Special Event
Family Programs
Breakfast with the Animals - Gifts for the Animals - Farm Tots
Kids Programs
Critter Keeper - Lunch With A Keeper - Wild Science Academy - Wild Science Investigators - Horse Hands - Camp Zoo - Roots and Shoots - Princess Explorer
Twilight Camps/Night Camps
Family Twilight Camp - Family Wilderness Experience Night Camp - Girl Scout Night Camps
Other Programs
Zoo to You - AIP Master's Program
Early Childhood Programs
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333 or Reserve Here
$50.00 Non-Member
$30.00 Member
Have you learned what a giraffe wants for breakfast? Have you watched a warthog wake up in the morning? Have you fed a giant tortoise breakfast? Join us for Early Childhood Animal Breakfasts and YOU CAN! Enjoy a light morning meal of "people food" along with child-focused and parent-directed activities which include a variety of movement, discovery, reasoning, crafts, songs, guided and free play opportunities. Children and parents are encouraged to explore the activities at their own pace and instructors help facilitate an engaging and fun experience for all. We'll finish the fun with an amazing animal encounter.
For children 2 through 5 with a caregiver.
Timeless Tortoises – April 5, 6, 7, 26, 27, 28 from 8 – 9 a.m. Our program focuses on tortoises this month … We'll learn about tortoise shells, tortoise eggs, how long tortoises live, and much, much more! After breakfast and activities we'll have a unique experience as we visit and feed the Aldabra tortoises in their exhibit.
Incredible Elephants – May 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 from 8 – 9 a.m. Our program focuses on elephants this month … We'll learn how elephants use their trunks, what an elephant likes to eat, and much, much more! After breakfast and activities we'll get to assist keepers in their daily enrichment by hiding "elephant cookies" in the elephant yard. Then we will watch as the elephants search for our hidden treats and learn about our elephants from one of the elephant keepers!
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
$40.00 Non-Member
$20.00 Member
For children 2-5 years and a caregiver.
Whether it's for a holiday or "just because" – giving gifts is fun! Giving gifts allows us to show how much we care, and the same is true for the animals at the zoo. Join us for some generous fun, animal style, at our Gifts for the Animals program. Children age two to five will join their caregiver and their instructor on a guided safari around Harmony Farm. We'll take time to stop and observe animals and participate in hands-on learning activities. Activities are informal, fun learning opportunities, designed to foster excitement and learning between caregiver and child. This program offers the amazing opportunity to assist keepers by providing enrichment for many of our farm animals – in the form of special gifts!
Farm Animal BE Extravaganza
April 13, 21, from 8 – 9 a.m.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
$35.00 Non-Member
$15.00 Member
Fun on the Farm is what this program is all about! Designed around introducing our youngest animal lovers to some of the friendliest animals at the Zoo, Farm Tots teaches children the basics of animal respect and care. Free-play, activities, and up-close animal encounters are all part of the fun with each month focusing on one of our farm animals.
Goats, May 10, 11 from 10 – 10:45 a.m. Sure, we all know them as a favorite animal on the farm, but what exactly makes goats so special? Join us for the Farm Tots goat program, and you will have a blast learning about goats and playing at the farm. Children join with their caregivers for a morning of free-play goat activities, followed by the unique opportunity to enter our private stall and meet a goat!
Guests meet their instructor at the farm and get started on fun activities right away. Once finished with the activities, we head over to the petting zoo and spend some time interacting with these gregarious goats before a special one-on-one meeting with one of the favorite farm goats.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
Kids Programs
$50.00 Non-Member
$40.00 Member
Experience what it's like to be a zoo keeper! During this non-stop, fun-filled afternoon young Critter Keepers will participate in all aspects of animal care including: cleaning, distributing diets, and preparing enrichment items for our animal collection. Children experience the excitement, hard work, and patience required to be a zookeeper and care for our Phoenix Zoo animals.
For children 6 - 10 years.
Raptors, April 6, 7 from 12 – 2 p.m.
