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Scroll down for a complete listing of all Education Programs.
 
ZOO TROOP
Learning and growing is fun at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! These 4 week series encourages the development of important skills and values that will allow your child to interact with peers while fostering knowledge and respect for wildlife and wild places. Through age appropriate, skill and wonder-building hands-on activities, close encounters with animals, Zoo hikes, and child-led projects, children learn biological concepts and become curious to explore the world around them and find their own answers. Come to Zoo Troop, where children can let their imagination run wild!

New skills and experiences are learned in each 4-week Zoo Troop series. Newcomers are welcome to sign up for each new series.

Please note: The Zoo cannot prorate Zoo Troop fees and gift certificates will not be issued for missed classes. Participants who withdraw from Zoo Troop will receive a gift certificate which never expires and may be used for any Zoo camps or classes.
Toddlers: Sensational Senses
Regular Price: $80.00
Member Price: $65.00

For 18-36 Month Olds
Can you smell as well as an aardvark or hear as well as a bat eared fox? Animals have the best senses in the world! Come to this four week series where you and your child will explore the world like our Zoo animals do. We will use our senses to experience our world through discovery activities like dramatic play, Zoo hikes, live animal encounters, and crafts.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.

Toddlers: Hoot and Holler
Regular Price: $80.00
Member Price: $65.00
For 18-36 Month Olds
"Grr," says the tiger, "Quack," says the duck, "Hiss," says the... cockroach? Animals sure do have a lot to say! Come to the Zoo and learn to "talk" to the animals in their language! We'll tweet, growl and moo our way through this four week series as we learn to listen to and mimic the sounds around us.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.
 
Pre-K: Exploring Your World
Regular Price: $80.00
Member Price: $65.00
Every day, animals use their super-senses to help them find food, water, shelter and space. Throughout this Zoo Troop journey, we will meet Animal Ambassadors up-close, create crafts and explore the Zoo with our new friends. Join us in this 4-week series as we learn about senses and how we can use them to investigate our own world!

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.

Note: Classroom space is limited so we ask that no more than two family members (adult or child) attend per participant. 
 
Pre-K: Finding Friends
Regular Price: $80.00
Member Price: $65.00
Join us for this 4-week series as we investigate how animals communicate and live with one another! We will meet animals face to face in the classroom and out in the Zoo. Each week, we will communicate and share with our classmates, working together to find out just how animals communicate like you and me!

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.

Note: Classroom space is limited so we ask that no more than two family members (adult or child) attend per participant. 
 
Kindergarten: Say What?!
Regular Price: $85.00
Member Price: $70.00
What do colorful feathers, fancy foot work, squawking and poop all have in common?! Most animals may not be able to "talk" in the same way that we do, but they sure do know how to communicate with each other in diverse ways! During this four week series, we'll meet these unconventional "talkers" up-close and use our senses to figure out what kind of messages they are trying to share.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.
 
Kindergarten: Bio-Buddies
Regular Price: $85.00
Member Price: $70.00
Can a moth and a sloth be buddies? Can a tree and a bee be friends? Why not? Many animals have unusual friends. This four week series will focus on discovering how animals help each other out and how these friendships fit into the balance of nature.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks.
 
1st-2nd Grade: Extreme Senses
Regular Price: $85.00
Member Price: $70.00
What if you could see and hear a mouse squeaking from hundreds of feet away? Some of the world's coolest critters have the most incredible senses. This four week series will explore out of this world senses through discovery activities, Zoo hikes and live animal encounters.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for four weeks.
1st-2nd Grade: Secret Messages
Regular Price: $85.00
Member Price: $70.00
Shhhh! Some of the biggest animals make the quietest sounds. These careful creatures still work together to survive without making a peep! Join us as we investigate the plethora of other ways silent communicators send secret messages to each other.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for four weeks.
 
3rd-4th Grade: Eye Saw That!
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
Do you see eye-to-eye with wildlife? Maybe, maybe not! Animal eyes are adapted to perceive their world and tell them important information to help them survive. Not all visual cues are important to all species and not
all things look the same to all animals. In this series, we will learn about how different species use their uniquely adapted eyes and their sense of sight to see their world and how this sense helps them to meet their needs and survive in their world.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
 
3rd-4th Grade: A Tail's Tale
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
A rudder, a signal, a balancer, a breaking system - tails serve all sorts of interesting functions. In this four week series, we will look at the science and the structure of tails and who uses them for what, the clues a tail can tell about an animal's lifestyle, and the tools that we use to help make up for not having a tail ourselves.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
 
