What's More Fun for a Two Year Old?

We went to the Lowry Park Zoo with family that came from out of state to visit and we ALL thought it was DIRTY and NOT NICE. The animals looked sad and the place is not kept well.

I would go anywhere but there.

Have fun no matter what you do.

:)

I haven't been to either one of the places you have mentioned but I thought I would let you know that in my opinion, the aquarium would be better. I have a 3 yr old daughter and a 22 month old son and there is just something about the animals that live under water that is so interesting for them. They love it!

Hi, my name is Susanne and I am the mother of three boys...13,9 and 3 years old. All of them agree that they enjoy the zoo more.
Whatever you decide to do...have lots of fun!!!!

If you are talking about the one in Tampa we just went. I have a 12 yr old boy 4 &3 girls. They had a BLAST at the aquarium. There was plenty of stuff to touch and it is in their face/ right on their level. Not just fish but water fowl also. Then outside is a kiddie water park. Be prepared to get at least your feet wet. It was a BLAST!!!! ONe thing bring your own lunch you can eat it outside. Prices are typical. HAVE FUN!!!!

I took my daughter to Lowry Park when she was about two. She had a blast. She was so excited to actually see in real life all the animals she was learning about.

I have a son who just turned 4. In the past two years we have taken him to both places, and I have to say he had a lot more fun at the zoo. Plus it wont be that hot this weekend and it will be a great time to go. Go to the aguarium during the really hot months.

My 2 year old daughter would love either one! She loves the zoo and fish and any animal at all! Just bring a stroller so that she can ride, and not have to walk when she gets tired!

Have fun,
K.

If the weather is nice, Lowry Park. It is great and has a playground, petting zoo(if you allow that), merry go round etc. Lots of fun!

The Aquarium is fun too - their best feature for kids is a waterpark in the summertime. They do have a small playground too.

I have a 2 1/2 year old little boy and we actually have family passes to both Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida Aquarium. He really enjoys both attractions. If it's super hot, the aquarium is great as it's air conditioned and if you bring a change of clothes, there is a water area to play in outside. Lowry Park Zoo also has fountains the kids can play in up front. This is a good sized zoo so wear comfy shoes. He never tires of seeing the animals. If it's this weekend, you might want to head to the zoo because there will be plenty of super hot days this year that you will appreciate the A/C at the aquarium. Have fun!

I like to take my 2yr old to the Metroplitan Park downtown. They have a kid area that's great. In the summer they turn on the water and the kids can splash around.
Between the two well I haven't tryed my son with an aquarium yet but the zoo was cool to him. He got to watch the zoo people feed the giraff, he stuck his toung out with the animal.
Have fun!

All three of my children have loved the FL Aquarium at that age. It is the right size place to see with someone so young. My kids loved the big aquariums and the play areas, and because it wasn't that huge, we were done before they got tired and bored. Now we are members of the zoo, but my kids really have more fun there in the summer, when they can get wet in the splash areas. If you go to either when it's warm, make sure you take a towel and extra change of clothes, because they're bound to get wet.

Hi J.

I've been members of both. If the weather is good and not too hot, I'd say the zoo. They have a kid's park inside, but you have to pay extra for the rides. They have pony rides and you can feed the goats. They have sanitizing containers right there too. The zoo has the manatees, the aquarium does not.

If the weather is too cool or rainy, I'd say go to the aquarium. It is more expensive for you though. They do have a new facility in there for children, but some of it may be a little too young, but the sights are incredible.

Both are good choices and will give your daughter an experience she won't forget. My granddaughter has done both and she is only 2 1/2.

Hope this helps.

L.

I assume you're talking of the Aquarium in Tampa, FL?? We've taken our girls to both the Lowry Zoo (at Christmas time) and the Tampa Aquarium (in the summer). The Aquarium is an absolute blast in the summer because there's a childrens' water park area. It is a lot of fun for them but it has to be warm. Kids as young as 2 can enjoy it. There are water spouts, small & medium slides, a pirate ship, water gun area, sand box, and playground area. The Lowry Zoo is beautifully decorated for the Holidays and definitely worth going to. As I recall, there are amusement park-type rides, pony rides, horse carriage rides, stingray tanks, fish tanks, etc. I don't recall a lot of wild animals, but perhaps we were too focused on the Christmas decorations and taking pictures with Santa! I still think it's worth going to, but you should definitely return during the Holidays. I believe for this time of year, the Zoo would be better, but in the summer the Aquarium is a great place to go. Have fun!

Does the zoo have a petting area? If so go there.

