterfalls and fallen trees. Their free family activity packet gives you a fun list of activities for kids to complete, including finding colors and patterns throughout the zoo. Their monthly stroller safari is designed especially for toddlers, who can see insects, leaves, plants and animals at eye-level. Their brand new Jungle Gym is a stunning $1.1 million playground that includes underground burrowing tunnels, a snow leopard climbing wall, a giant bird’s nest and an elephant trunk slide. Kids will enjoy the array of artistic sculptures throughout the park as well. For more information, visit www.okczoo.com.

New York City’s Bronx Zoo is another top zoo for kids, with 4,427 animals on 265-acres. The best thing about this zoo is its education programs that include summer camps, animal-themed plays, scavenger hunts, day camps, craft making and classes about animal studying technology. “Our zoo is a living classroom,” says Richard Lattis, general director. “Children are constant fountains of knowledge who are going to keep adults headed toward saving wildlife.” For more information, visit www.bronxzoo.com. Other great zoos for kids to check out include the Toledo Zoo, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and the Columbus Zoo.

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