Queens Zoo
Children Programs

Little Explorers Programs | Grades K-2

Put on your safari hat and bring your magnifying lenses. Each session will focus a different habitat and put your animal skills to the test as we learn about the Queens Zoo’s residents through hands-on activities, up-close encounters, and exhibit exploration.

Junior Keeper Programs | Grades 3-5

Join us Saturday mornings to see if you've got what it takes to be a zookeeper! Put your skills to the test during this hands-on, interactive program at the Zoo. You will meet keepers, have some behind the scenes experience, maybe even plan some amazing enriching activities for our animal collection.


Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

Little Explorers: Prairie Promenade

Coyotes, bison and elk, oh my! Discover the diverse ecosystem of the prairie through hands-on activities, up-close encounters and exhibit exploration in this drop-off program for little explorers.

Put on your safari hat and bring your magnifying lenses. Each week will focus a different habitat and put your animal skills to the test as we learn about the Queens Zoo’s residents through hands-on activities. This is a drop off program. Participants will meet small ambassador animals during the program. Participants will not have direct contact with exhibit animals.

Grades K-2

Price: $24 members
$30 regular
Dates: Sunday, 3/24
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
Photo Credit: Julie Larsen

Junior Keepers: Birds

Get ready to soar into the world of bird conservation at Queens Zoo! We will take part in the action by practicing bird censusing, learning introductory birding skills, and helping create a special treat for some of the Queens Zoo’s feathered residents during this early-access program.

Put your animal skills to the test as we learn about the Queens Zoo’s residents through up-close animal encounters, behind-the-scenes looks with our animal care team, and hands-on activities. This is a drop off program. Participants will meet small ambassador animals during the program. Participants will not have direct contact with exhibit animals.

Grades 3-5

Price: $24 members
$30 regular
Dates: Saturday, 4/6
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Little Explorers: Discovering Decomposers

Get your hands dirty as we explore the creepy crawly critters that live in detritus and underground! Dig through common misconceptions about invertebrates through hands-on activities, up-close encounters, and exhibit exploration.

Put on your safari hat and bring your magnifying lenses. Each week will focus a different habitat and put your animal skills to the test as we learn about the Queens Zoo’s residents through hands-on activities. This is a drop off program. Participants will meet small ambassador animals during the program. Participants will not have direct contact with exhibit animals.

Grades K-2

Price: $24 members
$30 regular
Dates: Sunday, 4/7
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Little Explorers: Arboreal Adventurers

Brush off your tree-climbing skills as we explore the world of tree dwellers! Join us as we climb new heights to better understand animals that spend time in trees through hands-on activities, up-close encounters, and exhibit exploration.

Put on your safari hat and bring your magnifying lenses. Each week will focus a different habitat and put your animal skills to the test as we learn about the Queens Zoo’s residents through hands-on activities. This is a drop off program. Participants will meet small ambassador animals during the program. Participants will not have direct contact with exhibit animals.

Grades K-2

Price: $24 members
$30 regular
Dates: Sunday, 5/19
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am
Photo Credit: Julie Larsen
Photo Credit: Julie Larsen

Junior Keepers: Hog Wild

We’ll go whole hog in this program as we learn about the similarities and differences between our Chacoan peccaries and the domestic hog. Experience the life of a keeper as we discover the husbandry responsibilities and essential skills that ensure these animals stay as happy as pigs in the mud. Join us as we participate in up-close animal encounters, exhibit exploration, and more in this early-access drop-off program!

Grades 3-5

Price: $24 members
$30 regular
Dates: Saturday, 5/4
Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call 800-433-4149 or email qzeducation@wcs.org.


Please visit the Queens Zoo Know Before You Go page to review park policies related to COVID-19.


Purchase Tickets Online

Buy Now