During these programs, children learn through play with their favorite play partner: you! Artists, nature educators, and early childhood specialists planned these programs from the same principles used to design Hamill Family Play Zoo, which connects children and their families to wildlife and nature.
An additional reminder about the family classes-only those registered for the class may attend. It is not possible to have additional children (this includes infants) and/or adults attend with you and your child. There is no adult seating so we are not able to accommodate visitors during the time the class meets in the class space. Once the park has opened for the day, at the scheduled opening time, other members of your party are welcome after paying admission fees, to visit in the park during this time and then join the class when we go out into the zoo to visit an exhibit. If you are not able to come with your child for a session, any other adult may attend with the child.
Members, please note the following:
- Only those listed on your membership qualify for the member price.
- In order to receive the member price, all memberships must be current at the time of registration. We will not be able to issue refunds for the member price once you have registered for a program.
Spring 2012 Lets Get Small
Children 3-5 years with Adult
Get up close and down low as we explore the world from the perspective of some our smallest creatures. We'll create and discover habits as we think small. Join us in exploratory play, creative art activities, a special snack and finish with a trip out to the park.
Dates June 2 or June 3rd
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Location: Education Trailer
Parking: South Gate lot
Spring 2012 Life at the Pond
Children 5-8 years with Adult
Frogs aren't the only things hoppin' around at the pond. Come join Zoo Keepers and Play Partners for an evening of finding everything from bugs to frogs to deer when we head out to a hidden pond at the Zoo. This class will focus on frogs, but we'll learn about all the other wildlife that need this pond.
Please dress appropriately, as participants will get dirty in out effort to catch frogs and other animals. Boots and nets can be provided if needed.
Dates June 8 or June 22
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: South Gate Arches
Parking: South Gate lot
Spring 2012 Wake Up the Animals
Children 4-6 yrs with an adult
or ages 7-10 yrs with an adult
Knowing that kids of all ages enjoy getting to help take care of our animals we have expanded the age range to include more of our under-six-years-old crowd and their adults.
Rise and shine to join us for a keeper-led tour of the Children's Zoo and then head to the barn, where you will help the Keepers with morning chores like feeding the cows, delivering hay to the goats or brushing the animals.
Dates: Ages 4-6 yrs & adult 4/14 or 4/15
Ages 7-10 yrs & adult 5/19 or 5/20
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Location: South Gate Arches/ Children's Zoo
Parking: South Gate lot
Registration for this program has closed. Take a look at our other programs and check back next quarter for new program offerings.
Summer Seedlings
Children 1-3 years
** Child must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian who pays no additional fee**
Enjoy this "nature play group that helps make friends with nature through play experiences, songs and meeting a weekly animal visitor.
Session 1: June 5- June 30
Session 2: July 10- August 4
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays
Location: Hamill Family Play Zoo
Parking: South lot
Wake Up the Animals
Ages 4-6 years or 7-10 years
*Child must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian who pays no additional fee*
Dates: 6/16 Ages 4-6 years
6/17 Ages 7-10 years
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Location: South Arches/Children's Zoo
Parking: South lot
Ants Go Marching
Ages 3-5 years
** Child must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian who pays no additional fee**
Do ants really march? Find out the answer to this and discover which insects chirp, hop, crawl and roll as we play, create art activities, enjoy a special snack and finish with a trip out to our special summer exhibit.
Dates: 6/23 or 6/24
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Location: Education Trailer
Parking: South lot
Dolphin Discoveries
3-5 years
* Child must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian who pays no additional fees*
Pull on scuba tanks and masks and become a dolphin researcher when we transform our classroom into a research station! Children will learn about dolphins in the wild and our dolphins here at Brookfield Zoo. We'll finish up by attending a real dolphin show.
Dates: July 21 or July 22
Time: 10:00-11:50 am
Location: Education Trailer
Parking: South lot