It's one thing to visit a zoo and maybe get a glimpse of the animals if they aren't hiding in their enclosures, but the Crealy Great Adventure Park in the UK recently opened up a new 'Animal Keeper for a Day' experience that makes sure kids get the chance to interact with animals. This is even a step up from an ordinary petting zoo, since kids actually get the chance to learn about and experience behind-the-scenes animal care firsthand.
The new program is open year-round and on a typical day, kids will get their own special zookeeper t-shirts to wear and they will be presented with a certificate after a day full of feeding meerkats, petting ponies and grooming wallabies.
Kid Zookeeper Programs
Crealy Great Adventure Park Now Lets Kids Play 'Animal Keeper for a Day'
Trend Themes
1. Hands-on Animal Education - Opportunities for children to learn through interactive experiences with animals are becoming increasingly popular.
2. Eco-tourism - More parks and attractions are developing sustainable tourism practices, with a focus on education and conservation within their programs.
3. Experiential Learning - Hands-on programs like animal keeping are part of a larger trend of experiential learning opportunities that are proving to be particularly effective for children.
Industry Implications
1. Theme Parks - Theme parks and other attractions are seeking to add more unique and educational experiences to entice families and attract visitors.
2. Zoos and Aquariums - Zoos and aquariums are expanding their offerings to include more educational and immersive programs for visitors, particularly children.
3. Education - Educators are increasingly recognizing the value of hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, and are seeking to integrate them into curriculums and programs.