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Youth and Family Programs
From preschool to adults, we have something for everyone!

Youth and Family Programs

Jungle Juniors Preschool Program

Start your child on a lifelong path of discovery beginning with our Jungle Juniors Preschool Programs! During these engaging sessions, youngsters ages 3-5 will start learning about the wild world around them. Each program includes hands-on activities, animal artifacts, a Zoo walk, and a story or craft.

  • Ages 3 and 4

    These programs are designed for children to work one-on-one together with a parent or caregiver. With every paid child, one adult is admitted free and is required to stay for the program. To ensure that each preschooler has the best experience possible, parents must make alternate childcare arrangements for any siblings who are not signed up for the class.

    3-4 Single Sessions

    Cost: $20 members/$25 nonmembers.

    On sale now:

    Sharks –  Jan. 15 or Jan. 16 12:30-2pm
    Colorful Animals – Feb. 5 9:30-11am
    Animal Hide and Seek with colors – Feb. 12 9:30-11am
    Animal Patterns (Spots & Stripes) – Feb. 19 12:30-2pm

    On sale Beginning Jan 13 for members and Jan. 27 for non-members:

    Bears – March 2 or 6 – 9:30-11am
    Ocean Critters – March 9 or 13 – 9:30-11am
    Orangutans – April 6 or 10 – 9:30-11am
    Parrots – July 11 – 9:30-11am

  • Ages 4 and 5

    This is designed as a drop-off program to allow preschoolers an opportunity to practice independence in preparation for school.

    4-5 Single Sessions

    Cost: $25 members/$30 nonmembers. 9:30-11:30am

    On sale now:

    Sea Lions – Jan. 22 or Jan. 23
    Crazy Fish – Feb. 27

    On sale Beginning Jan 13 for members and Jan. 27 for non-members:

    Long Winters Nap – March 3 – 9:30-11:30am
    One Day on our Planet – March 10 – 9:30-11:30am
    Tip Toeing Tiger – March 17 – 9:30-11:30am
    Honey, Honey, Lion – April 7 – 9:30-11:30am
    Animal Babies – June 13 – 9:30-11:30am

     3-Week series

    Cost: $55 members/$70 non-members. 9:30-11:30am

    Opposites – Feb. 6, 13 and 20

Sign Up for Jungle Juniors Preschool Programs

Spaces are limited, so register now for this popular program!

Sign Up Today!
Saturday Science Programs

Cost: $30 Members/$35 nonmembers

Learning more about the natural world around us is all about science! With the Zoo’s Saturday Science program, kids can investigate zoological situations by utilizing the scientific method. During this program participants will observe, question and explore areas of the Zoo … and have fun while they’re at it!

These programs are for children only and are drop-off programs.

6-8 year olds:

Dolphins & Whales – Feb. 8 – 9-11:30am – SOLD OUT

On sale Beginning Jan. 27:

Pinnipeds – April 11 – 9-11:30am
Camouflage and Mimicry– June 27 – 9-11:30am

9-12 year olds:

Snakes & Reptiles – Jan. 11 – 9-11:30am
Marine Mammals – Feb. 22 – 9-11:30am

On sale Beginning Jan. 27:

Animal Vets – March 21 – 9am-noon
Elephant – May 30 – 9-11:30am
Animal Enrichment – July 25 – 9-11:30am

Sign Up!

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Adults Only Programs
Keeper for a Day - April 25 - 9am-4pm

Experience what it’s like to work at a zoo. This program will take participants behind the scenes to discover that it takes to be an animal professional. For participants ages 18 and older.

Cost: Zoo members $275 – non-members $285

Registration opens 9am Jan. 27

Sign Up Today!

Family Overnight Adventures

Spring Family Overnight – March 20

Cost: $40 per person for members, $50 for nonmembers.

Looking for something new to do with the family? Come and experience an overnight at the Zoo! With our Family Overnight program, you will get to spend the night at the Zoo and participate in a variety of different activities specifically designed for families, including a craft, games, animal stories, a special after-hours Zoo tour and catered breakfast.

Requirements for Participation

Multiple families may sign up for an Indianapolis Zoo Family Overnight. We require a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 45 total participants. If fewer than 20 register, we may have to to cancel the overnight. We will notify families at least 30 days prior to the evening if we have to cancel.

Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate in any Indianapolis Zoo overnight program.

Upcoming  Family Overnights:
Summer family Overnight – July 17
Fall Family Overnight – Oct. 23

Additional Overnight Information and FAQs

  • Your program fees include Zoo and White River Gardens admission, parking fees, all activities, spending the night at the Zoo and a catered breakfast buffet.
  • Your family will be joined by others. The maximum number of participants for a Family Overnight is 45.
  • Overnight guests sleep on the floor in one of our indoor event spaces. Air mattresses are welcome. Bathroom facilities are available but no showers.
  • Please note that the Zoo reserves the right to change any programming as necessary, including anything listed above.
Sign Up now
Generation Conservation

Generation Conservation is a select team of teenagers who are interested in conserving wild things and wild places. Once a month from February through September, Generation Conservation works collaboratively with several of the Zoo’s conservation partners, such as Butler University’s Center for Urban Ecology, Purdue University’s Help the Hellbender project, and the Nature Conservancy. Each experience is unique and provides hands-on opportunities of learning. Together we can learn, grow and work hard to help keep our planet healthy!

The application deadline for the 2020 season has passed. Please check back in November to apply for our next season.