Celebrate Earth Day at the Topeka Zoo on April 18, 2026! Enjoy hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and conservation fun for the whole family.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Topeka Zoo on April 22 from 5:00–7:00pm during Girl Scout & About. Enjoy crafts, activities, and learning opportunities with fellow scouts. Advance registration required.
Shop native plants at the Topeka Zoo’s Annual Native Plant Sale, April 24–May 4 online and in person on May 9. Plants are $5 each, and proceeds support conservation.
Sip, stroll, and celebrate at Roar & Pour Wine Fest 2026! Enjoy wine tastings, live music, and local flavors during an unforgettable evening at the Topeka Zoo.
Members, join us on Wednesday, April 29th, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. to learn about the Japanese Garden.
Celebrate Safe Kids Day at the Zoo on May 2, 2026! Enjoy games, entertainment, and safety-themed fun while learning simple ways to keep kids safe and healthy.
This week, volunteers from Evergy aided our horticulture team in applying fresh mulch to the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden and Venue. The garden is in full bloom this spring, looking gorgeous and ready for visitors, rentals, and weddings! Friends of the Topeka Zoo members that are interested in learning more about how horticulture team and volunteers upkeep the garden may attend the Wake & Learn presentation at 8 am on April 29 (more info here: https://topekazoo.org/event-calendar/wake-learn-series/).
National Volunteer Week begins on April 19 and goes until April 25 - follow for more content of how volunteers have invested thousands of hours to keep the Topeka Zoo a location for the community.
The following winners of the Earth Day Art & Writing Contest, hosted by Topeka Zoo's Education Department, will have their art and writing pieces on display inside the Gary K. Clarke Education Center during Party for the Planet on April 18 from 9 am - 3 pm. Attendees are strongly encouraged to stop in and view these pieces as photos do not do justice!
🎨Art Contest:
- Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Winner: Phoebe Delao
Honorable Mention: Louis Okumus
- 3rd - 5th Grade
Winner: Caleb Sorensen
Honorable Mention: Pranith Reddy Mandapati
- 6th - 8th Grade
Winner: Ruby Degenhardt
Honorable Mention: Mackenzie Bird
- 9th - 12th Grade
Winner: Viley Pridey
Honorable Mention: Brianna Villa
- Adult
Winner: Amber Taylor
Honorable Mention: Mallory Heim
✍️ Writing Contest:
- Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Winner: Mary Lauseng
Honorable Mention: George McCann
- 3rd - 5th Grade
Winner: Parker Reid
Honorable Mention: David Franzke
- 6th - 8th Grade
Winner: Bianca Cooper
Honorable Mention: Lorelei Zimmerman
- Adult
Winner: Chandrakala Mandapati
Honorable Mention: D. A. Apon
Education staff would like to thank all who submitted entries and participated - it was incredibly difficult selecting winners from pieces that were so inspiring, passionate, and goosebump inducing. 💚
This year's featured performer for Roar & Pour is...
🥁*drum roll*🥁
The Stolen Winnebagos!
Check out the link below to view & listen to one of their previous performances:
https://youtu.be/CJBXQeG8bIM
Link to purchase Roar & Pour tickets or view more information: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEventsCategory/RoarAndPour
The next species to be featured on our new mural, which raises awareness on the effects of plastic pollution in North America's waterways, is the North American river otter!
This species, like a few others in the mural, is a Kansas native species. The presence of otters in a river system is a good indicator that the ecosystem is healthy as they have very specific needs to be able to thrive. For example, the water must be clear of debris/pollutants for them to be able to see, hunt, and maneuver - making the river otter a species heavily affected by plastic & litter accumulating in rivers.
This mural, which faces the Zoo's main parking lot, is being completed by aerosol artist Abstract Dissent thanks to the support of The Rotary Club of Topeka. Visitors are welcome to come see the mural in progress - no Zoo admission required.
❓Want to guess the final species to be featured? Here's your hint: it very well may be the most symbolic species to the United States, as this species is typically used as the symbol of freedom.
Nope. Lions Tatu and Asante are just THAT photogenic. 💅
📸 (1,3): Keeper Melissa
📸 2: Kim B.
See news on our facebook page here.
The last two weekends in October are all set for spooky, family fun! Visit vendors, collect candy, giveaways, and more! Dress up as your favorite characters, goblins, witches, and ghosts and we will see you SOON!
Ring in the Holiday season with Zoo Lights Presented by Evergy, one of Topeka’s treasured holiday traditions returning for its sixth season.
Enjoy a memorable night tucked away from the cold at the 2025 Topeka Zoo Lights! Our Igloos provide a cozy, secluded space to enjoy this Winter Wonderland all evening long. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary or having a night out with friends or coworkers. Elevate your experience with your very own private igloo!
Santa is stopping by the Topeka Zoo for a sweet holiday visit—before his big night! Come enjoy a magical morning filled with: Cookie decorating & hot cocoa, A festive holiday craft, Giraffe feeding, Storytime & music, A photo opportunity with Santa, and a candy cane hunt!
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