Education Programs

Engaging Minds, Inspiring Futures:
Discover the Power of Learning at THE Topeka Zoo

The Topeka Zoo’s educational programs bring learning to life with engaging animal encounters and hands-on activities for all ages. Discover the joy of exploration and the importance of conservation in every experience.

Quick links to our most popular education programs:

ZOO EDUCATION PROGRAMS

PROGRAMS AT THE ZOO

Topeka Zoo offers a variety of educational programs to complement your classroom curriculum. Programs are offered in one- or two-hour blocks.

PRICING

One-Hour Programs hosted at the Zoo - $90 ($95 starting Jan 1, 2025)
Two-Hour Programs (only hosted at the Zoo) - $175 flat fee for groups of 29 or less ($180 starting Jan 1, 2025); $6/person for groups of 30 or more ($6.50/person starting Jan 1, 2025).
Any additional consecutive programs after the first hour are $45 for a half hour ($50 starting Jan 1, 2025) and $90 for an hour ($100 starting Jan 1, 2025). You may not book a program for less than an hour.
There is an additional $45 fee for weekend and evening (after 5:00pm) programs ($50 starting Jan 1, 2025).

BRING THE ZOO TO YOU

Let us transform your classroom, library, retirement center, or organization meeting into an exotic encounter with our Zoo2U program.

PRICING:

Zoo2U is $130 for an hour-long program ($135 starting Jan 1, 2025).
Any additional consecutive programs after the first hour are $45 for a half hour ($50 starting Jan 1, 2025) and $90 for an hour ($100 starting Jan 1, 2025). You may not book a program for less than an hour.
There is an additional $45 fee for weekend and evening (after 5:00pm) programs ($50 starting Jan 1, 2025).

Travel outside of the Topeka City limits will incur an additional charge for gas, travel, and staff time.

To schedule a zoo program, contact our Education Department at 785-368-9137 or Education@Topekazoo.org.

DISCOVERY HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM

This program is designed to provide an in-depth and personal encounter with science concepts, vocabulary, and interactions with the zoo. Class will include a presentation, at least one live animal, and a craft/activity. These classes are adapted to all grade levels and open to the general public.

2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR DATES AND THEMES:

Yearly Theme: Strange Spaces

Description: Leave the common habitats, biomes, and ecosystems behind as we explore strange spaces around the world that usually go unnoticed! We'll learn about these interesting areas and the creatures that call them home.

Dates and Themes:

September 11th - Cloud Forests
October 16th - Hydrothermal Vents
November 13th - Steppes
December 11th - Caves
January 8th - Bogs, Swamps, and Marshes
February 12th - Chaparrals
March 12th - Ephemeral Pools
April 9th - Meadows
May 14th - Intertidal Spaces

TIME: 10:00-11:30am

LOCATION: Gary K. Clarke Education Classroom; Activity may be outside so please dress appropriately.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration required. Maximum capacity of 30 people.

https://store.topekazoo.org/#/Education

Registration and payment are required for all children ages 3-17. At least one parent, guardian, or caretaker is required to attend per family and gets into the class for free. Limit to one free adult per family unit. Children 2 and under are free and do not require pre-registration.

COST: FOTZ Members: $6.00*/student/class ($7 starting Jan 1, 2025); Non-members: $8.00*/student/class ($9 starting Jan 1, 2025) (*Admission to the zoo not included in class price and is required for all people in your party; tax will be added on top of class fees.)

PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Preschool Zoo Time

The Preschool Classes are canceled for the time being. Please contact 785-368-9137 with questions.

A special program designed for preschool-age children ages 2-5. The program includes a story, live animal encounter, and craft.

DATES: First Friday of the month, March-November

TIME: 10:30-11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Gary K. Clarke Education Center

COST: $2 per child. Requires paid Zoo admission

Parents are admitted free to Preschool Zoo Time with paid Zoo admission.

Registration is not required.

SCOUT WORKSHOPS

MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING CLASSES

Available programs

1 Hour

2 Hour (only available at the zoo)

ANIMAL CLASSIFICATIONS

ECOSYSTEMS AND HABITATS

ANIMALS AND THEIR YOUNG

BODY COVERINGS

A SENSE OF TOUCH

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED

THE UNTOUCHABLES

MYTH BUSTERS

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTED

BUGS, BUGS, BUGS

THE WETLANDS

The wet areas of our world house much of the life on earth, including a large number of the world’s threatened and endangered species. We’ll explore what wetlands are and where they’re found, discover why wetlands are so important to us and use live animals to explore life in the wetlands. Then we’ll take nets to the three ponds on zoo grounds to capture all the wetland animals we can catch, examine them and compare and contrast wetland animals.

NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE PRAIRIE

Don't see what you are looking for? No problem! Our Education Department can adapt your desired curriculum into a program.

Public & Private Classes Available!

Monarch Butterfly Education & Tagging Class

Monarch butterfly populations have declined by close to 90% in the last few decades. These beautiful insects migrate through Kansas during the last two weeks of September, and we are waiting for them! Join to Topeka Zoo as we offer in-person education classes about monarchs.

Click to Learn More

Earn a badge at the Topeka Zoo!

Scout Workshops

Earn a badge at the Topeka Zoo! Join in one of our workshops to complete requirements for your scout badge, available for both girl and boy scouts, you can learn a variety of skills while having fun at the Zoo!

Take the Next Step!

Education Programs

Engaging Minds, Inspiring Futures:
Discover the Power of Learning at THE Topeka Zoo

Quick links to our most popular education programs:

PROGRAMS AT THE ZOO

PRICING

BRING THE ZOO TO YOU

PRICING:

Preschool Zoo Time

Available programs

1 Hour

2 Hour (only available at the zoo)

Public & Private Classes Available!

Monarch Butterfly Education & Tagging Class

Earn a badge at the Topeka Zoo!

Scout Workshops

General Hours of Operation

Contact Us

General Admission Rates (Before Tax)

Get Involved

Education Programs

Engaging Minds, Inspiring Futures:Discover the Power of Learning at THE Topeka Zoo

Quick links to our most popular education programs:

Available programs

1 Hour

2 Hour (only available at the zoo)

Public & Private Classes Available!

Monarch Butterfly Education & Tagging Class

Earn a badge at the Topeka Zoo!

Scout Workshops

General Hours of Operation

Contact Us

General Admission Rates (Before Tax)

Get Involved

Engaging Minds, Inspiring Futures:
Discover the Power of Learning at THE Topeka Zoo