Sign Up Now for Prospect Park Zoo Programs

If you’ve got kids who loves animals, the Prospect Park Zoo has a program for them. The Zoo is now accepting registrations for the fall/winter 2012-13 season of educational programming, which features a variety of programs for families and children of all ages.

Has anyone’s children done these programs before? How did they like them?

Some of the sessions are behind the cut below, but for the full listing of dates, prices, availability, and to registration, visit the Zoo’s website.

A reminder that the programs are all offered at a discounted rate for members. A family membership costs $129 annually and includes admission for two adults and their children, up to age 18, to all five Wildlife Conservation Society parks: the Bronx Zoo, the Central Park Zoo, the New York Aquarium, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Queens Zoo. If you visit the zoo a lot, it’s a pretty good deal.

The line-up of programming includes:

Toddler Time
Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Kids will meet a variety of furry, scaly and feathery zoo animals in this six-session interactive program. Crafts and musical activities are part of the fun.
Available Sessions:
Tuesday Series starting September 25: 10-11am or 11:30am-12:30pm
Saturday Series starting September 29: 10-11am or 11:30am-12:30pm
Fee: $125 members; $150 non-members for a six session series

Bug Superheroes!
Ages 7 to 10
Kids will go on a quest at the zoo to discover the super powers some insects have. The zoo’s urban ecologists will lead the way helping to identify these buggy critters.
Available Session:
Sunday, September 30; 10-11:30am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

Zoo Symphony
Ages 5 to 10, with an adult
During this program, immerse yourself in the music of the wild. We will discover some of the most interesting vocalizations of the animal kingdom, and the harmonies that these vocalizations make in their habitats. You will get familiar with some animals in the classroom through your sense of touch, and we will adventure into the zoo together to listen to some of our noisiest residents. It’s a concert not to be missed!
Available Session:
Monday (Columbus Day), October 8 11am-12pm
Fee: Members $35; Non-members $40; Additional kids or adults $15 each

Celebrate Urban Birds
Ages 7 to 10
In a class taught by the zoo’s urban ecologists, kids will not only meet some of the avian animals that live at the zoo, but go on a bird-watching tour to find wild birds using the zoo as a stopover on their long migration. A bird encounter is part of the fun.
Available Session:
Saturday, November 3; 10-11:30am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

Making Discoveries
Ages 3 to 7 with adult
This program celebrates North American animals. Storytelling and animal encounters are part of the fun. Kids will have a chance to dissect owl pellets and meet some of the zoo’s feathered friends.
Available Session:
Monday, November 12; 10-11am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members. Additional kids or adults pay $15 each.

Photography Series: Presents for the Animals
Ages 6 to 12 with adult
Participants will enjoy a tour of the zoo and take pictures of the animals enjoying their holiday presents and treats. Digital camera required.
Available Session:
Saturday, December 1; 10-11:30am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members. Additional kids or adults pay $15 each.

Junior Keepers: Toys for the Animals
Ages 8 to 10
Kids will discover how keepers create stimulating toys for the animals. Junior keepers will work with senior keepers to create some holiday enrichment for many of the zoo’s residents.
Available Session:
Saturday, December 8; 10-11:30am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

Winter Zoo Camp
Two groups for ages 6 to 10
This is a chance for kids to spend winter break at the zoo. This two-day camp includes a variety of hands-on activities such as live animal encounters, theater performances, crafts and more. Snacks will be provided. Children must bring their own lunch.
Available Session:
Thursday and Friday, December 27-28, 10am-3pm
Fee: $125 members; $150 non-members

Winter Wetland Ecology
Ages 7 to 10
Kids will learn what lies beneath snow and ice of the zoo’s ponds and streams in this exciting class. They will also have an up-close encounter with some animals that call these wetlands home.
Available Session:
Saturday, January 26; 10-11:30am
Fee: $35 members; $40 non-members

Kinder Kritters
Ages 4 to 5 with adult
Preschoolers will enjoy this fun-filled six-session program that includes song, dance, games and animal-themed crafts.
Available Sessions:
Saturday Series starting February 2; 10-11am
Fee: $125 members; $150 non-members

Mid-Winter Camp
Here kids will participate in meeting live animals, take in a 4D movie and make crafts.
Available Session:
Wednesday and Thursday, February 20-21; 10am-3pm
Fee: $125 members; $150 non-members

Photo of Prospect Park Zoo campers by Julie Larsen Maher, Wildlife Conservation Society.