Big Day Out 3: Sunshine, Safari Vibes & Mentor Magic at Perth Zoo
A Day of Adventure and Connection
On what could only be described as a perfect Perth spring day, our LYF crew hit Perth Zoo for Big Day Out 3.
A day filled with laughter, animal spotting, creative challenges and the kind of connection that defines what LYF mentoring is all about.
There’s nothing like a day in the sunshine surrounded by zebras, lions and a whole bunch of excited young people, and that’s exactly what our LYF Big Day Out 3 delivered at Perth Zoo!
Our young people and their mentors spent the day exploring the zoo, spotting animals, learning fun facts, and more importantly, building real connections through laughter, team activities and shared adventure.
These Big Days Out are what LYF is all about: creating safe, fun filled spaces where young people feel seen, included and supported by caring adults (aka our amazing volunteer mentors!).
Creativity & Connection in the LYF Art Zone
In our art rotation, we created paper lanterns for our upcoming LYF Fundraiser, and young people decorated them with names, messages of hope and colourful designs, to add a personal touch to our fundraising party.
There was also origami, doodling and craft chaos in the best possible way, giving everyone a calm space to chat, reflect and create something meaningful together.
Throwback Party Games!
The Throwback Party Games rotation was pure nostalgia for our mentors and maybe something new for our young people. Think:
Pass the Parcel with dramatic music stops and a bunch of good vibes
The Chocolate Game (where there definitely wasn’t too much chocolate consumed… maybe)
Non-stop laughing as mentors and teens got competitive over a block of chocolate and a pair of oven mitts
Moments like this remind us how play builds connection just as powerfully as conversation.
Scavenger Hunt Strategy & Mascot Badge Making
Before heading out on our zoo adventure, each group took time to plan a strategic route through the zoo, mapping out their animal priorities like true explorers.
Then, we created our team mascot badges, proudly worn by mentors and teens all day long!
Jurassic Park Egg & Spoon Challenge
Our Jurassic Park activity turned into a full-blown quest as teams navigated an egg and spoon trail through the dinosaur exhibit, collecting dino facts along the way.
Mentors and teens worked together (with varying levels of egg-related chaos) to complete the challenge and claim scavenger glory.
Why These Days Matter, And Why We Need More Mentors in 2026
Days like this are more than just fun outings. They:
- Help young people build trusting, long-term connections with supportive mentors
- Create safe spaces for teens who often feel overlooked
- Show that community mentoring works, because belonging changes lives
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re calling for new volunteer mentors to join the LYF crew.
If you love the idea of:
- Spending the odd weekend day creating memories like this
- Walking alongside a young person, long-term
- Being part of a genuine, high-vibe community of volunteers
…then we’d love to have you with us.
Apply Now to Mentor in 2026!
Because sometimes, the biggest impact starts with something as simple as showing up and sharing a day at the zoo.
Head to lyf.org.au/volunteers to find out more and apply now!
