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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
How do you handle going to the Bronx Zoo with a very active LO? We went yesterday and she was fine in her stroller, but when we had to "park" it, and go into the bird exhibit, all heck broke loose. She was ALL over the place and when it was time to go back in the stroller, she had a mini meltdown.
First, please tell me I'm not alone 
And second, how do you rein your active LO in? Should I just keep her in the stroller and avoid the indoor exhibits, for now?
Any input is welcomed.
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Posted 4/28/14 12:25 PM  |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
I don't know that I have real advice, but I'll just tell you what we did...We took DS to the Central Park Zoo and when we had to park the stroller I usually just carried him. Or, if we let him walk, he had to hold our hands so did he couldn't run around. He fought us a little going back into the stroller, but once he's in, he usually just calms down.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:03 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Not much advice, but you're not alone. DD is always good until she gets out of the stroller and then it's a full on melt down every time she has to get back in. I would usually just strap her in kicking and screaming and we would run to the next area where she could get out! Embarrassing but you do what you have to do. Otherwise, DH would put her on his shoulders for shorter distances and she was fine with that. There's also the food tactic! I usually feed her lunch while she sits in the stroller toward the end of our visit and that keeps her happy for a while when we're all starting to get tired.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:08 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by NYCGirl80
I don't know that I have real advice, but I'll just tell you what we did...We took DS to the Central Park Zoo and when we had to park the stroller I usually just carried him. Or, if we let him walk, he had to hold our hands so did he couldn't run around. He fought us a little going back into the stroller, but once he's in, he usually just calms down.
Thanks for replying!
I tried to carry her, but she just kept wanting to get down. I guess it's time to teach her about holding hands.
Thanks again.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:08 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by MrsT809
Not much advice, but you're not alone. DD is always good until she gets out of the stroller and then it's a full on melt down every time she has to get back in. I would usually just strap her in kicking and screaming and we would run to the next area where she could get out! Embarrassing but you do what you have to do. Otherwise, DH would put her on his shoulders for shorter distances and she was fine with that. There's also the food tactic! I usually feed her lunch while she sits in the stroller toward the end of our visit and that keeps her happy for a while when we're all starting to get tired.
Good advice. Thanks!
And glad to hear I'm not alone.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:10 PM |
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babyface10
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/11 804 total posts
Name:
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
I generally let DS walk. It wears him out and he loves to run. He is generally pretty good at not going too far from us but one of us will always keep close to him.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:26 PM |
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)
Member since 6/07 5339 total posts
Name:
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
I usually bribe with a snack or something when getting back into the stroller. As far as being all over the place, I have 3 year old twins and a 29 month old. All wanderers and all like to run around all over the place. I bought the skip hop back pack harnesses and use those. They live their pack packs so they don't give me a hard time with it. I usually keep the harness strap tucked into the top of the backpack until the start to get out of Control. I get TONS of looks from people like I'm a terrible parent and I also get compliments from people on keeping my kids safe. It's not for everyone but it definitely helps us.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:29 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
DS2 is sooo active and nonstop. He hates being confined in the stroller once he gets out. 
I was so nervous for Disney, but I caved and got the backpack leash. 
Worked great. He kept his fav stuffed animal in it and loved the idea he had his own backpack like his older brother (monkey backpack that he loves). He understood that if he gets out of the stroller then the backpack goes on.
Good part about Bronx Zoo is you can keep the stroller with you through most of the zoo. Only time you would park it is for certain exhibits, but you can skip those. Just keep moving and lots of snacks. As long as there's stuff to see and we're moving then he's ok.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:30 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by babyface10
I generally let DS walk. It wears him out and he loves to run. He is generally pretty good at not going too far from us but one of us will always keep close to him.
Yeah, I was trying to keep up with her, but I felt bad because she was going right next to people, in between them. She was so excited. I mean, they didn't seem to mind, but still.
It was also our 1st time there, so none of us knew what to expect.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:31 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by luckysmom
I usually bribe with a snack or something when getting back into the stroller. As far as being all over the place, I have 3 year old twins and a 29 month old. All wanderers and all like to run around all over the place. I bought the skip hop back pack harnesses and use those. They live their pack packs so they don't give me a hard time with it. I usually keep the harness strap tucked into the top of the backpack until the start to get out of Control. I get TONS of looks from people like I'm a terrible parent and I also get compliments from people on keeping my kids safe. It's not for everyone but it definitely helps us.
Thanks, I was looking up the back pack harness yesterday after we got back...I think it's great!
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:34 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by EricaAlt
DS2 is sooo active and nonstop. He hates being confined in the stroller once he gets out.
I was so nervous for Disney, but I caved and got the backpack leash.
Worked great. He kept his fav stuffed animal in it and loved the idea he had his own backpack like his older brother (monkey backpack that he loves). He understood that if he gets out of the stroller then the backpack goes on.
Good part about Bronx Zoo is you can keep the stroller with you through most of the zoo. Only time you would park it is for certain exhibits, but you can skip those. Just keep moving and lots of snacks. As long as there's stuff to see and we're moving then he's ok.
Thanks! Yeah, I told DH that we prob should've just stayed out of the indoor exhibits...I wish they let you take strollers in there.
