Current Zoo Programs

Zoo Boise programs strive to inspire the conservation of wildlife worldwide by providing unique, fun, and engaging nature-focused experiences! Activities include up-close animal encounters, zoo tours, nature walks, ecology games and simulations, science-based investigations, zookeeper presentations, and more.

Register By Phone

Call (208) 608-7680

Register Online

Click to register online

Questions?

Email our education staff

WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMS:

Registration now open!
Annual passholders to Zoo Boise get a reduced rate on programs. Send an EMAIL to get the promo code.

Zoo Boise Camps Can Include:

  • Animal meet and greet
  • Zoo guided tours
  • Classroom lessons, demonstrations, and experiments
  • Exploration of animal biofacts
  • Arts & crafts projects
  • Educational videos
  • Zookeeper talks
  • Ecology-focused games

school break day camps:

Day Camps: $60
Spring Break Camps: $170

Times:
9am – 4pm

Creepy Crawlies (Grades 2-5)

Monday, January 15

We have snakes that slither, sneaky stick insects, and our not so sloooow tortoises. Come learn about herpetology and entomology with us at Zoo Boise. The cold winter is here, but we still must care for our cold-blooded friends.

ART SAFARI (Grades 2-5)

Monday, February 19

Animals have always been celebrated in different forms of art. From paintings to sculpture, to dance and music, we’ll explore all forms of art and make some of our own with a messy Zoo Boise twist.

Bird Nerds (Grades 2-5)

Friday, April 19

Boise is for the birds! Learn about ornithology, bird watching, native birds, and our wild birds from around the world.

Spring Break – Creatures & Beasts

Monday - Wednesday, March 18-20

Spring Break camps for Grades 3-5 & Grades 6-8.

Design and create an exhibit, search for tracks of mystical animals, watch out for the poop (identify scat), train your mystical animals, make enrichment activities for our wild animals, and meet zoo staff.

Register By Phone

Call (208) 608-7680

Register Online

Click to register online

Questions?

Email our education staff

PRESCHOOL ZOO 

Ages:
Child (ages 3-5) + Adults
Must register individually.

cost:
$35 per series

 

Get to know some of our Zoo Boise animals better in this series of programs designed for adults & preschoolers. Each week features a different animal. Activities are designed to be multi-sensory and may include mini zoo tours, movement activities, listening to stories, crafts, touching artifacts, and meeting live animals. Join us for this informal introduction to the wonderful world of animals! All children must be accompanied by an enrolled, paying adult and who is ready to take part in the activities! Maximum of 2 children per enrolled adult. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend. All children must be at least 3 years old.

SERIES 1: JANUARY

Vervet Monkeys, Red Pandas, Vultures, & Crocodiles

January 9-30 – Tuesdays, 10 – 11AM
January 6-27 – Saturdays – 9:30 – 10:30AM
January 6-27 – Saturdays – 11AM – 12PM

SERIES 2: FEBRUARY

Otters, Goats, Tamarins, & Raptors

February 6-27 – Tuesdays, 10 – 11AM
February 3-24 – Saturdays – 9:30 – 10:30AM
February 3-24 – Saturdays – 11AM – 12PM

SERIES 3: April

Baboons, Tortoises, Meerkats, & Insects

April 2-23 – Tuesdays, 10 – 11AM
April 6-27 – Saturdays – 9:30 – 10:30AM
April 6-27 – Saturdays – 11AM – 12PM

Register By Phone

Call (208) 608-7680

Register Online

Click to register online

Questions?

Email our education staff

HOMESCHOOL ZOO

Costs:
Ages 5-8 – $18
Ages 9-13 – $26.50
Per person and day

Times:
Wednesdays
Ages 5-8 – 9 AM- 11AM
Ages 9-13 – 9AM – 12PM

The Homeschool Zoo program series provides a unique learning experience for students schooled at home.

