Field Trips Update
Good news! We’ve increased our capacity for field trips in 2024. Book your field trip today!
Field Trips Information
Welcome to our Field Trips Reservations system where you can take care of everything in one place! Book your spot, pay online, and your tickets will be mailed out the following Tuesday.
Schools with Title I accreditation and schools within Houston City Limits qualify for free admission. View the Texas Education Agency, Federal Program Compliance to see if you qualify.
Pricing:
- Students: $15
- Adult chaperones: $17
- Processing fees: $25 (payable by credit card only)
- Wildlife Carousel rides: $3 per ticket
Payment is due at the time of your booking. Once payment is finalized, your booking cannot be modified. You will automatically receive a detailed receipt by email. Tickets will be mailed every Tuesday. All tickets and processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Booking stops automatically for each day when capacity is reached. No exception will be made.
For any field-trip related questions, please read the FAQ below.
Booking Your Field Trip
To book your field trip, you will need:
- A credit card (only form of payment available)
- Name, address, and district of your school
- Name, phone number, and email of an official contact booking the field trip
- Total number of students
- Number of chaperons (automatically calculated based on ratio described below)
- Number of extra adults (not covered by the free chaperon program) and extra children visiting with your group
- Number of buses
- Name and phone number for an emergency contact while on Zoo grounds the day of the field trip
Note: During Zoo Lights season, the Zoo closes one hour earlier at 4:00 p.m.
Note: FREE field trips are applicable to schools with Title I accreditation and schools within Houston City Limits. Incorrect bookings will be canceled.
Chaperone Program
Chaperone calculations are as follows:
- One free adult chaperone for every ten students grades K-12
- One free adult chaperone for every five Pre-K students
- One free adult chaperone for every one Person with Special Needs (PSN)
Chaperones must accompany their groups for the duration of the visit. Free chaperon tickets will be added automatically to your cart according to the ratio above. Teachers, staff, and bus driver are considered part of this ratio. Purchase additional adult discounted tickets for any adults not part of that ratio. Tickets are not available to purchase at the gate.
Buses and Parking
All bus drivers must unload students at Hermann Park Drive curbside, between Gates 4 and 7. A Zoo Ranger/Security Officer will assist teachers and students during unloading. This area is designated as bus parking so buses may remain there once the children have been unloaded. A security officer will patrol this area for the duration of the field trip. At the end of your students’ visit, you will load students, chaperones and teachers back at the curb at Hermann Park Drive where originally dropped off. Zoo Rangers will assist with making sure all students load buses safely.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to grow in support of our mission to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Adopt An Animal for Your Classroom
Calling all educators! We’ve added a NEW level of Adopt an Animal, the Classroom. This package includes customizable certificates and conservation bracelets for the whole class, plus an animal fact sheet, 5×7 animal photo and a cute, cuddly plush!
Find your school’s mascot, or choose one of your favorite animals from our collection. Your included Adopt E-newsletter is a great way to teach students about wildlife conservation and learn about the Zoo’s efforts on saving these beautiful animals.
Questions?
For questions, please contact the Field Trip Reservation Team at 713-533-6500 or fieldtrips@houstonzoo.org.
