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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.

Child Magazine’s second-favorite children’s zoo is the San Diego Zoo in California. According to their survey, 95% of San Diego’s zoo keeper staff holds degrees in zoology, so you know any question your little one has will be answered. A special 30-day exhibit lets you peek at nurseries containing sick or weak baby animals and learn about veterinary care at the zoo. A petting area lets kids touch goats, sheep and miniature horses. Shows include a “Dr. Zoolittle” zany science show and “Bugtown,” which showcases diving beetles, water bugs, katydids and other insects. Here, you will behold one of the nation’s most diverse collection of animals, while getting special glimpses of captive-bred pandas, okapis, gazelles, Indian gharial crocodiles, Visayan warty pigs, swimming polar bears and tigers. The best part is half the proceeds of your tickets will go toward animal conservation! For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org.

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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