Zoo for 1st birthday?

[NinkyNonk1]

Can anyone tell me if this is a good idea. I've booked the day off for my DC birthday as it's a week day. I'm a single parent and thought it could be a nice day out. Now wondering if she'll be interested at all?

If not can I please have some other ideas?

I'd say she won't really notice. But if you'd like a nice day at the zoo, go for it. You should be celebrating getting through the first year!

A 1 year old won't really appreciate it.

She won't care, but you'll remember, also for her age it will prob be free in for her too so just go for it!! X

Save your money and go for a nice lunch. Go to a playground afterwards.

She will love the zoo when she is 2.

We went to the aquarium, sensory time for DD at least.

I'll go against the flow. We took ds to the zoo when he was just over one, ok, it was mainly a day out for us, but he loved picture books of animals and was really excited when he saw an elephant and the tiger came right up to the glass. Ok, he doesn't remember now, but he did have a lovely day.How about a pets corner type thing or farm where he can get closer to animals? Or go with a friend and just enjoy the day?

I second a nice lunch for you. Plenty of birthdays at the zoo to come. Raise a glass of wine to yourself for doing this as a single mum . Well done you. Xxxx

How about an aquarium? Your DC will like the lights and fish etc. It what I’m planning on doing for my DS 1st birthday.

I would also suggest an aquarium rather than a zoo for a 1 year old (or just go for lunch and save it up for when she’s 2)

I think I'm too far from an aquarium. At least 2 hours which is out of the question but a good idea for future reference.

Will have a look at what else I can find nearby but as she can't walk yet I think this is making it harder.

Just because she won't remember it, doesn't mean she won't enjoy it on the day. If you'll enjoy it and you think you'll have a nice day together then I'd say go for it.

I'd do whatever makes you happy. I enjoy a trip to the zoo, and at 1 both my kids would have enjoyed it too so I would do it.

Do something fun for you. She won’t really care. We first took ours to the zoo at 2 and even then she didn’t really appreciate it.

Ds loved stuff like this when he was that age, but he in general loved animals. He was at the age he could sit and look at everything.

Also loves farms and other animal based adventures.

Assuming it's free for your dc go anyway, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well :)

I would go to the zoo. You will enjoy it and it is nice to point out all the animals. No she won't remember it but no-one remembers their first birthday. Take lots of pictures and get some printed out so she can look at them as she gets older. I am sure it will be a lovely day out.

I took DS to the zoo for his first birthday, we had a lovely day, he was enthralled by all the new sights and sounds.

I'm genuinely shocked by the amount of people here saying it's not a good idea. As someone who actually did it, I think you've got a great plan.

She's far too young. A dog in the park will be equally fascinating.

At that age just choose something that you'll both enjoy , it can be cheap or free. Plenty of time to fork out for zoo tickets when she's old enough to get something out of it.

Thanks for your comments. I have decided to take her to a farm where she can feed animals etc and also has indoor soft play. I think I'll leave the zoo til next year!

I can see you've chosen farm - just to say I think you've chosen wisely! We did zoo for DSs 1st birthday and he spent the whole time pointing to the various fences and saying 'fence'. Don't think he looked at a single animal! Waiting a year is probably for the best...

Aquarium is a good idea. But just to say we took DD to a zoo for her first birthday, and as a ‘present’ got annual passes (didn’t have to pay for her, just us). We got so much use out of it over the year, there was soft play, playgrounds, a petting farm area where she could feed the goats as well as the typical zoo animals. Slightly more expensive than a one off trip, but I think with 2 visits we’d broken even.

Good decision!