Fun in the Forest & Family Garden
Join in on the fun in the Children’s Enchanted Forest or the Family Garden during your visit at the zoo! Our Mesker Park Zoo Docents will provide interactive experiences for children of all ages on select Saturdays during the late spring, summer, and early fall seasons. These activities are seasonal and weather dependent, so check the zoo calendar or call ahead if you want to be sure to catch them. Activities will commence in the Children’s Enchanted Forest stage area or in the Family Garden area, and will include stories, plays, music, crafts, animal biofacts, and live animal encounters.
ZooLittles
ZooLittles is a weekly series for preschoolers (ages 3-5) at the Zoo. Children will enjoy learning about plants and animals while experiencing the natural world around them in an interactive program. Programs in the 6-session series may include physical activities, animal visits, explorations, stories, or crafts.
Registration is limited to 12 children per session. An adult caregiver should plan to participate with their child.
PLEASE NOTE: The age range is a guideline as to our focus audience for our activities. Please register and pay for ALL children that you are bringing that will want to participate. We can customize a fee for tag-along children coming to single sessions. If you wish to register for a portion of the series or add tag-alongs once the series has begun, just call us to do so.Thank you!
Direct questions to 812-435-0809, or education@meskerparkzoo.com, or to the front gate 812-435-6143.
2022 Spring Series -Wednesdays, 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
| Dates | Theme | Description |
| April 6 | Counting | We will practice our counting skills and learn more about our new Humboldt penguin friends! |
| April 13 | Shapes | We will learn how to spot different shapes in nature! |
| April 20 | Movement | We will explore different animal movements and practice our motor skills. |
| April 27 | Patterns | We will explore patterns in animal shapes and coverings. |
| May 4 | Symmetry | We will investigate symmetry and explore its beauty in nature! |
| May 11 | Creativity | We will use our animal knowledge and creativity to make our own animal! |
2022 Fall Series -Wednesdays, August 17 – September 21; 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
More details on activities to come summer of 2022.
COST:
The program fee is $45 for children and includes all activity supplies for the program. There is no program fee for adults and children under 2. Program fees can be paid online at time of registration. This program fee is in addition to Zoo admission, which is free for members.
LOCATION:
The ZooLittles program will meet in the Event Tent and may move to other parts of the zoo to accomplish the themed activities planned. From the entrance, enter the path to the right and walk past the Amazonia rainforest, past the wolves, and you will find the garden on your right before the Event Tent on the large hill. You can call ahead and ask at the education for updates on location.
WEATHER:
In the case of rain, we will announce an alternate location at the front gate. Depending on the forecast, we may use the Kiwanis shelter, event tent, or move it entirely indoors in one of our classrooms. Cancellation is also possible due to severe weather. Notifications will be sent out via email at least one hour prior to program start time for participants. Programs cancelled due to weather can be rescheduled for another time.
Please dress for the weather. We recommend children wear play clothes and closed toed shoes, and bring sunscreen and water.