{"id":4364,"date":"2019-06-14T08:06:01","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T13:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/?p=4364"},"modified":"2019-06-12T15:12:01","modified_gmt":"2019-06-12T20:12:01","slug":"family-field-trip-brookfield-zoo-brick-safari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/2019\/06\/14\/family-field-trip-brookfield-zoo-brick-safari\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Field Trip: Brookfield Zoo Brick Safari"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Dos and Don’ts of Visiting the Zoo’s Newest Exhibit (and More!) This Summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We got a jump start on our summer adventure guide<\/a> before school was even officially out for the summer, taking an impromptu zoo trip a couple of weekends ago when the weather was a beautiful 70 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new LEGO exhibit, Brick Safari<\/a>, opened at Brookfield Zoo at the end of May and I knew this was a must-see for my brick-obsessed boys. If your kids are similarly into LEGOs, preview the exhibit here and decide if it’s worth the trip. If your kids aren’t into LEGOs yet, count yourself lucky on so many levels and check out my pictures of the sculptures instead of paying to see it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what you need to know before you go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where:<\/strong>
Brookfield Zoo
8400 W 31st St
Brookfield, IL 60513
Get directions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your visit:<\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/www.czs.org\/brookfield-zoo\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: The Brick Safari exhibit is an additional cost on top of general admission fees; $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 3-11 (or you can purchase a more extensive admission ticket with multiple attractions included).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close-up<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Make the most of your visit with these tips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DO: Go first thing in the morning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the summer, the zoo opens at 9:30 AM. Get ready early and get there as early as possible. Why? It’s not as hot outside yet and it’s less crowded. You’ll thank me around 2 PM when you’re heading for the parking lot and people are pouring in in droves with the sun beating down on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Welcome<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DO: Visit the Brick Safari exhibit early as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We didn’t make it our first stop (see next item below), but we did make it our second stop. By 10:30 AM, the exhibit was already getting crowded and we needed to wait in lines for all of the photo ops. The exhibit follows a path, so you move through in a herd, going from LEGO creation to LEGO creation with the rest of the pack. It can be congested, especially with strollers everywhere. Getting there early helps to beat some of the crowds and lets you explore the LEGO exhibit with a little more freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Brookfield<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DON’T: Argue with your kids if they insist on visiting the Hamill Family Play Zoo first.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not worth it, and it’s right on the way to the Brick Safari exhibit. Stop in and let the kids stretch their legs and get a little playtime in before moving on to the rest of your zoo trip. Plus, the Hamill Family Play Zoo has the best restroom facilities for kids, so make a pit stop before you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kids<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Toddler<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DO: Paint your kids’ faces for fun.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another family tradition, let your kids paint their faces at the Play Zoo so they look like their favorite animals. Sure, they’ll have that paint smudged all over their face for the rest of your zoo pics, but if it makes them so happy, why not? My little lion roared fiercely and happily the rest of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Toddler<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kid<\/a>
If you can’t tell … this is my best snake face paint. Clearly lions are my strong point.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DON’T: Forget sunscreen, hats, and lots of water.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of Brookfield Zoo is in full sun during the day, so you’ll want to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout your visit. Hats are a must for my fair-skinned kiddos. Bring water bottles for everyone so you stay hydrated with all of the walking (and sweating) you’re about to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Brick Safari exhibit happens to be along a shady path, but to get there, you’ll traverse the main zoo grounds under the blazing hot summer sun. Strolling under the trees along the Safari path is a nice little respite from the heat, especially when there’s a breeze blowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LEGO<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DO: Read the signs!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each LEGO creation has a sign that notes how many bricks were used, how much the statue weighs, and how long it took the artist to build. Some of them were absolutely mind-blowing — the rhino used more than 250,000 bricks! You can make it into a game as you go along, trying to guess how many bricks for each statue or which statue took longer to build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
It took two full days to just to build these modestly sized macaws!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DON’T: Pose with every<\/em> LEGO creation or for every<\/em> photo op.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean, I did. But I regretted it. Many of the dedicated photo setups required a short wait just to get your kids in there, and then you know<\/em><\/strong> no one’s kids can just smile nicely under pressure while everyone taps their feet behind you as you beg your kids to JUST LOOK AT THE CAMERA AND SMILE DAMN IT. My posed pictures came out approximately as badly as I expected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n