Dublin Zoo membership is a great idea for a birthday or Christmas gift. Once you are a member there is a year’s free admission to both here and Fota Wildlife Park, Cork. Other advantages include discounts on summer camps and children’s events.

Both summer and winter opening times are 9.30a.m. Monday to Saturday and 10.30a.m. on Sunday but winter closing is at dusk whereas in summer it is 6p.m. The last admission is one hour before closing time and the African Plains and Houses close at 5.30p.m.

If you are tired by the time you get to the African Plains, then you can go on the Nakuru Safari Train so that you can see the animals and hear some interesting information from the guide. The last trip is usually around 3p.m.

The best times to see animals is usually when they are being fed, so bearing this in mind it is often useful to phone beforehand to check the ‘Meet the Keeper’ times. At the moment there are many ‘baby’ animals in the zoo.

A firm favourite with most children is Lucy, the baby chimpanzee who is being hand-reared because her mother didn’t know how. Lucy is usually in the chimpanzee house enjoying the attention of her adoring fans. There are also three playful tiger cubs to be seen and a relatively new sea lion pup.

A map is given upon entry to the zoo, so after gathering the facts, you might plan your day around the most enticing exhibits or the animals your child already recognizes and loves. You can also plan where you will stop to eat, although there is no shortage of picnic spots. In general, opt to view the bigger or more active animals which are easier for little children to see– some that sit way up in tree branches or lizards that are too well camouflaged and don’t move may not catch their attention.

It can be useful to introduce pictures of animals found in a zoo beforehand to help them understand what it is they are seeing on the day and therefore make it more exciting.

By continuing to talk about the zoo, the experience can live on long after you leave. Questions like “What was your favourite animal?” or “Which animal had the funniest ears/nose?” and reading stories with animals they have seen will help children understand, remember, and most importantly learn.

If your child is inclined to ask lots of questions, it might be useful to have a pen and a piece of paper so you can find out the answers later. It is also important that if you have a slight phobia about an animal or reptile, that you at least try to hide these fears so as not to pass this fear on. Maybe someone else can go see the bats with your child while you go to the toilet!

Many parents and children spend much of their time at the many play areas, so by the end of a day at the zoo toddlers are usually exhausted. Membership is useful for this reason too– you don’t feel you have to fit everything into one day.

Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park: 01 474 8900
www.dublinzoo.ie