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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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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
I Spy: Who Am I?
Put on your thinking cap and solve riddles about wildlife at the Zoo. Visit the animals and use pictures and craft materials to make a book.
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Session 1: September 23, 30; October 7, 14
Session 2: September 24; October 1, 8, 15
Session 3: September 25; October 2, 9, 16
Session 4: September 26; October 3, 10, 17
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $80
Animal Discovery
A wonderful new world unfolds in this six-session introduction to the animal kingdom. Discover wildlife through lively discussions, handling artifacts, creative crafts, and visits to the animals.
Ages: 3–5 (with an adult)
Session 1: September 25; October 2, 9, 16, 30; November 6
Session 2: September 26; October 3, 10, 17, 31; November 7
Time: 1–2:30 p.m.
Fee: $100
Ele-fun
Walk on your toes, flap your ears, and make your own trunk in this fun class about the biggest land animal. You’ll also visit the Zoo’s elephants.
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Session 1: October 11
Session 2: October 12
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Monkey Magic
Get to know our animal cousins, from tiny monkeys to awesome apes. Enjoy games, craft activities, and a Zoo walk. Cheeky monkeys welcome!
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Session 1: November 1
Session 2: November 2
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Zoo Babies
(Registration for this class will begin at 10 a.m. on October 6)
Meet animal babies and their moms through songs, crafts, hands-on activities, and Zoo walks.
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Session 1: November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9
Session 2: November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10
Session 3: November 6, 13, 20; December 4, 11
Session 4: November 7, 14, 21; December 5, 12
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $100
Cool Cats
Lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs have different patterns and personalities. Meet the Zoo’s cool cats and enjoy hands-on activities and crafts.
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Session 1: November 15
Session 2: November 16
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $25
Zoo Crafts
Have zoodles of fun making holiday animal-themed crafts. Make everything from wildlife ornaments to animal-print cards and even your very own wrapping paper.
Ages: 3–5 (with an adult)
Session 1: November 20; December 4, 11
Session 2: November 21; December 5, 12
Time: 1–2:30 p.m.
Fee: $65
Whose Face Do You See?
What helps us recognize animals around us? In this two-session class, learn all about eyes, noses, and mouths. Explore the sensory world through activities, stories, and crafts, and visit animals you will recognize from class.
Ages: 2–3 (with an adult)
Dates: December 7, 14
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Fee: $40
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.
Take the Plunge!
How do otters swim so fast? And how do beavers build dams? Dive into this fun class about water-dwelling mammals.
Ages: 4–5
Session 1: October 4
Session 2: October 5
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Animal Diggers
Join us on an underground adventure as we explore the lives of naked mole rats, prairie dogs, and meerkats, some of the animal world’s best diggers.
Ages: 6–9
Date: October 18
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Amazon Adventure
Celebrate National Rainforest week with a virtual trip to the Amazon! Meet the creatures that live in the Zoo’s Amazonia exhibit, including fish, frogs, and monkeys.
Note: Classes will be held in the upstairs conference room at the Zoo's Amazonia exhibit.
Ages: 4–5
Session 1: October 18
Session 2: October 19
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Leaping Lemurs
Can you leap like a lemur? Learn all about these stinky-tailed primates, which have unearthly calls and legends surrounding them.
Ages: 4–5
Session 1: November 1
Session 2: November 2
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Grin and Bear It
Pandas, sloth bears, and spectacled bears all live at the National Zoo. Learn how these bears compare to one another and how the Zoo takes care of their “bear” necessities.
Ages: 4–5
Date: November 8
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Remarkable Reptiles
Visit the Zoo’s Reptile Discovery Center and meet fascinating creatures lurking behind every corner. From sun-bathing tortoises to the world’s deadliest reptiles, slither on over if you dare!
Ages: 6–9
Session 1: November 8
Session 2: November 9
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Executive Zoo
What does it take to manage a zoo? How do we decide which animals will be added to the collection? Learn about teamwork and gain valuable problem-solving skills as you build your own zoo. Students should bring a sack lunch.
Ages: 10–14
Dates: November 9, 16, 23; December 7, 14
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fee: $175
Superman-imals
With capes, super strength, disguises, and binocular vision, animals have amazing powers. Don your super suit and learn all about the super heroes (and villains) of the animal world. Education in flight thanks to our generous sponsor United Airlines.
Ages: 4–5
Session 1: November 22
Session 2: November 23
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Drawing Zoo Animals
Learn the basics of drawing and sketching with pencil and charcoal. Practice capturing animals’ movements on the page, and work with animal skeletons, skins, and shells.
Ages: 7 and up
Dates: November 15, 22; December 6, 13
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $75
Thanksgiving Feast
Go behind the scenes at the commissary, where a feast for the National Zoo’s animals is prepared every day. Find out what Zoo animals eat and see how it’s all prepared and stored.
Ages: 6 and up
Session 1: November 29
Session 2: November 30
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
Winter Tweets
Hot chocolate may be your favorite winter treat, but your backyard wildlife friends prefer different goodies. Winter can be difficult for backyard critters, because food can be scarce. Make winter “tweets” for your furry and feathered friends that you can take home.
Ages: 4–5
Dates: December 13
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fee: $28
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.
Fact or Fiction
Many of the world’s folktales provide inventive explanations of how animals came to look or behave the way they do. In this six-week series you’ll journey to a different continent each week and read stories and learn facts about its animals.
Ages: 5–7
Dates: September 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fee: $150
Giants of the Jungle
From the rainforests of the Americas to deserts of southern Africa, ancient and giant trees survive in complex communities. Where do these record specimens
still survive? What kinds of habitats sustain them? Students should bring a sack lunch.
Ages: 7–10
Dates: September 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21
Time: 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Fee: $175
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?
See answers to our Frequently Asked Questions. If your question isn't answered, don't hesitate to
email us.
