Name: ZooLab
Rating: 5.0

ZooLab

ZooLab UK Head Office, 3 Garnhall Farm Road, Castlecary, G68 0HA

1-99 Years

Paid

1873
0
0

Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in Castlecary? ZooLab offers an incredible interactive animal experience and mobile educational workshop service. Operating across the UK with a nationwide network of professional rangers, this specialist animal encounter provider brings exotic creatures directly to schools, parties, and community venues.

Pricing details for private bookings, birthday parties, and bespoke events are tailored to specific requirements and can be obtained by contacting the team directly via phone or email.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids or planning an engaging educational event, this service delivers. Its professional DBS-checked rangers, hands-on handling opportunities, and focus on ethical animal welfare make it a top choice for families and schools.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Nationwide Ranger Network: Fully trained and DBS-checked educational presenters delivering mobile animal encounters locally across the UK.
Curriculum-Linked School Workshops: Interactive science, geography, and literacy sessions designed to enrich primary and early years learning.
Ethical Animal Welfare Standards: Expertly cared-for exotic and familiar species ensuring safe, high-welfare interactions for all participants.
Therapy and Wellbeing Visits: Specialized sensory animal encounters tailored for care homes, hospitals, and community support groups.

Top 5 Highlights

The Giant African Land Snail Encounter: Meet gentle giant land snails up close and learn fascinating biology facts while observing how these amazing invertebrates move.
The Exotic Amphibian and Reptile Showcase: Discover corn snakes, tree frogs, and friendly lizards while expert rangers explain their natural habitats and survival skills.
The Interactive Storybook Workshop Sessions: Combine live animal encounters with imaginative storytelling designed specifically to captivate younger children and early years learners.
The Mini-Beast Investigation Circle: Explore the exciting world of bugs, beetles, and creepy-crawlies through safe, guided handling sessions led by trained presenters.
The Mammal and Furry Friends Meet-and-Greet: Interact with small, familiar mammals that help build empathy, confidence, and positive communication skills in young participants.

Facilities

Luggage Storage: Not applicable; mobile rangers travel directly to your chosen venue or event space.
Toilets & Changing Facilities: Dependent on the specific local venue or school hosting the mobile booking.
Food Options: Not provided on-site; visitors or event organizers should arrange their own refreshments at the hosting venue.
Buggy Parking: Managed by the specific host venue or school where the mobile workshop takes place.

Pro-Tips:

Book Well in Advance: Because mobile ranger sessions and school workshops fill up quickly throughout the term, early reservation is essential.
Keep Group Sizes Optimal: Standard workshops hold up to 35 participants, while SEN sessions work best capped at 15 individuals for maximum interaction.
Maintain Alcohol Restrictions: Participants who have consumed alcohol are strictly prohibited from handling the animal team during any session.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, ZooLab offers specialized storybook workshops designed specifically to engage very young children and early years toddlers with gentle animal encounters.
How long does a visit take? A standard ZooLab animal handling workshop or birthday party session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes depending on group requirements.
Where is the best place to park? Visitors to the corporate head office can use the on-site parking area, while mobile sessions take place at your chosen local venue or school parking facilities.
How much does entry cost? Pricing for workshops and private party bookings is customized and provided upon direct enquiry with the team.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

World of Wings: Specialist bird of prey conservation centre located nearby in Lanarkshire.
Blair Drummond Safari Park: Expansive family wildlife park offering drive-through animal reserves and adventure play areas in Stirlingshire.
Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies: Iconic engineering landmarks and visitor parks situated a short journey from the central head office.

What Visitors Love:

Parents and teachers praise the professional, friendly rangers who keep children fully engaged and excited throughout the session.
Children love the rare opportunity to touch and hold exotic creatures like snakes, snails, and friendly reptiles up close.
The sessions successfully balance fun entertainment with valuable educational insights into animal care and natural science.
The mobile format brings the animal experience directly to birthday parties or schools, making it remarkably convenient for families.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Exact pricing details are not published upfront on the main website, requiring direct contact to obtain quotes.
Because sessions rely on live animal teams and scheduling, weekend slots for birthday parties book out rapidly.
Strict animal welfare guidelines mean handling rules must be closely followed by all participating children.

Attractions & Activities

Primary School Educational Workshops: Curriculum-aligned science and geography sessions exploring animal habitats and life cycles.
Storybook Animal Adventures: Immersive early years sessions blending live creatures with interactive children's stories.
Birthday Party Animal Encounters: Tailored 45 to 60 minute handling sessions for family celebrations and private parties.
Animal Therapy & Wellbeing Visits: Calming sensory sessions designed for care homes, hospices, and additional support needs groups.
Corporate and Public Event Displays: Engaging mobile animal exhibits suited for business events, fetes, and community festivals.
Global Digital Online Workshops: Interactive virtual animal sessions delivered live for schools and organizations worldwide.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Sessions: Tailored low-capacity workshops allowing extended handling time and gentle engagement.
Teacher Resource and Classroom Packs: Free downloadable lesson plans, worksheets, and activity packs supporting ongoing learning.
YouTube Little Explorers Series: Digital video content providing fun educational animal facts for young learners at home.
Open Community Group Sessions: Scaled mobile visits arranged for large group gatherings and holiday clubs.

New for 2026:

Award-Winning Programme Recognition: Celebrated as the Best Curriculum-Centred Animal Encounters Company in Scotland for 2026.
Enhanced Digital Learning Packs: Updated 2026 classroom resources and worksheets to support STEM learning outcomes.
Expanded Wellbeing Modules: Refreshed sensory animal therapy frameworks designed for care providers and support units.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Contact the ZOOLAB to book your visit.

Pricing URL: https://www.zoolabuk.com/contactus

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: ZooLab attends birthday parties, christenings, nursery leavers' parties, and weddings with exciting mobile animal handling sessions lasting between 45 and 60 minutes.
Inquiries: Custom party packages and booking availability can be arranged by calling 0845 330 6322, emailing [email protected], or submitting an online enquiry via the website.

Address: ZooLab UK Head Office, 3 Garnhall Farm Road, Castlecary, G68 0HA

Post Code: G68 0HA

Council: Lanarkshire

County: Scotland

By Bus: Local bus connections operate near Garnhall Farm Road in Castlecary for office visits.
By Car: Head office located at 3 Garnhall Farm Road, Castlecary, G68 0HA, though educational rangers travel directly to client venues across the UK.
Car Parking: Dedicated visitor parking is available at the corporate head office location.