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12+ Best Zoos In the World for Kids
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While most kids have a natural curiosity for just about everything, they seem particularly drawn to animals encounters and wildlife.
In fact, that fascination never really seems to go away, which makes zoos the perfect places for kids and adults alike. So, today we’re going to share some of the best zoos in the world that can enrich family vacations with kids of all ages!
Let’s dive into the list!
Table of Contents
1. The San Diego Zoo, California, USA
The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most well-known zoos in the United States. Located in southern California’s beautiful San Diego region, this attraction features over 12,000 animals. Plus, it has tons of special programs just for kids.
Since it is a fairly large park, so you’ll need to be prepared to do some walking. Or you can always take the bus tour for an educational ride.
Other attractions include:
- SkyFari Aerial Tram
- 4D Interactive Theater
- Play areas for kids to burn off some energy
- Botanical Tours
- Live shows
- And much more…
For families with kids of all ages, the San Diego Zoo is an absolute must when visiting southern California!
2. Zoo at Granby, Quebec, Canada
For families who are visiting the east coast of Canada and may want to brush up on their French, the Zoo at Granby offers a great bilingual experience.
Plus, they have an amusement park that’s loads of fun for kids and adults alike.
- In the winter, they have special exhibits so you can learn more about creatures that live in sub-freezing temperatures.
- During the summer, the waterpark is open to help visitors cool off.
As Quebec’s weather can shift so dramatically from season to season, you could really visit this zoo at different times throughout the year and still discover new things.
The Zoo at Granby is also known for its conservationist and research efforts.
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3. Singapore Zoo, Singapore
The Singapore Zoo is known as one of the best rainforest zoos in the world.
It hosts a variety of exotic wildlife that is sure to please kids of all ages. You and your family can see orangutans, African penguins, panther chameleons, lions, and much more.
There are also live educational shows where you can learn more about your favorite animals. Other activities include a wildlife tour, feeding the animals, and tons of other kid-friendly events.
You’ll also be happy to know that the Singapore Zoo is taking measures to save endangered species of turtles in their native habitat in Cambodia.
4. The Calgary Zoo, Alberta, Canada
Without being the largest zoo in Canada, the Calgary Zoo is an absolute must!
They have a variety of monthly events, so be sure to check the calendar for when you’re visiting. If you live nearby, there are a number of ways for you to get involved with the zoo, including summer camps and school programs.
There is also a playground park next to the wolf exhibit that allows you to look right into it (the park is enclosed, so don’t worry 
). For those who don’t live in Calgary, the zoo offers interactive virtual experiences for learning about the different types of animals.
Kids will enjoy meeting their favorite species, such as alligators and tigers.
Must-read: Kid-Friendly Hikes Banff National Park
5. Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada
For residents or visitors closer to the eastern coast of Canada, the Toronto Zoo can be an excellent way to spend the day or a weekend. It’s home to over 5,000 types of animals from many different areas of the world, including:
- Africa
- The Americas
- Canada (specifically)
- Australia
- Indo-Malaya
- The Tundra
- And more…
Kids will get to see a variety of animals from all over the globe.
Plus, during naptime for the younger ones, parents can stroll through and look at the diverse plant life and get a coffee refill.
Lately, the Toronto Zoo has made a big effort to put on virtual events, such as a live visit held every day at 1 pm, so people can learn about these animals remotely.
6. St Louis Zoo, Missouri, USA
According to one Gowhee App member, this is one of the best zoos and aquariums in the U.S! What’s more? The admission is FREE.
The habitats are beautiful and extensive, you will find there over 12,000 animals including:
- Polar bears
- Big cats
- Elephants
- Monkeys
- Zebras
- Reptiles
- Insects
- and more…
The St Louis zoo is divided into many different types of exhibits. From their breeding programs and discovery center where you can learn about dinosaurs, to the lakeside exhibits where kids can pet stingrays, the whole family can find something to enjoy.
A favorite for the little ones is the train ride, carousel, and watching the spectacular sea lion show.
7. Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, USA
The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the united states! With roughly 1,300 animals, it’s smaller than some of the other zoos on this list, but it can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon or a whole day.
Not only are there tons of different animals for your kids to learn about, but they can even go back in time to learn about the most fascinating creatures in history: the dinosaurs! You’ll discover 24 life-size creatures, learn about how humans came to be where we are, and the importance of taking care of the environment to ensure the safety of all existing species.
This is one of the best zoos in the world for kids because one visit there will go a long way into educating your kids about issues concerning wildlife while interacting with exotic animals.
