Lincoln Children's Zoo Mom Tips

Our experts give you Lincoln Children’s Zoo tips to maximize your visit.

Parking – The main parking lot for this zoo is pretty good size. We’ve parked in it for both visits. I’m unaware of available overflow parking.
Strollers – Despite the addition in 2019, this is a smaller zoo. On top of that, this zoo does a great job of providing interaction opportunities for kids. I would say leave the stroller at home. There are several small buildings that you’ll be going into, and although they are stroller accessible, I think they’d be easier without it.
Bathrooms – Overall the bathrooms here are pretty nice, as well plentiful. The main building by the Red Pandas when you enter the zoo has bathrooms that are really nice. There are also bathrooms in the animal kingdom building, and by the food court near the dinosaur sandbox play area.
Talking Garbage Can – Make sure you stop by to see Leo, the Paper-Eating Lion! He talks to the kids, encouraging them to clean up the zoo and feed him paper!
Nursing – When you walk into the Secret Jungle, there is a mother’s nursing room on the left side in the back.

Play Areas – This zoo has play areas both inside and outside. For inside play areas, check out the Secret Jungle. This building is among the 2019 additions to the zoo. There is a large play area alongside the spider monkey exhibit. Your human monkeys can jump, climb, and play. There are ball pit balls that the kids can slide into slots connected to tubes. These tubes will send the balls into the play structure, or up above into a cloud-like machine that “rains” down on them when filled. There are also climbing areas throughout the zoo, including by the tiger exhibit. Near the food court is a playground and a “dinosaur dig” sandbox.
Feeding Opportunities – Giraffe feeding is pretty reasonably priced here. The cost is $3 for a clump of lettuce leaves, or $5 for two clumps. The giraffes have indoor and outdoor access, so on colder days you can feed them inside. On the other side of the zoo, you can purchase feed cups for camels, as well as feed cups for goats and llamas.

Animal Interactions – In addition to the feeding opportunities there are several other ways to interact with animals. Check out The Hive. This building has insects and lizards that zoo volunteers will bring out for you to interact with. The Secret Jungle also has an animal ambassador room where they will rotate out animals for you to pet. There are also pony rides available.
Sunken Garden – Down the street from the zoo is a sunken garden. It’s about a 3-5 minute walk, and is well worth it in the summer.

Thank you for reading our Lincoln Children’s Zoo Mom Tips. Check out our full review of the zoo’s exhibits here.