What to take to the zoo?

In a couple of weeks we'll be taking my nephews for a day at the zoo - J is 2 and C is almost 1.

I'm assuming I'll need to give them lunch and afternoon tea, we'll have them from about 11:30am til 5pm. Neither of them have allergies, and C still has a couple of bottles a day.

I'm thinking I should pack a couple of sandwiches, a couple of pop tops, some fruit pieces, 2 bottles, a couple of jars of baby food and a few bottles of water, plus whatever Professor and I will eat. Would that be enough? What would you bring?

Maybe rusks too - they're a good distraction if nothing else.

Ooh, great idea!

That sounds pretty good but crackers, sultanas and cheese are always in our snack boxes. Crackers are a life saver when they're getting restless. We get the Veri Deli 'Fig and Mixed Grain' and DD LOVES them (so do her little friends!). We also have the Heinz savoury rice crackers on hand as they are always a winner as well. If they aren't into eating fresh fruit then the Rafferty's sachets are awesome cold. The apple, pear and cinnamon is a huge hit in our house.

Do either of them use dummys? I always have two in DD's nappy bags in case one goes missing.

Sunscreen, hats for each of them, lots of wipes (and a few nappies for each) and maybe a couple of favourite toys or little books for the 1 year old. At that age they get a kick out of the zoo but get bored quite quickly.

5 hours is a long stretch for a one year old so you may not stay for as long as you expect. Pick a couple of fun sections to see (we always go to the African Savanah as there is lots of cool animals for the kids to see) and see how you go with that to start with - have a break in between the sections maybe. We normally do 2-3 hours and DD is pooped! She always falls asleep in the car on the way home from the zoo.

The zoo is so much fun with little ones. You'll have a ball!

WATERMELON!!!!!!!!!!!! Kids love watermelon. It's refreshing too!

Also, nothing like an icecream at the zoo!!! :)