Instill a sense of wonder in your child about animals and the environment with our fabulous entertaining and educational programs.  We offer programs as diverse as the planet itself, from young children through high school.

Zoo Tots: Enjoy animal-themed fun with your youngster (22 months to four years)! Each month we will have a different animal adventure and learn wonderful things about the creatures which share our Earth. 45-minute program includes animal presentation, free play time with “zoo toys,” take-home craft, and story.  A credit card number is required for your reservation. 
See Calendar for Dates and Times

Zoo Patrol: If you love animals, the environment and learning about nature, then you’ll love our summer Zoo Patrol.  The Zoo has been running this very popular program for seventeen years. Children get a fun week of zoo-based activities, tours, and behind the scenes experiences. Each day patrollers tour an area of the zoo, (Rainforest, Predators, Farmyard, or Hoofstock) and enjoy a special presentation by our keeper staff.

Birthdays: With more than 120 species of animals, a carousel, an indoor South American Rainforest, a New England Farmyard, and 52 beautiful acres in Beardsley Park, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a fun and exciting place for any child’s birthday party. The Zoo is available year-round for birthday parties.

Explorers:
Investigate Zoo careers from animal care to development and marketing, to visitor services and maintenance to Zoo director.  Teens, 14 – 18 interested in learning more about Zoos and Zoo careers are welcome to join our Explorer Post.  Zoo Explorer Post members attend career workshops with hands-on activities, take part in job shadows, develop a public presentation and create a year-end project. Program fee of $120 covers all project materials.  Please click here to read more about the program before applying.

Conservation Discovery Corps:
Get involved with local conservation education and field work.  Qualified high school students will have the opportunity to work side by side with field biologists, study the role of zoos in conservation and help educate the zoo’s visitors.  This is a year-long program with the opportunity for greatest involvement during the summer months.  Applications accepted through January 15th each calendar year – Training starts in February. Please click here to read more about the program.