We love experiences. I adore making memories with my family, things that we can talk about over the years to come and this fabulous overnight stay at Whipsnade is certainly one of those fab experiences.
It was over 12 years ago since we last visited Whipsnade (way back when we lived down south before we had kids) and were very excited to be invited by Frubes (Who we have been working with) to come and spend the evening with them and the Minions at Whipsnade at the lookout lodge. We got to sleep next to the white rhinos and experience the zoo as no-one else gets to see it. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and perfect for my animal lovers.
I love guided tours, but with children they can be a bit hit and miss. Thankfully the hosts are so passionate about the animals they manage to enthrall the children with their knowledge and enthusiasm. They really did make the tours amazing. Both the sunset one and the torchlit one too. There is something quite magical about watching the animals in a small group and also listening to the Lions roaring so loudly that they can be heard from the Meerkat enclosure when the zoo is closed!
I think a highlight for me was watching the wolves by torch light. The boys loved being taken from one part of the park to another on the open sided safari vehicle.
The lookout lodges are compact and cozy, but perfectly comfortable for a family of four and the toilet and shower block is only a few yards away.
The food was great, not the standard cafe fare and you can even grab a free hot chocolate before you go to bed from the reception area or have your bottle of fizz delivered to the cabin (We started one at dinner and the reminder was waiting for us at the cabin after our torch light walk)! Breakfast was hearty and set us up for the day and we all loved feeding breakfast to the chimps, bears and wild boar before the zoo opened to the public.
We had a fabulous experience at the zoo and would thoroughly recommend the overnight experience to any family thinking about it. It doesn’t cost much more than a stay in a good hotel and once you add on entry to the zoo and meals it is pretty great value and my children are still talking about it.
Add on zoo activities and crafts
I love going places and doing things sparked by the kids and since visiting the zoo they have really been inspired, so here is a round up of great add on zoo activities and crafts for after you have visited the zoo.
- Zoo keeping project for kids
- Printable zoo scavenger hunt
- Zoo themed activities for preschoolers
- Zoo animal story stones
- Paper Plate Hippo
- Fun books about the zoo
- Animal science printables for kids
- Cardboard tube giraffe
- Zoo animal handprints
- Zoo animal yoga poses
- Zoo animal graphing for preschoolers
- Kangaroo pencil holder
- Lion mask
- Torn paper zoo collage
- Cheetah mask
Frubes are giving you the opportunity to win ‘Minions of Prizes’ with special on-pack Minion Vision Goggles until 31 October 2015. Our stay at Whipsnade was courtesy of Frubes and the zoo. Did you see our Minions Frubes Milkshake?
Find more details on the Lookout Lodge sleepover experience at Whipsnade here. A sleepover at the zoo experience costs £378 for a family of four, including tours, meals, and a two-day entry pass to the zoo, with vehicle access. A daily family pass to the zoo is £64.58.
Such an amazing experience to stay over night at the zoo, I was watching everyones Instagram feeds with pure jealousy. Sounds like you had a wonderful time x
we haven’t been to Whipsnade since the kids were tiny – what a really special way to experience it. Looks like fantastic fun.
What a fabulous experience to actually stay there! That’s often when you see the real place isn’t it? 🙂
I have never been to Whipsnade zoo but have heard a lot of good things about it. What a wonderful experience for you x
That sounds like such a special experience, it must be great to see the zoo without the crowds and at night too.
OMG how lucky are you all! Me and mine would love this
Staying ovrnight in a lodge is one of my top things I want to do, it just sounds amazing x
Staying overnight at the zoo is so exciting for kids… I know mine would enjoy this!
Oh Jen this must have been incredible, what an amazing experience for you all. I love photographing animals and I have this dream one day I’ll be able to do it in the wild – or at least visit Whipsnade more often. It’s a wonderful zoo, we’re there in a few weeks time for an event – can’t wait x
I love the idea of staying overnight at a zoo. It’s the sort of thing that my son would really enjoy.
What a fantastic day out .i haven’t been to that zoo in years
What a fabulous experience for you. I would love to stay overnight at a zoo. Great photos xxx
How fantastic! Love the crafting!
Sounds brilliant to be there at special times, without the crowds. We haven’t been for a while, I am definitely going to look into this x
wow what an amazing experience I bet that was and I am sure a memory you will remember for a very long time! x
Oh wow, looks like a lot of fun! Whipsnade is just up the road from me but I haven’t been in years
This looks like an amazing experience to do. We haven’t been to the zoo for ages
What a super experience, bet that also felt a little creepy with the animal noises at night. Great craft ideas, I have an animal mad son so I bet he’ll enjoy some of those.
This sounds like quite the adventure. Love the idea of a nocturnal outing in the zoo.
That looks and sounds like an amazing experience, I am sure you and your boys will remember this adventure forever. xx