My family has had a zoo membership to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm for the last three years, and we love it. Our four-year-old can identify all the creatures there, she’s endlessly entertained by the wildlife shows, and we all enjoy walking around in the lush park feeling like we’re on a little getaway. There’s a zipline, a little restaurant called the TouCantina, several fun events throughout the year, and they are literally open every day. On top of this, there is a little play and picnic area with close-up views of the Birds of Africa exhibit called the Kid’s Zone. It previously featured a modest play structure, an old-school monkey bar set, and a few small climb-on toys. When we went this past weekend, I was happy to see a few thoughtful updates that made this area more fun for my kid.
This giant spider web was the first thing she saw when she walked around the corner, and she was ecstatic! It is perfect for lots of climbing, but is low enough to the ground to accommodate younger kids just getting started in the rough-and-tumble world of playground life. My little also got a kick out of pretending it was a hammock.
This is like a combination fort and rock climbing wall. The kids inside it were squealing as they happily defended it from the kids “attacking” it from the outside. I’m a big fan of anything that sparks the imagination, and this play structure does just that.
This fabulous weather we’ve been enjoying has the animals extra up-close and personal, so there are lots of good reasons to visit the SAAF right now. If you have little ones to keep busy, then a few new additions to the playground at the Kid’s Zone can make a big difference! Plus, it’s still one of my favorite places in town to enjoy a beer with the hubs while the kids run wild.
You can visit the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park online here.
