Skip to Content

Ask us a Question






Yes! Sign me up for the Houston Zoo Newsletter!

For security reasons,

type in the code below:

Play Sound



Follow us on Twitter! Become a fan on FaceBook View our photos on Flickr Check out our YouTube channel Subscribe to our RSS feed

Home School Programs

 Club H.S. JOIN THE HERD!                                                   

Our exclusive, new club is just for you (and your family)! Everyone will have fuhn while learning together right at the animals' exhibits. From front-of-the-scenes tours to hands-on activities, the excitement will never stop! 

  • Includes admission to BOTH spring programs, Station Explorations and Exhibit Expeditions
  • Special Club H.S. gear
  • Access to apply to our FREE Club H.S. MEMBERS ONLY Students as Field Researchers Day held at the Texas City Prairie Reserve
Price:$22.00 per person        
                                                                                   
* Please note that home school programs are for the entire family, so everyone (including parents) should join to receive all the benefits.
 
Station Explorations
All Ages
Thursday, February 16th
10:00am-1:15pm
$12 Members
$15 Non-members

                                                                                                                                          

Come to a full day of family fun! We will explore four different
subjects using animals as our guide. Run like a cheetah or draw for
 conservation, either way you're sure to learn lots with hands-on
 activities at every turn.                                                                                
 
*Included in Club H.S. membership
 
Exhibit Expeditions
All Ages
Thursday, April 19th                                                              
10:00am-1:15pm                                                                             
$12 Members
$15 Non-members
                                               
Join us as we cruise through the Zoo! We’ll have front of the
scene tours focusing on  8 different topics of the zoo. Your
 guide will discuss all the fascinating details surrounding those
 topics, including an opportunity to see and touch animal
artifacts such as skulls and skins. After the tour, we’ll rest for a
 bit and meet a special animal ambassador.
 
*Included in Club H.S. membership
 
Students as Field Researchers Day

Ages 5-17
Wednesday, March 21st (exclusive Club H.S. Offer)
9:15-1:45

 

Price- Free

Join the Houston Zoo and The Nature Conservancy as we dig into science! This day is filled with interactive stations that let the students get a first hand feel on what a day in the life of a field research would be like. From insect sweeping to water quality we will take a look at all different aspect of the costal prairie and what makes the habitat complete and healthy!
    
Possible activities that will be conducted day of event are as followed:
Marine Seining                                                                   Insect sweeping
Bird Identification                                                                Water Quality
Plant identification                                                              Nature walk (Scat and Track identification)
 
Only 3 activities will be conducted, activities vary depending on weather conditions, student ages and numbers and will be decide day of.
 
 
PLEASE NOTE:  This is an active field research day—students will get dirty and wet. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can be worn in the water, or bring a change of clothes. Please no slip-on shoes or rain boots. It is very important that the participants wear tight fighting shoes to ensure they do not lose their shoes to the mud or water. Rain boots are not recommended because we will be going into the water past the top of the rain boots and they fill up with water causing children to get stuck. Participants will be asked to sit out if proper attire is not worn for the participant’s safety.
 
Registration Information

The applications for the field research day will be emailed to Club H.S. members (Club H.S. membership on sale now). All applications are due by 5:00pm on Friday, March 1st, 2012. Accepted groups will be notified via email by 5:00pm on Wednesday March 8th, 2012.

 
Due to the high demand for this program, participants will be awarded on a lottery system. 
                                                           

Home School Newsletter and Web Activity

Check out our newsletter with animal information, program offerings, and Zoo activities especially for homeschoolers.

 

NEWSLETTERS

For the Fall 2011 Newsletter click HERE!

  For the Winter 2011 Newsletter click   HERE! 

  
NEW WEB ACTIVITY!!! (Posted December 10th)
  1. Print the Animal Feasting instructions and Data sheets.
  2. View the Animal Feasting lesson and then complete the Exploring Your Senses activities.

 

September Web Activity;

  1. Print the lesson vocabulary. You may want to refer to this throughout the lesson.
  2. Print the Exploring our Senses instructions and Data sheets.
  3. View the Super Senses lesson and then complete the Exploring Your Senses activities.
 
June Web Activity:
 
Let's learn how animals KEEP COOL!
 
1. Print the experiment DIRECTIONS, DATA TABLE and GRAPH.
2. With an adult's help, conduct the experiment according to the directions.
 (Click HERE for an example of how your graph may look)
3. View TOO HOT to learn how your findings relate to the animal world.
 
 
February Web Activity:
  1. Print the lesson VOCABULARY. You may want to refer to this throughout the lesson.
  2. Print  PUNNETT PRACTICE
  3. View GENETICS 101 and then complete PUNNETT PRACTICE.
  4. Have someone check your answers.
 Have fun learning about genetics!!!
 

 * To join the home school mailing list, e-mail your name and the e-mail address you would like to use to the Education Department .   

 

Group Home School Opportunities

                                      
      Classes at the Zoo                                   Outreach & ZooMobiles                                   Overnights

Safari School

Safari School

Ages 3-5

Wednesdays and Saturdays 10-11 am

Join us with your preschooler for an hour-long safari through the animal kingdom to explore the world of wildlife. Each week we'll learn about a new animal through interactive learning stations, hands-on activities, exhibit visits, touchable animals, and more!

Learn More


Wild Wheels

Wild Wheels

Ages 0-3

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:15-10:15 am

Enjoy the wild outdoors with your infant or toddler! We'll meet outside the front entrance by the gift shop and "stroll" together through a particular part of the Zoo. Our trek will conclude with a touchable animal encounter at the conclusion of the program. Individuals and mom groups welcome!

Learn More


Teachers & Schools

Teachers & Schools

Adventure Class Topics

  • Habitats
  • Many Kinds of Animals
  • Suvival Gear
  • Texas Animals
  • Rainforests
  • Endangered Species
  • Taxonomy

Critter Encounter Topics

  • Many Kinds of Animals
  • Reptiles
  • Rainforests
  • Texas Animals
  • Adaptations
  • AniMeals

Learn More


Field Research

Field Research

Join the Houston Zoo and The Nature Conservancy for a day of interactive activities where students complete actual field research activities and learn more about the native species in the Houston-Galveston area. Up to 60 students in grades K-12 use hands-on techniques and tools to explore prairie and coastal ecology.

Learn More


Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts

Badge Day

May 14, 2011 | December 3, 2011

Joing your Boy Scout at the Houston Zoo for their badge day celebration.

Learn More


Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts

Badge Day

April 2, 2011 | October 1, 2011

Joing your Girl Scout at the Houston Zoo for their badge day celebration.

Learn More


Teens

Teens

Ages 12+

February 27, 2011 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Gain insight into animal-related career fields directly from Zoo staff and learn how to get involved through volunteer and internship opportunities at the Houston Zoo.

Learn More


Adults

Adults

Ages 18+

Saturdays 9:30-11:30 am

Ever flip through a wildlife magazine and wish your animal pictures could look that good? Planning to come to Photo Day and want some pointers and practice first? Join us as we learn some basics of wildlife photography and take a mini-safari through the Zoo to capture some of our most photogenic animals.

Learn More


Home | Hours & Pricing | Pressroom | Zoo Careers | Volunteering | Contact The Houston Zoo | Site Map | RSS | Search | Houston Web Design | Houston Social Media | Powered by Tendenci® | Privacy

The Houston Zoo is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.