Spring Programs for Young Children
(Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fees are listed PER CHILD).
These programs are designed for you and your child to explore the animal world together. Programs include active learning through crafts, songs, stories, role playing, interactions with live animals and more.
NOTE: Due to the need for one-on-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
For Children Ages 18 - 36 Months
STROLLER SAFARI SERIES
You and your child will experience a live animal encounter and then take a guided stroll throughout the Zoo. Come on a learning adventure as we visit our wonderful animal exhibits and meet a few interesting characters along the way. Don't forget your stroller!
NOTE: Due to the need for one-to-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
Limited to 12 children per session
Fee: Zoo Members $14/General Public $16
Colored Critters
We could fill a rainbow with all the different colored animals here at the Zoo. Let's go on a scavenger hunt to find all the colors on our critters. We'll use our eyes to explore the colors these animals use to hide or stand out.C0314SS - March 14 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.
C0315SS - March 15 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.Zooper Shapes
Animals come in all different shapes, from the box shaped rhino to the very round hippo. Take a safari through the Zoo looking for animal shapes, from circles, to squares and even triangles.C0321SS - March 21 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.
C0322SS - March 22 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.Animal Opposites
Animals come in all different shapes and sizes, from the tiny cricket to the enormous elephant. Take a safari through the Zoo looking for animal opposites. Up and down, left and right, hard and soft, we'll discover all the differences the wild has to offer.C0328SS - March 28 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.
C0329SS - March 29 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.Critter Count 1 - 10
1 and 2, cows go moo. 3 and 4, hyena laugh some more. 5 and 6, monkeys play with sticks. 7 and 8, bats stay out late. 9 and 10, start over again. Come to the Zoo and help us count some of our critters!C0404SS - April 4 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.
C0405SS - April 5 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.
For Children Ages 2 - 3
NOTE: Due to the need for one-on-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
Animal Family Fun
Join in on the fun as we experience firsthand how super seahorse dads & unusual alligator moms help their young.
Limited to 12 children
Fee: Zoo Members $14/General Public $16
C0304AF - March 4 (Su); 10 - 11 a.m.
Spring Fling
Kick off the first day of spring discovering how animals celebrate the season through songs, stories and animal actions!
Limited to 12 children
Fee: Zoo Members $14/General Public $16
C0414SF - April 14 (Sa); 10 - 11 a.m.
Bug-A-Palooza
Explore the teeny tiny world of butterflies, beetles and more. Take home native plant seeds to attract them to your own yard too.
Limited to 12 children
Fee: Zoo Members $14/General Public $16
C0512BP - May 12 (Sa); 10 - 11 a.m.
For Children Ages 3 - 4
NOTE: Due to the need for one-on-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
Monkey'in Around
Explore the exciting world of primates like leaping lemurs, bizarre baboons and more!
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $16/ General Public $18
C0218MA - February 18 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Go Explorers Go!
Dive into the amazing world of South American animals, just like your favorite animal adventurer. Meet chinchillas, armadillos and more, up close and personal while learning how you can help animals too.
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18
C0226GO - February 26 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.
EGGcelent Adventures
See who's hatching and how in the animal world. We'll explore amazing eggs, from the slimy salamanders to the marvelous monotremes, like the platypus. We'll even make a few egg creations of our own to take home.
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18
C0407EG - April 7 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.
For Children Ages 3 - 5
TOTES FOR TOTS: Magnificent Marvelous Movers!
Do you like to run, hop, climb, and crawl? Have you ever wished you could fly? Come and learn all about the different ways animals move and test out some animal movements for yourself! Each program includes a classroom portion with educational "circle time," a book-reading, and an animal guest. Then, we'll put on our totebags, filled with fun items to explore, and go on an adventure on Zoo grounds. At the end of class, when you turn in your tote bag, you'll receive a hand stamp and a certificate!
NOTE: Due to the need for one-on-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
Limited to 14 children per session
Fee: Zoo Members $16/General $18
River's Edge Movers
Rhinos, Hippos, and Cheetahs, OH MY! In this class, we will learn how animals run and swim to get around. We will test some of our skills and see how they compare to our mammalian friends. We will finish up by packing our totes and taking a trip to River's Edge!C0326RE - March 26 (M); 9-10 a.m.
C0327RE - March 27 (Tu); 9-10 a.m.
C0411RE - April 11 (W); 9-10 a.m.
C0412RE - April 12 (Th); 9-10 a.m.Primate Movers
We'll be swinging through the trees (at least the lemurs, monkeys and apes will!) as we learn about animals that climb and swing. Do animals that live in trees ever walk on the ground? Do they use anything other than their hands and feet to help them climb? We'll explore these questions and more along with a trip with our totes to our Primate House and Jungle of the Apes!C0409PR - April 9 (M); 9-10 a.m
C0410PR - April 10 (Tu); 9-10 a.m.
C0418PR - April 18 (W); 9-10 a.m.
C0419PR - April 19 (Th); 9-10 a.m.Bird and Herp Movers
It's time to soar and slither like birds and reptiles! Why it is so easy for birds to take flight and snakes to slide on their bellies? We will take our totes to our Bird House for some bird watching and to the Herpetarium to witness some slithering silliness!C0423BH - April 23 (M); 9-10 a.m.
C0424BH - April 24 (Tu); 9-10 a.m.
C0502BH - May 2 (W); 9-10 a.m.
C0503BH - May 3 (Th); 9-10 a.m.
For Children Ages 4 - 6
NOTE: Due to the need for one-on-one interaction between parent(s) and young participants throughout this program, other siblings outside of this age range cannot be accommodated.
Wild Valentines
Do you LOVE animals? Join your fellow animal lovers to create special greetings and treats for Zoo animals and their wild backyard cousins. Then watch as keepers deliver the valentines to your Zoo animal friends.
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $20/General Public $22
C0212WV - February 12 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Pond Pals
Dive into the wild world of pond life, from cannibalistic tadpoles to delicate dragonflies and everything in between. Make your own pond viewer to take home.
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $20/General Public $22
C0310PP - March 10 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Big Cat Bonanza
Discover the wild world of whiskers, tails and teeth as we learn all about the big cats. This class will be led by our Early Childhood Programs Coordinator and the Zoo ALIVE Teen volunteers.
Limited to 14 children
Fee: Zoo Members $20/General Public $22
C0325BC - March 25 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.