And, like I said in the other post. I'm all for those backpack leashes. Whatever keeps our kids safe.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:36 PM |
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M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
We usually let Dd walk because she likes it and it tires her out. But we give her rules before going in to a place, like that she has to hold our hands, no touching (depending where we are), etc. If she breaks a rule, I give her a warning, then if she breaks it again she goes back in the stroller or cart. She doesnt fight it since she knows what is expected.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:37 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by M514
We usually let Dd walk because she likes it and it tires her out. But we give her rules before going in to a place, like that she has to hold our hands, no touching (depending where we are), etc. If she breaks a rule, I give her a warning, then if she breaks it again she goes back in the stroller or cart. She doesnt fight it since she knows what is expected.
 Great advice.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:42 PM |
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VikingChick
LIF Adult
Member since 5/11 1024 total posts
Name:
Anna
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
I never take a stroller anywhere for this reason. Kid refuses to sit in it, and it is too hard to chase a toddler while pushing a stroller. If he gets tired, I put him on my shoulders. Rule is, he has to hold hands with an adult, or he gets picked up.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:42 PM |
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VikingChick
LIF Adult
Member since 5/11 1024 total posts
Name:
Anna
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Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Also? The Queens zoo is great-- much smaller and less crowded than Bronx. Much more manageable for a toddler.
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:43 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by VikingChick
Also? The Queens zoo is great-- much smaller and less crowded than Bronx. Much more manageable for a toddler.
This is good to know...We have the membership, and that zoo is included in it.
Thanks!
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| Posted 4/28/14 1:49 PM |
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Alli06
Baby #3 coming this June
Member since 8/05 6721 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
No advice! I just went to Hershey with my crazy two year old. If you let him out of that stroller he goes all over the place. Walks where ever he wants. It was lots of fun especially being 31 weeks pregnant when I went. Lots of meltdowns. Oh and I also have a five year of LOL!
I find feeding my DS while in his stroller being the best option to getting him to stay. Maybe go somewhere in the zoo where she has a lot of area to walk around.
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| Posted 4/28/14 2:02 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by Alli06
No advice! I just went to Hershey with my crazy two year old. If you let him out of that stroller he goes all over the place. Walks where ever he wants. It was lots of fun especially being 31 weeks pregnant when I went. Lots of meltdowns. Oh and I also have a five year of LOL!
I find feeding my DS while in his stroller being the best option to getting him to stay. Maybe go somewhere in the zoo where she has a lot of area to walk around.
Holy crap! I didn't want to do anything when I was 31 weeks pregnant, let alone run after a 2 year old?!
You're a trooper.
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| Posted 4/28/14 2:06 PM |
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bookgirl1017
LIF Infant
Member since 1/09 84 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
We also use the monkey backpack with my very active ds. We use it at places like Disney, the airport, Bronx Zoo etc. It is a lifesaver and he loves it. I could care less what ppl think, they either never had a runner or forgot what it's like to have a 2 or 3 year old. This is a win- win, he get's to roam and I get a happy safe kid! :)
Message edited 4/28/2014 2:12:46 PM.
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| Posted 4/28/14 2:11 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by bookgirl1017
We also use the monkey backpack with my very active ds. We use it at places like Disney, the airport, Bronx Zoo etc. It is a lifesaver and he loves it. I could care less what ppl think, they either never had a runner or forgot what it's like to have a 2 or 3 year old. This is a win- win, he get's to roam and I get a happy safe kid! :)
Yeah, I'm gonna get one of those. Sounds like a perfect solution.
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| Posted 4/28/14 2:25 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
I have a 2 and 3 year old.
Both walk.
It's very doable if you plan just a small area to cover at Bronx zoo.
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| Posted 4/28/14 3:58 PM |
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StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by nycgirl
I have a 2 and 3 year old.
Both walk.
It's very doable if you plan just a small area to cover at Bronx zoo.
Yeah, we didn't really go in with a plan. Our mistake.
Thanks!
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| Posted 4/28/14 4:08 PM |
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NewLeaf2012
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 2741 total posts
Name:
....
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by bookgirl1017
We also use the monkey backpack with my very active ds. We use it at places like Disney, the airport, Bronx Zoo etc. It is a lifesaver and he loves it. I could care less what ppl think, they either never had a runner or forgot what it's like to have a 2 or 3 year old. This is a win- win, he get's to roam and I get a happy safe kid! :)
This.... I had someone in Disney offer to buy mine on our trip in 2011... They are great... And my son loved to wear it
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| Posted 4/28/14 4:18 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by VikingChick
Also? The Queens zoo is great-- much smaller and less crowded than Bronx. Much more manageable for a toddler.
Ita. The Queens Zoo is really cute. Ive taken all 4 of my dc there myself and it is fine. I actually lost my oldest dc at the Bronx Zoo one crowded Columbus Day when he was 2 and I was there with him and my 5mo. I was so traumatized it took me years to go back. I still don't really like to go there.
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| Posted 4/28/14 6:53 PM |
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allIwant
Love my crazy life!
Member since 1/10 9170 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bronx Zoo with a very active 2 year old
Posted by M514
We usually let Dd walk because she likes it and it tires her out. But we give her rules before going in to a place, like that she has to hold our hands, no touching (depending where we are), etc. If she breaks a rule, I give her a warning, then if she breaks it again she goes back in the stroller or cart. She doesnt fight it since she knows what is expected.
This! It helps a lot...be consistent!
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| Posted 4/28/14 10:20 PM |
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