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London Zoo – aka ZSL – is always evolving and you can expect a slick new attraction there every couple of years: the post-pandemic era has given us the huge walkthrough Valley of the Monkeys and a nifty new reptile house.
ZooTown, though, is something different. It’s not an animal exhibit – or if it is, the animals in question are kids ages three to eight who will be able to book in for a 45 minute sesh at this brand new role play centre built in the zoo’s old reptile house (the one from Harry Potter). They’ll take on the role of a ZSL conservationist – horticulturalist, scientist or zookeeper – at the zoo within a zoo as they spend their session working their ‘jobs’ and playing with over 1,000 toys (a lot of which are admittedly zebra poo balls) including 63 cuddly animals – from parrots to komodo dragons – that have had microchips specially fitted by the zoo vets.
It’s both an opportunity for little ones to learn about conservation and what goes on behind the scenes at a zoo, and also a jolly good play session that perhaps acknowledges youngsters can sometimes have their attention spans tested by a full day at the zoo.
To stop the sessions becoming oversubscribed but also ensure people turn up, you’ll need to book for them, and it’ll cost £1 to reserve a space in addition to your entry to the zoo. Sessions will become available to book three days in advance. Happy roleplaying, and here’s hoping your sprog has what it takes to cure the Komodo lurgie.
ZooTown will be open daily from Oct 18 at London Zoo. The first sessions will be bookable from Oct 15.
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