To take scooter to the zoo?

[Odearr]

Planning to take dc to London zoo at the weekend, 7 year old is not a good walker, and I think he would just throw a massive strop and cry and make the day miserable with all the walking around (especially the walk from the tube to the zoo is about half an hour I think)
are scooters even allowed at the zoo?
Is it annoying when kids are on scooters at the zoo?
I'll be by myself have him and then ds1 with me who has additional needs so trying to make the day go as smoothly as possible because every time we leave the house it seems to end up being a massive nightmare

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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)

I don't let him get away with not walking, I don't drive so we walk quite a lot. but he moans about it and he's an absolute nightmare when he is tired, so a day of traveling to London, walking to the zoo, walking around all day and then walking back to the station and then again back from the station to home would be quite a lot for a 7 year old, and he does seem to struggle a bit with physical things, possibly dyspraxic though I'm not fully sure but definitely there is something.

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.

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

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.

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