If you ever dream of being in the Guinness World Records book, now is your chance to have your own name alongside the world’s most eccentric achievers. And the best part? No extreme physical stunts or health-and-safety nightmares are required.
From Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, London Zoo is transforming into a massive, vibrant creative hub for May half term. The mission? To secure an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for the most contributions to a paint-by-numbers artwork.
Whether you consider yourself a modern-day Picasso or haven’t picked up a paintbrush since primary school, the zoo wants you. This is the ultimate training wheels equivalent of art: a completely accessible, highly collaborative masterwork where every single visitor is invited to paint one unique, individual piece of a giant installation that will grow day by day.
200 Years, 200 Animals
This epic challenge is being held in celebration of a monumental milestone: the 200th anniversary of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the pioneering conservation charity behind the zoo. Founded back in 1826, ZSL is the world’s oldest scientific zoological society, and it has spent two centuries at the absolute forefront of global conservation and wildlife science.
To honour this rich heritage, the monumental artwork will explicitly feature 200 different species of animals, drawing inspiration from the breathtaking colours, textures, and patterns of the natural world. Because it’s a massive undertaking requiring more than 14,000 individuals to cross the finish line, London Zoo is running the event in tandem with its sister site, Whipsnade Zoo.
Unleash your inner wild child
The record attempt is fully included with standard general admission, but it’s just the centerpiece of a week-long celebration of natural colour and creativity. The zoo has lined up a whole host of hands-on, interactive pop-up events scattered across the grounds to keep your creative momentum going:
- Animal drawing classes: Want to level up your sketching skills? Budding artists of all ages can drop into pop-up workshops to learn expert tips on how to sketch the zoo’s most iconic residents, from roaring lions and towering giraffes to majestic elephants.
- The transformation station: Let the zoo’s talented face-painting artists turn you into your favourite wild creature—whether you want to channel a playful penguin or a fierce cheetah.
- Thermal kaleidoscope: See wildlife in a completely new light. This fascinating interactive space lets you explore thermal imagery to discover the surprising ways different animals manage heat in diverse environments.
- The wild costume challenge & “Guess Zoo?”: Test your wits against friends or family. In Guess Zoo?, you’ll have to identify mysterious animals purely from a close-up of their skin or fur patterns. In the costume challenge, you’ll whack on some whiskers, paws, or a tail and see if your opponent can guess your species using only yes-or-no questions.
A full day of urban exploration
Every ticket to the half-term event doubles as a full day out at the world’s oldest scientific zoo. Between brushstrokes, you can wander through immersive, barrier-free walk-through exhibits to get up close with squirrel monkeys, lemurs, and butterflies. If the classic British spring weather decides to be unpredictable, the zoo’s indoor spaces have you covered—from the steamy warmth of London’s only living rainforest to the newly opened Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians habitat (keep an eye out for the electric-blue male turquoise dwarf geckos, whose parents were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade by ZSL’s enforcement teams!).
For young Londoners, families, and creative explorers looking for a half-term plan that mixes community spirit, wildlife conservation, and a literal spot in history, this is an absolute no-brainer. Grab your friends, book your tickets online to secure the best prices, and get ready to create something wild.
Create Something Wild: A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title attempt is at London Zoo, Regent’s Park during half-term between 23–31 May 2026, 10:00am – 6:00pm daily
Tickets: Included with General Admission. Pre-booking online is highly recommended. Don’t forget to download the GWR Verify app on the day to log your piece of history!