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Classes are available to FONZ Household members (and higher levels) only. 
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Adult/Child Classes | Children's Workshops | Home Education Series | Frequently Asked Questions
At FONZ classes, children gain a deeper understanding of animals, their behaviors, and their habitats. Classes are available to FONZ Household members (and higher levels) only.
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Please note that classes do not include visits to behind-the-scenes areas or direct contact between children and animals.
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These programs are designed to let an adult and a young child discover the Zoo together, so all children must be accompanied by an adult who is prepared to take part in the activities. For everyone's safety and enjoyment, unregistered children including siblings may not attend, with the exception of infants who are not yet crawling. more
Animal Nursery Rhymes
The owl and the pussycat are just some of the animals you will learn about each week through nursery rhymes, songs, and plenty to touch and see. Create a nursery rhyme book with animal stamps and make crafts of the animals you see on Zoo walks.
Ages: 2-3 (with an adult)
Session 1: January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 2
Session 2: January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3
Session 3: January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4
Session 4: January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $100
Monkey Magic
Get to know your animal cousins, from itsy bitsy monkeys to awesome apes through games, craft activities, and a Zoo walk. All cheeky monkeys welcome!
Ages: 2-3
Session 1: January 30
Session 2: January 31
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Around the World
All aboard for an adventure that will take you across the globe! Meet animals from every continent and find out how they survive in their habitat.
Ages: 3-5
Session 1: January 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11
Session 2: January 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Fee: $100
Life in a Shell
Take a slow and steady trip to meet the Zoo’s turtles and tortoises. Learn what it’s like to carry your house on your back and live in a shell!
Ages: 2-3
Date: February 6
Time: 10 –11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Love Is in the Air
Spend the morning making Valentine’s Day cards with your little one, while learning about some of our Valentine-colored animals here at the Zoo. We will have you seeing red: red pandas, scarlet macaws, red ruffed lemurs . . .
Ages: 2-3
Date: February 13
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Animal Alphabet
There is no better way to learn the alphabet than with your animal friends! From antelopes to zebras we have every letter covered. Come join us as we sing alphabet songs and make an alphabet book!
Ages: 2-3 (with an adult)
Session 1: February 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23
Session 2: February 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24
Session 3: February 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25
Session 4: February 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $100
Taking it Slow (Like the Sloth)
Which animal comes down from its tree only once a week to poop? The sloth! Slow down and get to know one of the Earth’s most laid-back animals. Meet the Zoo’s two-toed sloths and learn about the ups and downs of being slothful.
Ages: 3-5
Session 1: February 27
Session 2: February 28
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Animal Families
From a flamingo in a flock to a silverback gorilla in a troop, animals live in all different kinds of families. Sometimes alone and sometimes in groups, animals care for one another in many ways. Visit some of the Zoo’s family friends, some of which may surprise you!
Ages: 2-3
Session 1: March 6
Session 2: March 7
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Children's Workshops
Children's workshops are for kids ages four to 14, with specific ages indicated in each class listing. Adults are not encouraged to stay with the class, but they may if they wish. There is no charge for an adult who attends with a child.
Cool Cats
Lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs all have different patterns and personalities. Meet the Zoo’s cool cats and learn more about them through purr-fict activities and crafts.
Ages: 4-5
Session 1: January 30
Session 2: January 31
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Fantastic Frogs
Hop, croak, and leap—all while learning about frogs and toads! Make a frog mask and get up close to the Zoo’s hoppiest creatures.
Ages: 4-5
Date: February 6
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Will Zoo Be My Valentine?
Tell the animals you love them with your own animal-inspired valentines. Let your imagination run wild as you choose from various papers, fabrics, and decorations.
Ages: 4-5
Dates: February 13
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
African Cultures and Creatures
From lions and cheetahs to zebras and gorillas, African animals and their habitats are equally beautiful and diverse. Many of these animals have symbolic meaning for African cultures. Come learn about African wildlife and how it influences attitudes and customs.
Ages: 6-8
Session 1: February 20
Session 2: February 21
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Making an Entrance
How do animals make their way into the world? Who takes care of them when they get there? Learn about eggs, cocoons, and pouches, and meet the Zoo babies that make a dramatic entrance.
Ages: 4-5
Session 1: March 6
Session 2: March 7
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Wild Disguises
Animals have incredible ways of blending in to their environment. Examine some ingenious methods animals use to hide from predators and to hunt for prey without ever being seen. See if you can find some of the crafty creatures on your own Zoo hunt.
Ages: 4-5
Session 1: March 13
Session 2: March 14
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Myth Busters
You’ve heard that bats are blind, you can get warts from toads, and that an elephant never forgets . . . but is it true? Investigate and help debunk animal myths. If you’ve heard this class is boring, what what? Myth BUSTED!
Ages: 6-9
Dates: March 13
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Home Education Series
These programs are designed for children being educated in a non-school setting. They are interactive, in-depth classes that focus on animal care, conservation biology, and zoological research.
Dressed for Dinner
To eat without being eaten, animals must be properly outfitted: teeth and claws, spikes and quills, horns and antlers, spots, stripes, costumes, and disguises. In this class, we'll read books, examine specimens, do art projects, and take Zoo walks as we study adaptations for getting dinner safely.
Ages: 5-7
Dates: February 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: $125
Animal Movement: How Animals Run, Jump, Fly, Swim and Climb Through Life
This series explores the many ways animals move: What adaptations make the cheetahs the fastest land animal? The peregrine falcon the speediest flyer? Are there any animals that don’t move at all? Do millipedes really have a thousand legs? Besides learning about animal locomotion, each class will focus on conservation issues related to each week’s topic.
Ages: 6-9
January 12: Running
January 19: Hopping
January 26: Invertebrate Movement
February 2: Flight
February 9: Swimming
February 16: Climbing
Time: 1-3:30 p.m.
Fee: $28 per class or $150 for all six
Age Policy
To maintain safe, age-appropriate activities, only children whose age is indicated for a particular class may be registered. FONZ does not allow any unregistered children to attend classes, with the exception of infants who are not yet crawling. Caregivers must be considerate of class participants and remove crying or noisy infants from the classroom. Anyone who violates this policy will be asked to leave with both registered and unregistered children and will not receive a refund.
Cancellation Policy
FONZ reserves the right to cancel a class no less than two days before the class begins if registration is under four participants. In this event, you will be notified by phone and email and offered credit for another class, a full refund, or the option to donate your class fee to FONZ.
Refund Policy
A 75-percent refund will be issued if notification is received by the FONZ membership office via email, fax, or mail at least two weeks prior to the start of the class. No refunds or changes will be made thereafter.
Questions?
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