Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo

Get lost in the woods and discover North American wildlife along the way at Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo! Take the tucked away path winding through four large wooded habitats, featuring North American black bears, red wolves, beavers, and river otters and learn about the importance of understanding and protecting the wildlife close to home. Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo marries expert animal care, interactive learning elements, and tactile experiences, teaching visitors of all ages about the interdependency of living things. This area also features an indoor space, which encourages learning and play with the 20-foot Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure. Children will get a feel for the arboreal lifestyle, ascending this stylized, climbable forest canopy. In this whimsical setting, visitors will also get close to native Illinois amphibians and reptiles and learn about how Lincoln Park Zoo works to conserve them in the wild.

Wild Sapling Play Forest, completed in spring 2017, is tucked away in a secluded, woodsy corner of Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo next to the black bear exhibit. Unlike traditional playgrounds, it doesn’t feature a swing set, slides, or monkey bars. Its unique design is more organic and variable, informed by nature play, a surging movement in early-childhood education that helps kids connect with the outdoors through self-directed exploration.