John P. McGovern Children's Zoo

Get eye to eye with a prairie dog, see an eagle’s nest and watch a river otter play underwater at our Children’s Zoo.  Forty exhibits take visitors through the six ecosystems of Texas: the city, Gulf Coast, desert, forest, prairie and the farm.  Pop-up domes allow guests to get “inside” the prairie dog habitat.  Visit a realistic bat cave or stroll on a boardwalk through a Texas forest.  The Discovery Center features hands on activities for children.  Three 900-square-foot pavilions host a variety of activities from educational classes to parties.

 

Also don't miss the water playground at the McGovern Children’s Zoo! The playground includes 11 water features in a Galveston coastal fishing village setting. In-ground water features include 5 so-called “pop jet” fountains and 3 “foaming fountains.”

For that up close and personal animal experience, enter the petting area to meet our goats and sheep!

At the Houston Zoo our most important concern is the care and well-being of our animals. We realize that visiting the Zoo is a cherished family tradition. We strive to provide a safe, family entertainment experience. At the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, one way we do this is by providing our guests with up-close animal experiences. These experiences include the opportunity to touch and make friends with our domestic animals such as the goats and sheep in the Children’s Zoo’s petting zoo.

Zoo Tip: If the kids need to release some excess energy, let them visit one of our play areas or cool off in the water from the spitting frog fountain. Plumb tuckered? Relax in the butterfly pavilion to watch an entertaining show or see the world from a bug’s perspective.

The John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo has a lot to offer kids of all ages. Hope to see you soon!