Are you looking for a frugal way to enjoy a day with your family? Taking a day zoo trip is one option that can be cost effective compared to other vacation alternatives. What better way to spend time building memories with your children than visiting and supporting a local zoo.
First of all, taking a zoo trip is not free and will cost you some money. However, there are some very easy ways to reduce the amount of money you can spend while visiting. The most important thing to remember is to have a plan prior to taking your trip. Being prepared and organized is a crucial step to taking a frugal trip while still having a good time.
Want to know how to plan your next zoo trip on a budget? Check out these tips on how to be frugal on your next zoo trip that can help you save money.
- Do Some Homework – Be sure to study the zoo’s website and visitor information before you make your visit. Check up on any fee’s that are not included in a zoo membership or admittance to be sure you know how much the visit will cost you. Additional fees like parking can be an unexpected expense that you should prepare for.
- Buy a Membership – While most memberships cost more than general admission rates charged, purchasing these discounted packages can offer a frugal opportunity to visit more than one time per year. Check up on what membership packages are available and look for reciprocal memberships that can get you into more than one for free or at a discount.
- Split the Cost – If you are traveling to the zoo with additional family members or friends, check out group rates that may lower your overall costs. Some memberships even come with special guest passes that could be used by other family members to reduce your overall expenses.
- Take a Picnic – One of the easiest ways to take a frugal trip to the zoo is to pack your own lunch. While many zoos prohibit coolers from being brought in, they normally have a picnic area that you can use. Buying food at any type of attraction like this can really add up, so try and save costs by packing your own.
- Pack Plenty of Drinks – Be sure to pack plenty of cold drinks for your family to avoid paying marked up prices. It is important to be prepared when going to the zoo with beverages for your children, especially on a hot day. Check up on rules for the zoo that you will be visiting on policy’s of bringing cooler’s and food into the park.
- Avoid the Souvenirs – Stay clear of the souvenir stands. These things can suck you in very easily, especially when your child is begging you to go. If at all possible, talk with your children prior to visiting the zoo about these things to avoid any arguments when you are there. Everyone wants to bring home a soft cuddly stuffed animal to remember their experience. If you are on a budget, then you need to avoid this temptation.
Visiting the zoo can be a great way to create memories of your family that will last a lifetime. You don’t have to break the bank on a trip like this. Proper planning and organization will help you save money while having the best time in the world on your next zoo trip!
What other tips can you provide on how to be frugal on your next zoo trip?
This post was originally published back in May 2009 but still offers many great frugal living tips.
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LOL! How can you possibly take a kid to the zoo and not come back with a stuffed aardvark? Fierce parents, fierce!
Probably most zoos will let you carry a backpack, especially if you have small children who obviously require various kinds of gear for their care. It would be easy to put or two of those soft, insulated carriers in a backpack, which would at least allow you to bring a few sandwiches and some fruit without having them spoil in the summer heat.
We have a wonderful botanical garden that has a popular outdoor evening jazz series. You have to get there at the start of the dinner hour to get a seat. They serve food, wine, and beer at excruciating prices, and IMHO the food is just OK — certainly not worth fifteen or twenty bucks. After having to choose between hunger and being fleeced one too many times, I decided to carry in a light meal and a bottle of cold brew, stashed at the bottom of my purse. No one stopped me, and because the place is so crowded, no one noticed that my dinner was out of code.