Brandywine Zoo - Family Programs

The Education Department offers special programs for specific age groups except during the summer months. Read about
some of the wonderful programs below.

Note that some programs require registration. If you have further questions, please call the Education Department at (302) 571-7850 Ext. 208.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

Free Family Experiences

Pint Sized Planeteers - For ages 18 months - 6 years

Tod-ZOO-lers & Preschool Programs - For ages 18 months - 3 years

Special Events - For All Ages

Free Family Experiences

The following are free programs with your paid admission. During certain seasons.

Daily: June-August, 10:00am - 3:30pm

Close Encounters of the WILD Kind!

All Ages
Experience wildlife up close and personal at the Brandywine Zoo. Learn about your favorite animals from zoo staff!

Daily: June-August, 11:30am and 1:30pm
All Ages

Daily Keeper Watching

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.

Every Thursday: 10:00am - 10:30am

Story Time at the Zoo

All Ages - 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.

Pint Sized Planeteers

For ages 18 months - 6 years

The Brandywine Zoo offers programs specially designed for children 18 months to 6 years old. These fun-filled frolics into the animal world may include a story, a live animal visit, and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult. One adult is admitted free for each participating child. Programs are held in the Education Building. Space is limited, so pre-registration is strongly suggested. Fee: $8 per child; $6 per child for Delaware Zoological Society.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

Tuesday, January 31: 10:00am - 11:00am

Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: The Tortoise and the Hare

18 months to 6 yrs
Brandywine Zoo animals all have zoo-rific tools for survival in the wild. Each program highlights a special animal with unique adaptations. Registration strongly suggested, walk-in's welcome if space is available. One adult is free for each paid participant. Program begins in the Education Building. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, February 14: 10:00am - 11:00am

Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: I Love ZOO!

18 months to 6 yrs
If you love the zoo and want to learn more about how animals show their care and concern for each other, come to this fun-loving program. We'll read the story "I Love You With All Of My Heart" by Noris Kern, then make a sweet valentine for your favorite zoo animal. Registration strongly suggested, walk-in's welcome if space is available. One adult is free for each paid participant. Program begins in the Education Building. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, February 28: 10:00am - 11:00am

Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: Llama-rama

Tod-ZOO-lers & Preschool Programs

For ages 18 months - 3 years

Thursday, March 1: 10:00am - 11:00am

Tod-ZOO-lers: Tigers

Ages 18 months - 3 years
Spring into action and join us for a special program just for toddlers! Learn about our Tiger-iffic cat, Zhanna! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, March 6: 10:00am - 11:00am

Preschool Program: Tigers

Ages 3 years to 6 yrs
Preschoolers, bring your grown-up and head to the zoo for a morning of tiger talk, walk, and activities! Learn why these cool cats are totally terrrrific! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Thursday, March 8: 10:00am - 11:00am

TodZOO-lers: Bobcats

Ages 18 months - 3 years
Spring into action and join us for a special program just for toddlers! Learn about our Bright Bobcat! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, March 13: 10:00am - 11:00am

Preschool Program: Bobcats

Ages 3 yrs to 6 years
Preschoolers, bring your grown-up and head to the zoo for a morning of bobcat talk, walk, and activities! Learn why these cool cats are blaringly bright! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, March 27: 10:00am - 11:00am

Tod-ZOO-lers: Serval

Ages 18 months to 3 years
Spring into action and join us for a special program just for toddlers! Learn about our Super Serval, Savannah! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Thursday, March 29: 10:00am - 11:00am

Preschool Program: Serval

Ages 3 yrs to 6 years
Preschoolers, bring your grown-up and head to the zoo for a morning of serval talk, walk, and activities! Learn why these cool cats are super stealth! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Tuesday, April 17: 10:00am - 11:00am

Tod-ZOO-lers: Ocelot

Ages 18 months to 3 yrs
Spring into action and join us for a special program just for toddlers! Learn about our awesome ocelot, Ramone! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Thursday, April 19: 10:00am - 11:00am

Preschool Program: Ocelot

Ages 3 yrs to 6 years
Preschoolers, bring your grown-up and head to the zoo for a morning of ocelot talk, walk, and activities! Learn why these cool cats are utterly awesome! Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. One adult is free for each paid participant. Fee:$8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Special Events

All Special Events take place in the zoo, unless otherwise indicated.

Saturday, February 11: 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Cupid's Creatures, A Valentine Event for Everyone!

All Ages
Have you been bit by the love bug, the animal love bug that is? Join us for this sweet, heart-warming event in the zoo visiting your favorite zoo animals! Event takes place in the zoo so dress for the weather. Pre-registration required by February 9th. Fee: $3 per person/FREE for Delaware Zoological Society Members (to show you how much we love our members!) To register click here.

Thursday, February 16: 10:00am - 12 noon

Celebrating Africa!

All Ages
Teachers, Parents, Care Givers, celebrate the wild wonder that is Africa! Learn about African animals, meet some that reside at the Brandywine Zoo, enjoy African arts, crafts, stories, and music! Celebration takes place in the zoo, so dress for the weather. Registration Required by noon on February 14th. Fee: $2 per person! To register click here.

Saturday, March 3: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Zhanna's Zoo

All Ages
Visit Zhanna, our resident Amur tiger, and other zoo critters after a long winter! Spring is coming to the zoo and zoo staff is getting ready for a tiger-iffic season! This event will include tiger related crafts, games and activities. Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program takes place out in the main zoo, so dress for the weather! Fee: $3.00 per person. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11, 10am - 3:30pm

Brandywine Zoo's SPRING Event!