If I had to pick between the two, I would definitely pick the zoo....however, Bush Gardens is MUCH better. Plus you get to go back in to Bush Gardens for the entire year for free (parking fees apply :(. Much more to do there, plus sometimes the zoo doesn't let you bring your lunch in, BG always does. You pay to ride anything at the zoo, but BG does not. They have Dragon Land at BG for the little ones, a great show everyday which is a good resting point, Lots more animals, a train ride where you can get great views of the animals. Hands down, BG is way better than the zoo! If you are a FL resident you pay for your ticket and you get free entry for the rest of the year.

I don't think you could go wrong with either! Made decide by what your daughter likes more? For instance, does she like tigers and monkeys more or fish and penguins? The Aquarium also has a few hands on exhibits and you can get closer to the animals. Again, either choice is a good one. Have fun!

I'd do the Zoo!! My daughter turned 2 in August and we did both over the summer and she had a great time at both, but the biggest hit at the Florida Aquarium was the outdoor spray grounds. (which its a bit too cold for now.) Its great weather for the Zoo right now since you'll be outside the whole time and your 2yr old will LOVE it!

I've taken my 16-month old daughter to Lowry Park Zoo three times and she LOVES it. In fact, we've even decided to get a family pass. The great thing about Lowry Park is they have a Manatee area with an aquarium and fish, so you get both zoo and aquarium. They also have a great kid section, with fountains, a petting zoo, a play structure. I've never seen a child there who wasn't having a good time.

Have a wonderful visit!

I would vote for the Lowry Park Zoo. It's more simple for a two yr old and more hands on of animals. Both of my children went there alot and loved it.

Hi J....
I have dealt with kids at both. The zoo would be your best choice, If the weather is warm enough, let her wear a bathing suit or carry another change of clothes... they do have fountains that the kids can also play in. I couldn't get my 2 yr grandson to leave the fountain to visit the animals so make it your end of the day stop. The Aquarium is pretty good too and has added a few more attraction areas but older kids would probably enjoy that over the zoo.

Zoo! Zoo! Zoo! Zoo! We LOVE the zoo! It's especially nice when it's not so hot outside. If it's warm enough, bring her swimsuit. She can play in the water there. Now I'm in the mood for the zoo!

having been to both with small children, I would say the zoo

have FUN!

My one year old and almost 3 year old absolutely love the Aquarium. So much that we became members. My daughter started really appreciating it at about 20 months old and I feel a lot more comfortable taking them there by myself when my husband cannot go instead of the zoo. If the day is nice, be sure to pack bathing suit, sunscreen, towel and water shoes because the water play is phenomenal for that age. Planning on staying at least a couple to 4 hours......With that being said, the zoo is great too, especially before the weather gets too terribly hot.

Lowry Park Zoo hands down. Lowry Park is an all day experience. The Aquarium is nice and cool. Perfect for a raining or hot day. But your experience is over before you know it. My daughters prefered Lowry over the aquarium when she was 2. They still do. There is so much more to see and do. Have fun where ever you go! C.

My 2 year old prefers the zoo, the aquarium has the outdoor water play area, but that is not always able to be used this time of year. There is a large aquarium at the zoo, with fish and manatees. The aquarium is also takes less time, the zoo can be an all day affair,but we bought a yearly pass, so we go and only spend 2-3 hours. The family pass is not to bad, although someone recently said they did raise the cost. I am sure your daughter will like either.

I love both places.I also have a 2 year old and she really loves the zoo.There is so much to do, and they have a great play area.Hope this helps. H.

This time of year, for a 2 yr. old, I would say ZOO hands down. The weather is great for walking outside and they have lots of little kiddy rides and a fun little water park area so bring bring a suit and a towel in case its warm enough to go into the water! The Aquairum is great, but much of it is indoors so I ususally save that for HOT or rainy days. Plus, for a 2 year old, the only really FUN part is the outside water play area and it might still be to chilly for that. Good Luck and HAVE FUN! K..

The zoo for sure a lot more hands on instead of looking through the glass my 2 year old had so much fun at the lowery there are petting zoos activities and alot more to see.

Gl and HAVE FUN

N.
(New Port Richey)

I don't know how much help I am going to be because I like both of them.
The Aquarium has a huge fish tank floor to ceiling that the kids really love.
I would say though, if the weather is going to be nice then take advantage of the zoo. It's a nice zoo and clean and has tons of fun stuff to do with the kids. Not much fun to go there when it's 90+ degrees outside.
So, enjoy your day sounds like tons of fun.

The zoo is awesome! Always do things like the zoo, bush gardens and anything else outside now. Save the aquariums for the miserable summer!

We love Lowry Park Zoo!! It has a place where you can touch the stingrays and feed them. It has a water play area for the kids and a place toward the back that is designed for the little ones to play. It is a hands on place. I'm not sure if we have been to the Aquarium or not. Hope you enjoy your Saturday out :)