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Teachers & Schools
School Field Trips
Zoo admission is free for organized school groups Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for students up to age nineteen from schools within the corporate limits of the City of Houston.
Please complete the on-line Field Trip Reservation Request (or get the pdf version) and submit it at least three weeks prior to your visit date. Day cares, pre-schools, head starts, home schools, and colleges are not eligible for the free school program. For more information, call 713-533-6550 or email group.reservations@houstonzoo.org
Bus Driver admission policy:
Bus Drivers transporting school field trips will be required to purchase a ticket if you are visiting or chaperoning a group and staying inside the zoo.
Field Trips and Student Activities
Activities are available throughout the year, both at the Zoo and at your school, for ages 2 and older. Please choose from the following options:
Self-guided field trip
You and your students may explore the Zoo on a self-guided field trip. Consider a visit September through February when the animals are generally more active and the lines are shorter.
Adventure Class
30-60 minute classroom
Adventure Classes are fun, interactive learning experiences where students may touch live animals and biofacts such as animal skins, skulls, and mounts, participate in educational games and simulated laboratory activities. Classes for older students will challenge the students by delving deeper into the chosen topic.
Eco-Tracks
30-minute auditorium program followed by a self-guided tour of the Zoo Eco-Tracks are self-guided tours that begin with a 30-minute introductory auditorium presentation by Zoo staff. Please divide your students into 5 tour groups before your arrival, with at least one teacher or chaperone to lead each group.
Critter Encounters
20-minute auditorium program at the Zoo
We know that your time is often limited at the Zoo—and Critter Encounters allows you to take full advantage of the educational resources we have to offer and still have plenty of time to enjoy the Zoo on your own.
This 20-minute program that provides students with an exciting introduction to wildlife through the use of biofacts and gives them the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Zoo animal.
ZooMobiles
ZooMobile Class or Assembly at your school
ZooMobiles are fun, interactive learning experiences where students may touch live animals and biofacts such as animal skins, skulls, and mounts, and participate in educational games and activities.
Festival ZooMobile at your school
We can bring the Zoo to you in a festival-style format, with a table of biofacts such as skulls and skins that is interspersed with animal handling segments. We do not provide animals for a "petting zoo" experience. Informal interactions only.
Field Research experience in Texas City
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...
Resources for Teachers, Parents and Kids
Kids—Check out our homework resources, animal info and more!
Adults—Check out these other resources:
For additional assistance or information please see our contact page.
Get More Involved:
- Bring your students to an Evening or Overnight adventure;
- Have students join our summer Conservation Zoo Crew or school-year Conservation Crew;
- Add a Houston Zoo animal to your family and Adopt an Animal;
- Take advantage of our Educator Discounts;
- Bring you or your family to our fun activities for Individuals & Families.
