What happens when a teenager and a toddler experience Boo at the Zoo together? You get two different perspectives, a few unexpected adventures and a reminder that sometimes the biggest memories are made in the smallest spaces.
Meet Treyson and Koa.
Treyson is a teenager, old enough to appreciate the elaborate Halloween displays and everything Zoo Knoxville has to offer. Koa is a toddler dressed as Spider-Man, with his own ideas about what makes an evening exciting.
And while their interests weren’t always identical, they had one thing in common: They were there to have fun together.
Treyson and Koa share a moment among the glowing pumpkins at Boo at the Zoo.
Look! An airplane!
Before the zoo adventure even began, Koa found something exciting in the sky.
The adventure began before the family even made it into the zoo.
While sitting with his dad, Koa spotted an airplane overhead. His little finger shot toward the sky, and for that moment, the most exciting attraction at Boo at the Zoo wasn’t even inside the gates.
But once inside, Koa’s attention quickly shifted from airplanes to the colorful world of Halloween.
Ghouls, goblins, giant pumpkins and spooky faces? Now we’re talking!
Koa investigates the colorful, spooky faces that captured his attention at Boo at the Zoo.
Koa was fascinated by the Halloween characters, even reaching out to investigate the faces of brightly colored jack-o’-lanterns.
And then there was the dinosaur.
Some children might have backed away from a creature with enormous teeth. Not this little Spider-Man. Koa reached right out to give the dinosaur a high-five.
Apparently, superheroes recognize one another.
A giraffe? Not so impressive.
Treyson and Koa measure up against a giraffe, although Koa had other attractions on his mind.
At the giraffe measuring station, Treyson and Koa posed beside a towering giraffe display.
For the adults, it was a perfect photo opportunity. For Treyson, it was another chance to share the experience with Koa.
For Koa?
Well, let’s just say the giraffe wasn’t nearly as interesting as the ghouls and goblins.
After all, the giraffe wasn’t glowing, making scary faces or inviting him to investigate.
Next attraction, please.
The tunnel wins the night
Then came the children’s play area, and Koa found what may have been his favorite attraction of the entire evening.
A tunnel.
Not a giant dinosaur. Not a towering giraffe. Not even the enormous Halloween pumpkins.
A tunnel designed for little people.
Koa was delighted.
And who joined him?
Treyson, of course.
Now, a tunnel built for toddlers isn’t necessarily designed with teenagers in mind. Getting inside requires a little flexibility, a little determination and perhaps some consideration about how one plans to get back out.
But Treyson wasn’t about to let a small tunnel get in the way of having fun with Koa.
He joined the adventure, carefully navigating the tight space and, fortunately, avoiding becoming a permanent addition to the playground equipment.
For Koa, it was simply another wonderful game.
For Treyson, it was a chance to experience the world at Koa’s level—literally.
And that was the real story of the evening.
Treyson might have been interested in the attractions around him, but he never lost sight of Koa. Sharing the experience with his little companion was always at the top of his list.
Two ages, one adventure
There were glowing jack-o’-lanterns, Halloween decorations, family photographs and plenty of memories captured along the way.
The family gathered around the giant Boo at the Zoo pumpkin for a group picture. Koa explored the displays, encountered a dinosaur and discovered that even the smallest attractions can provide the biggest excitement.
Treyson enjoyed the evening, too, but much of that enjoyment came from watching Koa experience it.
That’s the wonderful thing about bringing different generations together.
A teenager can appreciate the big picture. A toddler can find absolute delight in a plastic pumpkin, a spooky face or a tunnel just his size.
And sometimes the teenager discovers that the best way to enjoy the adventure is to crawl right into the middle of it.
Koa makes a stop at the KnoxTNToday booth during Boo at the Zoo
The best treat wasn’t candy
Boo at the Zoo delivered the pumpkins, costumes, spooky surprises and Halloween fun.
But the sweetest memory may have been a teenager squeezing into a toddler-sized tunnel because sharing the fun mattered more than looking cool.
Someday Koa may not remember every glowing pumpkin or the dinosaur he high-fived.
But the photographs and videos will tell the story of a teenager who made sure his little companion had the time of his life.
And if Treyson ever wonders whether he made an impression, there’s one thing he can be certain of.
He fit perfectly into Koa’s world.
Even if he barely fit into the tunnel.
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