Our immersive role play experience has come to life and we're so excited to share it with you and hear your ZooTown reviews.
We couldn’t have created ZooTown without the help of children and parents who joined us for a series of workshops and focus groups. So we invited them back for a sneak peek of the finished play space before it opens to the public. And here’s what they had to say…
ZooTown reviews from parents
"It’s amazing, that was the first feeling. The size of it, the variety of activities that we’ve got. It’s absolutely blown our mind."
"The themes are fantastic, the kids have absolutely loved it. We are loving it. It’s just really great for the kids to immerse into the whole experience and just try it hands on."
"I was absolutely blown away, my jaw dropped when I walked in."
"ZooTown is a fantastic brand new role play experience at London Zoo. Kids loved exploring all of the different roles that you can be at the Zoo, from zookeepers, to scientists and everything in between. There's so much fun to be had for children, and I loved all of the animal puns too!"
"My children were fortunate enough to have an early preview of ZooTown at London Zoo. It's an immersive, exciting role play experience with loads of ways for kids to play - they can be a vet, a scientist, a zoo keeper and lots more - my children (8 and 6) had to be dragged out at the end of the session, they were having so much fun. There are some really fun touches to make adults laugh as well!"
"We visited at the weekend and my 4 yr old had the best time! Masses to see and do and all very high quality things to play and interact with - such a good environment. We could have stayed for hours. It’s just what we’ve been needing in the area. Would go back! Thank you for creating this special place!"
What is ZooTown?
ZooTown is a brand new, permanent, play space inside our former Reptile House. Designed for children aged up to 8, kids can try out a range of different planet-protecting jobs in immersive role play activities, including being a zookeeper, conservationist, scientist, vet, postie, presenter and more!
With 2,000 toys, 300 costumes, 50 play activities, and 13 role-play experiences, ZooTown gives children the chance to see how everyone at ZSL – be they working in the Zoo café or monitoring animal populations in remote forests – is a conservationist, and they can grow up to be one too.
ZooTown is about so much more than just having fun
Of course, we want kids to have the best time playing in our miniature town. But role play opportunities like ZooTown are also dynamic learning environments supporting your child's development, including:
- Social skills: Interacting with other children, learning to communicate, negotiate, take turns and build confidence.
- Cognitive skills: Expanding vocabulary, problem-solving, decision-making and storytelling.
- Maths and literacy: Counting, adding up, reading, in a fun and engaging way.
- Real-world skills: Acting out different roles and scenarios in realistic settings, gaining awareness of different professions and the importance of protecting wildlife.
All ZooTown tickets will be bookable online in advance, up to three days ahead of your visit.
Zoo admission is not included in your ZooTown booking and you must have a valid Zoo ticket or membership to enter the Zoo.