Preschool Programs
For 1 to 5 year olds
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has educational and engaging programs for various ages. Hands-on, creative, and entertaining activities introduce young children to the wonders of the Animal Kingdom! All programs include up-close animal encounters, stories, crafts or activities. Children and their accompanying adult meet different animals in different programs each week.
Story Safari Series
Story Safari Series will introduce you and your child (ages 1-5) to a favorite animal themed book that will engage him or her in a new wonder of the Animal Kingdom. Each 30 minute program will emphasize a positive and engaging interaction with one of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors to help each story come to life. Class size is limited to the first 20 children to register.
2012 Summer Story Safari Series - Please note: Summer Story Safari classes are filled to capacity. Please check back for Fall Series schedules.
| Date | Story | Time |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear | 10:00 a.m. |
| June 25 | Inch by Inch | 10:00 a.m. |
| July 9 | Snappy Little Jungle | 10:00 a.m. |
| July 23 | Philly Joe Giraffe’s Jungle Jazz | 10:00 a.m. |
| August 6 | In the Forest | 10:00 a.m. |
| August 13 | The Parrot Tico Tango | 10:00 a.m. |
Story Safari Series Programs meet at the PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus.
You do not need to enter the Zoo for this program
Fee (includes all 6 stories for the Summer series and one accompanying adult)
$20.00/child Members
$25.00/child Non-members
2012 Summer Story Safari Flyer
Zoo Tots
Zoo Tots focuses on specific animal themes to engage your preschooler as he/she learns about the wonders of the Animal Kingdom. Each program emphasizes positive and engaging interactions with animal ambassadors as well as activities, stories and crafts that revolve around the week’s central theme. Each week’s program builds on knowledge from the previous week, so you and your child will not want to miss a class. These programs are open to preschoolers 3 to 5 years old plus one adult (parent/guardian). All programs are 60-minutes long and take place in the Discovery Center located at Play Park inside the Zoo. Class size is limited to the first 12 children to register.
| Date | Topic | Time |
|---|---|---|
| June 12 or 14 | Round About (Circles in Nature) | 11:30 a.m. |
| June 19 or 21 | E is for… | 11:30 a.m. |
| June 26 or 28 | Nature Squared (Squares in Nature) | 11:30 a.m. |
| July 10 or 12 | F is for… | 11:30 a.m. |
| July 17 or 19 | It’s a Triangular World (Triangles in Nature) | 11:30 a.m. |
| July 24 or 26 | G is for… | 11:30 a.m. |
| July 31 or August 2 | Long, Longer, Longest | 11:30 a.m. |
| August 7 or 9 | H is for… | 11:30 a.m. |
| August 14 or 16 | Tall, Taller, Tallest | 11:30 a.m. |
Fee (includes an accompanying adult)
$7.00/child/class Members
$7.50/child/class Non-Members - Does not include Zoo admission that must be paid separately.
New this season!
Sign up for the semester and save!
Register for the “Bonus Pack” and attend all 9 classes for the price of 8!
$56.00/child/bonus pack Members
$60.00/child/bonus pack Non-members - Does not include Zoo admission that must be paid separately.
Register online
Deadline for registration is 5 p.m. on Thursday before the week of scheduled classes.
Policies
Authorizations
By enrolling in our programming, you authorize any emergency medical treatment and allow the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to use your image for promotional and news purposes.
Waiting Lists
Due to the overwhelming popularity of our Preschool Programs, we do keep waiting lists when classes fill. If a desired program is not visible on the registration site, please assume that the date is filled to capacity. To be added to a wait list, contact the Education department directly by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 904-757-4463 x101.
For more information, email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 904-757-4463 x101.
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
