If you think having a Zoo Party is like throwing a
party for a bunch of wild animals...this one is guaranteed to have
them hanging from the trees. Get ready for a Zoo adventure
safari. You can begin this delightful Zoo Safari with some
animal theme favors, banners, and centerpieces added to your room.
Greet each one of your guest with his/her very own
Woven Brown Safari Hat,
Foam Safari Hat
or
Straw Pith Helmet to set the mood.
Zoo Games
Jungle
Zoo Knots
Sure to generate a lot of laughter!
Have
children stand in a circle facing inward. Everyone extends his or
her right hand into the ring and takes a hold of someone else's
hand. They then do the same with their left hand. See if they can
untangle the "knot" by stepping over, ducking under people, or
turning around. Whatever happens, they can't let go of hands!
Zoo Toy Party Bag
Elephant
Zoo Race
Divide your guests into two equal teams and
form two lines. The first child in line bends over and lets one
hand hang down and puts the other hand through his/her legs to the
person behind him/her. The next person bends over and grabs the
first persons "tail" with her "nose" and proceeds in the same
fashion to the person behind him/her. Continue until all the
elephants are joined. Have the two teams race to a specified
distance and back again without breaking the chain.. The first
team to finish first wins. Reward the winning team with
Animal Paddles
Spider
Crawl
This can be used as an individual race or team
relay. Have the children get into the spider crawl position (hands
and feet on floor with head and torso facing up). Have them race
to a finish line or through a course.
Zoo Animal Disguises
Create
Animal Faces on your party guests. Don't forget to
take pictures!
Zoo Party Refreshments
Dirt Cake
2
pkgs. Oreo cookies
2 large pkgs. instant chocolate pudding
1 large cool whip
2 8oz creme cheese
1 cup
confectioners sugar
3 cups milk
2 teaspoons
vanilla
Gummy Worms
Cream the cream cheese and conf. sugar
together in a bowl. Add dry pudding mix and milk, beat until
smooth. Fold in cool whip and vanilla, chill. Grind Oreo cookies
until fine. Layer the pudding and cookies, with layer of cookies
ending up on top. Place gummy worms on top and some half-way down.
Pizza Snakes
If
those creepy crawlers give you the creeps, here's your chance to
have some fun!
You will need some;
Refrigerated Pizza
Dough
Pizza Sauce
Pizza toppings of your choice
Simply
roll out the Pizza dough in the form of a snake you want. Add
sauce, toppings, and an olive for the eye. Bake at 425 degrees for
6-8 minutes.
Include some
Animal Finger Puppets in the party treat bags.
Critter
Crunch
2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
2 cups
teddy bear-shaped graham snacks
1 cup honey-roasted
peanuts
1/2 cup raisins
Mix all ingredients and use
Straw Pith Helmet for great serving containers for chips or how
about some Animal Crackers!
Store in plastic bag or covered
container.
Makes 8 servings
Zoo Party Decorations
Decorate pith helmets with bugs and snakes, complete your ensemble
with a red bandana, and head off to the jungle with your
flashlight!
Safari Party Banners Custom
Giraffe Party
Zebra Party
Safari Print Plates
ZOOKEEPERS
Many
people like animals, but taking care of them is hard work.
Zookeepers take care of wild animals in zoos and animal parks.
They feed the animals, clean their living spaces, and work to keep
them healthy.
Zookeepers watch the animals to see if they
are sick or hurt. Keepers need to watch and listen carefully to
notice any changes in behavior. Keepers write detailed notes about
each animal and tell a veterinarian if there is a
problem.
Some keepers give the animals objects to play with
and explore. Many animals like playing with logs, sandboxes, and
even water sprinklers. Keepers often hide food for the animals to
find. Playing with food and toys helps animals stay
active.
Sometimes, keepers train the animals to make caring
for them easier. For example, keepers train elephants to lift
their feet so that veterinarians can check them.
Teaching
people about animals is another keeper task. Keepers answer
people's questions and give presentations.
People who like
animals often like working with them. Keepers like getting to know
the animals. They also like helping with research. And they like
learning how to help endangered animals in the wild.
But
zoo keeping can be a dirty job. Keepers have to clean exhibit
areas. Many keepers work outside in rain, heat, and every other
kind of weather. They sometimes carry heavy containers of food.
And because animals eat every day, some keepers work on weekends
and holidays.
Zoo work can also be dangerous. Wild animals
can bite, kick, or spread disease. Keepers almost never pet or
play with the animals.
How do you get ready?
Many
keepers go to college for 2 or 4 years. They often study biology,
animal science, or some other science. Keepers also need to
understand math so that they can measure food properly. Keepers
need good writing and speaking skills, too, so that they can take
notes and talk to the public.
Keepers also need experience
caring for animals. Before working at a zoo, many keepers work in
veterinary offices, pet stores, or farms. In those jobs, they
clean animal cages and feed, watch, and care for
animals.
Experience in a zoo is also good. Many keepers
start as zoo volunteers.
How many jobs are there?
In
2004, there were about 172,000 animal care and service workers. A
small number worked in zoos. Other animal care and service workers
worked in animal hospitals and kennels. Others worked for animal
shelters, stables, grooming shops, pet stores, theme parks, and
circuses.
What about the future?
Employment of
animal care and service workers is expected to grow faster than
the average for all occupations through 2014. But jobs in zoos are
expected to grow more slowly than other animal care
jobs.
Jobs for zookeepers are harder to find than other
kinds of animal jobs. Many people want zoo jobs so there is
competition for the work.
