I love having my son home from school during the summer, but he’s not the kind of kid that wants to be parked in front of a tv all day (which I wouldn’t allow him to anyways), so I’m constantly looking for activities to keep him active, occupied, and help me maintain my sanity. One of our first outings this summer was a trip to the Houston Zoo.
- Timing. I’m so glad we went at the beginning of summer because it has gotten so hot lately here and the weather was absolutely perfect when we went in early June. So there’s a tip – go early in summer and early in the day if you want to beat the heat. Your kids are more likely to be happier earlier in the day as well, so you could be in and out by lunchtime and save a few bucks by packing a lunch. There’s also a schedule posted online for animal encounters each day, so you can plan ahead and don’t miss anything while you’re there.
- Save Money. There are always Groupon deals for the Houston Zoo right before summer hits. If you wait until the kids are out of school and then start looking for deals, you aren’t going to find them. Look before you actually need the passes. You’ll save at least half of the admission price most of the time.
- Animal Interactions. You can feed the giraffes! There’s no better way to get a kid interested in animals than giving them a hands-on experience with them! For $7, you can get face to face with a giraffe and feed them lettuce. This is only available between 11am and 2pm, so plan accordingly.
- Water Included. If you can’t beat the heat, jump in the water! The Kathrine McGovern Water Play Park is open from 10am to 6pm and included in the price of admission, so bring your swimsuits and cool off a bit in the summer heat!
- BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). With all that fun, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Did you know you can bring in your own food and drinks for a picnic at the zoo? Just no alcohol or glass is allowed.
Here’s a look at what you’ll find at the Houston Zoo.
If you’re looking for an interesting new place to meet people and interact with animals, you can volunteer at the zoo and get to work hands-on with the animals! You can find more information on that here.
