Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fees listed are PER CHILD.

These programs are designed for you and your child to explore the animal world together. Programs are hands-on and may include crafts, live animals, songs, stories, role-playing, and more.

These programs do not include behind-the-scenes tours or opportunities to touch animals on exhibit while touring the Zoo.

NOTE: All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

Based on the age of your child, please select from the programs below.

  • Please note:  Additional programs may have sold out since our last website update.

 

  • Wild Wonders Series

    Explore the Saint Louis Zoo Preschool classroom, and get a taste of what it’s like to go to school at the Zoo! Early childhood educators will share stories, songs and activities on each month’s theme. There will also be plenty of time to discover the Build-a-Habitat center, Animal Care Corner and more.

    Limited to 12 participants per session
    Fee: Free for children ages 0-23 months
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19 for children ages 2-5 years

    Zany Zebras & Wild Asses 

    C1130Z1 - November 30 (F); 9 - 10 a.m.
    C1130Z2 - November 30 (F); 1 - 2 p.m.

    Antelope, Giraffes and Camels, Oh My!

    C0118A1 - January 18 (F); 9 - 10 a.m.
    C0118A2 - January 18 (F); 1 - 2 p.m.

    Terrific Turtles and Tortoises

    C0215T1 - February 15 (F); 9 - 10 a.m.
    C0215T2 - February 15 (F); 1 - 2 p.m.

    Our Slimy Friends, the Amphibians

    C0322S1 - March 22 (F); 9 - 10 a.m.
    C0322S2 - March 22 (F); 1 - 2 p.m.

  • Chirps, Tweets and Coos

    Enjoy amazing animal sounds and learn new songs and finger plays to enjoy with your little ones. 

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1111CT - November 11 (Su); 10 - 11 a.m. - SOLD OUT

    Wild Work Out

    Explore animal movement with your little one, and learn new songs and activities to take home. 

    Limited to 12 children
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0223WW - February 23 (Sa); 10 - 11 a.m.

  • Early Explorers

    Leap into the world of animal movements.  We will discover how animals fly, slither and swim, and learn about the world around them, not unlike our toddling tots.

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1208EE - December 8 (Sa); 10 - 11 a.m.

    Swimming Safari

    Come learn about the animals that call water their home. Dress to play in the water, and join us for songs and games as we dive into learning about awesome aquatic animals.

    Limited to 12 children
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0518SW - May 18 (Sa); 10 - 11 a.m.

  • Stroller Safari Series

    You and your child will experience a live animal encounter, enjoy classroom exploration time, and then visit an animal or two. Don’t forget your stroller, wrap or backpack! 

    NOTE: All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

    Playful Primates

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1106SS - November 6 (Tu); 9 - 10 a.m.

    Beautiful Birds

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1204SS - December 4 (Tu); 9 - 10 a.m.

    Colorful 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.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0213SS - February 13 (W); 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!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0313SS - March 13 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.

    Cool Coverings

    Shells, scales, feathers and fur, these are what animals wear to survive. We’ll use our senses to explore them all!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0410SS - April 10 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.

  • NOTE:  All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

    Trucks, Trains and Airplanes

    Ants march like a train and eagles soar like a rocket.  Join us as we learn how animals, and our train get around.

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1104TR - November 4 (Su); 10 - 11 a.m. - SOLD OUT

    Birdie Birdie

    Fly like a robin, soar like a hawk and strut like a turkey, as we learn about our feathered friends.

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0302BB - March 2 (Sa); 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 per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0414SF - April 14 (Su); 10 - 11 a.m.

    Bugapalooza

    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 per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0511BU - May 11 (Sa): 10 - 11 a.m.

  • Tiny Trekkers Series

    Come learn about awesome animal parts!  Each program includes live animals, story time and classroom explorations, along with a Zoo adventure on grounds. 

    NOTE:  All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

    The Eyes Have It

    Big or small?  On the front or the side?  Where are the animals’ eyes?  We’ll explore how animals see the world.

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $16/General Public $18

    C1128TT - November 28 (W); 9 - 10 a.m.

    I’m All Ears

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee:  Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0228TT - February 28 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.

    The Nose Knows

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee:  Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0328TT - March 28 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.

    Tale of a Tail

    Limited to 12 children per session
    Fee:  Zoo Members $17/General Public $19

    C0425TT – April 25 (Th); 9 - 10 a.m.

  • NOTE: All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

    Curled Up and Cozy

    Explore how our animal friends prepare for winter.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C1117CU - November 17 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Marsupial Madness

    Hop, climb and summersault into the world of our pouched pals.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0113MM - January 13 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Penguin and Puffin Pals

    Plunge into the icy world of these black and white birds. We’ll discover what they eat, how they hunt and many other amazing adaptations.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0224PP - February 24 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Bear Necessities

    Create your own bear book as we explore the wonderful world of bears through fun hands-on experiences.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0309BN - March 9 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    EGGcellent Adventures

    See who’s hatching and how in the animal world. From slimy salamanders to marvelous monotremes (i.e. platypus), we’ll explore amazing eggs. We’ll even make a few egg creations of our own to take home.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0420EA - April 20 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Peepers, Creepers and Leapers

    Meet a frog that eats with its eyeball s, and learn all about our favorite amphibian friends, plus we’ll make a toad abode to take home!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0428PC - April 28 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

  • NOTE:  All Early Childhood programs are designed for caregivers to interact with and help facilitate the learning of the registered program participant.  In order to best serve all of our Early Childhood participants, unregistered children may not participate in the programs.

    Winter Wonders

    Join us on an animal adventure around the world as we explore how animals adapt to ice and snow, while playing in it ourselves!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C1202WW - December 2 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m. - SOLD OUT

    Amazing Apes

    Gorillas and orangutans and chimps, oh my! Join us as we learn all about these awesome animals.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0126AA - January 26 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Royal Valentine Tea Party

    Dress as your favorite prince or princess for a tea party with king snakes and other animal royalty.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0209RV - February 9 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Sssnakes

    Slither into the world of these scaly serpents. We’ll learn how and what they eat, and why they are so important to have around!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0324SN - March 24 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Pollinator Painting

    Learn to paint a pleasing portrait of a magnificent monarch butterfly. Painting is done on a canvas that is ready to display.

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0407PO - April 7 (Su); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Monkeyin’ Around

    Explore the exciting world of primates like leaping lemurs, bizarre baboons and more!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0413MA - April 13 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.

    Super Sharks

    Dive in to the world of prehistoric predators, as we meet some of the Zoo’s residents-the bamboo and bonnet head sharks and learn the many mysteries of the deep!

    Limited to 14 children per session
    Fee: Zoo Members $18/General Public $20

    C0504SU - May 4 (Sa); 10 - 11:30 a.m.