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Field Trip FAQs
Do we sell food/drinks?
Yes, the zoo has a concession stand at the Train Whistle Café by the Otter and Prairie Dog habitats that sells a variety of tasty entrees, treats, and drinks. View a full menu below!
Can students bring their own lunches?
Yes, but for the safety of our animals we just ask that no glass containers, aluminum containers, and drinking straws are brought into the Zoo. We do not have a place to store lunches – we recommend leaving them in the car/bus until it is time to eat. You are welcome to leave your lunches under the event tents and near seating areas, but please keep in mind these spaces are open to other zoo guests as well.
Is there a place for students to eat lunch?
Yes, tables are available by the carousel and under the tents in the Event Field (when available) located at the back of the Zoo. Picnic tables are available on a first come, first serve basis.
How do Ride Tickets/Ride Wristbands work?
A yellow Ride Ticket gets a guest one ride on either the train or carousel, while a blue Ride Wristband offers a guest unlimited rides on both the train and carousel for the entirety of their visit. For schools who them, your check in teacher/staff member will be given the ride tickets or ride wristbands upon arrival and will hand them out to students and parents/chaperones. If you would like to buy more ride tickets or ride wristbands you can purchase them at the Admissions Booth, Zoo Store, or the Train Whistle Café (Concessions).
Is it better to pay before or on/after arrival?
While we accept both payments before or on/after arrival, we recommend paying on/after arrival, as group numbers can change from your initial booking to the day of your trip.
Where do parents go and park?
Before the bus arrives, parents/chaperones can wait by the group entrance gate. This entry will be marked by flags and located to the left of the main entrance and in front of the carousel. Parents/chaperones can park in the upper or lower lot in front of the zoo or along lower Hoyt Park Drive on the gravel on the side of the road. Please do not park on any of the Hoyt Park baseball fields.
Where do parents/chaperones go that are not paying with the school?
Parents/chaperones not paying with the school can pay for their admission at the admissions booth (front gate) and meet back up with the school at the group entrance gate, in front of the carousel, after they have paid. However, we recommend parents pay with the group and are included in the group's totals, as we only handle group reservations/payments through the group entrance gate.
Is there a cost for parking?
No, parking is free!
Where do the buses drop us off and park?
Buses can drop students off at the group entrance gate, marked with flags and located to the left of the main entrance and in front of the carousel. After students are dropped off, drivers should follow the bus path highlighted in green to the designated parking zones on the right side of Hoyt Park Lower Drive, highlighted in blue below.
Does the Zoo close in bad weather?
The zoo is open rain or shine! Please know that due to rain, operation of the train could be paused for a period of time. Due to inclement weather that involves lightning, operation of the train and/or carousel could be paused for a period of time.
Will we get refunded or rescheduled if the weather is bad?
Yes, we will happily reschedule your trip in the event of bad weather such as heavy rain and thunderstorms, for this year or next, or refund your trip. Contact us to reschedule or cancel via email at info@saginawzoo.com or phone at 989-759-1408.
What kind of educational presentations will be going on the date of my field trip?
Our Daily Program schedule can be found on our website at https://www.saginawzoo.com/visit/. All programs are weather dependent. Be sure to check the Daily Event Board behind our Main Admissions booth for the programs that will be happening during your visit! Need something to boost your lesson plan? Check out our educational materials at https://www.saginawzoo.com/field-trips-groups/.
Are wagons allowed to transport items?
Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own wagons.
Will the Zoo be busy during our trip?
Depending on the day, there could be multiple other field trips visiting the zoo at the same time. While we try to stagger check-in times to avoid having multiple groups check in at once, somedays can still be busier than others. If you would like details on a day before you submit your request always feel free to call us.
Field Trips and Group Visits
Field Trip Admission
Field trips include schools, churches, and care facilities.
All admission must be paid in one transaction to apply rate.
- Saginaw County Rate: $5.50 per person
- Out of County Rate: $8.50 per person
- Staff members: Free
- Zoo members enter for free (named adult on membership must be present with membership card and ID)
Rides
- Unlimited Ride Wristband: $6.00 per person
- Single Rides: $2.00 per ride per person
Before the Fun Begins
We designate your group leader or contact person as the “check in representative”, who will be the one in charge of payment for the entire party, including parents/chaperones.
We don’t want to disappoint anyone, but parents paying individually are charged the regular adult admission price and must pay at the Admissions booth.
Chaperones
To ensure a safe and positive Zoo experience for you and all your guests, as well as the safety of our animals, we ask that you bring a bring a minimum of one (1) adults for every five (5) children to accompany groups of children.
Directions:
Please see the attached Bus Parking Map. If you are the first group of buses to arrive, please pull up the Group Entrance (the second stopping point of the light blue arrow). If there are multiple buses already in line, please follow the purple arrow and wait until the other buses have completed check in. Once parked at the Group Entrance, please have your group’s check-in representative (CIR) exit the bus and check in with the Guest Services Representative that is stationed there. All others will exit the bus and follow the Group Director into the Zoo. Please follow the red line for instructions on Bus Parking for the duration of your trip.
We believe that there should be no boundaries to your Saginaw Children’s Zoo experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us prior to your visit.
If You Are Arriving in Individual Cars:
If prepaid with the school: Please come to the Group Entrance. If chaperone admission is not being paid for by the school, or the chaperones are Zoo members: Please come to the Main Entrance to purchase admission and ride tickets/wristbands (if desired). Once paid, chaperones may wait to meet their group inside the Zoo or meet the group back at the Main Entrance. Please note that the group rate will not be applied.
Eating at the Zoo
You are welcome to enjoy a sack lunch in our picnic area inside the Zoo. Picnic tables are available on a first come, first served basis. For the safety of our animals, please avoid bringing glass or aluminum containers and drinking straws into the Zoo.
Courtesy and Safety
The Zoo is a magical place to be. It’s absolutely wonderful when we all respect each other AND the animals. We would be delighted if you would review the following information with students and chaperones BEFORE entering the Zoo:
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- Chaperones must supervise their groups at all times.
- Please refrain from smoking inside of Zoo grounds.
- Respect the barriers and fences around habitats.
- Human food can harm our animals –they're on special diets to keep them happy and healthy!
- Help keep our habitats and animals safe…please try to keep your belongings to yourself, out of the habitats, and off the walkways.
- Let our animals show you their natural behaviors at their own pace! Please be courteous and respectful while observing them!
Have a wonderful time at the Zoo. We hope you visit often!
Fun for Your Field Trip
We have fun activities for you to enhance your trip with your students, curriculum focused! Below are documents used to enhance and enrich your field trip!
We believe there should be no boundaries to your Saginaw Children’s Zoo experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us prior to your visit.