8. Berlin Zoological Garden, Berlin, Germany
For people living in or visiting Europe, the Berlin Zoological Garden can be a great stop to make. It’s the oldest zoo and most frequently-visited one too, in Germany. It has the largest variety of species in the world and is home to the only giant pandas in the country. For this reason, we felt like it is one of the best zoos in the world! Enjoy taking walks through:
- Panda Gardens
- The Romantic Heart (a historical lesson)
- The Antelope House
- World of Birds
- Seals & Penguins
- Eagle Canyon
- Hippo Bay
- Petting Zoo
There’s so much to see at this zoo, you can easily spend the entire day here. There are also feedings, training, and other types of tours, but the availability is still subject to change due to Covid precautions.
9. National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, South Africa
In a region known for wildlife conservation and safaris, the National Zoological Gardens in South Africa is the biggest zoo on the African continent. Here you’ll discover your favorite creatures, including “the Big 5”:
- Leopard
- Lion
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Rhinoceros
You’ll also get to see some of your other favorite animals, like monkeys, penguins, and more. This zoo offers family-friendly activities that might just be once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as the shark and penguin feedings.
Plus, there’s a small amusement park for kids to let the parents enjoy a nice ice cream. This can be a great alternative for families who want to learn about African wildlife but don’t have a safari tour in their budget.
10. Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia
The Taronga Zoo, sitting on 69 acres, has close to 5,000 animals. Here you’ll learn all about Australia’s rich wildlife and see other animals from around the world. Some of the animals you can see include:
- Sumatran Tigers
- Asian Elephants
- Chimpanzees
- Giraffes
- Meerkats
- Gorillas
- Red Kangaroos
- And more…
Families will also enjoy the zoo’s educational programs, which let them get up close to animals and reptiles. The Taronga Zoo also has an established reputation for its conservationist efforts and the well-being of its animals.
11. Wellington Zoo, New Zealand
In a country renowned for its wildlife, the Wellington Zoo doesn’t disappoint! Not only can you see many different animal species, but you can also book close encounters with your favorites.
Be sure to book in advance though, as these experiences can sell out quickly.
You can also take a “behind the scenes” tour with Sasa the Sun Bear in her den or the Minibeasts encounter with scorpions, Goliath stick insects, tarantulas, and more.
This may be a smaller zoo than the others on the list, but it can still be a great way to spend a day with the family. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that the Wellington Zoo is dedicated to taking the best possible care of its animals.
12. Bronx Zoo, New York, USA
With more than 700 species, a treetop adventure, and many many exhibits, we couldn’t leave the Bronx zoo out of this best zoos in the world list!
Amongst their exhibits you will find:
- A children’s petting zoo,
- The Congo gorilla forest,
- The Madagascar habitat with 97 lemur species,
- And a Jungle world.
Children 3+ will particularly love getting up in the air to enjoy the Nature Trek, to get a bird’s eye view of the park. Their website is also doing a great job at helping you plan with light level (for sensory sensitive children and kids afraid of the dark) as well as accessibility info for each habitat.
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10 Bucket-List Monuments
to see with Kids
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Traveling with kids is amazing and it’s also an incredible learning opportunity. Nothing is better than learning history by living it. So, here are 10 world-famous monuments that you need to show your kids and some great ways to make your family vacation stand out while onsite! They are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, except for Neuschwanstein Castle and the White House.
#1 Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Icon of the City of Lights, the Eiffel Tower is well worth seeing. While you can see the tower from pretty much anywhere in the city, the best place to admire the view of la Dame de fer is from the Trocadero where you will find a great playground with views of the monument to enjoy while the kids play. There is also a fun carousel on your way to the Eiffel Tower from there. If time allows, we highly recommend walking or taking the elevator up to the top of the tower. The view from the top is breathtaking!
A few kilometers outside Munich lies the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein. This castle, built for King Ludwig II in the mid-19th century, is famous for being the inspiration for the castles in Disney’s Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The kids will probably find a resemblance to these fairy tale castles when visiting. The castle’s website also offers a few activities to introduce the kids to its history and make it fun. The castle was never intended to be used as a royal residence, but rather as a relaxing retreat for King Ludwig II.
The White House in Washington, DC is the official residence of the president of the United States. Self-guided tours of the White House are available, free of charge, for US citizens upon request. Tours need to be reserved at least 21 days in advance, so be sure to plan your visit ahead of time.
