A Summer Day at the Philly Zoo with Our Village

There’s something really special about packing up for a family day at the zoo. This July, we made the trip to the Philly Zoo with our friends (and their little ones), and it’s a day I know I’ll hold onto long after the details start to blur. Our son was 13 months old—freshly walking after just a couple of weeks on his feet—so everything about this outing felt extra memorable.

Stroller MVP

First things first: our UPPAbaby stroller was the real MVP of the day. Between the heat, the crowds, and a very wobbly toddler, having a stroller that was sturdy and easy to navigate was clutch. We clipped on his little stroller fan to give him a breeze (lifesaver in that July heat!) and made sure his water was attached and easy to grab whenever he needed a sip. And of course, we slathered on the sunscreen before heading out. If there’s one rule for a summer zoo day—it’s hydrate and sunscreen up.

Baby on the Move

Even though the stroller was our home base, we had a few moments where we let him practice walking. Watching those tiny, determined steps against the backdrop of zoo animals was surreal. He didn’t care much about the exhibits (classic one-year-old energy), but he loved the chance to toddle around and explore. Most of the time, though, he was happily carried or tucked in the stroller, observing all the action around him.

The Best Part—Our People

As much fun as the zoo itself was, the best part wasn’t the animals or the snacks or even the toddler milestones. It was doing it all with our friends—the people who feel like family. Our little ones may not remember this day years from now, but we will. These are the moments I’ll look back on and smile, the ones where I feel so grateful for the village we get to raise our kids alongside. Endless memories, built one sunny zoo trip at a time.