One thing we have enjoyed as a family is checking out all the amazing animal-centric places that are in our beautiful state of Michigan. One zoo we had on our summer bucket list was to visit the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, which was a little over an hour’s drive from our home in Howell.
After grabbing a Groupon for next to nothing, I had low expectations of our visit, but figured it would be a fun adventure regardless.
Wow, this gem totally blew us away!
Tips For Visiting The Saginaw Children’s Zoo
First of all, there was such a nice variety of animals from farm animals kids can pet, to kangaroos, penguins, sea otters, monkeys, birds, and more at this zoo!
We loved that you could get super close to many of the animals. This makes it an ideal zoo for little ones because they can actually see the animals. We spent close to 3 hours there, and could’ve been there longer if time permitted. It was super easy for my crew to walk, but of course strollers and wagons are permitted for littles that tire easily.
One of our favorite added bonuses was taking the train around the property. This was just an additional $1/person and was purchased at the entrance. I’d recommend taking the train first if you’ve never visited because it’s a great way to map out your visit. Plus, how cute is she?
There also is a classic carousel toward the back that was beautiful and also just $1 for a ride.
In addition to visiting all the animals, my kids loved the cute playground and the Fossil Find sand area. Honestly, these alone are worth the price of admission! They spent tons of time digging in the sand while I enjoyed the shade nearby 😉 There was lots of shade at this zoo, which was nice on the hot day we visited!
The playground even have misters for cooling off, which my kids loved. There were plenty of spots to climb and slide too, and it truly appealed to all ages.
Personally, I enjoyed the adorable sponsored gardens throughout the property. They were so cute and creative! This one was one of my favorites.
The food options available were fantastic and affordable as well. A kid’s hot dog meal was just $4, and there were plenty of other fun options such as popsicles, ice cream, soft pretzels, cotton candy and more — all for reasonable prices. You can also bring your own food in if you’d rather picnic and save the money.
ADMISSION, HOURS AND LOCATION
The rate to visit this zoo is just $5 for both adults and children. Infants 11 months and younger are FREE. {Make sure to check out this Groupon deal beforehand!} The train and carousel can be purchased for an additional $1 each.
Additionally, the Saginaw Children’s Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, so if you have a membership at another zoo, you should be able to get in for a discount {usually 50% off}.
2019 Zoo Season: April 20 – October 27
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
The Saginaw Children’s Zoo is located at 1730 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601 | P: (989) 759-1408
Find the Saginaw Zoo on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram and Pinterest.
Have so much fun if you visit! Which local zoo is your favorite for kids?
I’m glad to here you liked the zoo. I’m originally from Saginaw and each time I go back home to visit, the zoo is on my list of places to go.
It was such a good one! The kids immediately asked to go back — they really like the variety of things there 🙂 Also, downtown Saginaw looked cute. Some fun spots downtown it seems!