We have activities that elementary school age kids will actually enjoy.  From adventure backpacks to creature campouts, the Zoo fits boys and girls, big and small!

Plan to meet your friends at the Zoo. Discover what animals are in danger and what you can do to help! What do the animals do to keep cool in the summer or stay warm in the winter? Learn more about the animal care and conservation programs at the Zoo through these learning adventures.

^{Classes are held in the Cargill Learning Center unless otherwise noted. Space is limited; therefore pre-registration is required. Please contact Cargill Learning Center to reserve your place. Classes take place rain or shine. Please remember, for everyone's safety and enjoyment all class participants must meet age requirements - no older or younger siblings allowed, including infants.}

This new and exciting program for children in grades 1-2 is designed to get reluctant readers excited about reading and to keep advanced readers on the path enjoying reading! The cost of the program includes the reading material, small snack, fun and excitement! This program is a four-part series. The fee for all four classes and supplies is $40 for members / $50 for nonmembers. Classes run from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• No programs scheduled at this time.

 

Wonders of Wildlife workshops give children in grades 1–5 the opportunity to learn about our animals in fun and innovative ways. This is a program for students only, please. For a 2-hour class, the fee of $12 for members / $15 for nonmembers covers one child. For an all-day class, the fee of $50.00 for members / $60.00 for nonmembers covers one child. For a five-day class, the fee of $145 for members / $160 for nonmembers covers one child. For all-day classes, plan to pack a sack lunch; this learning adventure will make you hungry. Program times vary.

• Mar 15 Mon – Mar 19 Fri — Around the World in Five Days: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Can it be done? Can one class of students and a Zoo Educator or two make it around the world discovering natural wonders, unique cultures and amazing animals in five days? We think so! Sign up for this week-long, all-day class if you are up for an adventurous spring break!
• Apr 5 Mon — You Scratch My Back: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Animals need a little help from each other from time to time. Discover some fascinating animal relationships!
• May 27 Thu — Phases and Stages: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Animals develop in very different ways. Together we will investigate these “Phases and Stages” and delve into the wondrous world of life cycles!
• May 28 Fri — No More School, No More Books: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Hooray, it's summer vacation! Spend your first day of your break at the Sedgwick County Zoo learning about our residents in fun, hands-on ways!

Before and After Care for Full-Day WOW Classes
We know parents have to work, so we now offer before and after care for full day WOW classes. Students may be dropped off at 7:30 a.m. and picked up by 5:30 p.m. Students will enjoy additional activities and parents can rest assured knowing their child will be supervised by Zoo staff the entire time! Just add $15 to the class fee for a five-day class, or $5 for a one-day class.

These 2-hour programs for children in grades 1–5 include interactive learning, a Zoo walk, story time and a craft. The fee of $8 for members / $10 for nonmembers covers one child. These programs take place rain or shine. Classes run from 10:00 a.m. – noon.

• Mar 13 Sat — The New and Old 3 R's
  The old 3 R’s were reading, writing, and arithmetic; the new 3 R’s are reduce, reuse, recycle. We think that both the old and the new 3 R’s are very important so we mixed them together. In this class we will use the old 3 R’s to learn about the new 3 R’s!
• Apr 10 Sat — Cat Tails
  No, we will not be learning about those funny plants that grow by ponds – we will talk about the amazing traits of our largest resident cats, the tigers, to our smallest resident cat, Zada the Animal Ambassador!
• May 15 Sat — Wonders Down Under
  Australia is home to some unusual and amazing creatures. Together we will discover some little known facts about the creatures, and go on a stroll through the Outback!

Are you the kind of kid who needs to know how and why things work? Then this program is for you! From animals to electricity to electric animals, we will explore it all through experiments, exciting discussion and hands-on materials! This is a drop-off program designed for students in grades 3-5. The fee is $8 for members / $10 for nonmembers. Classes run from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

• Mar 4 Thu — Rumble in My Tummy
  Of course we all know how to eat, most of us even love it, but do you know what happens to those delicious morsels after you swallow? After this program you may just appreciate your grumbling tummy a little bit more!
• Apr 1 Thu — Mega Metabolism
  Metabolism is the process by which energy is broken down and used by living organisms. Some creatures metabolize slowly while others metabolize quickly. We will take an in-depth look at metabolism to understand how it works!
• May 6 Thu — Simply Shocking
  Electricity is what powers our lights, television and computers, but did you know that some other animals use electricity in their daily lives as well? You may be shocked by how they use it – trust me, they are not powering up their televisions!