These 30-45 minute programs enhance any visit to the Zoo. With many topics to choose from, give your group a chance to meet some animals up close!

Reservations should be made two weeks in advance.

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Our Ed-Zoo-Cational Combo includes a 45 minute class on a topic  of your choice with live animals, as well as a personal guide through the Zoo to tell you about the animals and answer your questions.  This program lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Reservations should be made two weeks in advance.

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Bring the zoo to you, with just a phone call our animal ambassadors can visit your school or facility. Using biofacts, activities and up-close animal encounters we bring the outside world inside to you. Choose from a variety of programs, designed for all age groups to help fulfill State Standards.

Costs start at $175.00 . Prices are adjusted for travel outside of Peoria and number of participants.

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Ever had a giraffe peaking in your bedroom window? You can now when you spend the night at the Zoo! Get a chance to sleep in Africa!, enjoy nocturnal tours, meet some animals up close and find out what the Zoo is like at night. Your group’s adventure begins at 7:00pm and ends the next morning at 9:00am. Snack and breakfast provided as well as admission into the Zoo the next day! This program is great for scouts, church groups and so many others!

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Come and learn about Peoria Zoo! This adult only series will focus on what makes Peoria Zoo a world class zoo experience. Learn about our past, our efforts today, and our bright future. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend each class in the series, classes offered; January 18, February 15, March 15 and April 19

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Bring your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and kids of all ages to learn about animal families while spending time with your own! We will explore different animal family dynamics through activities, crafts, and games. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend both classes in the series; the classes are offered on February 14-Mobs, Pods, and Prides (Mammal Families) and April 11-Parliaments, Flocks, and Murders (Bird Families).

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Come and learn about Peoria Zoo! This adult only series will focus on what makes Peoria Zoo a world class zoo experience. Learn about our past, our efforts today, and our bright future. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend each class in the series, classes offered; January 18, February 15, March 15 and April 19

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Come and learn about Peoria Zoo! This adult only series will focus on what makes Peoria Zoo a world class zoo experience. Learn about our past, our efforts today, and our bright future. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend each class in the series, classes offered; January 18, February 15, March 15 and April 19

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Bring your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and kids of all ages to learn about animal families while spending time with your own! We will explore different animal family dynamics through activities, crafts, and games. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend both classes in the series; the classes are offered on February 14-Mobs, Pods, and Prides (Mammal Families) and April 11-Parliaments, Flocks, and Murders (Bird Families).

Comments closed

Come and learn about Peoria Zoo! This adult only series will focus on what makes Peoria Zoo a world class zoo experience. Learn about our past, our efforts today, and our bright future. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required.

Attend each class in the series, classes offered; January 18, February 15, March 15 and April 19

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Instructors: Zoo & Botanical Garden Staff

Within nature, there are many spooky creatures and seriously dangerous, even frightening, plants. In the spirit of Howl-Zoo-Ween and the Chrysanthemum Show “The Nightmare before Christmas”, we will explore sensationally spooky creatures and beautiful but dangerous plants. The class will be held at the new Tropics classroom at the Zoo (use the old Zoo entrance).  Halloween fun for the whole family! Spooky snacks will be served!

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Ever wondered what’s going on at Peoria Zoo at night?  Find out when you spend the night at the Zoo! Enjoy nocturnal tours, meet some animals up close and find out what the Zoo is like at night. Your group’s adventure begins at 7:00pm and ends the next morning at 9:00am. Snack and breakfast provided as well as admission into the Zoo the next day!

This event runs April 22nd from 7:00pm until April 23 at 9:00am.

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Let’s get back to nature together! Nature based crafts, activities, takeaways, and more!  Join our Peoria Zoo Family Nature Club! Family Nature Club is a program for all ages!  This program is designed for parents and children to explore the natural world together.

Family Nature Club Programs are running  August 26, September 9 and September 26

Aug. 26                 Migration Investigation
What does it take to prepare and go on a long journey?  We’ll be talking about the different animals that migrate and the reasons why.

Sept. 9                  Leaves are Lovely
Let’s take a look at the different things that plant leaves provide:  food, shelter and more!

Sept. 26                Winter is Coming
Different animals have different strategies for surviving the cold season.  We’ll dive into adaptations and behaviors that help animals survive during the winter.

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Homeschool Classes

Science has never been more exciting, with up-close animal encounters, tours, experiments, crafts and more! Each month is a new topic designed to help meet state standards and ignite a love of animals in young learners.  Parents are welcome to attend for a fee.  For students 5-13 years old.

Home School classes are running September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13

Homeschool Dates and Topics

Sept. 13                SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction)
Many animal populations are in need of help.  We’ll talk about what we can do to aid animal species and we’ll explore the many successes in animal conservation.

Oct. 11                  Creepy Crawlers
They’re not just creepy, they’re necessary!   We’ll explore the world of invertebrates and the benefits of our little friends.

Nov. 8                   We’re So Thankful
In the Thanksgiving spirit, we will talk about those animals who play important roles in human lives.

Dec. 13                 Santa’s Naughty List
Asian carp, Burmese pythons, and garlic mustard.  What do all of these things have in common?  They are all invasive species!  We’ll explore some troublesome species and talk about the ways we can help our native friends.

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