December Buzz: A little more Zoo fun this year

2022 December Buzz

Don't Miss The Gift of Lights

The Gift of Lights, efficiently powered by Indiana Michigan Power, ends on December 18. There's only two more weeks to walk through the Zoo, see the beautiful lights, and make winter memories with family and friends.

Admission to The Gift of Lights is $11 for adults and $6 for seniors and children. Babies 2 and under are free. Zoo Member admission is discounted to $8 for adults and $4 for children. This year, the Potawatomi Holiday Express train is $3 per rider over 2.

Santa will be at the Zoo every night from 5:30-8:30 pm in the River Run Yurt by the otters. It’s free to visit Santa! You can also meet the Grinch on Saturdays and Elsa on Sundays. This year, the final Friday and Saturday will feature performances by the South Bend Civic Theater Young Company!

The Gift of Lights is generously sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power, UFP Industries of Granger, and Meijer.

Learn More HERE

Winter Break Day Camps For Kids

Some have fur, some dig burrows, some brumate–but how else do animals survive winter? We’re offering Winter Break Day Camps all about cold environments and the animals that live in them.

Grades K-1, 12/28/22, 9 am – 12 pm: $35 per person

Grades 2-3, 12/29/22, 9 am – 3 pm: $45 per person

Grades 4-6, 12/30/22, 9 am – 3 pm: $45 per person

Winter Break Day Camps are a great time for kids to get out of the house, visit the Zoo in the off-season, and learn about some of our favorite animals! Zoo Camps always include age-appropriate activities, games, and animal encounters.

Zoo Members, sign in for a 10% discount.

Zoo Fun At Home!

You can have even more Zoo fun at home with our Falalala Fun Activity Box! This year, you can order the boxes online or pick them up in the Zoo gift shop during the Gift of Lights.

Each box has the necessary materials and instructions to do a Zoo and winter themed science experiment, craft, and a scavenger hunt at home, plus an animal plush and a painting by one of our awesome Virginia opossums!

Boxes ordered online are $40 and include shipping. Boxes can also be purchased in the Gift Shop during the Gift of Lights for $35.

Zoo Members, sign in for a 10% discount.

Learn More and Order HERE!

Crafting With The Creatures

There's few more spaces available for you to paint with our Ambassador Animals before the Gift of Lights.

During Crafting With The Creatures, you can drink hot chocolate and eat cookies while learning about some of our Ambassadors. Then, add your own details to one of their paintings to take home!

This program is $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for children (babies 2 and under are free). Times available are 4:30-5:30 pm on December 10 or December 17. Admission to The Gift of Lights is included.

Zoo Members, sign in for a 10% discount.

Learn More and Register HERE!

New Zoo Baby!

Two of our Ambassador Animals, Olive and Franklin, had a baby! This southern tamandua pup was born on November 5, and we absolutely adore his little ears and long nose!

It’s the first time we’ve had a tamandua born at the Zoo, and it’s the first baby for Olive. She’s taking great care of this little guy (we’re pretty sure it’s a boy). We look forward to introducing him to the public next year, but check it out! He was already in the news!

Read the South Bend Tribune story HERE