Story time in a magical underwater world at London Zoo

London Zoo is getting in the Christmas spirit with an interactive story time for babies set in a magical underwater world, called Sensory Stories at the Zoo.

Parents, guardians and their babies will be taken on a journey through the ocean to explore all the sights, sounds, and textures of the ocean at Christmas.

From inside one of ZSL London Zoo’s newest exhibit, Tiny Giants: Minibeasts and Coral Reefs visitors will be surrounded by the calm waters of the seven-metre-long reef aquarium tank during Sensory Stories at the Zoo.

Tales will follow the jolly adventures of a sea turtle, a crab, a jelly fish, an oyster or a sea otter as they explore their ocean homes and ready themselves for Christmas Day.

Led by one of London Zoo’s storytelling elves, twinkly lights and soft sounds of Christmas bells will create the sensory illusion of an underwater festive world for everyone to explore.

A warm blend of jasmine, violet, rose, and fir will fill the air to transport babies into a winter wonderland as snow umbrellas dance around them.

Different textures, bubbles and spray misters – carefully paired with the specially-curated marine tale - will support the development of little ones’ coordination, confidence and awareness of sounds and sights.

Joy Hadfield, Experiences Manager at ZSL London Zoo, said: “The festive season is all about making memories with your loved ones, and our Christmas-themed Sensory Stories at the Zoo is the perfect setting for babies and adults to play, learn and create special moments together.

“London Zoo’s coral reef is so magical and tranquil, it’s the perfect spot for little ones to explore an underwater world with the festive addition of tinsel mats, twinkling lights, snow umbrellas and the smells of Christmas to bring our stories to life.”

Festive sessions are available to book now here on December 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 10.30am.

Baby changing facilities are available close to the classes,  along with  private  breastfeeding  areas  and participants will be able to enjoy the day exploring  the  Zoo after their Sensory Stories at The Zoo session.

Tickets are available to book today here.

For older children the zoo currently has an exciting interactive experience where little ones can collect series of stamps at the zoo’s various animal enclosures before returning to Mrs Claus and her Elves at the end to post a letter to Father Christmas himself.

Employees from Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, took a day out of the office to help keepers at ZSL London Zoo create festive treats for animals.

The corporate volunteers became Santa’s helpers for the day and got stuck in making festive enrichment for some of the zoo’s 20,000 animals, ahead of Giving Tuesday ( November 30).

ZSL corporate member Bloomberg support the charity zoo through a variety of volunteering activities.

This year, more than 170 Bloomberg employees have dedicated over 750 hours in support of the Zoo, and as the season of goodwill approaches the team got hands on, from making a huge cardboard box into a festive treat for the Zoo’s 54kg Komodo dragon, Ganas, to prepping decorative gifts for the red river hogs, the team were hard at work all day.

Learn more about how to become a ZSL corporate member here.