San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals. The Zoo is an exciting destination for San Antonio preschoolers, as well as their parents and caregivers, where children can explore and learn about the animal kingdom.

There is so much to see and do at the San Antonio Zoo. Preschoolers and their families will see elephants, giraffes and zebras in the African Plains and look at everything from jaguars to monkeys at Amazonia.

Be Sure Not to Miss

Tiny Tots Nature Spot. This hands-on activity area is dedicated to children under the age of 5. Your preschooler can feed the fish and small animals, plant seeds in the garden and explore seven major areas with 19 sub areas.

Fun Farm Petting Zoo. Preschoolers love this section of the zoo, where they can pet minature ponies, goats, sheep and much more. Trainers are on hand to tell the kids more about the animals. There is a large set of sinks with soap and hand santizer where children are encouraged to wash up before leaving the area.

The Reptile House. The glass windows are low enough that your preschooler can get a perfect view of snakes, lizards and other fascinating reptiles. This exhibit is one of the favorites of young preschool boys.

Butterflies Exhibit. Preschoolers really love the butterfly garden. They will be inside the actual habitat, surrounded by hundreds of butterflies fluttering about. 

The Brackenridge Eagle Train

Preschoolers love this minature train that takes you on a 2 1/2 mile trip past the zoo and around Brackenridge Park. The train is operated separately from the zoo. You can park in the zoo's main parking lot and then the Eagle Depot station is located right outside the main entrance of zoo's main entrance. The cost is $2.75 for adults, $2.25 for kids under 12 and children under 2 are free. The train runs every 20 minutes from 9:45am to 5:30pm, daily. Call (210) 735-7455 for more information about the train.

San Antonio Zoo Preschool Programs

Many educational and recreational programs at the zoo are designed especially with preschoolers in mind. The Feed the Animals program is a one hour event every month for children ages 3-5. For $15 ($10 for zoo members), one child and one adult will visit the Zoo's Nutrition Center and help make a treat for a zoo animal. The zoo keeper will then feed the treat to the animal, while visitors watch and learn. One animal is featured each month. Visit the EdZoocation section of the San Antonio Zoo website for registration information and details.

Other EdZoocation programs for preschoolers include their Tiny Tot Adventures Campout, which is a one-night sleepover at the zoo. The Zoo also offers a weekly one hour KidZOOcation program for 3-4 year-olds, which includes stories, songs and crafts, followed by a zoo visit. Cost for the KidZOOcation is $15 for one child and one adult ($10 for zoo members).

The San Antonio Zoo also offers several summer day camps for San Antonio preschoolers.

Disadvantages of the Zoo for Preschoolers

It's very hot and humid in San Antonio during the summer, so be sure your preschooler drinks plenty of fluids at the zoo. There are several snack bar areas, including an Ice Cream Deck, throughout the zoo grounds. There is also the Riverview Restaurant where you can sit down and enjoy a meal while watching the cranes and other birds on the water.

The Petting Zoo is unfortunately the furthest exhibit from the main entrance, so it's quite a walk for young children. You can, however, rent a stroller, wagon or motorized cart to get around at the zoo. The rental station is right inside the zoo's main entrance.

San Antonio Zoo General Information

The San Antonio Zoo is located in Brackenridge Park at 3903 North St. Mary's Street.

The zoo is open 365 days a year. Summer hours (from Memorial Day through Labor Day) are 9:00am - 6:00pm. Winter hours (Labor Day through Memorial Day) are 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Admission to the San Antonio Zoo is $9.00 for adults. Children ages 3-11 and seniors are $7.00. Kids ages 2 and under and zoo members are free. Discounts are available to large groups, military personnel and handicapped children and adults. 

Parking is free and plentiful.

Get more information about the San Antonio Zoo by visiting sazoo-aq.org or calling (210) 734-7184.