Hat and gloves.
You may have heard the old saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. This is true of any trip to the zoo. To make sure you enjoy yourself and your trip to the zoo, a quality hat is an absolute must. It should cover your ears and ideally be made of wool or some other warm material. It’s also important that your gloves are waterproof and don’t let in cold air while providing adequate protection from the elements. Glove liners can help you stay warm if you’re not wearing good gloves or if temperatures drop below freezing outside. Avoid cotton gloves at all costs; they’ll soak up water like a sponge and end up making your hands colder than when you started out!
Warm socks.
Zoo goers should always bring a pair of warm socks despite the weather forecast. You don’t want to end up getting wet feet and being distracted by the chill throughout your visit. The first consideration when choosing socks is their material, as you want to make sure that they will keep your toes dry and comfortable. The best materials for winter socks are wool or polyester blends. Cotton is not recommended, because it tends to soak up moisture easily and stay damp, rather than keeping your feet dry.
If temperatures are expected to be above freezing with little wind throughout the day, then an ultra-light sock can be combined with a midweight layer on top for warmth and comfort during your visit.
Raincoat or poncho.
This is the time to consider a raincoat rather than an umbrella. Raincoats leave your hands free to carry your things and make sure you don’t lose your children. They also fit more easily into lockers and bags if the weather clears up, while umbrellas can be difficult to store or may take up too much space in a bag, making them inconvenient on days when the weather is unpredictable.
If you’re planning on packing a raincoat, you should look for one with a hood, since it will keep the water off your head even if the wind is blowing sideways. If you’re going to be using your chair in the park (and don’t have someone who can hold an umbrella for you), then a poncho might be better for you. Ponchos are best for really bad weather because they’re larger than raincoats and provide better coverage from wind-driven rain. They will also go over your wheelchair easily, so any other items that might get wet (like lap blankets) would stay dry underneath.
Comfortable shoes.
Comfortable shoes go without saying, but they’re so important we decided to say it anyway. You’ll be walking a lot, and if it’s wet, you’ll want shoes that are waterproof, otherwise your feet will get cold, chaffed and sweaty. If it’s hot, you’ll want shoes that let your feet breathe. If it’s wintertime, you’ll want shoes with a good tread for traction on icy surfaces. Make sure you have a few pairs of comfy socks in your backpack for changing out when needed.
Extra socks for your feet (in case it rains and your shoes get wet).
If you want to enjoy your day at the zoo, make sure to bring a pair of waterproof shoes. If you wear sandals or other open-toed footwear, your feet will get wet if it rains. If you have socks that are already wet from rain or your water shoes, change them to dry socks as soon as possible so that they don’t get blisters. Bring an extra plastic bag for wet clothes and keep all your belongings dry!
Sunglasses/sunscreen.
You’ll want to be sure to bring along sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim.
Protecting your skin and eyes from the sun is incredibly important, especially on a day like this one. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time—which you most likely will be if you’re visiting the zoo—you’ll want to make sure that you block out as much harmful UV radiation as possible.
The first step is sunscreen. Make sure that before you head out, you’ve applied at least SPF 30 generously all over exposed skin. Don’t forget places like your neck and ears! You may also want to reapply every 2 hours or so while spending time in the great outdoors.
Also don’t forget about your eyes! Wearing sunglasses will protect them from both UV light and any glare that might be bouncing off reflective surfaces (and trust me, there are plenty of those where I live). Ideally, they should fit snugly around the eye area without being too tight (painful) or slipping off (annoying). Also try opting for a pair with polarized lenses—a nice added bonus for any outdoor activity!
What to wear to the zoo in winter
Once you’ve decided to visit the zoo in winter, please take my advice and plan ahead with your clothing. I know it can be tempting to just throw on any old sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, but this is a recipe for disaster. The animals are warmly nestled inside their heated enclosures; you’ll get cold very quickly if you aren’t prepared. Since you’re going outside, you need to dress appropriately: wear a hat that covers your ears, warm socks (that can fit over your shoes or boots) and gloves—and don’t forget layers! A sweatshirt will work fine as an outer layer (or even better, a snowsuit), but underneath I recommend long underwear or leggings layered with some kind of tights. If it’s really wet out or freezing rain is expected, bring an umbrella along too—you’ll appreciate it later when your hair isn’t soaked through! One last thing: bring along a thermos full of hot chocolate or coffee and possibly a snack. You don’t want to feel hungry in the middle of nowhere!
What to wear to the zoo for female
- A dress will make you feel like you’re part of the gang, the animal kingdom.
- A hat is more appropriate for the office than a hatchet.
- Sunglasses can transform you from camouflaged by your environment to camouflag-ed! (Also, they are useful for protecting your eyes from the sun.)
- Comfortable shoes are better than uncomfortable ones. (Comfort is best!)
