How about taking your children and some other kids on a weekend trip that will give them a chance to be closer to nature? The perfect place is the Vandalur Zoo, or the Arignar Anna Zoological Park as it is called, located near Crescent Engineering College. Hop into the car and drive down towards Tambaram, about 30 kms, and you will reach the zoo.

Buy the entrance tickets, let yourself and the gang in and be footloose and fancy free. Make sure to carry plenty of water and eats, for the place is huge and you’d need to walk quite a bit. Alternatively, you could hop on to a van that will take you on a tour of the zoo. This is comfortable, but not as much fun, though.

The journey begins with the birds and monkeys and ends at the Aquarium. Familiarise yourself with deer, wild buffalo, bear, jackal, hippo, elephant, crocodile and the whole range of exotic birds. Near every enclosure there are plaques made of stone, giving details about the particular animal or bird. This makes it interesting, especially when we spot an animal we have never laid eyes on before.

When done, you can take a break or go all out and hop on to the lion safari tour. Peering out the window, hoping to catch sight of a lion can be great fun.

Finally as the day wanes it’s time to say goodbye to the caged friends and head home, happy to have spent the day having such fun.