The course consists of classroom discussion, laboratory activities, animal encounters and specialized zoo tours. Classes align with Idaho State Science Standards and focus on topics and principles based on grade level. Themes will emphasize looking at animal groups and taxonomy, adaptations, habitats, and ecology. Each individual household must register their child for the class. Kids only! Please bring a small snack for a 15-minute break during class.

K – 1st grade

January 10 – Animal Engineers
February 7 – Littles Behaviors
April 3 – Life Cycles

2nd – 3rd grade

January 17 – Land & Water
February 14 – Biomes of the World
April 10 – Biodiversity

4th – 5th grade

January 24 – Earth’s Spheres
February 21 – Energy to Food
April 17 – Survival!

6th – 8th grade

January 31 – Ecosystem Services
February 28 – Trophic Cascades
April 24 – Predator/Prey

Register By Phone

Call (208) 608-7680

Register Online

Click to register online today

Questions?

Please email our education staff

FAMILY & ADAPTIVE PROGRAMS

EARTH DAY FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Thursday, April 11
6 - 8PM

Cost: $8 Per Person

Every day is Earth Day at Zoo Boise but join us to celebrate Mother Earth in April! We are excited to open the zoo for families to explore after hours too. The zoo is totally different in the twilight: some animals go right to bed while others are just getting ready to “party”. We will have stations with animal artifacts, Earth Day activities, you can meet our animal ambassadors, and join us for a guided tour. Registration/payment required for each family member. 

HOMESCHOOL FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Thursday, May 2
6 - 8PM

Cost: $8 Per Person

Come have fun with all your kiddos, co-ops, homeschool friends and enjoy an after-hours zoo exploration! We will have stations with animal artifacts, art activities, you can meet our animal ambassadors, and join us for a guided tour (though, some animals have an early bedtime). Registration/payment required for each family member. 

ADAPTIVE EVENING AT THE ZOO – ALL AGES

Thursday, May 9
6 - 8PM

Cost: $8 Per Person

Join us for an after-hours zoo experience designed for individuals with disabilities and their families and friends! Stations are focused on varying degrees of sensory input and will include self-guided animal artifact exploration, guided zoo exploration time (please note, some animals have an early bedtime), up close animal encounters, and art activities.

ADULT ONLY PROGRAMS

WOO AT THE ZOO (21+)

Thursday, February 15
6 - 8PM

Cost: $45 Per Person

A Wild Valentine’s Celebration for Adults!

Birds do it. Bees do it. Snow leopards sometimes do it. Find out how animals at Zoo Boise woo each other. Our Valentine’s Day program will reveal the very intimate secrets of exotic animal mating and dating – from the humorous and tawdry to passionate. Open to both singles and sweethearts 21+. Join us for fun activities and a guided after-hours tour. Seasonal appetizers provided, plus beer/cider will be available for purchase.

WILD AT TWILIGHT (21+)

Thursday, March 14
6 - 8PM

Cost: $45 Per Person

You will see the zoo in a new light after dark! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Zoo Boise. Enjoy a guided after-hours tour where you may see different animals and different behaviors. Find out which animals get wild at twilight! Seasonal appetizers provided, plus beer/cider will be available for purchase.

Snooze at the Zoo Overnights

Join us for an overnight adventure at Zoo Boise! Zoo Boise offers a variety of Snooze at the Zoo overnight programs for your Family, Scout Troop, or School Group.

Education programs are sponsored by:

Albertsons main sponsor horizontal logo 2024

When you register for a class or program with the Zoo Boise/City of Boise, this Personal Release Statement is implied: I understand that the registered activities and services may have an element of hazard or inherent danger and I take full responsibility for my actions and physical condition. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Boise and its employees from any liability loss, cost, or expense (including attorney’s fees, medical, and ambulance costs) that I may incur while participating in the Recreation activities. I give my consent to use any photographs or videotape taken of me in future promotional or marketing materials.