DINOSAUR ZOO : A Visit to the Sydney Opera House with Kids

Miss N’s best friend is dinosaur mad. She threads dinosaur facts through her conversations and is always quick to tell us how our budgie compares to the latest prehistoric species that she is reading about. Her obsession for these reptiles is widely known so it was no surprise to see her recruited as one of Australia’s Biggest Dinosaur Experts and interviewed by the Sydney Opera House (you’ll spot her in the video below talking about poo!).

This intrigued both Master R and Miss N who wanted to know what was so interesting about dinosaurs that would make someone want to know everything about them. Fueled by this curiosity, we jumped at the chance to be part of the audience welcoming the arrival of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo to the Opera House earlier this week in the Dinosaur Zoo production.

Both T and I chaperoned our two kidlets to the event fully expecting to sit in our seats and watch on as the dinosaurs enthralled the kids. We did not expect at all to be drawn into the show and were somewhat surprised to find ourselves laughing throughout the performance, clapping and calling out responses when asked.

Image : Supplied

Dinosaur Zoo is an international success story, having performed at theatres worldwide where it has enchanted its adult and child audience alike. The show is captivating and draws the audience into a lesson about Australia’s prehistoric creatures without them even realising that the theatre is a classroom of sorts. There is no ‘dumbing down’ of scientific language or glossing over the feeding habits of the dinosaurs (regurgitation, carnivore and herbivore are mentioned a lot). Surprisingly, by the end most of the audience could clearly say the scientific names of each animal introduced during the show.

Image: Supplied

What I loved most about Dinosaur Zoo is that the audience is able to observe each dinosaur from a distance or right up close. Most of the kids attending left their seats very early in the show and positioned themselves around the stage so they could be as close as possible. At different points in the show they could volunteer to go up on stage and help the dinosaur keepers wrangle the dinosaurs, feed them, or even just give them a hug. Of course, with a full theatre it was impossible to give every child a chance to come on stage but as soon as the show finished two baby dinosaurs appeared in the foyer. This gave everyone chance for a touch, a hug and even a kiss if they wanted.

Image: Supplied

At the start of the show our Dinosaur Guide warned us that there could be tears by the end of the show. The only ones I noted were coming from kids crying for more! You really do leave with a new appreciation for Australian Dinosaurs and a big smile.

Dinosaur Zoo is currently on at the Sydney Opera House until 19 April 2015. Tickets start at $31.20 each. Click here to book now.