Going Nocturnal with Boo at the Zoo

The only thing better than the Zoo is the Zoo at night! And the only thing better than candy is free candy! Put that together and you get Boo at the Zoo at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! The Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) go all out with this DC Halloween family favorite!

There are trick-or-treat stations along the Olmsted walk and FONZ didn’t forget about the parents with treat stations that included adult treats like craft beer and food tastings. Don’t worry, there are some alternative Halloween treats for kids including chips, pretzels, apples, granola bars, yogurt pouches, cheese, pencils, erasers, water bottles and much more!

There was after-hours access to exhibits including the Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center and Great Cats. We, in the DC area, have been spoiled by the National Zoo! The FONZ volunteers and animal keepers working the event had Halloween and nighttime inspired information to share. We saw pumpkin snacks and bloodscicle treats for enrichment. There were treat stations with educational activities such as finding nocturnal animals and identifying poop. My kids were honestly as excited by seeing the animals and participating in the activities as they were by the trick-or-treating.

Kids scary-oke is a fan favorite! At one point there was a mob of costume clad kids rocking out to the music on the entertainment stage. The music is family friendly and easy for both parents and kids to dance to. The Conservation Carousel and snowless tubing were open for an additional cost.

Some serious artistry was happening at the pumpkin-carving demonstrations! My kids were blown away by the animals carved out of pumpkins. The panda pumpkin was their favorite!

By the time we dragged our children out, our Boo at the Zoo treat bags were loaded with candy, snacks and souvenirs. We were one of the last cars leaving the parking lot and our kids were running and screaming “best night ever!”.

Partying with animals for Halloween at the National Zoo doesn’t have to be over just because Boo at the Zoo is done. Check our the grown up version, Night of the Living Zoo. Have a date night or a moms night out Friday. Parents (or any adults) can witness death-defying acts and amazing oddities, enjoy craft beer, fare from popular D.C. food trucks, a spooktacular costume contest, and performance artists while dancing to music at the DJ dance party.