What makes raptors different from any other bird? Can an owl really turn its head all the way around? This Critter Keeper program is focused on raptors, and is designed to support children in discovering the answers to many questions while having incredible encounters with zoo animals and within zoo exhibits. The non-stop program parallels the daily schedule of a zookeeper and begins when children meet their instructor on the bridge and walk to a zoo classroom to get outfitted and briefed for the day of "work." The small group of future animal caretakers moves right into all aspects of caring for these feathered animals, including: delivering behavioral enrichment to our vultures, using observation skills to identify and classify raptors, and observing a raptor being trained by our animal resources staff! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn about the fun, challenging, and always entertaining job of a zookeeper!
Sold Out! Fall programs coming soon.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
Wild Science Academy lets you explore the world of science with the Zoo as your classroom! These affordable and educational two-hour classes teach science through animal interactions, behind-the-scenes experiences, laboratory investigations, group projects, Zoo hikes, and other inquiry-based learning activities. Wild Science Academy is perfect for any young student with a desire to learn more about the science of zoos. Each class is also developed using the AZ State Science Standards.
Wild Science Workshops: These broad topic, multi-age science courses focus on science and ecology concepts such as physical and behavioral animal adaptations, habitats, niches, food chains, predator prey relationships and other important subjects relating to Arizona Science Standards.
For children 5 - 13 years old.
$40.00 Non-Member
$20.00 Member
5 – 8 year olds
Aquatic Animals: May 15, 18 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Fish aren't the only animals that depend on wet habitats! Come learn about water-dwelling animals from all members of the animal kingdom.
9 – 13 year olds
Primatology 101: May 15, 18 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
This exploration of primates around the world will look at new world and old world primates, their similarities and differences, and the wide array of awesome adaptations unique to these hairy mammals.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
NEW PROGRAM
These courses delve deeper into conservation issues, specific animals and environments, and specialized scientific systems. In just two hours you're part-way to becoming an expert!
For children 5-13 years old.
5 – 7 year olds
Weird & Wacky Animals: April 24, 27 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
All animals are uniquely adapted to survive in their specific habitats, but some animals are so unusual and exceptional that they bare a closer look. Come investigate some of these special animals with some very peculiar adaptations that make them like no other creatures on Earth!
8 – 10 year olds
Behavioral Adaptations: April 24, 27 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
From thousand mile migrations to thousand member herds, animals exhibit many behaviors that help them survive. This in-depth investigation of some of these behaviors will intrigue and fascinate you!
11-13 year olds
Intro to Animal Anatomy & Physiology: April 24, 27 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Investigate distinctive animals from the inside-out in this introduction to body parts and movement mechanisms. Learn how cheetahs are build for speed, orangutans are built for climbing, and elephants are built for strength in this detailed examination of the body.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
NEW PROGRAM
Roots & Shoots
For children 10 – 14 year olds from 1 – 3 p.m.
$40.00 Non-Member
$30.00 Member
The Phoenix Zoo is excited to introduce Roots & Shoots, a new education program in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute. Roots & Shoots is a worldwide environmental and humanitarian effort that supports youth in action. It's a fun and exciting way for young people to learn about environmental issues at local, national, and international levels, and find out ways they can help.
Participants will learn about a specific environmental issue focused on improving the lives of people, animals, and the environment. Through the development of an interactive media-based outreach campaign children will be empowered to raise awareness in their own communities. This is grassroots conservation for kids by kids!
May 4: Choose Your Own Adventure
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
NEW PROGRAM
Photo by Stephanie Howell
For children 6 – 9 year olds from 1 – 3 p.m.
$35.00 Non-Member
$25.00 Member
Hey little princess, yes, you with the tiara! It's time to put on your glamorous gown, your glittery crown, and…. your galoshes!! That's right, come to the Zoo in (almost) full princess attire to trek into hidden landscapes while learning a bit about famous girl explorers and scientists who have played a key role in studying the environment.
This pretend and play-based program encourages girls to get messy and creative while reenacting and building on the amazing pursuits of girly girls who changed the world of science. Emphasis is placed on supporting and celebrating the diversity, and often opposing, interests and skills that young girls possess. This program fosters independence and collaboration, creativity and construction, fairies and facts, critical thinking and empathy, glitter and goo! Girls can (and are encouraged to) come dressed in princess attire, but please understand it's likely we'll have fun getting dirty while we learn and play.
