Animals
Visitors
New Playground Tester
Thu 6 August 2026 - 1 min read
Calling All Play Experts!
Dublin Zoo Seeks its First Official Playground Tester!
Dublin Zoo is calling on all young adventurers to apply for perhaps the most important job of the summer: its very first Official Playground Tester. Applicants should put pen to paper and explain why they would like to win*. The letter should be sent to Dublin Zoo and received by 28th of August.
The new role comes with the serious responsibility of putting Dublin Zoo’s three brand-new playgrounds through their paces before giving them the official Stamp of Paw-proval. Testing duties will include repeated slide-speed investigations, measuring giggles per minute, assessing maximum bounce potential and examining climbing challenges from every possible angle. Previous playground experience is an advantage, but it is certainly not essential.
The newly appointed Official Playground Tester will receive an exclusive tour of all three playgrounds and a VIP Day at Dublin Zoo, complete with wild surprises. They will also win a bumper hamper of Zoo goodies, an annual family membership and a starring role in a special Dublin Zoo video revealing whether the playgrounds have passed inspection.
See entry details below
Official Playground Tester Job Description
Position: Official Playground Tester
Position for: One lucky kid
Location: Dublin Zoo
Contract terms: One unforgettable Dublin Zoo VIP Day, a hamper of Zoo goodies and an annual family membership
Essential skills: Proficient in high-speed sliding, confident at scaling new heights and excellent sense of adventure
How to Apply
Letters should be sent to:
Playground Testing Team,
Dublin Zoo,
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8,
D08 AC98
Your letter must be received by 28th of August 2026 and include:
- Parent/guardian’s name
- Child’s name and age
- Parent/guardian’s email address and phone number (for winner to be contacted)
- A message from the child explaining why they would be the best playground tester and why they would like to win
See competition terms and conditions below.
The Inside Scoop on Our Wild New Playgrounds
Every visit to Dublin Zoo is now even more exciting for little explorers with the arrival of three brand-new nature-inspired playgrounds, where adventure, imagination and wildlife learning come together.
The new playgrounds don’t just celebrate wildlife – they’ve been created with the environment in mind too. Built using high levels of recycled materials, with some components made from up to 95% post-consumer recycled waste, the playgrounds reflect Dublin Zoo’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Whether your little explorer dreams of swinging through the rainforest, stretching up to the treetops or stomping across the savanna, Dublin Zoo’s new playgrounds offer the perfect opportunity to burn off energy, spark curiosity and discover the wonders of the natural world – one adventure at a time.
Three Adventures to Discover
The Trunks and Tusks, Savanna Safari and Gorilla Rainforest playgrounds have been designed to encourage children to play, discover and explore just like the incredible animals that call Dublin Zoo home.
Rather than simply watching wildlife, young adventurers can climb, stretch, sniff, reach and move like elephants, giraffes, rhinos and gorillas, learning about the amazing adaptations that help these species survive in the wild.
Trunks and Tusks Playground
Located beside the elephant habitat on the Kaziranga Trail, this playful space invites children to reach with their trunks and flap their ears like elephants while discovering how these gentle giants use their trunks to eat, drink, smell and even breathe. They’ll also learn how elephants use their enormous ears to help keep cool.
Savanna Safari Playground
This impressive playground features an eye-catching giant rhino play structure and activities that encourage children to bend like a giraffe and sniff like a rhino. Along the way, they’ll uncover fascinating facts, including that giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans, and that rhino horns are made from the same material as our hair and nails.
Gorilla Rainforest Playground
Situated beside the Gorilla Rainforest habitat, this immersive and super colourful play area lets children walk on their knuckles and grab like gorillas, helping them understand how these remarkable primates move, climb, communicate and interact using their powerful hands and gripping toes.
Competition Terms & Conditions
1. Entries must be received by 28th of August 2026.
2. The winner will be selected by a panel of Dublin Zoo staff based on the child’s message. The judges’ decision is final.
3. The winner must be available to visit Dublin Zoo between August 28th and September 14th 2026 to collect the prize and participate in photography and/or filming as part of the playground testing experience.
4. The prize is non-transferable, with no cash alternative. Dublin Zoo reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of equal or greater value.
5. The winner must respond within 3 days of notification, or an alternative winner may be selected.
6. By entering, the winner agrees to participate in reasonable publicity. Where the winner is under 18, parental consent will be obtained before any photography or filming.
7. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Dublin Zoo accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from participation in the promotion or acceptance of the prize, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
8. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Meta Platforms, X Corp. or TikTok.
9. Promoter: Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, D08 AC98.
