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When the weather is nice, one of the best family activities is a trip to the local zoo. The low ticket prices, which are even free in some areas, combined with the amount of enjoyment children get from looking at wild and exotic animals makes this day trip ideal. Sure, you have to navigate the kids around the souvenir shops at the zoo and opt for a packed picnic lunch, rather than dining at the zoo, but overall you can have a really entertaining, low-cost day of family fun. Recently, Child Magazine rated the Top 10 children’s zoo experiences, based on their special programs aimed at kids.

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.

Special at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, another top children’s zoo, is the 2,000-seat “Dolphinarium” shows, their 20-species butterfly showcase, bar-less panda and black rhino displays and Hamill Family Play Zoo, where kids can play in a fake animal hospital, plant gardens, dress up in animal costumes, paint murals, build animal exhibit habitats and pet animals. On the third Saturday of every month, kids between the ages of 5 and 10 will enjoy painting, sculpting, games, journals, mural-making and discussions geared toward their age group. All in all, you’ll see 5,938 exotic animals in this 216-acre park. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org.

The Phoenix Zoo is another great stop on your children’s zoo tour. While it’s only 125 acres with 1,300 animals, there are a lot of special programs your family will enjoy. The “Wilderness Experience Night Camp” is a lakeside tent sleepover experience, complete with s’mores, nocturnal animal presentations, guided hikes and astronomy lectures. Here you’ll see the rare Arabian oryx antelope and spectacled bears at the “Forest of Uco.” Kids can learn about archaeology or visit one of many play areas including Critter Creek, Papago Buttes, Busy Bee Toddler Play area or the Enchanted Forest. Thanksgiving weekend offers a 2-million-light display and they have a fun “Breakfast Tortoise-Style” program that includes a meal, songs, games, crafts and tortoise visiting. If you get hungry, you’ll be happy to know there is healthy dining at the zoo too. Visit www.phoenixzoo.org for more information.

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