If you can’t visit the interior of the White House, you can walk around the building to the National Gardens and discover the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Capitol building a little further down. Our favorite kid-friendly museum in D.C is the botanical garden, which offers a kid’s garden, many exhibition for the whole family throughout the year and is completely free!
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#4 The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The Colosseum of Rome is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city. Not only is it the largest ancient amphitheater ever built; it’s also the largest standing amphitheater in the world. Thousands of years ago in ancient Rome, the Colosseum was used for gladiator fights. We would suggest participating in a guided tour to learn some amazing facts about ancient Rome and the Colosseum (and skip the line!). But kids learn better through experiences, so we recommend to add a training day at a Gladiator School. This is sure to Wow the kids and create amazing memories. After your visit, don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the view outside the Colosseum, it is pretty impressive, too!
#5 The Great Pyramid of Giza, near Cairo, Egypt
The oldest and largest of the pyramids in the Giza Pyramid Complex, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’s only almost completely intact site. If you visit the Great Pyramid of Giza, be aware that the Gallery is very narrow and not for the claustrophobic. Cameras are not allowed inside the pyramid and pictures may not be taken. Once you’ve reached the pyramid complex, you may also want to visit the Necropolis, the Sphynx, and the Valley Temple of Khafre. You can also take a camel ride across the pyramid complex which might a bit touristic but for $10 you will give the kids a fun time and different view of the Pyramids.
It took more than two millennia to build the 13,000-mile long Great Wall of China. Because of its length, there are many access points to the Wall, some more popular than others. The Mutianyu portion of the Wall is a great place to enjoy one of the New Seven Wonders of the World with kids. It is located not too far from Beijing (about 90 minutes) and is less crowded than the famous Badaling portion. You will find there cable cars to help little feet to go up and a giant slide to go down (if this was not on your bucket list … it should be!) Enjoy the incredible natural scenery and learn about Chinese history while hiking along the Wall!
#7 The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia
Right in the heart of Moscow is the Kremlin, a fortress inside a city, as it translates into English. Once a residence of the Tzars, the Kremlin now serves as the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation and as the center of Russian culture. Kids will love the unique, colorful buildings in this more than 500-year-old fortress containing 20 towers, four churches, and five palaces within its walls. We especially recommend to take a look at the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon which are usually a children’s favorite.
#8 The Parthenon, Athens, Greece
The Parthenon, founded as a temple to the ancient Greek goddess Athena, stands on the Acropolis, an ancient citadel overlooking the city of Athens. When visiting the Acropolis (we recommend to take a kid-friendly tour), you’ll take a step back in time to the days of the ancient Greeks. If you are looking for a little visual effects and keep the kids on their toes during the visit, download the app Acropolis Interactive available on IOS or Google Play. Besides the Parthenon, there are many other other ancient ruins on the Acropolis. Among the sites worth visiting are the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, the oldest theatre in Europe, the Asclepius Sanctuary, site of the oldest hospital in the world, and the Odeon of Gerodes Atticus, an ancient amphitheatre.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in England of a ring of standing stones thought to be the most architecturally-sophisticated stone circle in the world. The design is so perfect that the stones line up precisely with the sunrise and the sunset of the summer and winter solstices. The monument is over 5,000 years old, making it one of the ancient wonders of the world. The purpose for which it was built is still a mystery today. The museum offers a great interactivity for kids, including a pulling a stone challenge and Neolithic Houses, reproduction. The site has food for the whole family and you can either take the walk or the museum bus to go from the main building to the stones.
#10 The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The construction of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia started hundreds of years ago and remains unfinished, but is certainly worth a visit. As soon as you step into this basilica, you’ll find yourself in the world of Antoni Gaudi, the famous architect who designed this architectural marvel. It will be one of the most colorful and ornate churches you’ll ever visit.
The whole city of Barcelona is a popular destination for families and many places will welcome kids, there is a little café in the middle of city that is worth a try and offers, delicious food, as well as an entire floor for kids to play while parents catch a break. Find it on the GoWheeApp.
These are 10 monuments around the world that you should see with your kids. They are all beautiful sites with their own rich histories. Most of them are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Have you already visited one of these 10 famous world monuments with your kids? Tell us below!
Mom of 2, full-time traveler and influencer. She is an active Gowhee travel ambassador and her happy place is Canada.
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10 Animal Experiences Your Kids Will Love!
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Everything related to animals is a big win for kids! Some families prefer to experience animal encounters that are less restrictive than the traditional zoos. Here is some amazing animal encounters your kids will love all around the world.
