Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®

Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.

education program
zoo troop
zoo troop kids with penguin
zoo troop
zoo troop
zoo troop
zoo troop
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zoo troop
zoo troop

These 4 week long, age-appropriate classes for toddlers through 8th graders are designed to develop curiosity, create empathy, encourage healthy social skills, and grow self esteem. Participants will be immersed in fun, educational, wildlife rich experiences designed to develop knowledge and life skills. Toddler and PreK participants are joined with their caregiver for all the action!  To encourage independence, Kindergartners and older are dropped off before and picked up after each adventure!  Join the club and hang with the Troop!

Zoo Troop

zootrooptoddlersFor Toddlers (18-36 months old)

Cost: Members: $65 / Non-Members: $80 (An adult must accompany child. No charge for accompanying adult.)

Register Here!
Hoot and Holler

"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.

Steps
1. Discover how animals use their senses.
2. Explore out world using all our senses.
3. Make new friends and learn to share classroom props and space during class.

Purpose
When I have finished this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have discovered my voice and how animals have a voice of their own.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Tuesdays: February 18, 25, March 3, 10 at 9:30-10:15am or 11-11:45am
Wednesdays: February 19, 26 March 4, 11 at 9:30-10:15am or 11-11:45am
Fridays: February 21, 28 March 6, 13 at 9:30-10:15am or 11-11:45am
Saturdays: February 22, 29 March 7, 14 at 9:00-9:45am, 9:30-10:15am or 11-11:45am
All Animal Great and Small

Our world has animals, big and small, that call it home. From a tiny tadpole to a giant giraffe, animals come in all shapes and sizes! Come to this four-week series where you and your child will explore the Zoo to discover the itty bitty insects, the gentle giants, and everything in between! Each week we will discover these animals through live animal encounters, Zoo hikes, and dramatic play.

Steps
1. Discover the words we use to describe animal sizes.
2. Identify animals, small to large, around the Zoo.
3. Explore the sizes of animals we can find in our backyard.
4. Make new friends and share our world together.

Purpose
When I have finished this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have discovered animals of all sizes and how to share our world with them.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 9:30-10:15 am or 11-11:45 am
Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 9:30-10:15 am or 11-11:45 am
Fridays: April 17, 24, May 1, 8: 9:30-10:15 am or 11-11:45 am
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 9:30-10:15 am or 11-11:45 am

zootroppprekFor Pre-Kindergarteners (ages 3-4 years old)

Cost: Members: $65 / Non-Members: $80 (An adult must accompany child. No charge for accompanying adult.)

Register Here!
Finding Friends

When you look at an ant mound, does it look like complete chaos? Did those birds flying togehter just happen to join one another? 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 and work together to find out just how animals communicate like you and me!

Steps
1. Identify ways in which animals can communicate.
2. Meet animals up close and observe what they look like and how they feel.
3. Make new friends and learn to share classroom space and materials

Purpose
When I’ve finished this Zoo Troop adventure, I will be able to understand that animals can communicate by vocalizations, touch, sound and listening to one another.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Tuesdays: February 18, 25, March 3 & 10: 10-11:00am
Wednesdays: February 19, 26, March 4 & 11: 10-11:00am
Fridays: February 21, 28, March 6 & 13: 10-11:00am
Saturdays: February 22, 29, March 7 & 14: 10-11:00am
Backyard Buddies

From rabbits hopping around during the day to skunks scurrying around at night, have you ever wondered what creatures live just outside your door? Throughout this Zoo Troop journey, we will learn how to explore our own backyards to find our
animal neighbors! Each week we will meet animals face to face in the classroom and out in the Zoo as we learn how to share our spaces with them!

Steps
1. Discover what it means to be a “native” animal.
2. Learn how native animals use local habitats.
3. Discover what native wildlife calls the Zoo home.
4. Make friends and learn to share our space with each other and wildlife.

Purpose
When I have finished this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have learned how to find native animals and how to share our world with them.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10-11am
Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10-11am
Fridays: April 17, 24, May 1, 8: 10-11am
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 10-11am

zootroopkindFor Kindergartners

Cost: Members: $70 / Non-Members: $85

Register Here!
Bio-Buddies

Can a moth and a sloth be buddies? Can a tree and a bee be friends? Why not? Many animals have unusual friends. This 4 - week series will focus on discovering how animals help each other out and how these friendships fit into the balance of nature.

Steps
1. Discover how and why animals build relationships with each other and plants.
2. Build relationships with new friends through interactive games and activities.
3. Learn to cooperate and share our world with each other and animals.
4. Make new friends and have fun together!

