hamill family play zoo

Children are able to participate in activities that help them see their connection to wider aspects of nature. The Zoo reaches out to families by publicizing special events through a variety of media including the web, e-mail, posters, map inserts and zoo staff. Families are invited to planting and harvest weekends, watering and caring for plants, cutting browse to feed animals, ladybug releases and other events. Families may participate in daily activities or on a less frequent basis.

The Nature Explore Classroom allows Brookfield Zoo to help bridge the gap between children and nature and helps children to foster a stronger sense of caring for nature and animals while they play. Since it first opened in 1934, Brookfield Zoo has educated and captivated generations of families from around the world through discovery of animals and exploration of the natural world. Today, the 216-acre nature park is home to more than 5,000 animals and extensive conservation programs.

Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 5 pm with extended hours for special events. Admission is $24.95 for ages 12-64, $19.95 for ages 65+, $17.95 for ages 3-11, children 2 and under are free. Groups of 15 or more may purchase tickets in advance. While my favorite area was Lemur Leap, I think this was my daughter's favorite. We probably spent 35 minutes in here, and that was with me pulling her out. This is possibly the largest room in the building, and can accommodate a lot of kids.

There are microscopes, x-rays, doctor jackets, animal crates, doctor tools, exam tables, and even curtains that can separate the exam rooms for privacy! And if you're looking for the educational side, there's a TV mounted in the corner, with footage of zoo staff taking care of zoo animals. Visitors paint the murals, build the exhibit trees and rocks, and design the signs that make the Play Zoo a viable place for people and animals. All signs throughout the exhibit are kid done to provide a sense of ownership and productivity on behalf of the children. The space is also used as an opportunity to bring nature inside when the weather does not allow for outside play. Ephemeral art, mud play, building bird nests and making behavioral enrichment for animals throughout the park are some of the activities that take place in the workshop.

Besides the animals, there are lots to see and do for kids. There are 2 very nice playgrounds, as well as a spray pool. The is also the Hamill Family Play Zoo where children can spend hours of their time. This is more of a hands-on activity center, sort of a children's museum with a zoo theme. Roll playing and make-believe are encouraged throughout.

This is well worth the extra admission price BUT your kids may spend so much time here that you may miss seeing some of the other animals. The zoo's reptile house, the first building to open in 1934, was closed in December 2004 and is being converted into a conservation center which will not display live animals but will detail the zoo's larger conservation mission. We stop by Hamill every time we visit the zoo because my kids love to paint their faces. Their second favorite thing is the greenhouse, where they can water plants with spray bottles. The veterinarian space is a lot of fun, as are the crafts they can do in the workshop. I feel like the Zoo at Home section gets a bad rap for not being very zoo-like.

This section is set up like a house, with a living room and an animal area. The living room section has toy animals for the kids to play with. Dividing the room into the smaller sections are crates for several animals, including rabbits and birds. The other side of the animal crates is an area where typically a zoo staff member will have an animal out for the kids to pet. The entrance of Zoo At Home is where you're find a family bathroom, as well as a Nursing room. The Living Room and Kitchen areas model for visitors how easy, fun, and meaningful it can be to bring nature into their daily lives.

Appropriate pets are presented and pet care is demonstrated throughout the day. There are always opportunities to have animal contact in this setting. Visitors can find out how to set up a home aquarium, build an elaborate hamster maze, or memorialize a favorite pet by creating artwork for the exhibit's refrigerator.

Situated at the center of Hamill Family Nature Plaza is a spacious, open-sided three-season pavilion. During the warmer seasons, visitors can have informal chats with animal care staff and the Brookfield Zoo's animal ambassadors. The pavilion may also be used for educational programs including Family Fun Saturdays and courses for teachers. After the zoo closes for the day, the pavilion can be rented out for private events, such as weddings, wedding receptions, and corporate events. Brookfield Zoo is a world-class zoo in a park-like setting.

It is located just outside Chicago in the suburb of Brookfield, Illinois and in convenient to Intersate-55 and Interstate-290. It is open 365 days per year, usually from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours on weekends and in the summer. Basic admission is $16.95 for Adults and $11.95 for Children (11 yrs. old and under) and Seniors. Parking is $10.00 in either of 2 lots but FREE for members in North Lot. There are additional charges for certain attractions such as the Hamill Family Play Zoo, Stingray Bay , Butterflies , dolphin presentations, and the zoo's shuttle, the Motor Safari.