5th-6th Grade: Call Me, Maybe
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
Can you tell the difference between an alarm call and a friendly vocalization just by hearing it? How does an animal's color send a silent message? What does it really mean when your cat rubs its head on you? Scent, color, sound - animals use many methods to share information with their friends, foes, and neighbors. In this four week series, we will explore the important role that animal communication plays both within and between species. We will even learn how to look for and recognize the meaning of some common animal communications, and uncover the power of our own words and voices by sharing what we learn with our friends and family.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
5th-6th Grade: Habitat Heroes
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
What do an alligator, a panda, and a frog have in common? They all play uniquely important roles in their habitats and the lives of the species with which they share it. During this series, we will learn about what terms such as "indicator species," "keystone species" and "umbrella species" mean as well as which special animals in our world (and Zoo) fill these roles.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
7th-8th Grade: Animal Instincts
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
Finding food, shelter, and safety are essential for an animal's survival. What about things like play and vocalizations, though? How much of what animals do is learned, and how much is instinct? During this series, we will explore the roots and causes of some of the different behaviors that animals display every day as well as how these behaviors might differ between wild and captive animals.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
7th-8th Grade: Be Mine
Regular Price: $90.00
Member Price: $75.00
Love is in the air this month. From stinky pheromones to musical duets and gifts of food to elaborate dance routines, animals have interesting ways of finding and winning over a mate. During this series, we'll learn about the role that sounds, sights, and smells play in animals finding each other and some of the funny and strange things that animals do to win over a prospective partner. We will also learn a little about the role that conservation science sometimes needs to play in the whole process, both in the wild and right here at our Zoo.

Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for four weeks.
 
SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Backstage Pass: K-8th Graders
Regular Price: $55.00
Member Price: $40.00
Keep an eye out for a chance to glance behind the scenes this winter. You’ll learn everything you’d want to know about our animals and their habitats from the people who know them best! From prepping diets to studying behavior, look through the eyes of a Zoo Keeper to learn about what it takes to care for a variety of Zoo residents. 

Dates: December 17 or 21: 10:45-11:45 pm

Tour Topics: 
K-2nd  - World Of The Insect
3rd-5th - Reptile House
6th-8th - Night Hunters

Meet your instructor at the Harold C. Schott Education Center. Please be sure to meet your instructor by 10:45, so we can meet our keepers at 11. The tour will be approxiamtely 45 minutes.  All participants must wear closed shoes.
 
WINTER CAMPS
Cold Weather Critters 4yr-Kindergarten SERIES
Regular Price: $141.00
Member Price: $126.00
For 4 year olds - Kindergarten Series
Br-rr-rrrr, get out the gloves, jackets and hats: winter is coming! Good thing many animals have built-in cold weather gear! Join us for this adventure as we meet cold weather animals face-to-face, hike to animal exhibits, and discover the local wildlife that can tough out the harsh cold, just like we can!
Session 4yr-K Series: Fri, Dec 27, 2019 - Tue, Dec 31, 2019 9:00AM - 4:00AM AVAILABLE
Cold Weather Critters 4yr-Kindergarten Single Day
Regular Price: $47.00
Member Price: $42.00
For 4 year olds - Kindergarten
Br-rr-rrrr, get out the gloves, jackets and hats: winter is coming! Good thing many animals have built-in cold weather gear! Join us for this adventure as we meet cold weather animals face-to-face, hike to animal exhibits, and discover the local wildlife that can tough out the harsh cold, just like we can!

Sign up for the full series and save! Or register for individual classes here. To add a second day of camp, click the Back To Shopping button.
Cold Weather Critters 1st-2nd Graders SERIES
Regular Price: $141.00
Member Price: $126.00
For 1st-2nd Grade Students Series
Br-rr-rrrr, get out the gloves, jackets and hats: winter is coming! Good thing many animals have built-in cold weather gear! Join us for this adventure as we meet cold weather animals face-to-face, hike to animal exhibits, and discover the local wildlife that can tough out the harsh cold, just like we can!

 
Session 1st-2nd Series: Fri, Dec 27, 2019 - Tue, Dec 31, 2019 9:00AM - 5:00PM AVAILABLE
Cold Weather Critters 1st-2nd Graders Single Day
Regular Price: $47.00
Member Price: $42.00
For 1st-2nd Grade Students
Br-rr-rrrr, get out the gloves, jackets and hats: winter is coming! Good thing many animals have built-in cold weather gear! Join us for this adventure as we meet cold weather animals face-to-face, hike to animal exhibits, and discover the local wildlife that can tough out the harsh cold, just like we can!

