Guided Tours
- Grades: K - Adult
- Time: 60 minutes
- Fee: $175 / $125 (off-peak)
Book a guided a tour and a knowledgeable Zoo Expert will lead you and your students on a one-hour adventure throughout the zoo. We offer thematic tours including Animal Adaptations, Animal Families, Animal Defenses, Habitats and Ecosystems, and more. Our tours provide special, teachable moments to reinforce concepts introduced and explored in classrooms, camps, and scouting programs. When booking your tour, please let us know how we can best meet your learning goals.
Animal Adaptations: What makes an animal suited for its environment? In this tour, your students will learn how adaptations help animals survive in the wild. As you walk around the zoo, your Tour Guide will concentrate on physical features (like fur and feathers), as well as colors (that can warn, attract or camouflage). For older students (3rd grade and up), behavioral adaptations will also be introduced.
Animal Families: Just like people, animals have many different types of families. This tour concentrates on how animals interact with each other and how they raise their young. Your Tour Guide will introduce you to both social and solitary animals as you walk around the zoo. You may even see some of our youngest animals too!
Animal Defenses: All animals need defenses to protect themselves from dangers in the wild! As you walk around the zoo, your Tour Guide will encourage your students to be on the lookout for animals with weapons (like horns, sharp teeth and claws) that help in catching prey or protecting their families. Your students will also discover how animals use coloration, chemicals and amazing behaviors to keep their families safe (and keep from being eaten).
Habitats and Ecosystems: What do animals need in order to survive in their habitats? Whether they live in a desert, rainforest, or on a mountain top; all animals need water, shelter, space and food! During this tour your students will be on the lookout for herbivores, omnivores and carnivores. Your Tour Guide will help your students discover what our animals eat (both in the wild and at the zoo), and how they forage or hunt for food in different habitats.
Registration
- If you would like to schedule a Prospect Park Zoo Education program, please complete the Prospect Park Zoo Program Request Form or call the Education Department at 800-433-4149, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. You can also email ppzeducation@wcs.org with any questions about education programs or the registration process.
- Once your booking has been made, an invoice with program information, including date & time, will be sent to you. This letter is valid for free general admission for your classes & must be shown at the entrance gate on the scheduled dates.
- A $50 change fee will be incurred if the school needs to change the program dates.
- If you’re interested in learning about new and exciting education opportunities at the Prospect Park Zoo, please sign up for our email list here!
Class Size
- PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN: Maximum class size is 25 students & 7 adults, including the teacher.
- 1ST GRADE & UP: Maximum class size is 35 students & 7 adults, including the teacher.
- Schools are not allowed to combine classes to reach the maximum class size.
- School & camp groups are required to provide a minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 10 children & chaperones must remain with their group at all times.
- SPECIAL NEEDS CLASSES: We welcome students with special needs. Please be sure to mention special needs or disabilities when registering so that we can place your class in a wheelchair-accessible classroom. We require one adult for every two students in a special education class with a maximum class size of 12 students.
Payment Policy
- Payment in full is due at least 4 weeks prior to the program date & ASAP if booked within 4 weeks.
- Under no circumstances will a program be held without full payment in advance or a Purchase Order.
- Payment may be made by check, credit card, or Purchase Order.
Cancellation Policy
- All cancellations must be received in writing by email, ppzeducation@wcs.org, or fax, (718) 733-9545.
- Cancellations made at least 4 weeks in advance will receive a 50% refund.
- There are no refunds for programs cancelled less than 4 weeks prior to the scheduled date of program.
Late Arrivals
Due to a very full schedule, programs will not be extended for late-arriving groups beyond the scheduled end time. Staff will make every attempt to cover as much material as possible in the time available. Please obtain information on how to locate us in advance of your trip by visiting the directions page on our website.
Weather Conditions
Programs are held rain or shine unless trips are cancelled by school officials or a zoo closure is in effect. Please encourage children to dress appropriately for outdoor activities.
For General Admission Only
Visit our self-guided visits page >>
For more information please call 800-433-4149 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except holidays), or email ppzeducation@wcs.org with any questions about education programs or the registration process.
