Perfect for teachers, scout leaders, and homeschool families.
Each Discovery Box is unique and might contain curricula, activity ideas, videos, biofacts, animal pictures, classroom materials, and more.
| Discovery Box Topic | Grade Level | Description |
| NEW Habitats | PreK-5 | In the Habitats discovery box, students will learn about the different types of ecosystems. The students will be able to identify different types of ecosystems, identify different animal adaptations to survive their ecosystems, and what an animal needs to survive. |
| NEW Animal Kingdom | PreK-8 | In the Animal Kingdom discovery box, students will learn the different branches of the Animal Kingdom. The students will learn how to tell the difference between the different animal classifications and how they are important in their ecosystems. |
| What’s a Zoo? | PreK-1 | In the What’s a Zoo discovery box, students will explore the world of zoos by about different animals that live in a zoo. Students will also be able to explore the roles that help keep zoo’s running such as zookeeping! |
| Animal Body Coverings | PreK-2 | In the Animal Body Coverings discovery box, students will investigate the different types of animal body coverings such as scales, fur, or feathers! Students will learn how different body coverings help classify animals into groups. |
| Wild Animals and Pet Animals | PreK-3 | In the Wild Animals & Pet Animals discovery box, students will learn the difference between wild animals and animals that can be kept as pets. Students will be able to look through books on different wild animals species to learn new animal facts. |
| Birds | K-3 | In the Bird discovery box, students will learn what characteristics make a bird classify as a bird. Students will be able to explore different bird feathers and use techniques to be able to look at birds in the wild. |
| Bugs | K-3 | In the Bugs discovery box, students will learn about animals with six, eight, or hundreds of legs. Students will be able to read books about bugs and investigate bug figures. |
| Mammals | K-3 | In the Mammals discovery box, students will learn what characteristics make a mammal classify as a mammal. Students will be able to use different books and mammal figures to learn the different traits of mammals. |
| Penguins | K-3 | In the Penguins discovery box, students will dive in learning about the physical characteristics, habitat, and diet of a penguin. Students will also be able to investigate questions about penguins reading a variety of penguin books. |
| Reptiles | K-3 | In the Reptiles discovery box, students will learn what characteristics make a reptile classify as a reptile. Students will be able to investigate different examples of reptiles and be able to learn different fun facts through a collection of reptile books. |
| Rain Forests | K-6 | In the Rain Forests discovery box, students will climb to new highs learning the different levels of a rainforest. Students will explore what animals live in the rain forests and why the rainforest is important around the world. |
| Amphibians | K-8 | In the Amphibians discovery box, students learn about the unique life cycles of an amphibian and the different species of amphibians. Students will explore amphibians by reading books about amphibians, investigating amphibian stuff animals, and different amphibian-based activities. |
| Indiana Animals | 3 & up | In the Indiana Animals discovery box, students will learn about the different animals that are native to Indiana. Students will learn different signs of life for native animals such as scat, tracts, and animal identification. |
Discovery Box Reservations
Discovery Boxes are free and available year round for two-week loans from the Zoo office. To reserve a Discovery Box, call the Education Department at 260-427-6808 or e-mail education@kidszoo.org. Selected Discovery Boxes are also available at libraries in DeKalb, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley Counties thanks to a grant from the Dekko Foundation. Contact your local library for more information and availability. Discovery Boxes must be picked up and returned to the zoo office, or at the libraries in which they were borrowed.
Lesson Plans
Want to discover even more? Visit our Lesson Plans page for more learning opportunities.