Cheap Zoo for Kids, Free Workout for Moms

As both of my boys are in school for half days we are trying our best to take advantage of the fall afternoons.  One of my favorite places to visit isn’t more than a half-hour away from Cranford.

Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo is a wonderful place to visit for a day or half day of watching roaming peacocks, kangaroos, squirrel monkeys, and alligators. Even though it's not big enough for elephants and giraffes, it does offer a petting zoo for the younger visitors.

What a Workout
The first time I went to the Turtleback Zoo was with my 9-month-old son. My friend came along and brought her active almost 2-year-old with her. I remember wondering how she kept up with him. 

I was lucky enough to just have to worry about pushing a stroller.  The hilly zoo made me work up a sweat but it wasn't anything too strenuous.  Two more kids later,  I signed up for the annual Turtleback membership and invoked the “you-must-walk-in-the-zoo, mommy-will-not-push-you” rule.

Looking for an amazing workout? Take some advice:

1. Obtain a double stroller, baby carrier (bjorn), and three kids of varying weight.
2. Insert toddler in the back and the 45-pound pre-schooler in the front of the double stroller.
3. Following manufacturer’s recommendation, insert the 6-month-old baby in the bjorn or baby carrier.
4. Locate the petting zoo at Turtleback and start walking. Make sure to stop before you pass out.

Lions and Tigers and... Oh Wait
Cardiovascular workouts aside, the animals are enough to keep you coming back. My kids always enjoy the monkeys and penguins, yet there is a wide variety of other exhibits and features to enjoy: 

• Pony rides: Next to the petting zoo, you need tokens to ride.
• Reptile room: Indoor section with snakes, bats, turtles and pythons. Get rid of your change with the big coin bowl, where coins race around the bowl until they disappear in the middle. It sounds simple, but my kids were into it for a few minutes and I was able to feed the baby while they entertained themselves. 
• Prairie Dog Hill:  Kids get to peek their heads out of plastic tubes to spot the prairie dogs. 

  Tired? The zoo offers a few actitives to keep you hydrated and rested.

• Train ride: Visitors receive unlimited train rides with paid admission.  Call ahead if this is your main event, as the ride is occassionally closed.  It is a nice ride along the reservoir, but it does not pass by any animal exhibits. 
• Carousel: Extra money for this. I try to avoid it, but the kids love it. 
• Playground: Unfortunately an attendant is needed for the playground since it is a bit enclosed and prone to overcrowding.  On not-so-busy days there isn’t an attendant so your kid may not be able to use it. 

Want to give it a try?
Turtleback Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue, in West Orange.  Adult tickets cost $9, children are $5, infants under 2 are free.  The zoo offers free admission on Tuesdays after 2 p.m., but keep in mind that the zoo closes at 4:30 p.m. One-year membership for a family of two adults with four kids is $75.  

Upcoming event: Visit the zoo on October 11 to check out the zoo's pumpkin patch and get a free pumpkin (while supplies last). 

Enjoy the outdoors while you still can. Before you know it we’ll be talking about skiing and snowtubing. 

Sheila Sayah is a wife and mother of three who regularly blogs about playgrounds on her site, www.njplaygrounds.com.