Put a spring in your step with family and friends at the Brandywine Zoo! Experience live entertainment, fun animal games, crafts, and activities all whiletaking in the great outdoors. Fee: FREE Admission.

Saturday, March 10, 1:30pm - 3pm

Volunteer Open House

Ages 18 - Seniors
Looking to make a difference? Want to share your passion for wildlife conservation? Do you want to inspire others? The zoo may be the place for YOU! We are looking for mature, dedicated, knowledgeable, outgoing, and inspiring individuals to spread the Brandywine Zoo's mission about wildlife conservation through our education and interpretive programs and events. To find out more, attend the zoo's open house located in the Education Building (next to the Exotic House.) You will be able to gather information, ask questions, complete the necessary application & background check, and interview for a position if you choose! Registration not required. Fee: FREE.

Saturday, March 17: 9 am - 12 noon

Scout Day at Brandywine Zoo (Boy & Girl Scouts)

Enjoy a morning at the zoo designed for scouts and their families! 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: $7.00 per person. Pre-registration required, space is limited, so please register early! Deadline for registration is March 13. To register click here.

Saturday, March 17: 1:00pm - 3:30pm

Saint Patrick's Day at the Zoo

All Ages
Come Celebrate the Luck of the Irish at the Brandywine Zoo. Wear GREEN in support of creating a "greener" earth! This event will include green crafts, games and activities that support wildlife conservation. Registration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space is available. Program begins in the Education Building. Fee: $4 per person;$3 per person for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Monday - Friday, March 19-23, 8:30am - 4pm

Spring Zoo Camp 2012

Ages 4-13
Drop off 8-8:30am, camp starts promptly at 8:30am
Aftercare M-Th, until 5:30pm

Have a WILD spring break at the zoo! Each day will have a different zoo-related theme and the week will be filled with zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, games, songs, stories, learning projects and more! Register in advance for a whole week or any combination of days. Fee: $175.00/week/child or $40/day/child; ; $145/week/child or $35/day/child for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare offered Mo-Th: $35/week or $10/day.

Sunday, April 1: 10:00am - 3:30pm

Fool for the Zoo

All Ages
Be a fool for the Zoo and celebrate April Fools Day at the Brandywine Zoo! Learn the truth to common (and sometimes foolish) animal myths. Discover how some animals "fool us" as you trackdown their "tricks". The day will include various fun and wild activity stations, games, crafts. No Pre-registration required. Fee: Free with paid admission to the zoo.

Friday, April 6: 10:00am - 3:30pm

EGG-stravaganza!

All Ages
Hop on over to the Brandywine Zoo and enjoy an EGG-cellent day of wild fun! The day will include various spring activity stations, games, and crafts that will make the day egg-ceptionally special! No Pre-registration required. Fee: Free with paid admission to the zoo.

Monday - Friday, April 9-13, 8:30am-4pm

Spring Zoo Camp 2012

Ages 4-13
Drop off 8-8:30am, camp starts promptly at 8:30am
Aftercare M-Th, until 5:30pm

Have a WILD spring break at the zoo! Each day will have a different zoo-related theme and the week will be filled with zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, games, songs, stories, learning projects and more! Register in advance for a whole week or any combination of days. Fee: $175.00/week/child or $40/day/child; $145.00/week/child or $35/day/child for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Aftercare offered Mo-Th: $35/week or $10/day.

Saturday, April 21: 10am - 3:30pm

Party for the Planet: An Earth Day Celebration for Everyone!

Spend a day with those your closest to at the zoo in celebration of our fragile earth! 2012 is the Year of the Bat! Find out how these delicate creatures and other pollinators benefit our lives and more importantly what we can do to help them! Live entertainment, bat and pollinator related games, stories, crafts, live animal presentations and MORE are all part of the day's fun! Fee: FREE with paid admission to the zoo. Rain Date: April 22nd.

Wednesday, April 25: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Stroller Safari

18 months - 6 years
Take a walk on the wild side. Join us at the zoo for a Stroller Safari and learn about our animal friends through age appropriate stories, special activities and fun animal encounters. Fee: $8 per child per program/$6 per child per program for Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.

Saturday, April 28: 10:30am - 11:30am

Stroller Safari

Open House: Summer Zoo Internships for High School Students

Ages 14-18
The Brandywine Zoo's Education Department is looking for committed teens to fill a select number of internship positions for summer 2012. The Zoo's unique internship program offers teens a chance to work in the zoo assisting with summer camps and/or leading informal programs for the public. After successfully completing the application/interview process, all selected interns must attend the mandatory training session on Saturday, May 19, 9 am - 4 pm (No Exceptions!) Zoo staff will be on hand to answer questions and to show off the wonder that is the Brandywine Zoo! The Open House will meet in the Education Building. All high school students are welcome to attend. Registration not required. For more information click here.

Sunday, April 29: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Teddy Bear Tea!

All Ages
Does your favorite stuffed animal deserve a trip to the Zoo? This is the perfect opportunity! Kids, bring your adult and your favorite stuffed animal to this fun event designed to discover what cool tools our zoo animals have to survive! You'll be surprised how much zoo animals have in common with your beloved stuffed animal! We'll explore the zoo together and participate in various fun, animal-related activities. Just like zoo animals have a veterinarian to care for them, we'll have our own "Dr. Moose" available to perform a check-up & simple medical administrations on your stuffed animal! We'll end the program with a sumptuous treat in celebration of animals! Program begins in the Education Building and concludes in the main zoo.vRegistration strongly suggested, walk-ins welcome if space available. Fee: $8/person; $6/person, Delaware Zoological Society Members. Program may be altered or cancelled due to inclement weather! To register click here.