As families walk through the Austin Zoo gates, lights line the fences of the animal enclosures. Covered in purple, orange and green, the zoo embraces the Halloween spirit with an event that brings together children with a love for animals.
Located at Austin Zoo on 10808 Rawhide Trail, Boo at the Zoo invites kids of all ages to dress up in costumes and enjoy attractions, as well as the animals. From haunted houses to a haunted train ride, the zoo provides activities and games that are fun for the entire family. Occurring every Friday and Saturday in October until the 25th, the event starts at 5:45 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m., with tickets priced $24 each.
“We have families that have been coming for years,” said Patti Clark, executive director of Austin Zoo. “Many of the families come dressed in costumes. … It’s something that they talk about … and they look forward to doing it every year, continuing that family tradition.”
After 35 years in business, Austin Zoo began the tradition around the mid to late ‘90s, Clark said. The event aims to combine children’s love for Halloween. Aside from the attractions, the zoo allows families to bring a picnic-style dinner to enjoy at the picnic grove.
Alberty said the zoo aims to use education to foster a love for animals among children who visit the zoo.
“One of our utmost priorities at our zoo, whether it’s Boo at the Zoo or any other time, is to make a visit to our zoo memorable for our guests,” said Toni Alberty, senior member of guest relations at Austin Zoo. “Our motivation is always to make sure they have a great time.”
Austin Zoo is a non-profit that originally started out as a goat ranch. Being a rescue zoo, Alberty said, makes it a good platform for children to learn about the zoo’s rescue animals, such as the prairie dogs and the white tiger.
“The connection with nature is so important for kids to learn about the world and how they can make an impact to help animals around the world that are not in great circumstances,” Clark said.
Malia Williams, an environmental science and geosciences sophomore, says that being outside can help younger children by learning visually and interacting with the information.
“In my experience, I grew up going outside … so being in nature definitely helped me grow a love for (being outside),” Williams said. “Also, you kind of learn better as a kid because everything’s so new. And you’re like, ‘Oh, this stuff is so cool. I didn’t know this did that or this animal lives in this place because of this.’ So, I think just getting out as a young person or as a child is helpful to grow a love for it.”
