As a family who are not going abroad on holidays this year, we have been doing our very best to get creative with our kid's school-free time.
We have visited every local park available to us, we have scoured the beaches for 'pirates treasure' and cosied up with hot chocolates afterwards.
We have done one overnight in a family-friendly hotel with a pool and two nights in a country cottage with donkeys in the back yard.
We have visited friends, family, attended birthday parties and family fun days out.
But by far, the best adventure so far has been to the 'Wake Up With The Animals' event at Dublin Zoo.
Myself, Alan and the kids dragged our sleepy asses out of bed last Friday morning super early to experience having a tour with the zookeepers for the animal's breakfast time.
Here's what was great about it and why you should totally take the kids as soon as you can:
1. You Are VIPs For The Morning
Arrival at the zoo is 8.30am for Wake With The Animals but the 'real' opening hours start from 9.30am. Your kids get to feel really special as the zoo is open 'just for them' (and the other families who booked in but shhhh...)
2. You Get A Personal Tour
We have visited the zoo a tonne of times but getting a dedicated tour of some of the animals and hearing first-hand about who they are and how they live is a total bonus.
3. The Staff Are Amazing
I can hand-on-heart say that the Dublin Zoo staff and zookeepers are some of the absolute best in the world. They love their jobs, the animals and they are great at answering kid's questions (our Jacob had a LOT of questions).
4. Breakfast Is King
Seeing a lion devour a large chunk of raw meat hanging from a tree for breakfast might not be the idea of a good time for an adult who has yet to have her coffee but the kids couldn't get ENOUGH of it. My two are still talking about it!
5. The Orangutan Forest Is A Pure Delight
Watching the orang-utans and monkeys swing their way across the purpose-built ropes in their new forest area is SO much fun. It is plain to see that they are clearly putting on a show for the spectators below. Just don't stand RIGHT under the ropes.. there is talk of a photographer who got wee'd on at the official opening. You have been warned!
There are a number of fantastic events at Dublin Zoo every year, aside from the normal general admission. You can check them out on
their website here.
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