For 18-36 months olds
Can you see the brilliant colors of nature? Join us in this four-week series as we take a closer look at the Zoo’s colorful creatures. We will meet animals up close and learn to identify the beautiful colors of their scales, fur and feathers!

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

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 18-36 months olds
Does your child like to jump, hop, crawl, or climb? Learn how animals are movers and shakers just like them! This is our time to discover how animals get from place to place, using their bodies to maneuver about their homes. Join us to learn about animal locomotion while we move around the Zoo, meet animals, and act like animals with our friends.

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

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 3, 4 and 5 years old not in kindergarten
What would you do to get your hands on your favorite food?! Let’s discover what it takes for an animal to find their next delicious meal. Join us on a journey around the Zoo while we find animals that are really good at finding food! Animals find food by using their hands, ears, eyes, nose and mouth, just like we do!

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

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

For 3, 4 and 5 years old not in kindergarten
Have you ever watched a caterpillar inch across a leaf? Or a rabbit hop through the grass? From crawling like a caterpillar to hopping like a bunny, we will mimic the movement our animal friends make and learn about what makes them special. Join us in this four-week series as we discover how animals can fly, jump, hop, swing, and dive!

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

Note: Plan for one adult to stay with your child during these classes.

Do you think you have ever been as hungry as a hippo? Do you have a favorite food? So do some of the Zoo animals! During this four-week series, we’ll take hikes in the Zoo, meet some special animal friends, and play games that will help us learn about the crazy variety of animal diets and what is on the menu for our Zoo animals.

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

Note: Children attend this series independently.

Do you scurry like a squirrel or swing like a siamang? Do you run like a rhino or paddle like a penguin? During this four-week series, we’ll play games, hike through the Zoo, and meet some new animal friends as we discover (and try out) all of the amazing ways the animals move through their world.

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

Note: Children attend this series independently.

Every living thing needs energy to survive. Animals get energy from the food they eat! Some animals eat plants, while some eat other animals! Join us on our journey to  study the food chain and figure out what some of our Zoo animals like to eat. 

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks  

Creep with eight legs, crawl with six legs, sprint with four legs or walk with just two. Join us on this journey as we investigate how animals move! In each class, we will explore animal movers around the Zoo, challenge ourselves with activities and experience up close animal encounters.

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks  

From teeth to talons, animals have a lot of adaptations that help them to find and eat their food. Join us for this four-week series as we investigate what animals eat and how they find their food with zoo hikes and animal visitors.

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks

From gibbon brachiation to penguin paddling, animals are adapted to move through all kinds of places in all sorts of ways! During this four-week series, we will take an up-close look at animal locomotion and learn about the adaptations that allow animals to move in different ways. We will also test some of our locomotion skills and see how we measure up when compared to some wild moves around the Zoo.

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks

When it comes to finding food, the rules of the wild are eat or be eaten. Learn about the adaptations animals have to find and eat their food, their role in the food chain, and how our eating habits compare to theirs. We will also learn about how our Zoo nutritionist makes sure that our Zoo animals eat a diet that mimics that of their wild counterparts. Of course, animal visitors, Zoo hikes, and other activities will play a big role in this 4-week series as we learn and explore what it means to eat like an animal.

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks  

Whether you hunt with talons or teeth, stealth or speed, you have to be fierce to be at the top of the food chain. During this four-week class, we will explore meat-eaters of the mountains, carnivores of the canopy, savanna stalkers, and more to learn how predators in different habitats are specially adapted to find and/or catch their food in the place they call home.

Dates: Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks  

In the wild, it is all about survival whether you are the hunter or the hunted. During this four week series, we will learn about the adaptations that animals and plants utilize to survive and thrive in a wild and unpredictable world. Plus, we’ll discover the awesome roles they play in their ecosystems.

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

We all know humans love to see who’s the fastest, the strongest, or can jump the highest. But what if we told you that nature has its own set of Olympians? In this series, we’re diving into the animal kingdom to find out how these incredible creatures use their amazing athletic skills to survive and thrive.Think you can outrun a cheetah or outjump a kangaroo? We’ll put our own skills to the test and see how we stack up against nature’s finest.
In the final week, we’ll invite some special guests and put them to the test to see who deserves the gold medal!