Purpose
When I’ve finished this Zoo Troop adventure I will have learned why working together and making friends is important for me and for plants and animals.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Tuesdays: February 18, 25, March 3 & 10: 10-11:30am
Homeschool Wednesdays: February 19, 26, March 4 & 11: 10-11:30am
Saturdays: February 22, 29, March 7 & 14: 10am-11:30am
Home Sweet Home

Explore the continent that we call home. From sea to shining sea, North America is filled with unique places for us to live. Animals have found ways to call this land home too! During this 4-week series, we’ll take a road trip from coast to coast through playful activities, Zoo hikes and live animal encounters.

Steps
1. Explore the different habitats found across North America.
2. Discover the diversity of animals that call North America home.
3. Instill wonder & respect for native wildlife and shared spaces.
4. Make new friends and have fun together!

Purpose
When I’ve finished this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have discovered how important North American habitats are to both native animals and us.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Home School Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10-11:30 am
Home School Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10-11:30 am
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 10-11:30 am

zootrop1or3For 1st-2nd Graders

Cost: Members: $70 / Non-Members: $85

Register Here!
Native Neighbors

What do bees, bears, bobcats and beavers all have in common besides the letter “B”? They all live pretty close to you and me! Some of the world’s coolest critters can be found in your own backyard. During this 4-week series, we’ll take an in-depth look at a few of North America’s most exciting inhabitants through observation-
based activities, Zoo hikes, and live animal encounters.

Steps
1. Gain knowledge about native species.
2. Compare and share what makes native wildlife similar to us and to each other.
3. Learn to explore creative thoughts through observations, projects, and activities.
4. Build upon communication and teamwork skills by working together.

Purpose
When I’ve finished this Zoo Troop series, I will have developed my observation skills and used them to explore the lives of some of our favorite North American wildlife.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Homeschool Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10-11:30am
Homeschool Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10-11:30am
Homeschool Fridays: April 17, 24, May 1, 8: 10-11:30am
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 2-3:30pm

zootropfirstFor 3rd-4th Graders

Cost: Members: $75 / Non-Members: $90

Register Here!
A Tail's Tale

A rudder, a signal, a balancer, a breaking system – tails serve all sorts of interesting functions. In this 4 - week series, we will look at the science and 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.

Steps
1. Investigate the diversity of tail adaptations found on different animals.
2. Discover the important role that tails play in the way animals use their habitat.
3. Make new friends and discover our voices as we learn together.
4. Discover what role animals play in inspiring human innovation.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed cooperative and team working skills and have more knowledge about the way an animal’s adaptations can influence its role and place in an ecosystem.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Home School Tuesdays: October 22, 29, November 5 & 12: 10 am-Noon
Home School Wednesdays: October 23, 30, November 6 & 13: 10 am-Noon
Saturdays: October 26, November 2, 9 & 16: 1:30-3:30 pm
Who’s Awake?

Day shift, night shift, in between shift, animals have adapted their activity levels to share space with each other. In this four-week series, we will explore nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular lifestyles, the adaptations that go with each, and how native wildlife utilize these activity strategies to reduce competition for resources in shared habitats. Each week will bring new and exciting encounters both with classroom animal visitors and Zoo hike animals, fun games and hands-on activities to tie it all together.

Steps
1. Learn to use scientific words to describe the times when animals are active.
2. Learn the adaptations required to be successful when active at different times of day.
3. Make new friends and hone our nature observation skills together.
4. Discover how our actions can affect our local wildlife.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed my observational skills and used them to discover and compare the adaptations of animals’ that interact with their world at different times of day.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Home School Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10 am-Noon
Home School Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10 am-Noon
Saturdays: April 18, 25 & May 2, 9: 1:30-3:30 pm

six8For 5th-6th Graders

Cost: Members: $75/ Non-Members: $90

Register Here!
Habitat Heroes

What do an alligator, a panda, and frog have in common? The way they interact with their environment plays a uniquely important role in the lives of the species with which they share their habitat. During this series, we will learn what terms such as ”indicator species,” “keystone species,” and “umbrella species” mean and which special animals in our world (and Zoo) fill these roles.