They are recommended by parents on the Gowhee App, because of their originality, safety, and ethicality.
#1 Feed the Kangaroos at Kangaroo Creek Farm in Kelowna, Canada
There is no need to fly to Australia or New Zealand to interact with kangaroos! You can simply travel to western Canada and visit Kangaroo Creek Farm in Kelowna, British Columbia. Located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Kangaroo Creek Farm is home to red kangaroos, common wallaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, and dama wallabies. When visiting, make sure to ask for a bag of popcorn to feed the kangaroos. They apparently LOVE popcorn just as much as we do!
#2 Watch Sea Turtles Hatch at Kosgoda Turtle Care Conservation Project in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a great place to see turtles. It’s one of their favorite places to live and, apparently, to have babies. There are 18 sea turtle hatcheries along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. While it may not be possible to touch the baby turtles, you’ll get to see a lot of them up close. The Kosgoda Turtle Care Conservation Project is the best place to go because of all of the different types of turtles hatching over there.
Table of Contents
#3 Go On a Safari at Kruger National Park in South Africa
A safari in Africa is the ultimate animal bucket list experience and South Africa offers great national parks where you can go on one. During the safari, you’ll usually get to see the Big 5: Elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. Kruger National Park, located 5 hours from Johannesburg, is a great and safe option for families with little ones.
Need to find fun things to do with kids?
Find places for kids near you or around the world in seconds.
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Find kid-friendly locations in 60+ countries and more added daily...
The Gowhee network is present in 60+ country already such as the United States, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, France, U.K, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Croatia, Greece… all locations are added by parents themselves.
Filter The World For Family Fun!
Discover places around the world for kids and their families, tested and approved by parents themselves.
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#4 Swim with Dolphins Along the Kona Coast in Hawaii, USA
A great place to swim with dolphins in the wild is in the waters off of Big Island, Hawaii, especially along the Kona Coast. The most common type of dolphins to spot in Hawaii are spinner dolphins. Some locations offer packages to swim with captive dolphins, but the best experience is a dolphin snorkeling tour, where you can see dolphins in their natural habitat, rather than in a pool.
#5 Have Fun With Monkeys at Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica
Palo Verde National Park, home of the white-faced capuchin monkeys, is only an hour away from Liberia. The park is best visited on a boat cruise, where you can see the monkeys up close. They may even jump into the boat and climb on your head!
#6 Wake Up at Dawn to Observe the Bison Herd at Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone National Park in is the only place in the US where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Hence why the 4,000+ bison herd is so famous. For a better chance of seeing the herd of bison wandering the park, try to wake up at dawn and drive to the Lamar or Hayden Valleys.
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#7 Learn More About Elephants at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand
There are many places in Asia, especially in Thailand, where you can see elephants. But it’s important to do your due diligence and make sure the elephants are well-treated. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is a great option, as it’s an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center. During your visit, you’ll learn more about these animals, but you may also be able to volunteer your time to help the elephants.
#8 Spot Some Bears in Jasper National Park, Canada
The Canadian Rockies are home to different types of bears. Bears can be seen in different places, but Jasper National Park in Alberta is definitely the place you’ll have the greatest chance of seeing a grizzly or a black bear. It’s important to follow the town’s signs and respect the rules relating to bears if you want to stay safe. Also, always carry bear spray when you go hiking. In Jasper National Park, bears are often seen near Pyramid Lake Road. There are also plenty of guided tours for wildlife watching.
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#9 Learn to Ride a Horse at Mountain Sky Dude Ranch in Montana, USA
While there are many opportunities around the world for horseback riding, visiting a dude ranch in the state of Montana is the ultimate experience. Dude ranches have often been family-owned for many generations, so they’re super kid-friendly. You’ll learn how to ride a horse like a real cowboy! A stay at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is a good option for the dude ranch experience.
#10 Search for Alligators in Everglades National Park in Florida, USA
Thousands and thousands of alligators inhabit the Everglades in Florida. It’s the perfect place to go to see them. Everglades National Park offers different trails and even a 65-foot observation tower. Boat tours are also available for spotting alligators, along with crocodiles and turtles.
Tell Us Bellow… What are your kids’ favorite animal?
Our Mission...
- Offer an inclusive app to provide necessary information for families travel safely and comfortably (i.e, family with special needs).
- Help small and local businesses to be seen organically and connect with families.
- Create a platform of exchange so parents can share their experiences with others
- Allow families to spend less time planning and more time having fun!
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