Splashing in the splash pad, trekking through the trees and more — there’s no shortage of fun when you’re visiting the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens! But though we offer plenty of things to do in Orlando, education is one of our top priorities. In fact, our mission is to excite and inspire children and adults to learn and act on behalf of wildlife!
Whether you’re looking to introduce your junior explorer to the beauty of nature or you’re looking to expand your own knowledge, our Florida Zoo is the right place! Check out our list of just a few of the educational opportunities at our Sanford Zoo.
Fully immerse your wild ones in the wonders of nature at our Zoo Camps! Give your animal lover the opportunity for hands-on learning with our expert teachers. We offer a variety of different programs, each designed for certain age groups of junior explorers. Our camps take place in summer, spring break and during school breaks such as President’s Day. They always fill up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot.
You can always learn something at the Central Florida Zoo, but on our special Conservation Days, we add in even more educational opportunities. Conservation Days occur periodically throughout the year, and topics range from endangered species to the world’s oceans. These days include games, crafts and keeper talks. The best part? They are included with Zoo admission! Check out the schedule here.
We love our schools! At the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, we’re proud to offer a variety of learning opportunities for students. We offer both onsite and virtual programs for various grade levels, and we will travel to schools for offsite programs. All of our school programs offer students the opportunity to come face-to-face with our animal ambassadors. We have a variety of themes to choose from for any age level. Finally, we offer guided tours for groups led by our expert teachers. Whatever option you choose, you and your students will walk away from the zoo in Central Florida with a new appreciation for wildlife!
The classroom comes to life at our Homeschool ZOOventure workshops! Offered both virtually and onsite, our ZOOventure classes expose students to a hands-on learning environment. Our classes are divided into three age categories: 5-8, 9-13 and family workshops. These Homeschool ZOOventures are some of the best educational things to do in Orlando with kids, and participants experience up-close animal encounters, educational games, crafts, activities and more. Learn more and register on our website.
Educational fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down at Central Florida Zoo! Junior adventurers can enjoy Kids Night Out, a fun AND educational event for kids that gives them a great understanding of the Zoo and its animal residents. If the whole family wants to join in on the fun, try our extremely popular Night Hike at the Zoo! Take in the sights and sounds of the Zoo after dark with a guided flashlight tour, the perfect fun family activity where everyone can learn something new.
Teachers aren’t left out at the Zoo! We offer great workshops to help teachers inspire their students. From the birds of the air to the fish of the sea, we have a wide variety of interdisciplinary professional training courses that leave teachers with practical hands-on classroom and field investigation experiences. Learn more here.
There’s always something going on at the Central Florida Zoo, no matter your age. We think it’s one of the best Zoos in Florida to leave you inspired, excited, and best of all, educated about wildlife. Ready to sign up for one of these opportunities? Contact our Education department at Education@CentralFloridaZoo.org or call 407-323-4450 ext. 123.
