Hamill Family Play Zoo is an entire building and play yard where kids can explore, learn and play at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. We love Hamill Family Play Zoo and have spent hours at a time petting animals, watering plants, creating art and just playing in this vibrant and welcoming part of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Come along on this wild ride as we share previews of all of the dynamic exhibits and give you tips on when to go, how to get there and what to expect.
What is the Hamill Family Play Zoo?
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is a highly interactive children’s space at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. While Brookfield Zoo Chicago has interactive elements all over the zoo (not to mention two great playgrounds), the Hamill Family Play Zoo is a special place dedicated specifically to engaging children. It encompasses both indoor and outdoor areas that include:
- an arts and craft workshop with guided activities
- a stocked play space where kids are the vets or zoo planners
- a greenhouse where kids can water plants all day
- a working bee hive play area
- “earth play” area with sand pits and large scale building materials
- a cushioned place for infants and toddlers
- sensory gardens for active play
- lots of animals that kids can observe and even touch
Where is the Hamill Family Play Zoo?
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is a located on the south side of Brookfield Zoo Chicago on the east side of the main walkway. The play zoo building is set back from the path and complimented by equally fun outdoor play areas. Together, the outdoor play yards and the building are bordered by a low fence which helps keep young kids close.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located west of Chicago in Brookfield, Illinois. It has an entrance on the north side of the zoo and another entrance on the south side of the zoo. Each entrance has its own parking lot. The north gate is located at 8400 31st St in Brookfield. The south gate is at 3300 Golf Rd also in Brookfield.
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is much closer to the south gate of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, but that parking lot does cost more than the north lot. The good news for families taking public transportation or walking is that the south gate is also the best option for you, and you will not need to pay for parking.
How Much Does the Children’s Area at Brookfield Zoo Chicago Cost?
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is free! You will notice an entrance booth for the play zoo, and their may be a zoo staff member inside, Fortunately, at the time of writing, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is not currently charging admission to the Hamill Family Play Zoo. That means all elements of the play zoo are currently free with admission! If you visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago on one of their MANY free admission days, you will not be paying to get in at all. For our complete guide to Brookfield Zoo Chicago free days, see Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter
Highlights of the Hamill Family Play Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois
We discover new activities and animals every time we visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago (which is OFTEN). Here are some of our favorites in the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
Water Plants in the Greenhouse
In the play zoo greenhouses, everyone can grab a spray bottle and mist plants for as long as they would like. This warm verdant room is our favorite place to be in the winter. Not matter how cold it is outside, the greenhouse is like an instant tropical vacation. We also like that our kids can play with water without making a mess.
Kids Are the Vets
Hamill Family Play Zoo has a large area where kids get to be veterinarians. There are exam tables sized for toddler to teen-height vets and various safe medical supplies. The patients are an array of plush animal toys. This area is very popular, and the zoo mercifully even supplies chairs where caregivers can sit while their little vets spend hours playing here.
Zoo Director’s Office
Directly beside the veterinary space is a room which used to be the (play) Zoo Director’s office. While the desk and phone have left, there is still a charming hand-painted play table where kids plan their own zoo using animal figures and landscape pieces. This room also has chairs and books for some animal-themed reading time.
Bees Hive! The Newest Exhibit in Hamill Family Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
New for winter 2025, Hamill Family Play Zoo has a play space dedicated to bees. You can see the busy insects themselves through windows in the side of the exhibit. Kids can also become bees with costumes, kid-sized flowers to visit and pieces for building their own honeycomb and hives.
When to Visit This Play Area at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Hamill Family Play Zoo is currently free with admission to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The zoo’s current hours are 10am to 5pm, and the play zoo is open from 10am to 4pm. You can check the hours here on the zoo’s website.
We think anytime is a great time to visit this awesome play area. We especially appreciate the comfortable building on days when the weather outside is uncomfortable. With so many free days in winter 2025 and conditions outside getting chilly, we think right NOW is a great time to visit. You can read about the free admission days here: Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter.
Hamill Family Play Zoo can get busy, but we think it manages the crowds well. The crowds levels here tend to follow the crowd levels at the zoo, so spring break and summer are pretty busy. Even though we think this is the ideal place to spend a winter day, the play zoo is surprisingly empty in the winter. We encourage you to check it out!
Bonus Tips for the Hamill Family Play Zoo
If you have young kids, we recommend setting aside a good chunk of time to visit the Hamill Family Play Zoo. IF you are hoping to visit other parts of Brookfield Zoo Chicago that same day, consider discussing time limits with your kids before you head inside. Our kids can really get lost in play here.
There are two coat rooms on other side of the front entrance. We like to shed our hats, coats and mittens here when we are visiting in the winter. We make sure to remove valuables from the pockets first.
Another nice amenity at the Hamill Family Play Zoo is the restrooms. These restrooms are designed with young kids in mind. There are some toddler sized toilets (in addition to standard toilets) and a low sink. We like to stop here before heading out to other parts of the zoo.
Thank you for reading all about the Hamill Family Play Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
We hope you get a chance to visit. For more tips on seeing animals around Chicago, check-out New Shedd Aquarium Exhibit Dazzles: Wonder of Water and Top 5 Tips for Visiting Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. And, for more cozy indoor fun, see Best Deal in Children’s Museums: Chicago Area’s CLIMB Network. Finally, do not forget that post about free days at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter. Thanks again for reading, and please subscribe to our free newsletter below to get the latest in your inbox.
