To take scooter to the zoo?

There’s more exercise from walking, and they are a menace to anyone else in their path, particularly those who are less steady on their feet. Enjoyment can be had in their own space

Yes but please please supervise him. I have mobility issues and was knocked over and seriously injured by a small child on a scooter 2 years ago in Regents Park. I have never recovered from the fall and the parent verbal abuse that I (who was stationary) should have "watched out for him" rings in my ears every time I am effected by my injuries.

loads of kids have scooters at London zoo. Totally fine.

5-8 is an awkward age for day trips... too old for pushchairs, but not the same stamina as an adult or preteen. They get there eventually.

I always found scooters more hassle then they are worth though. Just something else to carry.

You sound fun.

It is about a 20 minute walk from tube to zoo (yes there is a bus but that is an hassle and takes longer) and for kids, the zoo is big. Scooters are allowed, obviously consideration should be paid to other people but there is enough room if kids are sensible. If scooters were causing problems there they would have banned them.

It will be much more enjoyable for the whole family to have your DC happily scooting than moaning about all the walking.

(Also a former member that visited most weekends for years)

Personally :

DS takes his scooter all the time. He's never once run into someone, because I've taught him to watch where he's going and if there's a person coming towards him, to walk it for a few minutes. IMO the people who don't teach their kids this/allow their children to crash into people are in the minority but ruin people's perception, who then assume EVERY child will do this with a scooter. They do not.

Also, FWIW my kiddo loves scooting to the animals, and then stopping to watch. It's all part of the fun! Personally I wish I could have one too instead of traipsing from place to place!

Edinburgh zoo is on the side of a pretty steep hill! Scooter would be dangerous (down) or hard work.

Unless their are medical or underlying issues, your 7 year old is not a good walker because you keep giving in to them and letting them get away with not walking in scenarios like this.

They're 7 not 2. Tell them to suck it up and stop being lazy. Take snacks and water and stop for rests if needed. It’s the zoo not Everest.

The Regents Park one is big enough, it's only the narrowest walkways around the very popular animals, and the indoor areas, that get so busy you couldn't use a scooter. We were members and went a couple of times a month up until recently.

That would be incredibly selfish to take a kid on a Scooter. Everyone having to step out of your child's way and do you really think he's going to stop and look at the animals when he's playing on his scooter? In my experience most kids are not usually interested in anything else except the scooter, especially if the paths are winding and fun.

Yes London zoo its very big and they allow scooters

It will be fine, provided your DS is sensible on it and does not race or scoot on ahead. If you know he can be trusted to use it sensibly it seems a good plan. Be prepared to have him get off and you carry it though in busier areas. So take a strap to make that easier for you.

London Zoo is huge. It permits children's scooters, I presume, because the size of the zoo means that younger children do struggle with covering the large area on foot.

Have a nice time.

It can't be safety, we're talking about a child scooting in a place that allows children to scoot.

What unfairness were you talking about?

They provide enjoyment and exercise for lots of children.

Scooters are a menace, they should be confined to the garden.

Yes jealousy there could not possibly be any other reason like safety it has to be jealousy, that seems to be the go to on here

'my friend has haemorrhoids and complains'

'oh your'e just jealous'

I used to take my DC's scooter to the zoo (Regent's park). It was never a problem. The walkways are pretty wide and the place is never as crowded as all that.

You could get a bus from the tube as well. That might be exciting if you’re able to manage it with your other dc.

have a lovely day.

There is a bus that goes towards the zoo OP, it is quite a walk from the tube.

Why?

Because they'll be jealous that their child is moaning and the OP's isn't?

For those saying London Zoo is big, which zoo are you thinking of? ZSL has 2 branches: I in Regents Park which is not so big and walkways can get busy and 1 in Whipsnade which is huge.

We visit London Zoo quite often with our grandchildren, all younger than 8. They bring their scooters. However, we do monitor them very closely to make sure that they don’t scoot into people. Sometimes there are older children who scoot quickly and it can be a problem if it is crowded. There are a few places where there are ramps and scooting is not allowed, but it is very tempting. My advice would be to take the scooter but tell your child in advance about being careful.

Yes they are allowed I took my kids scooters last month 10 and 7 ignore anyone saying not to they obviously haven’t been to London zoo it’s massive and will not be crowded this time of year and never really is even when I go in the summer due to the size, it’s a lot of walking the walk from the station alone is really long. Never been an issue.

Allowed or not it is not fair on everyone else