- Sunscreen isn’t just for beaches. It’s also good for zoos! Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays can be harmful and even cancerous over time. Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily.
- You should bring a jacket with you in case it gets cold (or in case the weather turns unexpectedly).
What to wear to the zoo on a rainy day
Obviously, you want to be comfortable when going to the zoo, especially considering that you’ll probably be standing around looking at animals for a significant portion of your day. A good pair of shoes is key. They need to fit well, so take time to make sure they aren’t too tight or too loose; you don’t want blisters forming halfway through a fun day out. The shoes should also have thick soles to cushion your feet and protect against any rocks or other dangerous ground material that could be hiding in the grass.
Raincoats are a must if there’s even a remote chance of rain; rain ponchos are more portable and easier to carry around than an umbrella and do the same job. If it rains while you’re still wearing sandals or some other kind of shoe that isn’t waterproof, you can potentially end up with wet feet by the end of the day—and walking with wet feet is not fun at all! You might even get blisters from being in damp socks all day.
What to wear to the zoo on a hot day
The right clothes can help you beat the heat and get the most out of any zoo experience. When it comes to clothing for a hot day at the zoo, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Wear light-coloured clothing. Dark colours absorb heat from sunlight, which will make you feel hotter than if you were wearing a light colour.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing made from breathable fabrics. The breeziness of baggy pants or skirts will give your legs some extra room to breathe. Clothing products that are made of cotton, linen or even silk, as opposed to synthetics like nylon or polyester, are generally better for dealing with heat and moisture than other types of fabrics.
- Wear a hat to protect your head and face from exposure to sunlight. A baseball cap is lightweight and easy to carry around with you throughout the day at the zoo!
- Wear comfortable shoes like sneakers or sandals that won’t leave blisters on your feet after walking around all day.
If it’s forecasted to rain during your visit but you still want to go ahead and enjoy the zoo in spite of the weather conditions, wear all of these items plus bring an umbrella along for good measure!
What to wear to the zoo in summer
- Put on loose, light clothes. Since you’ll be walking around under the sun, it’s important to wear clothes that will keep you cool and comfortable.
- Apply sunscreen generously before you leave your house. It’s a must-have for a day at the zoo in summer.
- Bring along a hat or baseball cap to protect your face from getting burnt by the sun.
- Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting all day long.
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and have good support for your feet as you walk around park grounds all day long under the hot sun.
- Bring a water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if temperatures are high in your area. If there are water fountains available at the park, it may also help to bring an empty water bottle that you can fill up as needed throughout the day.
What to wear to a zoo wedding
When it comes to what to wear, you should always dress for the season and make sure your clothing is comfortable. If you’re planning a zoo trip on one of those perfect spring days, it’s a good idea to dress in layers. Even though the sun is shining and the day is warm, there might be a chilly breeze that kicks up here or there. That way, if temps start to drop, you can remove layers until you find a comfortable temperature.
On the other hand, if you’re planning a visit on one of those hot summer days where it feels like every pore in your body is secreting its own waterfall? Make sure your clothes are loose enough that they allow airflow through them. You might even want to be so bold as to wear shorts or skirts (depending on how much leg coverage you prefer). And don’t forget about the sunscreen! It’s important to protect yourself from harmful UV rays no matter what season it is—so slather on some SPF 30 or higher before heading out into nature.
You’ll also want to keep an eye on the weather forecast when deciding what to wear during your zoo visit—and plan accordingly! If rain showers are in the mix, pack an umbrella or raincoat so that Mother Nature doesn’t interrupt your plans for fun.
In addition to dressing for the weather conditions and dressing comfortably, there are also some more specific considerations depending on which biome(s) of animal life interest you most—if not all of them!
What to wear to a zoo keeper interview
- This is your chance to make a good first impression.
- You want to look smart and professional, but at the same time you want to be comfortable.
- Don’t wear anything that will stand out too much, like a bow tie. It’s distracting and not necessary unless you are already an established zookeeper or looking for some sort of specialist position.
- Don’t wear anything too revealing either; no open shirts or short skirts. Some of the animals might be able to see what you’re wearing in their enclosure and it might distract them from their work.
What to wear to a zoo party
Wear something animal-themed to the zoo party this month. Bring a camera and some comfortable shoes, maybe even a sweater, so you don’t have to leave your cool hat behind (not that you would—it’s got s’mores written all over it). Take a bag with you so that you can carry in whatever snacks or drinks you’ve decided to bring. Bring some sunscreen if it’s hot outside, and actually use it! Most importantly, wear something animal-themed! This will also be the best experience of your life.
Send this to a friend who is going to the zoo in January!
You don’t have to be going to the zoo in January to get value from this guide. These tips can really be used for any time of year at any zoo! Even if you’re not going to the zoo, you could use these tips for what to wear if you’re going on a picnic or hiking.
