Can’t bring your classroom to the Zoo? No problem! Our outreach programs bring exciting, hands-on wildlife experiences straight to your school, library, or community event. With live animal ambassadors and expert educators, we deliver engaging lessons that inspire curiosity, conservation, and a love for nature—right in your own space.
Programs We Offer
Bring the Zoo to your library with interactive, animal-focused programs designed to fit a variety of spaces, schedules, and audience sizes. Library Sessions include engaging activity stations and the opportunity to meet live ambassador animals. When booking, our education staff will work with you to select the program format that best meets your space, audience, and event goals.
Available Program Options:
Activity Station & Meet-and-Greet
Guests can drop by an activity station and meet ambassador animals in an informal, free flow setting.
Price:
One Hour $425
Two Hours $650
Includes:
One Hour Program: up to 4 animal ambassadors
Two Hour Program: up to 6 animal ambassadors
Seated Presentation
A structured, educator-led presentation in a designated space (35-person maximum per session).
Price: $150 per session
Program Length: 30 Minutes – 45 Minutes each session
- Up to 4 consecutive sessions may be booked at one location in a single day.
- Each additional session after the first is $50 ($300 total for four sessions).
Designed for our youngest learners, Mobile Early Childhood Programs bring hands-on, age-appropriate nature play and animal experiences directly to your location. Programs are designed for groups of up to 22 children, with a required 1 adult per 10 children staff-to-child ratio. Multiple consecutive sessions may be scheduled at a single location; each additional session after the first is $50.
Available Program Options:
Caterpillar Club – 60 minutes | $125
This interactive program includes themed play activities and a visit with one ambassador animal, giving young learners a close-up introduction to wildlife. Caterpillar Club can be held indoors or outdoors, weather permitting.
Pop-Up Play – 60 minutes | $100
Pop-Up Play features themed, nature-based play stations that encourage guided exploration and discovery. Zoo education staff and trained volunteers support children as they move through activities at their own pace.
Please Note: Pop Up Play does not include an ambassador animal.
Working on a class project, interested in learning about careers in Zoos, or conservation projects you can participate in? This program gives you time with one of our Zoo experts on a topic of your choice and does not include animal ambassadors. In-person and virtual options available.
Price: $35
Program Length: 30-45 Minutes
Designed to be interactive and hands-on with bones, pelts, and other animal artifacts, students will use scientific tools and data collection to learn about native Arkansas species. This offering is well catered to elementary and middle school audiences, but can be scaled appropriately for other groups.
Price: $80
Program Length: 45-60 Minutes
Extension—looking for a multi-session option? Ask about our biofact lab series which includes materials for teacher-led discussion, pre-visit activities, and two visits facilitated by one of our experienced educators.
Designed for a more intimate experience and a closer look at the animals, Creature Feature programs accommodate up to 40 participants in a seated setting. To ensure a safe, engaging, and effective learning environment, we require a minimum ratio of one adult for every five children. Conservation Connection is the default program theme.
Price: $165
Program Length: 30- 45 Minutes
Includes: 1-2 live animal ambassadors and a guided activity
Please note that specific animals cannot be requested. Animals are chosen at the discretion of keeper staff for their welfare and wellbeing.
Having a school fair or other large event? A meet and greet might be the package you’re looking for. Our meet and greet sessions are ideal for functions where people will be moving around rather than sitting classroom or audience style. This package includes up to four (4) live animal ambassadors for a one hour program and up to six (6) live animal ambassadors for a two hour program. The handlers can remain stationary and let guests stop to meet the animals as they stroll past or the handlers are able to move around with some of the animal ambassadors. For programs longer than one hour, animal ambassadors will be rotated, with two animals out at any given time, to allow an appropriate rest/break period for each animal.
Please note there is no maximum capacity for Meet and Greet programs, however some space and location restrictions apply. Contact us for more details.
Price:
One Hour $365
Two Hours $550
Program Length: Up to 2 Hours
Includes: Up to 4 animal ambassadors for a one hour program; up to 6 animal ambassadors for a two hour program.
Please note that specific animals cannot be requested. Animals are chosen at the discretion of keeper staff for their welfare and wellbeing.
Whether you are hosting a back to school bash or fall family festival, the Zoo’s got you covered! Stations can be designed to include a mix of biofacts, citizen science activities, nature exploration and sensory play. For young adults and professional audiences, materials included can be more career and global conservation focused. This option does not include ambassador animals. A Meet and Greet add-on may be requested for an additional charge, based upon availability.
Price:
Full Day (up to 8 Hours) $400
Half Day (up to 4 Hours) $240
Program Themes
For your program, select from the following topics:
Animals need our help now more than ever. Learn about how animals become endangered and some ways we can work together to reduce our human impacts and protect their habitats. Groups will also learn about conservation success stories and how Zoos have brought species back from the brink!
Conservation Connection themes include: Black Footed Ferrets, African Penguin Conservation, and Tortoise Conservation.
Explore the many relationships between plants, animals, and their habitats. All life is inter-connected and groups will learn how different environmental and human factors impact ecosystems over time.
Get an up close and personal opportunity to meet some of Arkansas’ local animal residents and learn about their very important jobs. From herbivores to scavengers, our local animals all play a very important role in the environment.
Travel down a path of adventure as the Zoo chooses what you will see and discover. The mysterious catch… you’ll find out about the animals involved on the day of the program! This option is perfect for those that want to have fun learning and are not tied into a specific topic or certain learning standards.
Animals have specific behaviors that help them survive in habitats all over the world. Learn about how they use their unique behaviors and even how zookeepers utilize wild behaviors to keep the animals at the Zoo healthy.
Cancellation & Program Policies
- Cancellations made fewer than 14 days prior to the program are non-refundable.
- Cancellations made 14+ days in advance receive an 80% refund.
- A 10% administrative fee applies to schedule changes after confirmation.
- No-shows are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.
Additional Information
- $50 fee for programs scheduled after 5:00 PM
- Mileage fees calculated during registration
- Outreach limited to locations within one hour of the Zoo
- Outreach programs are not offered at private residences or birthday parties
The Little Rock Zoo reserves the right to cancel a program for any reason including unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or animal/personnel issues. In the event that the Little Rock Zoo cancels a program and is unable to reschedule, a full refund will be given.
Questions? Email EdPrograms@littlerock.gov or call 501-661-7204.
Little Rock Zoo Memberships
Unlimited Visits. Unbeatable Value.
Become part of the Zoo family and support our mission of wildlife conservation—all while enjoying free admission for a full year and exclusive perks.
Little Rock Zoo
1 Zoo Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-661-7200
Hours of Operation
9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Last admission 3:30 p.m.
Zoo grounds close at 4:00 pm
