Opening times

A private sleepover event available on selected Friday and Saturday Nights, by request only

Type of place
Overnight lodge
Area
Base Camp
Status
Open
Booking information

Can be booked for a private event.

A kids sleepover with a difference - Hullaba-Snooze!

A unique opportunity for a private sleepover at Whipsnade Zoo, sleeping inside our soft play, Hullabazoo, learning about some of the animals that live at Whipsnade Zoo and getting a tour before the Zoo opens to anyone else. Ideally suited to uniformed groups or schools for children aged 5 to 10 years old ( we can be slightly flexible with these age limits).

Your evening will start with some free play in our softplay before our friendly host team will host an animal themed treasure hunt amongst other activities. After a brief break for refreshments, you’ll have some more free play time, before starting to wind down for bed. A craft activity (which you can take home with you) will be followed by an animal themed bedtime story and then lights out.

After an early wake up call at 7am, you will pack away your things, have another play before breakfast. After breakfast you’ll head out on a expedition around the Zoo learning more about some of our residents before anyone else is in the Zoo. Come 10am you are free to spend the rest of the day exploring the Zoo at your leisure.

Brownies on softplay
Children on slide
The most amazing sleepover you'll ever have

Our Kids soft play sleepovers can  take place on selected Fridays and Saturdays, November to March, from 6.30pm, overnight until 10am, when you will then be free to spend the day in the Zoo, after an exclusive morning tour, before the Zoo opens to the public! We may be able to offer these in our summer months. Do email us for availability.

Prices

This experience is best suited to groups of children aged 5-10 years (and supervising adults). The minimum group size is 20 (maximum 33 children plus 8 adults) and prices are as follows:

TicketPrice
Child£50
Adult£30
Disabled Child£50
Disabled Adult£30
Carer£21

 

Children colouring in pictures
Staff member helping child with craft activity
Craft time

Your experience includes the following:

  • A sleepover in our soft play and sole use of our indoor play building from 6.30pm until 9am the following morning
  • A private tour of the Zoo between 9 and 10am before we open to the public
  • Zoo entry for the day after your sleepover
  • Continental breakfast and unlimited tea and coffee for adults during your overnight stay
  • Experienced hosts to look after you during your stay
  • Craft activity which you can take home with you
  • Free time to play on our softplay 
  • Organised games to learn about our animals
  • Bag storage for your overnight bags while you visit the Zoo after your stay.

Download the information pack 

Brownies looking at tiger
Member of staff with lion skull
Morning tour around the Zoo!

Example itinerary

We can make changes to this itinerary to accommodate an earlier bedtime or change the order of activities for your group. Do contact us to discuss your individual requirements.

6:30pm

Arrive at the Whipsnade Zoo main entrance.

Your hosts will welcome you and show you to Hullabazoo.

Please be aware it is a short walk from our drop off point to Hullabazoo.

Head to Hullabazoo and unload your belongings!

6:50pm

Welcome talk.

Your hosts will run through the itinerary for the evening, all health and safety information, plus answer any questions.

7:00pm

Soft play open.

Enjoy some time in Hullabazoo soft play.

Please note, all children must wear socks on Hullabazoo soft play equipment.

7:30pm

Soft play treasure hunt.

After your hosts have hidden some items around Hullabazoo, split into teams to find the answers to the clues. 

8:15pm

Snack and drinks

Enjoy a cup of squash (provided in your ticket cost) and any snacks that you have brought with you.

8:30pmIndependent time on soft play
9:15pm

Soft play closes.

Wind down for the evening with a craft activity and relax. 

10:00pm

Prepare for bed.

Set up your beds for the night.

10:30pmBedtime story, lights off and sleep.
OVERNIGHT
7:00am
Wake up and pack up sleeping bags.
7:30am

Soft play open.

Spend some time on the soft play before breakfast.

8:00am

Soft play closed and breakfast.

Enjoy a breakfast in our Hullabazoo indoor play.

9:00am

Morning tour.

Head out around the Zoo with your hosts to see which animals are awake.

10:00am


Finish.

You are welcome to stay in the Zoo for the day (entry is included in your ticket price).

Please note: We recommend children are 5-10 years old to take part but can be flexible. If you have any question please email [email protected]  

What our guests say

  • The whole experience was fantastic and couldn’t fault it. Sam and Lucy were just incredible and looked after us all so well. Leaders liked the variation of activities and it’s just a bucket list kind of experience for a child. Our Brownies loved their new claim to fame of being the first to sleep in there. Thank you so much!
  • I would highly rate this experience to others doing the same. What I thought was exceptional (compared with other attractions) was the level of control and interaction staff had with the group, it took so much pressure off adults. Also there knowledge of the animals and the way they pitched it- was fabulous
Children queuing up for breakfast
Children sitting on the floor and eating breakfast
Breakfast, served inside Hullabazoo Indoor Play

Lodge at the Zoo

Camping at Whipsnade Zoo, man and woman sitting in tent for Nature nights
Camping at the Zoo

Nature Night Camping

Pitch your tent and spend the evening discovering what both native and exotic animals get up to at night. Test your knowledge of animals before going on a torchlight expedition around the Zoo to see what you can find and who is still awake.

Experience the natural world

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    Feed our elephants

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    Ride on the footplate

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    Feed the world's biggest cat

    Meet the tigers

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