Howloween at the Zoo: scavenger hunt at the Oregon Zoo

As a fun treat for Halloween, we were given the opportunity to attend the Howloween at the Zoo scavenger hunt this year. The Saturday before Halloween, the kids dressed in their costumes, and we spent the morning learning about different animals at the zoo, collecting stamps as we figured out our clues.

The kids were excited all week long to get to go to the zoo. They didn't even have to understand that there would be anything extra going on - they just love all the animals. Throw in the chance to wear costumes, and they were barely able to sleep. 

It was great adding a little more structure to our visit this time. Instead of debating which animals we'd visit next, we just followed the clues on the scavenger hunt. It helped keep anyone from getting too upset when we'd leave one area sooner than they would have liked ordinarily because there was the great incentive of getting the next stamp! Apparently, my kids really like stamps, and they were not the only ones. 

The scavenger hunt ran from 11am until 3pm. I was a little worried my kids might get sidetracked a little too often and we might not finish the hunt, but we actually ended up with time to just explore on our own as well. We even took the kids to feed the birds in the Lorikeet Landing. Have you ever done that? I think this was my second time, and I forgot how fun it is. 

It's funny how such simple activities like going to the zoo can be so much fun with the family. My kids both would have been happy to stay the entire day, but we had G's school carnival to go to that night, and he was not about to miss that either. 

Howloween at the Zoo was such a fun way to kick off the Halloween season. The scavenger hunt (including the prize at the end) was included in the cost of admission, so I thought that was a great treat as well. 

What fun activities did you and your family participate in this year? What are some things you've done in the past? Are you gearing up and ready for the upcoming holiday season now? Yikes, because I am not!

Side note: Are your little ones still dressing up every day? Mine are. 

Disclosure: I received free admission to Howloween at the Zoo for myself and my family in exchange for writing this post. As always, all views and opinions are my own!