I once watched a toddler roar at a plastic pumpkin like it owed him rent — that’s how playful Boo at the Zoo feels, a tiny theater of big reactions. You’ll wander lit pathways, smell kettle corn, hear crunching leaves, and snag a timed ticket so you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with the werewolves; I’ll point out the costume parade, crafts, and nocturnal animal meet-and-greets, and you’ll want to plan one clever photo — but there’s one surprise I’m keeping for the visit.
Event Overview and Dates
If you’ve ever wanted to trick-or-treat with llamas and glow-in-the-dark pumpkins, now’s your chance — Boo at the Zoo Columbus returns for fall 2026 and it’s bigger, brighter, and a little bit spookier than last year.
You’ll wander lantern-lit paths, you’ll hear rustling leaves, and you’ll feel that crisp, cider-on-your-lips kind of night.
I’ll tell you straight: the event runs over multiple weekends in October, evenings only, so plan around school nights and soccer games.
It leans into classic Halloween traditions, with kid-friendly frights, photo spots, and interactive exhibits.
Bring family costumes, coordinate a theme, and expect friendly staff guiding you.
Don’t worry, it’s playful, not petrifying — perfect for grinning, not screaming.
Ticketing, Hours, and Admission Details
One quick tip: buy your tickets early, because these weekend evenings sell out faster than you can say “spooky snacks.”
I’ve got your back — tickets are timed-entry, so you pick an arrival window, which keeps the lantern-lit paths from turning into a stroller traffic jam; you’ll show your QR code at the gate, hear the crunch of leaves underfoot, and be waved through by a smiling staffer.
You’ll want to check ticket prices before you commit; they vary by date and age, and there are usually member discounts — I always pretend I forgot my membership card, just to feel important.
Hours run evenings only, typically 5–9 pm.
Read the admission policies closely, bag checks included, and plan to arrive early for photos.
Kid-Friendly Activities and Costume Parade
While you’re dodging glowing pumpkins and sticky cotton-candy hands, I’ll steer you straight to the kid zone where sugar-fueled chaos is actually encouraged.
You’ll hear giggles, drum beats, and tiny capes flapping; you’ll smell caramel and pumpkin spice.
I’ll point out craft tables where kids glue, paint, and invent costumes with wild costume creativity—feathers, foam, googly eyes, glue on your sleeve, proud mess.
Come mid-afternoon, line up for the costume parade, expect parade excitement, cheers, a silly announcer, and parents pretending they aren’t crying.
You stroll beside the route, you clap, you take ridiculous photos.
Snack stations sit nearby, volunteers fix a fallen mask, and you’ll leave with sticky fingers, great stories, and one very silly victory wave.
Animal Encounters and Educational Programs
You’ll get up close with the zoo’s nocturnal residents, eyes adjusting to dim lights as you watch owls swivel and bats flutter near the talk stage.
I’ll point out cool facts during keeper-led animal talks, you’ll ask the obvious questions (like “does that snake like hugs?”), and we’ll laugh when the answer is predictably dramatic.
Then try hands-on learning stations, touch a feather or fossil, and leave feeling smarter and oddly proud you didn’t faint.
Meet Nocturnal Residents
If you sneak up to the dimmed pavilion with me, I’ll point out why nocturnal animals are the original night-owl VIPs—quiet, sharp, and a little dramatic.
You’ll crouch beside mesh enclosures, feel cool air, hear soft rustles, and I’ll whisper facts so you don’t embarrass yourself in front of a bat.
We’ll watch subtle nocturnal behaviors—slow stalking, sudden ear-twitches, glowing eyes—then I’ll explain animal adaptations like huge eyes, keen hearing, and velvety fur that make nights their playground.
You’ll touch safe replica fur, follow scent trails, and try a low-voice call that gets an amused chirp.
It’s hands-on, cozy, and slightly spooky, perfect for kids who love mystery and adults who love clever creatures.
Keeper-Led Animal Talks
Step up to the roped-off spot and don’t worry — I promise I won’t hand you a snake.
