22nd Annual Kids Appreciation Day Presented by H-E-B

Join us at the Gladys Porter Zoo for our 22nd Annual Kids Appreciation Day! Designed to give Rio Grande Valley families a fun, educational day together while preparing for the upcoming school year, this event features free backpack giveaways, interactive learning stations, raffles, and new zoo attractions.

Event Overview & Admission Details

• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Location: Gladys Porter Zoo | Brownsville, Texas

Admission Discounts & Special Passes

• H-E-B Coupon: Pick up a “Child Free with Paid Adult” admission coupon (for ages 2–13) at any H-E-B location in Brownsville. Valid only on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
• Region One Summer Passes: Have an unused Region One school district Summer Pass? Kids Appreciation Day is the perfect time to redeem it!

Backpack Giveaways & Passport Activity

Upon entering the Zoo, children will receive an event passport that guides them on an interactive trail across the grounds.

• Free Backpack Giveaway: The first 1,500 children to pick up their event passport receive a free backpack filled with essential school supplies.
• Passport Activity: Complete all passport stops—focusing on health, child safety, conservation, and community resources—to enter the door prize raffle! 

Door Prize Raffle

Complete your event passport for a chance to win one of our fantastic door prizes: 

Ultimate Back-to-School Bundles

• Fully Loaded “Gear Tech” Clear Backpack (6 to be raffled)
  • Tech & Gear: HDX Ultra 3.5mm Earbuds, XL Reusable Shopping Bag, HEB Black Pencil Pouch
  • Paper & Organization: HEB Eco View 1-Inch 3-Ring Binder, HEB Filler Paper (300 Sheets), HEB 5-Tab Paper Dividers, HEB Poly Folder with Prongs, HEB Laminated Folder (No Prongs), HEB Wide-Ruled Composition Notebooks (6 ct.).
  • Coloring & Art Supplies: Crayola Crayons (64 ct.), Crayola Colored Pencils (24 ct.), Crayola Washable Classic Markers (10 ct.)
  • Writing & Office Tools: Ticonderoga #2 Pencils (2 Boxes / 24 ct. Total), HEB Blue Ballpoint Pens (10 ct.), Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers (2 ct.), Eraser Caps, HEB Wooden Ruler, Bostitch Twist Sharpener, HEB Yellow Highlighters (4 ct.), HEB Fine Dry-Erase Markers (4 ct.)
  • Adhesives & Cutting: Elmer’s Washable Purple Glue Sticks (6 Pack), Elmer’s Liquid School Glue, HEB Point-Tip Kids Scissors
  • Health, Hygiene & Cleaning: HEB Original Hand Sanitizer, HEB Tru-Grit Disinfectant Wipes (2 Pack), Kleenex Ultra Tissue (2 Boxes), HEB Texas Tough Quart Storage Bags, HEB Texas Tough Gallon Storage Bags

Bicycles & Helmets

• 16” Dynacraft Sweetheart Bicycle (Includes coordinating helmet)
• 16” Ozone 500 Kick It 1600 Bicycle (Includes coordinating helmet)
• 20” Ozone 500 Island Girl Cruzer Bicycle (Includes coordinating helmet)
• 20” Ozone 500 Blaze Bicycle (Includes coordinating helmet)

Sports & Active Outdoor Play

• Jupiter Light-Up Folding Kick Scooter (2 to be raffled)
• Baden Basketball Set Includes Spalding “Back-At-Cha” Basketball Return (2 to be raffled)
• FIFA-Branded Soccer Ball Set Includes Brava Junior Soccer Goal (2 to be raffled)
• Baden Volleyball Set Includes Mizuno Youth Kneepads (2 to be raffled)
• Ride-On Pink Flamingo Includes Dual Bubble Blaster
• Let’s Go Bowling Glow Bowling Set (4 to be raffled)

STEM, Crafts & Creative Kits

• LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Wild Safari Animals
• National Geographic Motorized Shark Model
• National Geographic Shark Dig Kit
• Think Box Inventor’s Box
• Mondo Llama Jungle Bucket of Crafts
• Mondo Llama Create-Your-Own Clay Characters Kit
• Mondo Llama Create-Your-Own Punch Needle Stuffed Animal Kit
• Mondo Llama Create-Your-Own Superhero Comic Book Kit

Tech, Electronics & Goodie Bags

• Helix Wireless Earbuds for Kids (Ages 7+) (2 to be raffled)
• Discover Brownsville Historic Places Goodie Bag

Themed Lunchboxes + $25 H-E-B Gift Card

(Each lunchbox bundle includes a $25.00 H-E-B Gift Card)

• Minecraft Lunchbox Bundle
• Hello Kitty Lunchbox Bundle
• Spider-Man Lunchbox Bundle
• Thermos Unicat Lunchbox Bundle

Interactive Event Activities & Stations

Explore hands-on crafts, interactive games, and environmental learning stops along the passport route:

• Arts, Crafts & Fun: Face Painting, Cassowary Mask Making, Colors of the Rainforest Monster Mural, and Rainforest Delight.
• Interactive Games: Jungle Jenga: The Great Deforestation Collapse, Barrel of Monkeys, Termite Fishing, and Money Manor.
• Eco-Education & Science: Photosynthesis: Let’s Make Some Oxygen!, Roselle Hibiscus: Plant of Many Wonders, Layers of the Rainforest, Hop into the Ecosystem!, Rainforests of the World, and Pledge to the Rainforest.

Special Attractions & New Exhibits

Make the most of your visit by checking out the Zoo’s newest additions:

• Wild Explorer VR Experience: Step into a state-of-the-art virtual reality pod for an immersive journey inside wild animal habitats. (Fee: $7.00 per rider)
• Return of the Keel-Billed Toucan: Visit the Tropical America aviary to see the vibrant Keel-Billed Toucan, returning to the collection after a 20-year absence!

Community Sponsors

This event is brought to you through the generous support of our partners:

H-E-B Helping Here | Chick-fil-A | Brownsville Public Utilities Board | Raising Cane’s | Whataburger | City of Brownsville | Visit Brownsville | Digital 101.5 | NBC 23 | CBS 4