Sign up for the full series and save! Or register for individual classes here. To add a second day of camp, click the Back To Shopping button.
Winter Warriors 3rd-4th Graders SERIES
Regular Price: $141.00
Member Price: $126.00
For 3rd - 4th Graders Series
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.
Session 3rd-4th Series: Fri, Dec 27, 2019 - Tue, Dec 31, 2019 9:00AM - 4:00PM AVAILABLE
Winter Warriors 3rd-4th Graders Single Day
Regular Price: $47.00
Member Price: $42.00
For 3rd - 4th Graders
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. Whether they stay or go, these animals' bodies are adapted to survive the long chill, sleep, or journey that comes with this time of year. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.

Sign up for the full series and save! Or register for individual classes here. To add a second day of camp, click the Back To Shopping button.
Winter Warriors 5th-6th Graders SERIES
Regular Price: $141.00
Member Price: $126.00
For 5th-6th Graders Series
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. Whether they stay or go, these animals' bodies are adapted to survive the long chill, sleep, or journey that comes with this time of year. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.
Session 5th-6th Series: Fri, Dec 27, 2019 - Tue, Dec 31, 2019 9:00AM - 4:00PM AVAILABLE
Winter Warriors 5th-6th Graders Single Day
Regular Price: $47.00
Member Price: $42.00
For 5th-6th Graders
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. Whether they stay or go, these animals' bodies are adapted to survive the long chill, sleep, or journey that comes with this time of year. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.

Sign up for the full series and save! Or register for individual classes here. To add a second day of camp, click the Back To Shopping button.
Winter Warriors 7th-8th Graders SERIES
Regular Price: $141.00
Member Price: $126.00
For 7th-8th Graders Series
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. Whether they stay or go, these animals' bodies are adapted to survive the long chill, sleep, or journey that comes with this time of year. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.
Session 7th-8th Series: Fri, Dec 27, 2019 - Tue, Dec 31, 2019 9:00AM - 4:00PM AVAILABLE
Winter Warriors 7th-8th Graders Single Day
Regular Price: $47.00
Member Price: $42.00
For 7th-8th Graders
Some animals are equipped to tough out the cold and snow while others migrate or hibernate to avoid the winter weather altogether. Whether they stay or go, these animals' bodies are adapted to survive the long chill, sleep, or journey that comes with this time of year. During this fun, hands-on program, we will investigate our own cold-weather adaptations with Zoo hikes, compare our adaptations to those of other animals with animal visits, and use games and other activities to have fun exploring and playing together.

Sign up for the full series and save! Or register for individual classes here. To add a second day of camp, click the Back To Shopping button.
After Care
Price: $11.00
After Care is available every day from 4:00-5:30pm. To select multiple days, select your first date here, and you can add a second or third day on the next page.

Cost: $11 per day
 
HOLIDAY DAY CAMP
Join us on either Martin Luther King Day OR Presidents Day for this single-day camp! Sign up 4 year olds through 6th graders for this wild holiday camp.

Please note: Refunds will be given only if the Zoo is given at least two weeks notice. Otherwise, participants will receive a class credit which never expires and may be used for any Zoo camps or classes.
Zoo Play Date
Regular Price: $65.00
Member Price: $50.00
For 4 year olds - 6th Grade
Is play an important part of your day? It is to animals here at the Zoo! In this one-day camp, we will explore how both human and non-human animals use play to stay healthy and learn how to get along with others. With interactive activities and observations of animals both in the Zoo and in the classroom, we will learn how play is useful in keeping our animals happy and healthy. We will even create some special enrichment toys for some special Zoo residents to enjoy.
 
SPRING BREAK CAMP
These full-day camps include a camp t-shirt, snacks (campers pack lunch) live animal encounters, games, hikes, and so much more! Sign your child up for the wildest spring break ever!

Please note: The Zoo cannot prorate camp fees. Refunds will be given only if the Zoo is given at least two weeks notice. Otherwise, participants will receive a class credit which never expires and may be used for any Zoo camps or classes.
4 Years Old & Kindergarten: Beauty and the Beast
Regular Price: $245.00
Member Price: $230.00
Some animals are more than meet the eye. From beautiful butterflies and peacocks to beastly bearded dragons and bats, we'll see why looks can be deceiving and learn why there are just as many reasons (if not more) to love the beasts as well as the beauties. By the end of the week, we will learn that there is beauty in every beast.
1st & 2nd Grade: Blend, Bolt or Bite
Regular Price: $245.00
Member Price: $230.00
Animals can behave in different ways when faced with danger! They can blend in, bolt out of sight or turn and bite! Discover the tricky ways animals keep safe in this week long camp that features up-close animal encounters and opportunities for excitement around every corner!
3rd & 4th Grade: Animagination
Regular Price: $245.00
Member Price: $230.00
From Fantastic Beasts and Pokemon Go to Angry Birds and Pete's Dragon, there sure are a log of magical, mythical creatures in movies and media! Come to this camp and we'll learn about some of the real-life inspirations for these fantastical beasts, uncover some amazing adaptations of actual wildlife, and then use what we learn plus our imaginations to "discover" and present a new species of our own creation.
5th-6th Gr: Dr. Zoolittle's Animal Training Camp
Regular Price: $245.00
Member Price: $230.00
Discover how to "talk" to animals! Campers will be training more NEW behaviors with a variety of Zoo animals including goats, chickens, and other animals. Learn about animal behavior and motivation while applying training techniques taught by Zoo professionals. By the end of camp, animals will be eating out of your hands - literally!
7th-8th Gr: Mini-Maynard Training Camp
Regular Price: $255.00
Member Price: $240.00
Join us for a week long adventure and discover what it takes to become a future Zoo director! Our Zoo director, Thane Maynard, is known as a wildlife expert, a naturalist, author, and a regular on TV shows promoting wildlife conservation. Campers will experience the many different jobs Thane has done on on the way to becoming our Zoo director. Campers will learn about animal handling, go behind the scenes with Zoo animals, and create a "90 Second Naturalist" video of their own on their way to becoming the next Zoo director. So, watch out Thane!
After Care
Price: $55.00
After Care is offered every day after camp from 4 - 5:30 pm.
 
