Battersea Park Children's Zoo

Of all the outdoors activities for kids a day spent with the child sized mammals, birds and all manner of reptiles at Battersea Park Zoo is bound to be a favourite amongst animal loving children, who can can admire the more ordinary animals, from mice to otters, donkeys, pigs and emus, before dashing off to see rarer and more endangered creatures, including a coati and the spectacularly beautiful prevost's squirrel, with its navy and red striped coat.

Children can watch the different feeding sessions taking place throughout the day and ask any budding questions. This summer, children with a penchant for a particular animals can give them special attention by choosing the day dedicated to their favourite animal - for example, in July children can choose from Meercat Day, or Snake Day or many of the other animal specific days - including Piggy. Click here for the list of special days. And over in the meerkat's space, children can burrow into the tunnels and pop their heads out on a level with the little critters, sitting kids right at the centre of the action.

A kids playground gives a chance for the more energetic kids to jump around like monkeys and have a bounce on the mini trampolines, capture the tree house and slip down the slides before having a go in the real life fire engine and sitting in the red tractor.

Formerly run by Wandsworth Council, this sprawling children's outdoors zoo was threatened with closure in 2003 and rescued by the Heap family and their passion for animals.

Battersea Park Children's Zoo is now one of three parks owned by the family who are also devoted to helping with animal rescue and rehabilitation and taking part in international captive breeding programmes for endangered species, including the giant otter, European bison, Eurasian otter, Harvest mouse, European polecat and Scottish wildcat.

Refreshments for all the family can be found in The Lemon Tree Cafe, serving hot and cold drinks, light snacks and sandwiches - placed close enough to the aviaries that mum and dad can have a coffee and ice cream whilst talking to the African Grey Parrots.