School and Group Programs

Learning is an adventure when you include the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in your lesson plans!  Bring your class to us, or we’ll come to you.

To schedule any of the programs listed below, contact the Zoo Education Department at 260-427-6808 or .

Click on a category to read more about our programs.  Or, for a complete listing of the zoo’s School and Group Programs, download our School Program Guide.

Field Trip Resources
Programs at the Zoo
Programs at Your School

Field Trip Resources

General Information

No classroom experience can match the thrill of a zoo field trip! Your students can explore, investigate, and discover as they soak up the wonders of the natural world. No reservation is needed for your trip. For zoo prices, dates, and hours, click here To schedule a program or ask questions, contact the Zoo Education Department at 260-427-6808 or .

Zoo Activity Packets

These resource packets are filled with ideas for pre-visit, at-the-zoo, and post-visit activities–all related to a particular topic. Zoo Activity Packets lend focus to your field trip and make it an educational experience. Many packets correlate with Field Trip Mini-Classes.
Download your Zoo Activity Packet.

Quick Lessons

Use these one or two page scavenger hunts, observations guides, and worksheets on your next zoo field trip! Quick Lessons can lend an educational focus to your visit and keep your students on task while they're at the zoo.
Download your Quick Lessons.

Mini Classes  Grades preK-8

Mini-classes are 20-minute programs held during your zoo field trip.  Classes are led by trained volunteers.  Topics correlate with many of the Zoo Activity Packets and Discovery Boxes.  Programs are offered every half hour beginning at 9:30 am on weekdays.   No additional charge beyond zoo admission.

Mini-Class Topics
NEW!  Ocean Life (Grades 2-6)
Down on the Farm (PreK)
Bringing Up Baby (Grade K)
Fur, Feathers, and Scales (Grade 1)
Related to Reptiles (Grade 2)
Going, Going, Gone (Grade 3)
The Web of Life (Grade 4)
Animals Have Class (Grade 5)
Zoo Careers (Grades 6–8)

Box lunches

Enjoy a tasty break during your zoo field trip by ordering box lunches for your group from the zoo’s concessions.

Orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance and must be paid for on the day of your visit. Call Dairy Queen at (260)427-1080.

Treasure Bags

The zoo's Wild Things Gift Shop offers souvenir Treasure Bags as a convenience to teachers and students. Order Treasure Bags at least two weeks before your field trip and we'll have them waiting for you on the day of your visit. Treasure Bags cost $3 plus tax and contain student favorites like pens, pencils, stickers, tattoos, fans, erasers, plastic animals, and more. To order, e-mail the Wild Things Gift Shop at , call 260-427-6810 or FAX 260-427-6814.

Programs at the Zoo

Zoo Adventures

Explore the zoo in-depth at these exciting hands-on programs held in the area’s most unique living laboratory – the zoo! Fee charged. To schedule a program or ask questions, contact the Zoo Education Department at 260-427-6808 or .

Zoo Adventure Topics:

Jungle Journeys - Grades 3-6
Students will dig into soil samples and build soil profile models to compare rain forest and temperate forest soils. Tools such as thermometers, timers, binoculars, and listening devices will be used to gather data and measurements. Students will also observe live animals and discuss how rain forests connect to their everyday life.

Winged Wonders – Grades preK-2
Students will use binoculars, kaleidoscopes, and listening devices to observe animals in flight in the zoo’s tropical rain forest. They’ll also compare body structures by dressing in bird, bat, and butterfly costumes. Hands-on activities will focus on the zoo’s extensive collection of biofacts, including eggs and mounted specimens.

Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Grades 4 & Up
Take a guided look behind the scenes at zoo operations. Fee charged.

sponsored by

Wild Nights

Find out what happens at the zoo at night … all night!  Enjoy after-dark adventures and nature activities, then sleep indoors next to the sharks!  Programs are available for families with children age 5 and older; homeschool groups; schools, scouts, youth groups, and other organized groups of children age 7-12.  Fee charged.

Presented by     

Programs at Your School

ZOOMOBILE

Take a walk on the WILD side and invite the zoo to your classroom! Friendly animals combine with expert presenters to make your program fun and educational. Discounts are available for consecutive programs. Additional fees such as mileage may apply. To schedule a program or ask questions, contact the Zoo Education Department at 260-427-6808 or .

Classroom Programs

Embark on a learning adventure, right in your classroom! We come to you with amazing props, a dynamic program, and of course, friendly zoo animals to support your learning objectives

PROGRAM LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
PRICE: $120
LIMIT 60 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM

Program Topics:
NEW! Winged Wonders*: Grades PreK -2
Are You a Fan of the Orangutan*: PreK – K
Classification*: Grades 2-4
Habitats*: Grades 3-4
Wildlife for Sale*: Grades 6-9
Amazing Animals*: All Grades

*Aligned with Indiana Academic Standards for Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Pre- and post-visit materials provided.

Assembly & Event Programs

Add some “wow” to your next school-wide event – invite the zoo! Wild critters and activities combine to create a lively, interactive presentation that can be customized to meet your needs.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
PRICE: $200
LIMIT 300 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM

Animal Appearance

Our friendly zoo animals are always a hit!

PROGRAM LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
PRICE: $50 PER ANIMAL, UP TO 3

Zoo Day

Get the whole school involved – and families too – with a Zoo Day! We’ll present engaging programs all day to your students. Then, students can return that evening with their families to enjoy an Amazing Animals presentation together!

PRICE: $600

INCLUDES UP TO 3 SCHOOL DAY ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS OR UP TO 7 SCHOOL DAY CLASSROOM PROGRAMS AND ONE EVENING ASSEMBLY PROGRAM

Schools in DeKalb, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties are eligible for a free Zoomobile program through December 31, 2007 only, thanks to a grant from the Dekko Foundation. Third grade classes in Allen County may receive a free Classification program courtesy of Indiana Michigan Power.

Discovery Boxes – Grades preK-12

Portable learning kits contain biofacts, resources, activity ideas, videos, puppets, and more! Discovery Boxes are loaned to you free of charge for two weeks. The School Programs Guide contains a complete list of Discovery Boxes. Free.

Discovery Boxes are sponsored by
Three Rivers Federal Credit Union

Zoo Careers Classroom Presentation - Grades 9 & Up

What's it like to work in a zoo? What training is needed for a career in animal care? This program is available all year to high schools within a 45-minute drive of the zoo. Free.

Zoo Careers Video - Grades 4 & up

Borrow an excellent 20-minute video outlining the wide variety of zoo careers. Free.