What's happening at the Brookfield Zoo this summer? Free days for kids and a baby tapir

On August 1, 2, and 3, children ages 11 and under can get free admission to the zoo.

Brookfield Zoo's Hamill Family Wild EncountersImage by Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

(CHICAGO) Summer is winding down, and school will start soon, but there still is time to fit in some fun summer activities. The Brookfield Zoo has a lot happening for families this summer, including three free days in August.

When are free days for kids?

Children 11 and under will be admitted for free on August 1, 2, and 3 at the zoo.

What is the price of regular admission?

Adults still have to pay full admission, which is $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for seniors 65 and over.

On regular days, admission for children 3 to 11 is $17.95. Children 2 and under are always free. Parking is not included in admission and is $15.

Tickets and parking can be bought in advance here.

What are some must-see exhibits at the zoo this summer?

Butterflies!

Monarch butterflyImage by Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

A summer favorite at the zoo, kids will love to explore the butterfly exhibit, Butterflies!, which houses over 20 species of butterflies in a habitat with water features, a winding path, and native grasses and flowers.

Visit while you can. This attraction is only here until September. Tickets are not included in admission and must be bought separately.

Ice Age Giants

The massive mastodonImage by Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

The Ice Age Giants exhibit is only here until the end of October. Check it out while you can. Throughout the zoo, guests can see the 30 life-sized animatronic recreations of ice giants that once roamed our planet.

Baby tapir

A male South American tapir calfImage by Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

The 2-month-old South American tapir calf may be spotted with his mother venturing around the outdoor enclosure located on the north side of Pachyderm House.

Check out the calf's white stripe pattern that provides the baby with camouflage. Baby tapir stripes begin to fade when they are a few months old and disappear at six months of age.

This baby will reach full size when he is 18 months old and could end up weighing 500 pounds.

Baby addax

A male addax calf with his mother Simone.Image by Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

Visit the addax habitat on the northwest side of the zoo to see if you can spot the male addax that was born on July 2. An addax is an African antelope, and the species is on the brink of extinction.

The baby calf can sometimes be spotted wandering outdoors in his habitat.

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