FAMILY PROGRAMS
These family-oriented programs explore wildlife through animal demonstrations and hikes though the Zoo as well as crafts or games in a manner that is sure to be fun for all ages. Please note that at least one adult must be registered with each family group. Children under 2 years old are free.

Please note: Refunds will be given only if the Zoo cancels a class.
The Zoo Gourmet
Regular Price: $13.00
Member Price: $9.00
Food is a huge part of celebrating holidays! At the Zoo, our animals feast year-round on carefully planned diets. Join us for a holiday food frenzy and learn how we feed thousands of animals every day. Through a game, a visit from an Education animal ambassador, and a behind the scenes tour of the Zoo's commissary, we'll learn about why different animals eat different foods, how the Zoo manages its many menus.
One adult must register with and accompany each family group.
Maple Tapping and Tasting
Regular Price: $30.00
Member Price: $25.00
Come join us at the Zoo’s Bowyer Farm for a fun afternoon full of history, hands-on activities, and storytelling all about maple tapping! This program offers a sweet peek into the history of this age-old tradition and offers an opportunity to participate in the maple tapping process. At the end, participants will be able to taste the pre-cursor to maple syrup, fresh from the tree, as well as some of the finished product! This program is sure to be fun for the whole family.

NOTE: This program takes place at our Boywer Farm in Lebanon, located at 2210 Mason Montgomery Road.
Session Maple Tapping & Tasting: Sunday, February 23, 2020 1:00PM - 3:00PM AVAILABLE
 
FAMILY OVERNIGHTS
These special evenings are designed for adults and children age 5 and up. Please note that at least one adult must be registered with each family group.

Please note: Refunds will be given only if the Zoo cancels a class.
Family Sleep with the Manatees
Regular Price: $55.00
Member Price: $50.00
Did you know that the Cincinnati Zoo is one of only two institutions outside of Florida that rescue and rehabilitate manatees? Come experience a once-in-a-lifetime sleepover with these gentle giants! During the overnight you will enjoy two sneak peeks behind the scenes, hike the Zoo at night, experience animal encounters and fall asleep with our resident manatees swimming at your feet.

This overnight is for children in 5 years and older. At least one parent per family group is required to attend. Please note: program fee is per person.
 
GIVE THE ZOO EXPERIENCE TO KIDS IN NEED
Support Low Income Students Visiting The Zoo
 
Other Amount: $
Donate today and support low income students visiting the zoo.

The Living Classroom Education Access Fund began in 2012. Since that time the fund has brought 60,000 low-income children and their teachers to the Zoo for a free, fun, standards-aligned daytime or overnight field trip.You can give EVERY child the opportunity to be inspired by wildlife everyday and enjoy the essential Cincinnatian experince of visiting this top zoo.

An entire grade of young people can visit the zoo for $1000.00
Provide a zoo experience to a bus full of students for $500.00
Send an entire classroom to the Zoo for $250.00
Any donation amount could help! Please donate today.

Learn more about the Living Classroom Education Fund here- http://cincinnatizoo.org/lceaf/
 
EDUCATION GIFT CERTIFICATES
Zoo Education Programs make a perfect gift. You can even redeem your Education Gift Certificate online! When making a purchase online with an Education Gift Certificate select the Gift Certificate option in the payment screen and enter the barcode number.
$10.00 Education Gift Certificate
Price: $10.00
Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
$50.00 Education Gift Certificate
Price: $50.00
Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
$100.00 Education Gift Certificate
Price: $100.00
Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
$225.00 Education Gift Certificate
Price: $225.00
Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
 
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