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

Join us at Bowyer Farm in Mason for a pawpaw-packed adventure! We'll hike, taste, and dive into the rich history and folklore of America’s biggest native fruit—the pawpaw! This Ohio state fruit is truly unique and often described as a delightful blend of banana, mango, and melon, with a hint of citrus. The pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to North America and has a rich cultural and historical significance. We’ll explore our pawpaw patches, indulge in some homemade pawpaw ice cream, and enjoy a morning filled with fun activities and captivating stories. And don’t miss out on preparing your own pawpaw seeds for winter, so you can start growing your very own pawpaw tree next spring. Bring the family for a morning of discovery and deliciousness!

Perfect for families with children of all ages, or the pawpaw enthusiast. One adult must register per group. Children under 3 years are free. Price is per person.

This program takes place at our Bowyer Farm in Lebanon, located at 2210 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040.

Note: These are outdoor programs- dress for the weather and with comfortable walking shoes to walk approximately 1-2 miles on uneven terrain. Participants may wish to bring a filled reusable water bottle.

Zoo lovers of all ages can join us each season for a special night hike around the Zoo.

June-August: Hot Weathered Wildlife Different animals (including humans) have different strategies for staying cool in the summer. Pigs wallow, goats  get rid of heat through their ears and horns, snakes and lizards seek the shade, and African penguins swim to keep cool! Join us as we learn about which animals enjoy the heat, and how they find ways to cool down. We will hike to see our warm-weather-loving animals and meet some of our hottest animal ambassadors up-close!

September-October: Creepy Crawly Critters Fall is the season for all things spooky, but we’re here to show you that some of nature’s most “terrifying” creatures are actually pretty cool! Come join us for a fun-filled day at the Cincinnati Zoo where you’ll participate in exciting educational activities, enjoy a short hike with one of our awesome instructors, and get up close and personal with our friendly animal ambassadors. You’ll discover that the creepy crawlies living here aren’t so scary after all—they're downright fascinating! Bring the whole family for an adventure full of learning and laughter!

Note: All attendees 3 years + must register. One adult required per group. Children under 3 years are free.

How well do YOU know your Cincinnati Zoo? The honor of "second oldest Zoo in the nation" comes with a lot of history and some pretty epic tales. Step back in time with Zoo animal care and trainer veteran of 50 years, Gary Denzler, as he leads you on a fun and factual story-based historical tour of the Cincinnati Zoo, sharing tales of the people and animals that have made this zoo what it is today.

This program is geared towards participants 16 years and older.

An overnight for all ages, individuals or small groups! During this overnight, we will discover the adaptations animals have to survive in their unique habitats. Why do wolves hunt in packs? Why are penguins black and white? Why do snakes stick out their tongue? We will answer these and so much more! Throughout the night, we’ll explore a few places in the Zoo, participate in fun, educational activities, get a behind the scenes sneak peek, and meet some of our animal ambassadors up-close and personal! Then, after the fun, curl up in our private education classrooms overlooking our rainforest. 

 

IMPORTANT: All program attendees must be 5 years and older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. 

Each room can sleep up to 10 people. You will select your number of participants on the second page. If you have more than 10 people in your group, add a second room by clicking Back to Shopping.

 

A truly one-of-a-kind experience, these overnights make a great date night, friend group outing, or (adult) family adventure!

An interactive social hour will start the night with two drink tickets, light bites, strange zoo games, and a visit from a unique animal. Then, we will break out into small tour groups led by Zoo Educators to traverse through Africa. On our Zoo safari, we will go behind the scenes of Hippo Cove and uncover the secrets of our world-famous bloat. We'll finish up our night at our Twiga Tents, gathered around a roaring campfire roasting s'mores. After the evening excitement, you'll cozy up on your bunked cot in our shared tents.

The next morning, you'll wake up to breakfast overlooking Giraffe Ridge, and it doesn't end there! One last special animal guest will join us in the morning to say goodbye.

Full Day Camp
Do you think you can catch these critters? Discover what it means to be a predator or prey animal and how they use their adaptations to try to outwit, outrun, and hide from each other! Come and explore their wild worlds and help uncover their sneaky, stealthy secrets through interactive games, hikes through the zoo, and close encounters with Animal Ambassadors.

This full-day camp is for 4 year olds and children entering kindergarten in the fall.

Half Day Camp
Can you talk like an elephant or taste with your feet like a butterfly? Explore what sensory adaptations animals have and how these adaptations help them survive. We'll spend the week looking at our five senses and seeing how they compare to other animals' through close encounters with animal friends, interactive games, crafts, and hikes in the Zoo.