Dates to be determined.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
This program is like a coveted backstage pass to meet the band! Enjoy a pizza lunch while you make friends with and learn from the animal experts – our zookeepers. Ask questions that only a keeper could answer and listen to stories that only a keeper could tell. After lunch, get treated to a behind-the-scenes tour and awesome animal experience led by the person that knows the animals best. This unique experience is one of the best at the Zoo – you'll truly understand the passion and dedication involved with being a zookeeper.
For children 6-10 years and a caregiver.
$75.00 Non-Member
$50.00 Member
African Carnivore Keepers, April 13, 21 from 12 - 1:45 p.m.
What makes the African Wild Dog the most successful hunters on the African savannah? How can a Cheetah run in excess of 65 miles per hour? Come find out these answers and many more during an afternoon of fun and excitement as we discover what it takes to work with African's most successful hunters. We'll enjoy a pizza lunch alongside one of our carnivore zookeepers, who will answer questions and tell stories about the animals and their job. Following lunch, we will take a behind-the-scenes tour of either the cheetahs' or the wild dogs' night house. Delivering enrichment items to the animals will be thrilling as we watch them demonstrate some of their amazing adaptations!
Reserve Here
Orangutan Keepers, May 11, 19 from 12 - 1:45 p.m.
What is an orangutan's favorite food? Do they like to play just like we do? What are some of the challenges of working with such an intelligent, unique and strong animal? Come find out these answers and many more during an afternoon of fun and excitement as we discover what it takes to work with orangutans. We'll enjoy a pizza lunch alongside one of our orangutan zookeepers, who will answer questions and tell stories about the animals and their job. Following lunch, participants will get a special behind-the-scenes look at the Phoenix Zoo's orangutan exhibit. This is a brand-new program, so make sure you sign up early to reserve your spot!
Experienced animal handlers in small classes take adults and children alike through the steps of meeting horses, recognizing their needs, and learning to work with them safely. All Horse Hands programs are held in a four week series. Participants must attend all four sessions to achieve riding skill and receive a certificate. Participants will learn horsemanship, horse care- giving and basic riding skills. This program is designed to develop safe and caring relationships between children and horses.
Call Reservations for dates and times at 602.914.4333
Twilight Camps/Night Camps
Have a family adventure at the zoo after hours! This memorable experience includes guided trail hikes, animal encounters, activities, a late night snack, and night camp souvenir. Camp ends at about 10 pm, making it perfect for younger or older campers who prefer to sleep in their own beds!
To create your own camp* any time of the year for a school or church group, scout troop, family gathering, birthday party, or your own custom adventure, visit "events and experiences" on our Web site, or call reservations at 602-914- 4333 (*Minimum 25 people)
Ages 5 and up (all children must be accompanied by an adult please purchase additional ticket for each adult attending)
Non-member Price: $40.00
Members Price: $35.00
March 2
April 13
May 25**
** Special Welcome Summer camp
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
Family Wilderness Experience Night Camp
Join us for a genuine tent camping experience… and you don't even have to put up the tents! Your party will have its own tent (up to 5 people per tent), a scrumptious dinner off the grill, make s'mores over a camp fire, go on a night hike, and have up-close animal encounters. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast, a guided hike, and explore the Zoo on your own for the rest of the day!
To create your own camp* any time of the year for a school or church group, scout troop, family gathering, birthday party, or your own custom adventure, visit "events and experiences" on our Web site, or call reservations at 602-914- 4333 (*Minimum 25 people)
Recommended for campers ages seven and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Non-member Price: $65.00
Members Price: $60.00
May 4 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 a.m.
*Anyone under 18 yrs old must be accompanied by an adult. ** Please purchase a separate ticket for each adult attending.
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
Each night is prepared for a specific level and badge work or interest project. Camps on different dates will sleep at different exciting Zoo locations. Space is limited so please make your reservations as soon as possible.
Click Here for Girl Scout Night Camp Dates
Twilight Camp: Member: $40.00 Non-Member: $45.00
Night Camp: Member: $50.00 Non Member $55.00
Wilderness Experience: Member $60.00 Non-Member $65.00
For more information contact Reservations at 602.914.4333