You’ll hear my voice, see a keeper gently lift a feathered wing or point to a whisker, and you’ll lean in, curious. I explain animal behavior with plain examples, you laugh at a goofy habit, then you gasp at a clever survival trick.
We talk conservation efforts, why habitats matter, and how your small choices add up. You’ll smell hay, hear soft chirps, feel a cool breeze from an open enclosure.
I’ll crack a joke, fumble a prop, and steer the group toward real learning, fast. By the end, you’ll leave smarter, kinder, and oddly proud.
Hands-On Learning Stations
After I finish nudging you out of the roped-off crowd—probably with a corny animal pun—you’ll find me waiting at a hands-on station, gloves on, props ready, and something small and surprisingly warm in a foam cup.
You lean in, I grin, and we trade a quick, “Don’t freak out, it’s friendly”—then you hold a fuzzy chick, feel its tiny heartbeat, and your face goes soft.
Stations mix hands on experiments with tactile learning, smells of hay and cinnamon, and a soundtrack of excited kids.
Interactive displays let you test owl wing shapes, mimic bat echolocation, and guess animal tracks.
You leave with a sticker, a new fact, and a slightly sheepish, delighted swagger.
Safety, Accessibility, and Parking Information
You’ll notice staff in bright vests stationed at every turn, checking paths and answering breathless questions so you don’t have to play traffic cop.
I’ll point out the clearly marked parking lots and quick drop-off zones, where you can unload costumes and trick-or-treat loot without circling forever.
Follow the signs, listen to the team, and you’ll be in and out with a smile — I promise I won’t judge your pumpkin-spice emergency.
Safety Protocols and Staff
Because we want everyone grinning instead of groaning, I’ll start by saying safety here isn’t an afterthought — it’s the whole point of the party.
You’ll notice staff training is thorough, everyone’s practiced, and they’ll greet you with a smile while scanning the route for hazards. I’ll be blunt: we don’t wing this.
Staff wear bright vests, radios buzz, and volunteers guide tiny hands across paths, so you can relax and savor the spiced air.
- Visible staff positions for quick help
- Clear emergency protocols posted and rehearsed
- First-aid stations with trained responders
- Accessibility aides and calm spaces for sensory breaks
Talk to staff if you need anything. They’ll help, fast, and probably crack a joke.
Parking, Drop-Off Zones
I’ll keep watching the staff so you don’t have to—now let’s talk getting here and getting out without a meltdown.
You’ll see clear signs and marshals waving, guiding you toward several parking options, from the main lot to overflow fields that smell faintly of cut grass and cider. Drive slow, breathe, follow cones.
If you’ve got little ghouls or a stroller, use the marked drop off procedures by the front gate; they move cars fast, like a well-rehearsed haunted ballet.
Walkways are wide, ramps obvious, and attendants will grab a stroller strap if you need hands.
Listen for radios, follow the cues, and don’t be proud—ask for a golf cart ride if your kid’s done.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
If you want to squeeze every spooky, sugar-crunching minute out of Boo at the Zoo, plan like a mildly paranoid party planner—early arrival, comfy shoes, and a stopwatch for the snack lines.
I’ll tell you how to win the day, without sounding like your overly enthusiastic aunt. Bring family costumes that coordinate but don’t smother the kids; layers beat overheating. Pack a small stash of Halloween snacks, napkins, and hand sanitizer — sticky fingers happen fast.
Scout quiet exhibits for a breather, I promise lighting and sounds change everything.
- Hit the welcome map first, mark showtimes and candy stations.
- Rotate adults for snack duty and stroller breaks.
- Take photos at sunrise light near the pumpkin displays.
- Know exit routes for quick bathroom sprints.
Conclusion
Go, drag the kids, and your slightly too-excited neighbor to Boo at the Zoo — I’ll wait here, pretending I’m not jealous of the costume parade. You’ll smell caramel apples, hear flapping wings, and see tiny superheroes save stuffed animals. Walk slowly, grab crafts, say hi to the nocturnal critters (they don’t bite, promise), then snap that goofy family photo. You’ll leave sticky, tired, and oddly delighted — that’s the whole plan, executed perfectly.