The zoo also offers several options for admission such as Build-Your-Ticket or the Zooper Fun Pass which can include entrance to these attractiosn. See their website, for current hours, prices and special events. This is a great place within the zoo for smaller kids to run off some steam. There are lots of different rooms for kids to 'play' zoo keeper, do crafts, water plants, dig in sand, pet some animals and more.

I love to go especially in hot, cold, or rainy weather. This June marks the 10th birthday of Hamill Family Play Zoo, a revolutionary exhibit at the Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo that nationally redefined how children interact with and learn about animals and nature. In honor of the occasion, admission to Hamill Family Play Zoo will be free on Saturday June 11, and Sunday, June 12, as the zoo hosts a very special birthday party. There are docents everywhere ready to tell you about the animals. There are schedules posted daily for zoo chats, where the keepers tell you about the animals. Every animal exhibit has educational material to help you understand the animals.

The spaces include areas where children can feed and role play with ring-tailed lemurs and lories, including dressing up as their counterparts. A greenhouse area affords an area where children can plant seeds, observe butterflies, help make soil mixes, and create flower art. An animal hospital area allows children to care for pretend zoo creatures, bandaging injuries, and viewing radiographs. There is always a craft going on, a small animal to see and pet, flowers/plants to water, a pretend vet area and our favorite face painting! There is also an excellent contained outdoor wilderness play area.

Stroller parking outside and small toilets in the bathroom for toddlers. For the rest of the year on the 15th of each month, the play zoo will hold special activities 10 a.m.-4 p.m. That include such things visits with zoo professionals, special art activities, participation in animal training or a parade. At the center of the nature plaza is a large open-air pavilion that can be used by zoo visitors during the day as a rest area or a place to eat. The new Peacock Café and Grill immediately south of plaza is open year round and during warmer months features an outdoor grilling station. There are also special activities from 10am-4pm on the 15th of the month, which will continue through December 15.

Guests have opportunities to meet zoo professionals, participate in scavenger hunts, learn about the animals during Zoo Chats, get creative with art activities, play a part in animal training or husbandry sessions, and join in fun-filled parades. Zoo at Home helps visitors explore simple and meaningful ways they can bring animals and nature into their daily lives. A Living Room, Family Room, and Kitchen connect kids with domestic animals; a Child's Room features Nature Swap, where children bring in found items to trade for other natural objects . The zoo within a zoo offers children the chance to become their favorite animals, or help with real or simulated zoo operations like animal care, exhibit design, and sign making. Accessibility and inclusion of visitors with disabilities are strong points of the Play Zoo.

Every exhibit is accessible to children in wheelchairs, including an over-sized bird nest and a mud-play table. The Greenhouse, where kids encounter plants of many scents and textures, is a calm spot particularly welcoming to groups of people with emotional and behavioral issues. All animal exhibits are floor to ceiling, so viewing is excellent whether you're in a chair or stroller, standing or sitting on the ground. The general philosophy and relaxed atmosphere of the Play Zoo encourages kids of all abilities to explore their own agendas at their own pace. Each month, informal chats with staff highlight a different area of expertise, exposing children to different aspects of zoo life, including veterinarians, animal care specialists, carpenters, zoo writers, volunteers, and more. Families can come back month after month to learn something new.

As one of the nation's first major experiences of its kind, Hamill Family Play Zoo has been nurturing children's curiosity and sense of caring for millions of guests. Since the opening of the Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Chicago Zoological Society has set the global standard in animal care and conservation. And with an increasing need to protect the world's threatened species and ecosystems, our mission to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature has never been more important. A great time for guests of all ages, Hamill Family Wild Encountersfeatures unforgettable hands-on experiences that include opportunities to interact with and feed animals, including parakeets and goats. Guests can also get up close with red pandas, llamas, alpacas, wallabies, and reindeer as well as meet with various Animal Ambassadors throughout the day. Brookfield Zoo is located at First Ave and 31st St. in Brookfield, just 12 miles west of downtown Chicago.

