Brandywine Zoo - Wilmington, Delaware 302.571.7747

Close Encounters Of The Wild Kind!

Experience wildlife up close and personal at the Brandywine Zoo. Learn about your favorite animals from zoo staff! No registration required. Fee: FREE with paid admission to the zoo.

Keeper Talks

Experience the Zoo from a Zoo Keeper's perspective. Learn interesting facts about the zoo's fabulous animals and the special ways that keepers deal with them. Fee: FREE with paid admission to the zoo.

Story Time At The Zoo

Especially the Young
Delightful animal stories read by a lively storyteller near the Otter Exhibit, may include craft or activity. Story time will be moved indoors if it is raining! Free with paid admission to the zoo. Please notify the zoo at DNREC_Parks_ZooPrograms@state.de.us if you have a group of 5 or more participants. Fee: FREE with paid admission to the zoo. Please check our calendar of events for specific topics.

Family Programs

The Brandywine Zoo offers programs for the whole family for a variety of age groups year round with the exception of the summer months. Click here for more information. Family programs include:

Tod-Zoo-Ler Programs

Ages 18 months - 3 years
Through age-appropriate games, crafts, activities, and live animal presentations toddlers and their grown up can learn and play together! Fee: $8 per child/ $7 per adult. $6 per child/adult free for Zoo Members. Pre-registration strongly suggested as space is limited. Walk-ins welcome if space is available.

Pre-School Programs

Ages 4 - 6 years
Through age-appropriate hands-on activities and live animal interactions preschoolers and their grown up can spend time learning and playing together! Fee: $8 per child/ $7 per adult. $6 per child/adult free for Zoo Members. Pre-registration strongly suggested as space is limited. Walk-ins welcome if space is available.

"Baby And Me!"

Ages 6 - 18 months
The Brandywine Zoo is excited to host a series of new programs geared toward babies ages 6 - 18 months old. Through hands-on activities we will help foster an early appreciation for our natural world. Fee: $8 per child/ $7 per adult. $6 per child/adult free for Zoo Members. Pre-registration strongly suggested as space is limited. Walk-ins welcome if space is available.

Scout Day At The Brandywine Zoo - Boys And Girls

Enjoy a morning at the zoo designed for scouts and their families! 9AM to Noon. Registered participants for this program get to enjoy special early admission to the zoo before it opens to the public! Enjoy a morning of games, crafts, and activities all geared toward scout requirements. Brandywine Zoo patches will be available for purchase. This is an outdoor event, so dress for the weather. Fee: $7 per person. Space is limited, please register early! For registration information call the zoo at 302-571-7850 ext. 209. Click here to register.

Special Events

All Special Events take place in the zoo, unless otherwise indicated. Special Events are held at the Brandywine Zoo on a regular basis. For all ages.

Zoo Camp

The Brandywine Zoo also offers camp programs for children.

Education Programs

The Zoo staff invites teachers and activity coordinators for senior and youth groups to consider the Brandywine Zoo a satellite classroom for teaching about science and nature. Programs are established for all ages, from toddlers to adults and senior citizens, as well as for onsite here at the Zoo or at your location.

Home School Programs

The Brandywine Zoo's Home School series offers many different subjects to homeschoolers as a part of their Zoo Education Programs.

Learn about specific subjects and how they relate to wildlife, plants, and zoos overall!
Have a WILD adventure while learning about subjects applicable for grades Pre-K through 12.

Discovery Tours

These educational tours provide participants with an experience that is fun, exciting and educational. These programs include a brief introduction to the topic and a guided tour of the zoo complete with hands-on learning activities.

Discovery Tours require a minimum of 15 participants.
One responsible teacher or adult chaperone must accompany each 12-15 students.
There is a small fee per person.
Call early to get your choice of dates. Mid-April through June is our busiest season, and we encourage you to consider alternative dates. We are open every day in every season. Discovery Programs run during the summer as well as throughout the school year. Arrangements must be made in advance. Please call, (302) 571-7850 ext. 208.

Traveling Zoo

Teachers and activity coordinators for organizations such as, libraries, day care centers, youth groups, retirement communities, and neighborhood organizations are invited to host the "zoo-to-you" at your location. A zoo naturalist or zoo docent comes to your location and provides a fun and interesting program featuring live zoo animals! For more information, click here or call (302) 571-7850 ext. 224.

Most Traveling Zoo programs meet State Standards.
These programs require a minimum of 15 participants and there is a small fee.

Teacher Resources

The Brandywine Zoo offers several different types of resources for teachers who want to lead their own program.

Teacher Resources for workshops and educational zoo-related materials you may borrow for your classroom.
Loan Kits are available for classrooms or special group meetings. These self-contained kits provide a teacher/leader with the tools to teach about the welfare of wild animals and about zoo careers.

Self-Guided Tours

You are invited to visit the Zoo with your group on your own. If you have special activities for your students or want to introduce the Zoo in a more informal way, this is the format for you. Call (302) 571-7850 ext. 208 for group rates and visitation information.

Contract Programs

Contract programs for large groups or schools (including grade level appropriate Discovery Tours and Traveling Zoos) are available for a reduced rate. For more information or to set up a Contract Program, please call the Curator of Education at (302) 571-7850 ext. 208.

Design Your Own Program

If you do not see a program that covers the information you wish to illustrate, please call (302) 571-7850 ext. 208 and let us help you design your own program.

For more information, call (302) 571-7850 ext. 208 or email DNREC_Parks_ZooPrograms@state.de.us.