Brookfield Zoo presents Creatures of the Night

Are you ready for the thrills and chills of the creatures that roam the zoo at night?  Brookfield Zoo will be taken over by Creatures of the Night Fridays through Sundays in October.

There are events for everyone. Here is a list of activities throughout the zoo.

October 21, Meet Svengoolie

From 7 till 9 pm, WCIU's one and only Svengoolie will be signing rubber chickens for his legion of Creature Feature fans.

The Haunted Tram

Take a “Screaming Vacation” on the haunted tram. This year there is a new route but the same rules apply. Keep all your limbs inside the tram or they might become part of the drama.

Trail of Terror – Underneath

Visit this archaeological dig gone wrong. Although you will be protected from the elements, you won’t be protected from the terror that unfolds.

Pumpkin Executioner

A 25 foot Gruesome Gourd Executioner will send a pumpkin to its smashed death every 30 minutes.

A 7,000-square-foot corn maze

Visitors can test their sense of direction through twists, turns and entertainment in this challenging course.

For families with younger children, the zoo’s Pavilions will feature not-so- scary activities including a Monster Mash Dance Party led by a DJ, pumpkin carving and cookie decorating.

Admission to Creatures of the Night is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11. Seniors and zoo members are half prices. Parking after 6 pm is free.

Brookfield Zoo will close at regularly scheduled times (Friday @ 5:00pm and Sat/Sun @ 6:00pm) and then re-open at 6:30 pm. for the Creatures of the Night event.  Guests during the day will need to exit the park and pay an additional fee to re-enter if they wish to attend during the evening event hours.

Blackhawks Real Fan Days at Brookfield Zoo August 27-28

Throughout the summer, Brookfield Zoo has been hosting Real Fan Days. These weekend events have been a celebration of our Chicago sports teams. 

On August 27 and 28, the Chicago Blackhawks will be part of the Real Fan Days celebration. With paid zoo admission, you can participate in all the Blackhawk themed activities. 

Meet and get autographs from Chicago Blackhawks current and alumni players. (Wristbands to obtain autographs will be given out at the autograph location on the West Mall beginning at 11:30 a.m. each day and will be limited in number based on time of player appearance.)

Dave Bolland - Chicago Blackhawks CenterSaturday -1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Denis Savard  - Chicago Blackhawks Hall-of-Fame Legend Sunday  1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Plus, meet and greet Tommy Hawk 
Saturday -  Noon - 2:00 p.m., Sunday - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew
Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 a.m.  - 2:00 p.m.  

Make sure to bring your best game and test your skills on these fun and hands-on activities:

• Hockey Shoot Out
• Shoot-A-Puck inflatable
• Hockey Clinic
• Giant Bag Toss
• Call the Plays like the Pros!

 And learn about the special connections that the team has with animals in Brookfield Zoo:

• Zoo Chat - Red Hawk
• REAL FAN DAY Challenge

Adult admission is $13.50 and parking is $9.00. Brookfield Zoo is open from 9:30 am till 6:00 pm on Real Fan Days.

Brookfield Zoo is located at 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60304.

Brookfield Zoo offers free children's admission August 8-10

Looking for a fun day outing before the kids go back to school? Why not head to Brookfield Zoo August 8-10. During these three days, children will receive free general admission to Brookfield Zoo.

Brookfield Zoo has so much to offer. One choice is the Great Bear Wilderness, where everyone can watch Hudson, the polar bear, swim and dive. Other fun exhibits include the penguins in the Seven Seas, giraffes and even the alligators in the swamp. There is something for everyone.

The free kids' admission is for children 11 and under. Only general admission is included. For an additional cost, you can enjoy dolphin shows, Hamill Family Play Zoo, Butterflies and Stingray Bay.

Free Kids' Days are possible by Meijer.

Adult admission is $13.50 and parking is $9.00. Brookfield Zoo is open from 9:30 am till 6:00 pm on Free Kids' Days.

Brookfield Zoo is located at 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60304.

During Free Kids’ Days, presented by Meijer, Brookfield Zoo will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission for adults is $13.50 and parking is $9.00.

Brookfield Zoo says goodbye to Arki the polar bear

This weekend Brookfield Zoo says good bye to Arki the polar bear. Since the weather will be above freezing, why not take the family out to bid farewell to this beloved polar bear. 

The bear is leaving for the Louisville zoo. Based on a recommendation from  Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Polar Bear Species Survival Plan, Arki will find a new home in the Glacier Run exhibit at the Louisville Zoo. 

Hudson, Arki's son, will remain at the Great Bear Wilderness.  The Great Bear Wilderness offers families a great way to interact with the polar bears, grizzly bears, bison, eagles and Mexican gray wolves. This naturalist habitat is the largest exhibit at Brookfield Zoo.

While at Brookfield Zoo remember that the Hamill family zoo and the Children's Zoo offer free admission during the month of February. 

Brookfield Zoo is open the following hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  All indoor exhibits close one half hour before the zoo closes. 

Brookfield Zoo is located at 8401 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

Admission for Brookfield Zoo is Adults $13.50, Seniors 65 and Over $9.50, Children 3 to 11 $9.50, and Members are FREE. Parking is $9.00 and member parking is free.

Celebrate Groundhog’s Day at Brookfield Zoo

February 2 is Groundhog Day. According to the folklore, on sunny days a groundhog will leave its home and quickly return to this burrow because he will see his shadow. Unfortunately, this action signifies six more weeks of winter. But on a cloudy day, the groundhog will not see its shadow, which means spring will be approaching quickly. 

