Dinosaurs at the Zoo + More for Kids
Disclaimer:
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Topics: Family Fun, Recreation, Special Exhibits, Animatronics, Tourism, Dinosaurs, Zoos, Relationships, Annual Membership
There are always random touring events at the zoo… and this time: it’s dinosaur time!! I’m a person of the belief that dinosaurs were/are actually dragons. I like those theories and believe in them WAY more than our OG dinosaur stories we grew up with (I mean… even kids stuff is always pairing dinosaurs and unicorns. why? Right? so weird). But if you were to expose that, you’d beginning a whole thread. So its like all or nothing, so we get nothing.
Why Attend: It’s so fun to go to places where kids can walk around and explore safely. It’s super hard to find these days - especially in America, and especially in more crowded spaces. It’s like they’ve been forgotten about and not prioritized!!! I just remember my childhood and I look around the world and I see that kids are losing their childhoods of fun and enjoyment - and I mean, all humans are really suffering lately. But I see change coming. So… anyway, in the meantime: “dinosaurs” - aka- robots that are made to look like dinosaurs hahaha. (Now I’m thinking… omg how many “sleeping animals at the zoo” are actually robots!?!?!?!) It’d be smartttttt-ish. But - you know, so deceptive! And WALKING animals? oof. That’d be a lot of mechanics and you’d be busted like Ashley Simpsen lipsyncing that one.
Overall Event Ratings: Venue (5/5), Food (2/5), Speaker Content (2.5/5), Networking (2.5/5), Likeliness to Return (5/5)
Photo Collage and Commentary:
Notes from the Event:
i’ll just write my notes in the event ratings, cause I didn’t write hardly any in real time!
Overall Event Ratings:
Venue (4/5),
Yeah its pretty great - though some parts that feel neglected and forgotten in the kids area. Which is so weird… it’s like? Such a popular spot, maybe they can afford to invest in it and make it fun again.
Food (3/5),
Idk - just like no comment but not bad at all. Just, not amazing.
Speaker Content (2.5/5),
Again, it’s like the kids-part-of-this special event was sorta forgotten (typical for american attractions). I just notice how overseas a lot of time there are so many fun things for kids to do, and here.. it’s just pay for your ticket, observational, get out.
I just am always hopeful and working to find great things for kids to experience and enjoy and learn. Build skills and stability and a place to yell and be happy and peaceful too.
THis was just like robot show-off. Like they just packed in as many dinosaurs as possible then had a tiny area to like dig for treasure and something else.
And then the one thing you could climb up was kinda strangely built (and so impractical).
It was easy to fall over inside and you’d have to be lifted up to see.
It was just too high for a kid to climb alone, without the help of an adult - I could hardly get up!! (and I was wearing a dress, so i’m sure you could see up it if you were below) - just so impractical and awkward.
Not many fun things for kids!! But… I guess its “all ages” or whatever. But… I am tired of us not putting kids firsttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need to think of more ideas for these solutions. And continue to learn of waht others are already doing.
The dinosaurs were okay - but one of them spit on you at the end, and then the very last one showed tehy’re all robots.
Networking (2.5/5),
I went with my ex and our daughter. I’m so happy and lucky we get along as a family, and I worked extremely hard at it. It’s cause I know a few others who have done the same and saw how it can be done (basically, just get togehter once a week or more/less).
I love him and my daughter so much, but it was so hard to live together day in and day out - so now we hang out a lot and just support each other’s dreams. And try to show our daughter the best parts and friendship of her DNA. You know? It’s so nice and I’m so grateful for it.
I also met a very impressive mom while I was standing in line. Her daughter started asking her a question, her older daughter (idk maybe 11) but she had another daughter who was even older (maybe 13) and she cut off her 11 year old and said - wait, is this a questoin you can ask yourself in your head?
then the daughter thought for a minute and then was like - oh yeah! i know it -
and then her mom gave her a high five, but then i gave the mom and the girl a high five… and then the older sister wanted a high five too.
then the mom confided in me she feels like she’s too hard on them but she wants them to learn independent thinking
And i’m like - heck yeah! and to not be annoying and value your words hahaha. I just thought that part - but did say some aloud too.
and yeah, i just told her that’s the kind of stuff everyone should be teaching their kids, well done. just to be patient and think
of course, it’s okay to think aloud - we even talked about that, its great to ask questions, but its good to think, too!! (you know, idk her whole story, but the family gave off great vibes and she was so sweet and I was just like, wow, that was cool to hear/see - so true!)
- cause you have to really limit your energy, too. Especially with your kids. Teach them social behavior that also helps you function well, too. Find your balance.THen they can act other ways if they want with friends and stuff. Like, help your parents find peace, too - and work togehter. BECAUSE the more I talked to her, I learned she was literally “at work” today workign an event for her business and they were just encouraging her family to go walk aroudn and enjoy. So she told me that she’s able to take her kids to work often (and I pick up its cause she’s so great at meeting them where they’re at- and vise/versa).
Her daughters were so sweet and just glowing, you know? So, it was just really nice to see positive parenting in real time. I don’t see it as often as I see parents hitting their limits and really impatient with their kids in harsh/harmful ways. This one felt constructive, respectful - and like… you know, open to compromise, but take a beat and think.
Likeliness to Return (5/5)
Yeah, my daughter loves to visit the zoo and it’s pretty fun to go as a family! We always have a nice time. But it’s a huge place. I mean, we found a whole new section I’d never even seen before and we’ve been going there over a year hahah. So, be ready!
Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time.
Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if there’s no other reason to go. Let’s see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. 😊
