IN-PERSON
Dates: June 1, July 6, August 4
Times: 9 – 11 a.m.
Prices:
Members: Adult —$25 / Child — $20
Non-members: Adult — $35 / Child — $30
Age 2 and Under: $0
Intended Audience: Families with children ages 4 – 18, scout / youth groups
Advance purchase required. Wake up with some of your favorite animals in this program that brings a special look into how our animals start the day. Enjoy an exclusive keeper talk, a variety of breakfast treats like pastries and yogurt parfaits, activities, and plenty of fun as we say “good morning” to the Zoo. Subject to change based on the needs of the animals. Parking and general admission is included with your ticket!
- Saturday, June 1: Lions, location: African Outpost and Africa Zone
Be sure to sign in on the webstore in order to receive your member discount!
Join us for the wildest camps in town! All camp groups will have the opportunity to experience the Zoo’s attractions, including the carousel, seasonal exhibits, exclusive experiences and enjoy up-close encounters with our small animal ambassadors! Learn more.
Dates:
July 20 — Citizen Science Month
Times: 1 – 3 p.m.
Prices:
Members: Adult — $10 / Child — $7
Non- Members: Adult — $20 / Child — $15 (Includes general Zoo admission)
Intended Audience: Great for adults and kids ages 6 and older!
Are you an aspiring scientist? Do you love learning about the natural world and want to help mitigate the environmental damage humans cause? Join us at the Louisville Zoo as we share information about how you can get involved with Citizen Science! Also called community science, citizen science is the collective term for public involvement in scientific research. It can be anything from counting birds to sampling air quality to identifying images caught by wildlife cameras! The projects we will explore in this program relate to Louisville Zoo conservation initiatives while also encouraging you (and your loved ones) to explore the outdoors.
Dates: May 15, June 12, July 17, August 6 & 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20
Times: 8:30 – 12:30 p.m..
Prices:
Members: $35
Non- Members: $40
Intended Audience: Kids ages 4 – 5 years old
Little feet, big adventures! This drop-off early childhood program encourages your little one to get outside and explore. Participants will engage in child-led nature exploration activities on Zoo grounds in this rain or shine outdoor program. We will test our gross and fine motor skills, practice observation, learn about interesting animal and plant information, and more! Program for children ages 4 to 5 who can use the restroom without adult assistance.
Webstore notice: You will need to create a log in to enroll if you do not already have one.
Dates: May 19, June 9, July 21, August 18
Times: Walk: 9 a.m. – Noon.
Prices:
Members: Adult — $10 / Child — $7
Non- Members: Adult — $20 / Child — $15 (Includes general Zoo admission)
Age 2 and Under: $0
Intended Audience: Great for families that need an exclusive, self-paced program with fewer stimuli and additional places for quiet time!
Advance purchase required.
Enjoy the Zoo at your own pace during this program for Zoo fans that want a quiet, exclusive experience. Participants will enter the Zoo an hour before we open to the public and take a guided Zoo walk to orient themselves in our space.
Zoo walks will include animal information provided by Zoo docents and staff about your favorite ambassador animals and call attention to sensory stops on Zoo grounds like our accessible playground or the Snow Leopard Cub House presented by PNC. Program participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with docents and staff to decide their walking path to ensure you see your favorite areas before the Zoo opens to the public
The Zoo is certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity and offers FREE accommodations for all guests with sensory issues during regular hours. Sensory Bags are available for families to checkout free of charge the day of their visit. Learn more here.
(Members: be sure to click the webstore link for member tickets to receive your discount!)
Dates: March 15 – October 19, 2024 (See schedule below)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Price (per person):
Members $20 adult / $12 child
Non-members $30 adult / $20 child
Children 2 and under are free
Ticket includes parking and Zoo admission.
Intended Audience: Children ages 2 – 6 and their trusted adults
Join us for this program specifically designed for young minds! Enjoy an early morning learning walk through the Zoo focused on different animals each week, followed by time in the Snow Leopard Cub House presented by PNC. This event includes animal information, free play and other age-appropriate activities. Check in on the Zoo’s front plaza between 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. The fun starts at 8:45 a.m. and lasts until 10:30 a.m. Then, enjoy a day of “choose your adventure” at the Zoo!
Weekly Session Themes
Please note all activities are subject to change based on maintenance, weather and the needs of the animals.
Zoo Favorites
April 24, 26, October 23, 25
Say good morning to your favorite Zoo friends! Join us on an early morning walk guided by the group to learn more about our favorite animal ambassadors.
African Safari
May 3, 4, August 28, 30, September 25, 27
Wake up with a roar! Join us as we trek across Africa to learn all about the amazing animals (big and small!) found on the savanna.
Glacier Walk
May 10, 11, September 6, October 4
Walk, don’t (Glacier) run, to join us this morning as we learn about what makes cold weather animals special.
Camouflage
May 17, September 13, 14 and October 11*, 12*
Ever played hide and seek by accident? Join us in finding and observing the Zoo’s best camouflaged residents as we learn about all the different ways animals can hide.
*This program falls within the Trees Louisville Tree Week celebration
Forest Friends
May 22, 24, September 20, 21 and October 18, 19
So many different animals live in the forests around the world. Join us at the Louisville Zoo to learn more about all the different forest dwellers from rain forests to deciduous forests.
VIRTUAL
This series of videos and activities for preschoolers and toddlers teaches important skills in a new Zoo way to help kids start school ready to learn.
Conservation Conversations
Dates: Final Wednesday of each month in 2024
Virtual sessions: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET on Google Meet
Recordings available for registered participants upon request.
In-person sessions: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET (location: LFPL Branch Meeting Room unless otherwise notified)
Cost: FREE
Free Online Reservation
Connect with the Zoo as we critically explore a variety of environmental and conservation topics. Each month we will meet and discuss a conservation topic that falls under one of two larger environmental education themes, Global Climate Change and Ecology. Participants will receive background information and further learning resources for each topic and are invited to participate in a series of 60-minute discussions with Zoo educators. Each conversation will provide an overview of the topic, share connections with your Louisville Zoo, and give recommendations for further learning on the topic. Some conversations will focus on in-person book discussion related to the topic and others will feature virtual discussions and include guest experts! Join the conversation as we engage community members of all ages about topics that are affecting the way we live in Louisville and how people live around the globe.
Each session is designed to work with the others to increase participants comfort with and knowledge of conservation and natural science topics. Participants can register once and receive regular emails from the program coordinator updating them on meeting times, giving topic overviews, and providing further learning resources. There is no obligation to attend every meeting and participants can opt out of the email list at any time.
Registered participants will receive the opportunity to guide the conversation by sending in questions in advance, suggesting topics, and will receive access to recordings of the virtual sessions.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Check out an amazing array of free content to use with your kids including videos and digital resources!