This Wednesday Brookfield Zoo will be celebrating Groundhog Day with our local groundhog Tumbleweed. At 10:30 am, Tumbleweed will be coaxed from her home with a yummy carrot shaped, sweet potato cake.  Hopefully, she will give us good news that winter is almost over. Although with the impending snow storm, Tumbleweed may want to stay in her warm home. 

After Tumbleweed makes her appearance, everyone can join in a parade to the Hamill Family Play Zoo. At 11:30 am, the staff of the zoo will have a groundhog zoo chat. For the month of February, the Hamill Family Play Zoo and the Children’s Zoo will offer free admission. 

Brookfield Zoo is open the following hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  All indoor exhibits close one half hour before the zoo closes. 

Brookfield Zoo is located at 8401 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

Admission for Brookfield Zoo is Adults $13.50, Seniors 65 and Over $9.50, Children 3 to 11 $9.50, and Members are FREE. Parking is $9.00 and member parking is free.

Radio Disney presents Noon Year’s Eve at Brookfield Zoo

Get ready for a rockin’ 2011 with Radio Disney and Brookfield Zoo. On Friday, December 31, Brookfield Zoo and Radio Disney will host a family friendly New Years’ Eve bash, Zoo Year’s Eve. Starting at 6 pm, the Radio Disney Road crew will get the party started with music, games and lots of fun.

The Radio Disney Crew will play songs from the Top 50 Countdown of 2010, which features some of the kids’ favorite performers like Justin Bieber  and many other Disney favorite artists. There will also be Disney trivia, family-friendly games, activities and lots of prizes.  The event culminates with a special ball drop at 8 pm.

While at Brookfield Zoo take advantage of the final days of Zoo Lights. Holiday Magic has over 120 animated light displays and a million twinkling lights.

In addition to the lights, Brookfield Zoo will have live entertainment, model trains, a train ride, a special Dolphin Show, sing to the animals and professional ice carvers during this holiday celebration.  There are so many fun activities on every path and turn. Kids will enjoy the enchantment of the holidays.

Brookfield Zoo is open the following hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  All indoor exhibits close one half hour before the zoo closes.  Brookfield Zoo is located at 8401 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

Admission for Brookfield Zoo is Adults $13.50, Seniors 65 and Over $9.50, Children 3 to 11 $9.50, and Members are FREE. Parking is $9.00 and member parking is free.

Free kids days August 16 through August 18 at Brookfield Zoo

Have you taken the kids to the zoo this summer? Looking to take another visit before school starts?

Take the kids to to Brookfield Zoo August 16, 17 and 18 for free kids' admission. All children will  receive free general admission to the zoo courtesy of Meijer. Admission for adults is $13.50 and parking is $9.00.
While at Brookfield Zoo be sure to visit the new Great Bear Wilderness exhibits. In the new area, kids can watch the polar bears swim and play. Also, check out the bison and brown bears too.

Now back at the zoo is the dolphin show. The all new show features the dolphins as well as marine life conservation and the history of dolphins at Brookfield Zoo. Tickets for the dolphin show cost $4 Adults,
$2.50 Children 3 to 11,  $2.50 Seniors 65 and over, and FREE for children under 3.

Special for the summer are the butterfly exhibit and Stingray Bay. Now through the end of the summer, the butterfly exhibit will be open. Guests can experience various North American species of butterflies in all stages of life. Also making its return is Stingray Bay. Guests can interact with the 40 stingrays in the 16000 gallon pool. Entrance to stingray bay is $4 Adults (non-members), $2 Seniors 65 and over (non-members), $2 Children 3 to 11 (non-members), $2 Adults (members), $1 Seniors 65 and over (members), $1 Children 3 to 11 (members) and FREE for children under 3.

Brookfield Zoo is open the following hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..  All indoor exhibits close one half hour before the zoo closes.  Brookfield Zoo is located at 8401 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513.

Join Brookfield Zoo for day of the pig on Saturday, March 6

Saturday, March 6 2010 is Day of the Pig at Brookfield Zoo. All things swine will be celebrated throughout the day.

The festivities start at 10 a.m. at the Hamill Family Play Zoo with screenings of the National Geographic Kids show Toot & Puddle (which can be seen on Nick Jr.)

Later in the day, the Children's Zoo will have a special performance by its pigs in residence at 1 p.m.. After the performance, parade your family back to the Hamill Family Play Zoo for a performance by The Dreamtree Shakers Duo from the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Here's a complete list of PIG related activities: Entrance to the Children's Zoo and the Hamill Family Play Zoo are free on Saturday, March 6

• 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Toot & Puddle video screenings, storytelling, National Geographic Kids prizes/giveaways, pin the tail on the pig, pig tac toe, a scent game and mud play. Hamill Family Play Zoo
• 1:00 p.m. Pig Porkformance Children's Zoo Immediately after demonstration Parade with Toot & Puddle and Pigmobile Departs from Children's Zoo
• 2:00 p.m. Children's music by The Dreamtree Shakers Duo (Old Town School of Folk Music) Hamill Family Play Zoo

Not a huge pig-lover, check out the screening of the Barbie DVD a Mermaid Tale. At the Discovery Center, there will be several showing of the underwater Barbie adventure. In addition to the screening there will be movie-themed face painting, temporary tattoos and even hair extensions available. Screenings are Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Too busy to visit Brookfield Zoo this weekend? Visit Brookfield Zoo on-line to enter the contest to name the new Galápagos tortoises. These special creatures don't want their current names of Nos. 3269, 3270, 3271 and 3272. Brainstorm some more suitable names with your family and maybe Brookfield Zoo will choose your submission. The name contest is open to kids 11 years old and younger and ends March 12, 2010. For complete contest rules and prizes, click here.

Take advantage of the Spring-like weather this weekend and enjoy a fun-filled day at Brookfield Zoo.

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