October Means Kids Are Free at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

October is a great month to be a kid in San Diego! Not only can they get into over 40 museums for free, but October is also the “month of the kids” at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and children are invited to visit both facilities—for free!

Kids Free presented by Mission Fed is an annual event that gives free admission to children ages 11 and younger, while providing special weekend activities for the whole family—including enrichment zone events at the Zoo, and special keeper talks and fascinating stories about animals at the Safari Park.

Join The African Treasure Hunt

Kids are invited to join in the African Treasure Hunt, following the clues on a treasure map to discover wildlife treasures throughout the Zoo. The energetic and enthusiastic Zoo Corps teens will present a discovery station stocked with props, biofacts and cool things to do; and the animal ambassadors are ready to educate and amaze guests at the “Wild About Animals” show at Wegeforth Bowl.

HalGLOWeen

HalGLOWeen—the Zoo’s glowing Halloween event—will return this year, during Kids Free month. As the sun sets on Oct. 26, 27 and 28, the Zoo will glow under black light, with fun activities for all ages.

HalGLOWeen entertainment will include a bubble dance party with the energetic Funky Monkeys, a cupcake walk, Boolahoops, “Dr. Zoolittle’s Spooky Revue,” performers, special animal experiences, our very own Boo Crew and much more. Kids may wear costumes for this event, according to the guidelines posted on the HalGLOWeen website.

Safari Park Activities

Just 30 minutes north of the Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will provide even more activities and experiences during Kids Free that will help kids connect with wildlife in exciting and fun ways.

Each Saturday and Sunday in October, children and their families can come face to face with some fascinating animal ambassadors, and a variety of keeper talks will give kids (and their favorite adults) a new way of looking at wildlife.

This year, the Safari Park will extend free admission for kids through the first four days in November, to celebrate Día de los Muertos. This multi-day event, honoring Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead festivities, will feature mariachi musicians, folklorico dancers, stilt walkers, crafts, decorations, and more.

Mission Fed

Mission Fed—a longtime sponsor of Kids Free month—donated $5,000 to San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy to further the organization’s mission to end extinction and continue vital conservation initiatives both locally and across the globe. The donation also solidifies Mission Fed’s belief in educating and empowering people to protect and improve the natural and human environment we all share.

During Kids Free, the Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day—except during HalGLOWeen festivities, when the Zoo will close at 8 p.m. The Safari Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. All children younger than 15 must be accompanied by a paid adult during their visit to the Zoo or the Safari Park.

For more information about Kids Free presented by Mission Fed, show times and activity schedules, visit sandiegozoo.org/kidsfree.

We’re so dang lucky to have these gems in our city! Take the kids and have a great time!

See you there!