The zoo is accessible via the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, Tri-State tollway (I-294), Metra train and PACE bus service. Brookfield Zoo is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Zoological Society. The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Hamill Family Play Zoo is my sons favorite spot every time we go to zoo which is often. My son and his friend played in the animal hospital where they get to pretend to be vets for 40 minutes alone, then we went to the other areas like the lemur section and stayed for another 45 min. If you go to this part of the zoo know that you will be there for a good amount of time.

Even my 15 and 16 year old boys love going to the play zoo. Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and the ability to work with live animals safely. Ability to perceive and act upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.

Strong public speaking skills preferred; experience and enjoyment with public speaking skills and public interaction preferred. The ability to interact in a courteous and professional manner. Successful candidate will be able to work effectively with children and families. Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred. Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.

Must learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly. Ability to work in a fast pace and ever-changing work group preferred. Incumbent must have or acquire general knowledge about the Society, gain an understanding of the Society's mission, and become familiar with and follow Society policies and procedures. Incumbent must develop proficiency in routines of assigned areas and specialized procedures as directed. Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to accurately perform job duties.

Valid driver's license required for Illinois residents within 90 days of hire; valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents. Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language fluently. This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.

The zoo is also focusing more and more on inclusivity. With the indoor and outdoor spaces and a variety of sensory activities, Becker says they have seen the zoo become a supportive place for children with disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. Since 2002, nearly 100 high school students with developmental disabilities have volunteered at the Play Zoo through its Good Works program to help learn skills that will help them as adults. A highlight of the Play Zoo is the Play Stream, where adults can reconnect with childhood memories of having contact with plants, water and rocks while watching their children enjoy the experience for the first time.

This relaxing nature play area is especially welcome on hot, sunny days. There are opportunities for building and construction, sensory play and ephemeral art, climbing and moving, gardening and caring for plants, or quiet discovery and investigation. It is important to provide a variety of spaces in the outdoor environment for play opportunities that meet the interests of the many children who come to visit. The richness and diversity of play in the outdoors support these interests. On the west side of Hamill Family Nature Plaza is a science exploration garden that features bench seating.

There is another place where the C.Z.S. can offer educational programs. A water interpretation garden features wetland plants. Guests can learn here about water issues and the role green space in providing drainage. I wish we had an indoor zoo for bad weather days like today. We are all wanting to get out but there's nowhere fun like this around here so the storm is keeping us inside.

I really love all of your photos and I'm thrilled you shared them so the kids can see them. If I ever make it your way, I'll head to the play zoo at Brookfield Zoo. There are lemurs in a smaller exhibit where you can even dress like a lemur. Kids can also be veternarians and take care of sick stuffed zoo animals. There is also a little playground for the kids to enjoy themselves outside.

Beyond the activities, there are also zoo associates that give presentations about animals in the exhibits. My kids always have a great time here with the special crafts, paint your own face station, and small animal encounters. They now have a sensory room for children with developmental disabilities. This is an additional cost experience at the Brookfield Zoo I'd you are not members, but it is worth it. Did you know that the Hamill Family Zoo is celebrating 15 years at Brookfield Zoo?

Hamill Family Zoo provides the perfect opportunity for young kids to get up close and personal with animals and to feel connected to their environment. As one of the nation's first major experiences of its kind, Hamill Family Play Zoo has been nurturing children's curiosity and sense of caring for millions of guests since 2001. To celebrate, the zoo is celebrating on the 15th each month for the rest of the year. We had the opportunity to visit last month's celebration and the kids had a great time. This quieter play area provides a low-sensory environment and a calming atmosphere.

The Hamill Family Play Zoo will open one hour early, for pre-registered guests to attend this event. Guests who pre-register will also receive free admission and parking to the zoo for that day. If you are interested in signing up for this event, click here to learn more.

The area has plenty of seating for families, and uses benches made of 90% recycled materials that are themselves 100% recyclable. On the edge of the area sits the Council Ring, a space named after prairie-style architect Jens Jensen which invites socializing and offers a gathering place for educational events. The Greenhouse is usually our go-to spot after Lemur Leap. While all the rooms are set up for the kids to be self-sufficient, this one is probably the most accident-free zone. It's a large greenhouse where the kids can grab a spray bottle and water the plants.