RZSS Big Roos - Outdoor Learning Stay & Play

Nurture your pre-school child’s lifelong love of animals and nature with us at Edinburgh Zoo today!

Based in our Wildlife Garden outdoor classroom and around the zoo, you and your child can connect and discover the animal kingdom together while developing their confidence, resilience, creativity and social skills through play-based outdoor learning.

Specially designed and delivered for 3 - 5 year-olds by our Forest School leader, you can promote development and enjoy the zoo weekly over a multi-week block. This includes free entry to the zoo and the chance to explore and socialise with other parents and carers after each session.

We're also offering a 10% discount for RZSS members and staff and a reduction for multiple children within the same family. If this applies to you, please contact us at education@rzss.org.uk for more information.

Purchasing one ticket enables one adult and one child (aged between 3 and 5 years on the first session date) access to a full block of 1 hour weekly sessions plus zoo entry after the event. Blocks can vary in length from four to eight sessions in length and are priced accordingly to reflect this. If you have specific individual needs or would like to enquire about additional adults attending with you, please contact us at education@rzss.org.uk.

Please note, Big Roos sessions may involve some travel around the zoo and we will be outside for the sessions, except in cases of very extreme weather. Joeys, Roos and Big Roos are all designed with a flexible, no-pressure approach and so if you need to take time out of a session for any reason, you'll be able to jump back into the activities whenever you're ready.

Our staff team will meet you in the Wildlife Garden outdoor classroom at the beginning of each session.

New dates for Joeys, Roos and Big Roos will be added to these event pages regularly and you can sign up to the waiting list for updates if an event is currently sold out.

Book Joeys (3-18 months) blocks here

Blocks for Roos (18 months - 3 years) here

You can also find out about Joeys and Roos here and in our video above. If you have any questions, please email education@rzss.org.uk.

Current Dates

Next block beginning 27/08/2025 at 10.00am - 10.45am

All Dates:

Block 1: Aug 27th 2025 – 6 week block (Note: Not including 10 Sept, 17 Sept or 15 Oct. Block will run on 27 Aug, 3 Sept, 24 Sept, 1st Oct, 8 Oct, 22 Oct)

Block 2: Oct 29th 2025 – 6 week block

Block 3: Feb 25th 2025 – 6 week block

Block 4: Apr 22nd 2025 – 6 week block

Please note that due to running costs, if the minimum number of attendees is not met, sessions will be cancelled and all places fully refunded.

Explore our Joeys and Roos Collection to discover if there are other dates available at present.

Outcomes from Big Roos

Parents and carers and their children have an increased number of opportunities to connect to the natural world together.

Children will have increased access to activities that promote STEM development through active learning and play.

Parents and carers have an increased understanding of RZSS conservation projects.

Big Roos FAQs

Are parents/guardians required to stay for the sessions? Yes. These stay and play sessions are designed for pre-school age learners and their parent/guardian to play and learn together. Drop-off is not available.

What are the meeting arrangements? The meeting place for sessions is the Wildlife Garden outdoor classroom, by Przewalski's horses. Famililes are requested to enter through main reception and meet the group at 1pm at the Wildlife Garden. There is a 10 minute walk between the entrance and the garden: please let staff at main reception know if our accessibility vehicle would be helpful for you.

Will food be provided throughout the session? No. Occasionally, campfire treats such as warm drinks may be offered to learners and parents as part of the learning process.

What should my child and I wear to RZSS Big Roos sessions? Our sessions will run in all weathers (with the exception of very extreme weather), and conditions can be changeable throughout the day, so we ask that all participants come prepared for the outdoors with:

• Full length trousers and long-sleeved tops
• Sensible footwear eg. walking boots, wellies
• A waterproof layer eg. raincoat and waterproof trousers, snow suit
• Long hair tied back or a hair tie ready for use
• Warm layers, thick socks, hats and gloves on cold days
• Light layers, sun hat and sun cream on warm days

Is RZSS Big Roos a Forest School? With Forest School trained staff and a strong Forest School ethos, the Forest School approach is at the heart of what we do. However, we recognise that in Edinburgh Zoo we have a unique resource that we aim to use to support early learning and a love of nature wherever we can, so we may occasionally interpret the Forest School principles more flexibly to allow this.

Where can I learn more about the Forest School approach? We are working towards recognised provider status with the Forest School Association. Their website provides a wealth of information about the Forest School approach.

Will my child and I have the opportunity to visit the animals in the Edinburgh Zoo collection? Yes. We are very proud of our world famous zoo, and look forward to visiting a wide range of the species on site in the course of our sessions.

Please note that due to running costs, RZSS Big Roos sessions will be cancelled and all places fully refunded if the minimum number of attendees is not met.