Steps
1. Learn what terms such as keystone, umbrella, and indicator mean when paired with a species.
2. Investigate the complex relationships that animals within the same habitat share and how conservation actions take these relationships into consideration.
3. Make new friends and hone our nature observation skills together.
4. Discover what role they can play in helping our local wildlife.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed my observational skills and used them to understand inter-species connections within habitats and how it affects the diversity found in our natural world.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Homeschool Tuesdays: February 18, 25, March 3 & 10: 10:00am -Noon
Homeschool Wednesdays: February 19, 26, March 4 & 11: 10:00am -Noon
Saturdays: February 22, 29, March 7 & 14: 1:30-3:30pm
Eco-Explorer

Tracks, scat, skulls, nests, scratch marks, calls, scent marks, and more. Animals are not always easy to see and, sometimes, neither is the evidence they leave behind. With weekly investigations focusing on the different ways animals leave clues, we’ll work on honing our own observational skills and learn to use those clues to identify the animals they belong to, even when we cannot spy them.

Steps
1. Learn to use scientific words and tools to describe the evidence of animal presence.
2. Explore the methods used by forensic zoologists first hand with investigations around the Zoo.
3. Uncover the secrets of wildlife living in your own backyard.
4. Make new friends and hone our wildlife observational skills together.
5. Discover how our actions can affect our local wildlife.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed my observational skills and used them to discover and compare evidence animals leave behind and use this information to identify them.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Home School Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10 am-noon
Home School Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10 am-noon
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 1:30-3:30 pm

3For 7th-8th Graders

Cost: Members: $75 / Non-Members: $90

Register Here!
Be Mine

Love is in the air this month. From stinky pheromones to musical duets, from 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 sound, sight,
and smell plays in animals finding each other and some of the funny and strange
things that animals do to win over a prospective partner. We will learn about the
role conservation science sometimes plays in the whole process, both in the wild
and at our Zoo.

Steps
1. Learn about the physical and chemical signals animals use to find mates.
2. Investigate the differences and similarities between the ways human and non-human animals find and court their mates.
3. Investigate the way that scientists are helping species maintain genetic diversity in captive populations right here at our Zoo.
4. Make new friends and discover how to work together.
5. Work on confidence and leadership skills while learning to speak up for endangered species.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed critical thinking and observation skills and have built confidence in my own voice and ideas as I discover
how I can positively impact my world.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Homeschool Tuesdays: February 18, 15, March 3 & 10: 10:00am-Noon
Homeschool Wednesdays: February 19, 26, March 4 & 11: 10:00am-Noon
Saturdays: February 22, 29, March 7 & 14: 1:30-3:30pm
Naturalist Notebook

Learning to be a naturalist is all about honing your observation skills. During this four-week series, we will focus on using inquiry and participatory learning to observe, ask questions, and uncover some cool information about our native wildlife. After we have practiced and honed our inquiry skills, this class will
culminate in participants engaging Zoo visitors in collecting research on a question of their own design.

Steps
1. Learn about how a naturalist makes observations.
2. Hone our skills at creating comparative questions about the animals we are observing.
3. Learn more about how native wildlife behave and interact with their habitat.
4. Learn about the importance of citizen science.
5. Make new friends and discover how to work together .
6. Find creative ways to help native wildlife that share our spaces.

Purpose
When I finish this Zoo Troop adventure, I will have developed my inquiry and observational skills, built confidence in my skills as a scientist, and discovered how I can use then to learn more about the wildlife that shares our continent.

Dates
Choose to come every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for 4 weeks
Home School Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28, May 5: 10 am-noon
Home School Wednesdays: April 15, 22, 29, May 6: 10 am-noon
Saturdays: April 18, 25, May 2, 9: 1:30-3:30 pm

3High Schoolers

Cost: Members: $90/ Non-Members: $105

Register Here!
Animal Behavior

This four-week series will explore animal behavior and how they help animals survive in the wild. Starting with an introduction to Animal Behavior or Ethology we will learn why animals behave the way they do. Then we will dive into all the diverse strategies animals use to acquire the food they need through specialized feeding styles and strategies. Building on that we will explore the ways animals communicate who they are, where they live and what they are up to. In the final week we will wrap up by answering the question why animals form groups? From ants to antelopes, we will observe animal groups and societies and how they enhance an animal’s survival and reproductive success.

Steps
1. Learn about animal behavior and discover the specialized physical and behavioral adaptations that make them possible.
2. Investigate the way that scientists study animal behavior.
3. Make connections between the material we are learning and the real Zoo animals that use these behaviors.
4. Make new friends and discover our voices as we engage in classroom discussions.

Purpose
When I finish this adventure, I will have developed critical thinking and observation skills and confidence in my own voice and ideas as I discover why animals behave the way they do both in the wild and at our Zoo.

Dates
Every Saturday for 4 weeks. (no class Easter weekend)
Saturdays: April 4, 18, 25, May 2: 1:30-3:30 pm
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