Children's Zoo at Celebration Square | Saginaw

The Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw, Michigan, is a vibrant, family-oriented zoo designed to offer hands-on, educational, and entertaining experiences that connect visitors—especially children—with the natural world. Located at 1730 S. Washington Avenue, the zoo is a cherished community attraction with a mission to foster appreciation and respect for animals through immersive exhibits, interactive programs, and conservation efforts. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), it maintains high standards for animal care, education, and visitor engagement.

Facilities and Layout

The zoo covers a well-planned space with diverse habitats that mimic natural environments to ensure animal welfare and visitor enjoyment. The layout is designed for easy navigation, with clear signage and accessible pathways suitable for families, including those with strollers or wheelchairs.

Animal Exhibits

The zoo is home to over 150 animals spanning a broad range of species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. These animals are housed in exhibits that aim to replicate their natural habitats as closely as possible:

Australian Walkabout: This exhibit allows visitors to observe kangaroos and wallabies in a spacious, free-roaming environment, offering a chance to see these iconic Australian marsupials up close in a setting designed to resemble their native landscape.

Forgotten Forest: A sanctuary for various rescued animals that might not otherwise have a home, this exhibit highlights the importance of rescue and rehabilitation. It includes mammals and birds that serve as ambassadors for conservation education.

Wetland Experience: This immersive habitat showcases native Michigan aquatic plants and fish. It features an underwater viewing area where visitors can watch fish swimming in a naturalistic pond environment. A unique crawl-through "beaver dam" installation allows children to engage physically with the exhibit, fostering tactile learning about wetland ecosystems.

Fossil Find: A popular interactive zone where children can play the role of paleontologists by digging for “dinosaur bones” in a sandbox-style excavation site. This hands-on area is designed to teach about prehistoric animals, fossils, and Earth’s ancient history through fun discovery.

Reptile House: This indoor exhibit includes a variety of reptiles such as boa constrictors, pythons, tortoises, and other species, providing educational information about their biology, habitat, and conservation status.

Butterfly House: A lush garden area filled with live butterflies, offering an up-close experience with these delicate insects. The house creates a microhabitat where visitors can observe butterflies’ life cycles and behavior within a naturalistic setting.

Attractions and Rides

To enhance the family-friendly atmosphere, the zoo offers several amusement attractions:

Iberschoff Special Train: A miniature, vintage-style train ride that takes visitors on a gentle circuit around the zoo grounds, providing a scenic and leisurely tour.

Carousel: An early 20th-century hand-carved carousel featuring various animal figures that delight visitors of all ages.

Playground Areas: These include themed zones like Monkey Jungle, Kilimanjaro Mountain, Tree Top Lodge, and Cheetah Run. Each playground is thoughtfully designed to encourage imaginative play, physical activity, and social interaction.

Loons Baseball Diamond: A small baseball field within the zoo premises, allowing children and families to enjoy casual sports play.

Educational Programs

The Children’s Zoo emphasizes education through a variety of programs aimed at different age groups:

Zoo Camps: Offering one- to three-day themed camps for children, these provide immersive, hands-on experiences that teach about wildlife, habitats, and environmental stewardship.

Zoo Crew: A volunteer program for teenagers aged 13–18, this initiative helps youth gain experience working with animals, supporting zoo operations, and developing skills in leadership and conservation education.

Keeper Talks and Demonstrations: Scheduled throughout the day, these sessions give visitors the chance to learn directly from zookeepers about animal behavior, care routines, and species-specific facts. Demonstrations often include feeding or training sessions.

School Field Trips: The zoo offers guided tours designed to complement school curricula, providing a structured learning experience with interactive components.

Visitor Amenities

The zoo is equipped with several facilities to enhance visitor comfort and convenience:

Train Whistle Café: Serving snacks such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and ice cream, this café offers a place to relax and refuel during visits.

Zoo Store: A retail outlet selling educational toys, books, apparel, and souvenirs, allowing guests to take home mementos or learning tools.

Picnic Areas: Designated spaces where families can bring their own meals and enjoy outdoor dining surrounded by natural beauty.

Hours and Admission

The zoo operates seasonally with full hours during the warmer months and limited hours in the shoulder seasons:

Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Seasonal variations occur, with full operation mainly from May through September.

Admission fees are reasonable, designed to be affordable for families:

General admission is $8 for adults and children aged 1 and older.

Infants under 1 year and zoo members enter free.

Discounts apply for Saginaw County residents, military personnel, and Michigan Bridge Card holders.

Additional fees for rides are $2 per ride or $6 for an unlimited day pass wristband.

Overall Experience

The Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square combines wildlife conservation, education, and family entertainment within a compact and welcoming environment. It serves as a vital community resource, inspiring curiosity and respect for the natural world among visitors of all ages. With its wide variety of animals, interactive exhibits, rides, and learning opportunities, it offers an enriching day out that blends fun with meaningful education about animals and habitats.