Days Out: Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is a perfect little zoo for little people who love little adventures and little animals.
One of my oldest and dearest friends in London will soon relocate to Zurich with her little family. Introduced by mutual friends over a decade ago, we have seen each other through life’s highs and lows: family bereavement, birthdays, marriages, IVFs, and babies. I can always count on her for her honest views and support.
It is her final countdown to Zurich. But I am determined to squeeze in a few more playdates with our girls before the end of the year. So this past weekend, we spontaneously planned a little adventure to the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo for our little explorers.
Little Animals at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Situated right on the Thames River, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, is a wonderful place for young children under six. Kids can get up close with adorable farm animals (chickens, rabbits, sheep and pigs), small mammals, primates, birds and reptiles. Oh my!
If your kids love the movie Madagascar, you’re in luck as the first mammals to greet you at the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is none other than the famous ring-tailed lemur. Yes, come meet King Julien and his primate friends! They are super adorable.
Moving on, hailing from the other side of the world down under in Australia are three male wallabies hopping around the enclosed den. Next door are two donkeys who are busy playing with a deflated ball, alongside a short but tough Shetland pony.
A wide array of birds from kookaburra, crowned crane, emus, grey parrots, kakariki and a white barn owl are found on the northeastern corner of the zoo. The girls were less interested in the birds as they were distracted by the rides at the nearby Lemon Tree Cafe. That was until they both spotted the adorable otters and meerkats across the way.
Feeding Time with the Animals
We made our way to see the Asian short-clawed otters just as the zookeeper was about to give the otters their afternoon snack of fish, shrimp, and mussels. Eagerly awaiting their snack, these small weasel-like otters got on their hindlegs as their whiskers went wild for food. Next door are a mob of slender-tailed meerkat who just finished a feast of insects and spiders. There is a little tunnel with a bubble top that kids can crawl through so you can see the meerkats in action. Parents be warned: the tunnel is a bit claustrophobic!
Nearby, Tamarin monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, and Capuchin Monkeys were also enjoying a snack of fruits and vegetables. In between swinging around the tree, these cheeky primates entertained us with their silly antics. The reptile and amphibian house is full of creepy snakes, lizards, and spiders.
Little Play Areas for Little Adventurers
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is filled with various adventure play parks, playgrounds, and climbing structures to keep the kids entertained. There is also a life-sized fire truck, a tractor and even a helicopter placed around the zoo. Sand pits, pirate boats, and mini sand diggers make for bucket loads of fun. There are also plenty of picnic tables if you or your little adventurers can enjoy a snack break.
In short, this little zoo is perfect for little explorers and adventurers who love little animals. As King Julien would say, “I like to move it, move it.” Enjoy your little adventure at the Battersea Children’s Zoo.
