Family Activities at Spring River Park and Zoo Roswell

Children’s Ranch & Barnyard - spring river zoo animals

Step into the heart of the countryside where our animal exhibits bring the farm to life.
Visitors can watch potbelly pigs rooting in soft straw, marvel at the towering longhorn cattle grazing beneath shade trees, and meet a host of other farm favorites that wander through lovingly recreated ranch paddocks.
Each habitat is designed to echo the open range of a traditional ranch, complete with weather‑worn fences, gentle streams, and plenty of space for the animals to roam naturally.
Whether you’re exploring with family or seeking a quiet moment amid the pasture sounds, the experience offers a genuine taste of farm life.

Zoo tours of the Children’s Ranch & Barnyard invite families to explore the playful world of farm animals.
Running daily from 10 am to 4 pm, each tour lasts Secure your place on the online schedule and enjoy a memorable adventure for the whole family.

Educational programs in the barnyard zone invite families to explore ranch life through hands‑on workshops, school field trips, and interpretive signage that teach children about farm animal care and agriculture. Interactive sessions let participants feed goats, shear sheep, and plant seedlings while knowledgeable staff demonstrate sustainable farming practices. Guided tours for school groups incorporate story‑telling stations, and colorful signs explain the life cycle of crops and the role of each animal on the farm. Visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from and the importance of stewardship.
Learn more about our educational programs

Special Wildlife & Reptiles – spring river zoo animals

Animal exhibits at the zoo now feature a charismatic new resident: the capybara, the world’s largest semi‑aquatic rodent from South America.
These gentle giants roam a thoughtfully crafted wetland habitat that mirrors the slow‑moving rivers and lush shoreline plants they love in the wild.
Designed with shallow pools, buried sand banks and abundant vegetation, the enclosure lets visitors watch capybaras splash, graze, and interact while staying safely behind a low fence.
The display joins a broader collection of wildlife showcases, inviting guests to explore how vibrant wetlands sustain both water‑bound and land‑dwelling species.

The African spurred tortoise, a long‑lived giant of the desert, is housed in an enclosure that faithfully replicates the harsh, arid conditions of its native Sahel region. Substrate layers of sandy soil and scattered rocks create a naturalistic footing, while strategically placed heat lamps and misting stations maintain daytime temperatures above 30 °C and provide the occasional night‑time cool down. Native desert plants, such as hardy succulents and drought‑tolerant grasses, offer both shade and foraging opportunities, allowing the tortoise to exhibit its natural behaviors. This animal exhibits showcase the species as an exotic addition to the zoo’s collection, highlighting conservation efforts for a reptile threatened by habitat loss and illegal trade. Visitors can observe the tortoise’s slow, deliberate movements and learn about its remarkable longevity, often exceeding a century in captivity. Learn more about the African spurred tortoise.

Our zoo tours guide you through the Special Wildlife & Reptiles area, revealing the hidden lives of remarkable species.
Each adventure lasts approximately 45 minutes, giving you enough time to wander through lush habitats while staying on schedule.
You’ll have the chance to observe capybaras lounging by the water’s edge and meet gentle tortoises who glide slowly across sandy exhibits.
Our knowledgeable guides share compelling conservation stories, showing how every visitor can help protect these amazing animals.
Book your spot today and discover why these encounters become the highlight of any family day out.

Our educational programs feature daily wildlife talks where zookeepers share fascinating facts about capybaras, tortoises, and other exotic species. Visitors can join interactive displays that let them trace the nutrient cycle of wet‑land ecosystems and discover the role each animal plays in preserving biodiversity.
School field trips are tailored to meet curriculum standards, offering hands‑on activities such as tracking footprints, measuring growth rings on turtle shells, and conducting simple water‑quality tests.
For teachers seeking additional resources, a downloadable lesson plan series is available here, providing worksheets and video clips that reinforce the biology and conservation messages highlighted during the exhibit.