Zoo Programs for Children
Sign your child up for educational fun at the zoo! Children's programs are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Summer.
Play Time at the Zoo
Calling all infants/toddlers! Bring your favorite adult and meet new friends
in our classroom as you make your own fun! Several activities will be
available for you and your child to explore together during this unstructured
Play Time at the Zoo. Each week, a special animal guest will visit. There
is no fee to use the play room, and registration is not necessary. Come
once, a few times, or every week - it's up to you! Play Time is for infants
and toddlers to enjoy with their own adult.
Zoo Babies
Toddlers and their favorite adult will learn about the zoo's animals in
a structured class including stories, songs, activities, and a "stroller
safari" through the zoo. Colors & patterns, animal sounds, and
senses are a few of the themes we'll explore each week. This program is
for children ages 1 - 3 with an adult.
Wild & Crafty Animal Tales - Chicken
Cluck right up! Listen to a story about chickens, meet a chicken up close,
and make your own "squawk box" to take with you! This program
is intended for families with children 3 - 8 years old.
Wild & Crafty Animal Tales - Turtle
Come out of your shell and join us! Listen to a story about turtles, meet
a turtle up close, and make your own colorful turtle to take with you!
This program is intended for families with children 3 - 8 years old.
On the Farm
Rise and shine! It's a brand new day on the farm. Learn all about farm
animals with a special story, fun activities, a live animal guest, and
a trip to the zoo's Dutch barn. This program is for children ages 4 &
5 with an adult.
In the Mountains
Are you ready to climb mountains? Take it easy and learn about mountain
animals in the comfort of the zoo's classroom! We'll hear a special story,
play fun activities, meet a live animal, and take a leisurely "hike"
through the zoo to visit our mountain-dwelling friends. This program is
for children ages 4 & 5 with an adult.
Are You a Ewe? Am I a Ram?
Boys and girls - come to this class to learn who's who in the animal world!
Learn about "opposite sexes" with a special story, fun activities,
and live animal guests. Then, test your knowledge as we walk through the
zoo looking for animal girls and boys. This program is for children ages
3 & 4 with an adult.
Reptiles
Sometimes feared, but always fascinating, reptiles have a unique place
in our world. Learn about the characteristics that make snakes, turtles,
lizards, and alligators all reptiles and meet some special scaly guests.
This program is for children ages 6 - 8 only (no adults.)
Fossils
Discover how animals and plants of long ago are transformed into fossils!
Be a paleontologist for a day and learn to identify some common types
of fossils. This program is for children ages 9 - 11 only (no adults.)
Holidays for the Animals
Just like us, the zoo's animals love getting presents! Learn how the zookeepers
keep our animals active and interested every day of the year, and help
make special treats for our animals to enjoy this holiday season. This
program is for children 11 - 13 years old (no adults.)
Night Owls
Spend an evening at the zoo learning about owls, cats, skunks, and other
nocturnal animals. Join us on a "night hike" through the zoo
to see what our animals do when the sun goes down. This program is for
children 9 - 12 years old (no adults.)
Animal Training and Enrichment
So, you want to be a zookeeper? Learn how our keepers use training and
enrichment items to take care of the zoo's animals. Make special treats
for our animals, help us train an animal, and practice your new skills
by training the other participants in the class! This program is for children
13 - 15 years old (no adults.) Cost: $10 per child.
Come Fly With Me
Learn about the unique adaptations birds have that enable them to eat,
reproduce, and fly. Test yourself on the identification of local avian
species and meet some of the zoo's birds up close! This program is for
children ages 9 - 11 only (no adults.)
Extraordinary Eggs
Learn about the eggs of chickens and other birds, fish, reptiles, frogs,
snails, and more. This program is for children 6 - 8 years old (without
adults.)
Horseshoe Crabs
Come find out why horseshoe crabs are called "living fossils,"
why they're so important to humans, and what we're doing to help them!
This program is for children 9-11 years old (without adults.)
Birding in the Park
Learn to identify local birds and join us in a birding expedition in the
zoo and park. This program is for families with children of all ages -
but intended for older.
Parrots and Parakeets
What's the difference between a parrot and a parakeet? Meet each one in
person, and find out! This program is for families with children 6 years
old & up. Cost: $10 per child. One adult free per child; min. 1 adult
per 3 children required.
Backyard Habitat
Create a wildlife friendly backyard! We'll give you a head start to make
your backyard one that any animal would love to call home. This program
is for families with children 6 years old & up. Cost: $10 per child.
One adult free per child; min. 1 adult per 3 children required.
Rainforest Rangers
Learn all about rainforest animals with a special story, fun activities,
a live animal guest, and a trip to see the zoo's rainforest residents.
This program is for children ages 4&5 with an adult. Cost: $10 per
child; adults are free.
Animal Families
This class is for children ages 1 - 4 with an adult. Learn about animal
families through stories, songs, activities,
and a "hike" through the zoo!
Zoo Camp
Each summer, the zoo runs its weeklong Zoo Camp program for children 5
- 15 years old. Applications are available each January by calling 201-262-3771
x 110 or by clicking here (Jan-Feb
only.) The application deadline for Zoo Camp is March 1st; campers are
selected by lottery. Applications are automatically mailed to Members
of the Zoo. For Membership information, please call 201-262-3771 x 110.
.