Tuesday, June 1, 2010

How do you zoo?



A few days ago we drove into Washington D.C. with some very good friends
(we just love our springtime fieldtrips!) and had a ball at the National Zoo.
We've been there many times before, but this go round we enjoyed an extra exhibit--
one created just for kids... one aptly named...


== a hands-on discovery room for curious kiddos ages 5-10
(though the older ones enjoyed it quite a bit, too),
outfitted with 4 different activity stations...
each one well equipped with all the things a zoo worker, a doctor, or a commissary steward
might need to complete his job on any given day.
Manned by a lovely (& enthusiastic!) volunteer, it truly was a
top-notch learning experience from top to bottom.


The kiddos examined x-rays, and they "prepared" meals for the animals
(simple recipes were provided along with lots of plastic food... enough to give them the idea :)



They helped the sick,


and they helped a bit with the "data entry"
(that was Lolli's favorite part... b/c anything with buttons is always a hit!).


And by the time the session ended (it was only 45 minutes long),
they had all learned a few new facts...
they had all learned how you DO zoo,
and they had all earned the right to be honorary zoo keepers for the day...
at least in my mind they did!


So if you're ever in the area, check it out! Your kids will love it, I promise :)

2 comments:

Carrie said...

What a most excellent field trip!! My kiddos would LOVE that!!

We've been outta town for a long weekend, but I checked on your garden pics, too! That's funny ... on our way home yesterday, I was wondering how your garden was coming! Thanks for the update! ;)

Christine said...

That looks like a lot of fun. I know my kids would love it. One of these days I hope to make it to Washington (to visit!). Never know-- maybe it will be sooner than I think. I can always hope.