Visiting with Young Children

Find out more information to help you on your visit with young children including facilities, activities and suggested routes! 

Things to do

As well as our daily encounters, Colchester Zoo also offers a number of activities which are suitable for young children to take part in during your visit. This includes our Discovery Centre, offering the opportunity to hold some of our friendly bugs and having their face painted; our indoor soft play complex Jungle Tumble also has a purpose built area for under 3s to enjoy. The Lost Madagascar Express road train and other adventure play areas are also great stops around the zoo. 

Please note that face painting may take place in the Discovery Centre or Jungle Tumble Play area - Please ask staff on the day of your visit. 

Many of our walkthrough exhibits offer outside pushchair parking, making it easier to travel through these areas for yourself and other visitors so would ask these to be used where possible. 

Facilities for Babies

Nappy changing facilities and feeding areas for males and females are provided around the zoo. Please refer to the Welcome Guide/Map for more details and specific locations.

For bottle or baby food warming please ask at Penguini's Restaurant, The Patisserie, The Southern Kitchen, Jungle Tumble, Playa Patagonia Coffee shop or Meerkat Hangout Food Stop. You are also able to help yourselves to hot water from self-serve hot drink machines which are found in most kiosks, or you are welcome to ask a member of staff for assistance in any other outlet.

You are welcome to breastfeed your baby wherever you feel comfortable but we do also provide private rooms at the zoo entrance, Playa Patagonia, Meerkat Hangout, Remi Brown Play Area and Chimpanzee Lookout.

Suggested Easier Route

Because of the steep hills in the zoo, we recommend that anyone with a pushchair, wheelchair, electric scooter, or reduced mobility follow the 'Easier Route'.

Click here to view our Accessibility map which shows this suggested route.

This route has been developed to give you the simplest route possible around the zoo and avoids the steepest hills, you are welcome to leave the route to visit other enclosures at any point. 

Please note that there are areas of the route that are on block paving so please be aware that some small bumps may be experienced on the uneven, undulating ground. 

Can I hire a buggy?
Yes - we have both double and single buggies available to hire. Please click here to find out more.