This half-day camp is for 4 year olds and children entering kindergarten in the fall.

Half Day Camp
Do other animals live in families like humans? Are all babies raised by their moms? During this camp, we'll experience up-close animal encounters, make crafts, and, of course, hike around the Zoo to learn about why it can take a mom, dad, pack, or no one at all to raise a baby animal.

This half-day camp is for 4 year olds and children entering kindergarten in the fall.

Full Day Camp
A bird that can fly at speeds of 200mph? A cat that can leap 12 feet into the air? Animals can be out of this world when it comes to their super adaptations. Come to summer camp and discover these animals and their incredible super-powers. Each day, we will look at a superhero with amazing superpowers, and then see if our Zoo animals can measure up to their spectacular abilities. The camp will include Zoo hikes, games, and up-close live animal encounters.

This full day camp is for children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

Half Day Camp
What do polliwogs, cubs, and owlets have in common? They're all babies! Spend a week learning how animals change and grow from the time they're born until they reach adulthood. Each day is packed with activities to help discover how insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals grow.

This half day camp is for children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

Half Day Camp
Have you ever wondered what a lion was roaring about or a bird chirping about? This camp will explore animals and how they "talk" to each other. Join us for a fun-filled week, where campers will discover what animals are communicating, through smell, facial expressions and sound.

This half day camp is for children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall.

Full Day Camp
Campers will get a chance to become Naturalists as they choose their destiny through different expeditions. These expeditions will traverse through the world's different biomes. As they complete each expedition they will become equipped with the knowledge and the tools it takes to become a real naturalist.

This full-day camp is for children entering 3rd or 4th grade in the fall.

Full Day Camp
What do boomer balls, spices, braided butcher paper, and fish-sicles all have in common? They are different forms of animal enrichment! Enrichment provides stimulation to our Zoo animals keeping their minds and bodies healthy. In this camp, we will learn about the different forms of animal enrichment, who and what they are good for, and the role of the Zoo's enrichment committee in all of this through animal encounters, keeper interactions, games, and other activities. We will even get a chance to participate in the creation of some animal enrichment items and brainstorm some new enrichment ideas.

This full-day camp is for children entering 5th or 6th grade in the fall.

Full Day Camp
Animal keepers, field researchers, forensic zoologists, animal trainers…the list goes on and on when it comes to jobs that work with wildlife. Throughout the week we will have hands on animal encounters, meet a variety of speakers who have careers working with wildlife, and go on instructor led hikes to explore the habitats around the Zoo. This is a hands-on class, so be prepared to get knee or elbow-deep in exploration of some of the jobs and tools of the trade that come with a wildlife-related career! Participants will even get the opportunity to write and record an animal-related 90-second naturalist video that might be selected to be on the Zoo’s website!

This full-day camp is for children entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall.

Get your vintage camp tshirt! Summer Camp 2019 (pollinators), Spring Break 2020 (wildebeest), Summer Camp 2021 (kangaroo) all available now. Youth and Adult sizes for the whole family!

All t-shirts are for pickup only, at the Harold C Schott Education Building at 56 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45249 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, or Saturday 9am-12pm. Call 513-559-7730 when you arrive. All orders will be held for 4 business days, and then returned to inventory if not picked up. 

Gildan Brand 100% Cotton. See size chart.

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Gift Certificates expire 5 years from purchase.

$300 is perfect for Summer Camp 2023 - 7th-8th grade or Bowyer Farm camp at the non-member price.

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$290 works for Summer Camp 2023 - Full Day for 4yr-6th grade at Non-Member Price

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$285 works for Summer Camp 2023 - Full Day for Bowyer Farm or 7th-8th grade at Member Price

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$275 works for Summer Camp 2023 - Full Day for 4yr-6th grade at Member Price

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$200 works great for Adult Overnight Programs

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$175 works for Summer Camp 2023 - Half Day at Non-Member Price

​Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.
Expires 5 years from order date

$160 works for Summer Camp 2023 - Half Day at Member Price

Perfect amount for a Zoo Troop series.

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.

Great for a Family Day Programs or Family Sunset Safari ticket.

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.

For the best elves in your life. 

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs. 

Put a little Zoo in their stocking!

Gift Certificates only redeemable for Zoo Education Programs.