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Education programs and virtual encounters with conservation animal ambassadors help visitors feel more connected to animals, and motivate them to take action to protect the natural world.
Inspire your wild side & join the fun!
Looking to enroll in camps? Click here for more info on camps and other educational programs!
Family FunSaturdays 10 a.m. to Noon
Fee: $40 per family group (Up to 5 members, adult or child, per family group. Children under 2 years are free). Additional family members will require another registration. All children must attend with an adult.
Stay-&-Play handstamps are available after the program for the balance of the day, if the Park & Zoo are open.
September
Finger-paint Fun – Saturday, Sept. 27
Where did all the brushes go?! We are going to paint with the different things we find like leaves, flowers, scratch paper & maybe even our fingers!
October
Fall Festivities – Saturday, Oct. 18
This class will be full of fall colors & family-friendly, Halloween-themed play. The class will include seasonal activities, crafts, stories, snacks & animal encounters for adults & children to enjoy together.
November
Together we will learn what it takes to provide good pet care, what animals do not make good pets & what animals need to thrive.
Tales for Tots (Ages 1 to 3 With An Adult)Fridays 10 – 11 a.m.
Fee per class: Fee: $27 members / $30 non-members per class*
*Pricing includes 1 child & 1 adult attendantThis class is designed to help you and your little one learn together in a zoo atmosphere. We cover animal related topics as well as teach the basics, like ABC’s, counting, and general motor skills. Through this experience, with you as a participating parent, your child will learn important classroom behaviors like sharing, listening, and following instructions. This is an adult & child combo class.
This class has a new theme each week. Activities are designed to target 1 to 3 year-olds only.
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
September
What’s the Difference? Mammals – Friday, Sept. 26
Is it fur, feathers or scales? Learn the different animal groups starting with our little furry friends.
October
What’s the Difference? Birds – Friday, Oct. 10
Is it fur, feathers or scales? Learn the different animal groups and come meet our little feathered friends.
What’s the Difference? Reptiles & Amphibians – Friday, Oct. 17
Is it fur, feathers or scales? Learn the different animal groups and come compare reptiles & amphibians.
Animal Eyes & Ears – Friday, Oct. 24
They see & hear it all with eyes & ears large & small. Come watch & listen as we learn about how they work.
November
Tasting Noses – Friday, Nov. 7
Noses help us taste what we eat. Come see how powerful an animal’s sense of smell can be.
Wild Science (Ages 4 to 6)Saturdays 10 a.m. – Noon
Fee: $31.50 members / $35 non-members per class*
*Pricing includes 1 child & optional adult attendantJoin us for a class full of discovery and play! This is a children’s drop-off program; however, parents are welcome to participate. We “go wild” with our early-learning scientists as we explore different parts of zoo life. Each class includes interactive discussions, inquiry-based activities, a visit from one of our animal ambassadors, and more!
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
September
Habitat Match – Saturday, Sept 13
Learn about the different places around the world where animals live & why they choose the homes they do.
October
Critter Cuisine – Saturday, Oct. 11
Come create zoo animal meals with fruits, vegetables, bugs & biscuits.
Creature Club (Ages 7 to 9)Junior Keepers is now called Creature Club!
Saturdays 2-4 p.m.
Fee per class: $31.50 Members | $35 Non-members*
*Pricing includes 1 childDrop off program
Welcome to the Creature Club where, together, we explore wildlife conservation at the zoo and around the world.
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
September
Life Cycle Merry-Go-Round – Saturday, Sept. 13
Explore the different ways animals live, grow, thrive & self-recycle in a never-ending revolution.
October
What A Wild Web We Weave – Saturday, Oct. 11
Good food chains aren’t just about who eats who, they are also about how energy moves through an ecosystem. Where does all the energy on Earth originally come from?
Zoo U-niversity (Ages 10 to13)Saturdays 2-4 p.m.
Fee per class: $31.50 members | $35 Non-members*
*Pricing includes 1 childDrop-off program
Zookeepers do much more than feed, water and scoop scat. Join us as we use our scientific skills of problem solving, emergency engineering, critical thinking, experimentation & enrichment design while solving zoo mysteries.
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
September
Animal Husbandry – Saturday, Sept. 27
Animal care is what we do & now you do too! Prepare to get dirty at the zoo’s Double-H Ranch as we learn the tricks & tools of the zookeeping trade.
October
Enrichment Engineers – Saturday, Oct. 18
Give them toys, treats, scents and anything that encourages them to show off their skills! To keep the zoo animals happy and healthy, zookeepers also provide different items and elements for the animals that stimulate their natural behaviors. Come learn and create these enriching experiences for the critters.
Sensational SeniorsThursday | 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Per class fee: $10.80 Members | $12 Non-members
If you like Senior Safari, you are going to love being a “Sensational Senior”. This monthly class includes mini walking tours, animal encounters, crafts, activities, and a light breakfast. This is a seniors-only program (50 years & up). This class meets on one Thursday a month from November to March.
*Continental breakfast is included
*The Stay-and-Play perk to remain in the park after class is available only if the park and zoo are open to the public.Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
Teen Paint Night (Ages 13 to 17)Teen Paint Night (Ages 13 to 17)Fridays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Per class fee: $22.50 Members | $25 Non-members*
*Pricing includes one teen (13 to 17 years) & all supplies are included. This is a drop-off program.This Friday night, after hours, animal art class is for teens only! Food, mock-tails, music & instruction while you sketch & paint a portrait of the star animal of the night.
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
August
Teen Paint Night: Summer Shakin’ – Friday, Aug. 15
We are going to take our animals into the summer sky as we paint an aurora borealis sunset.
Paint Night @ The ZooPaint Night (Ages 18+)
Fridays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Per class fee: $34 Members | $38 Non-members*
*Pricing includes 1 adult (18+ years) & all supplies are includedThis Friday night, after hours, animal art class is for adults only! Food, mock-tails, music & instruction while you sketch & paint a portrait of the star animal of the night.
Happy Hollow members receive a 10% discount on all classes with their membership number and coupon code: HHMEM
August
Paint Night @ the Zoo: Summer Sunsets – Friday, Aug. 22
We are going to take our animals into the night sky. We are going to paint our animal against an aurora borealis sunset.
October
Shimmer & Shake – Friday, Oct. 3
We are going to learn how to add some shimmer to our watercolor creations.
November
We are going to have a little fun painting our animals peeking out from new scenery.
Family SleepoversA paying adult must accompany all children. There must be 1 adult chaperone for every 8 children. Please contact the Zoo Education Department if you have any questions regarding registration for this event.
Fee $75.00 per person (5 years-old & up)
Summer Family Sleepover
Be our guests for a wild sleepover and enjoy the thrill of the zoo after dark! Your family will enjoy animal encounters, hands-on activities, games, crafts, and a flashlight tour through the zoo. Learn about animal adaptations and how they help animals to survive in different habitats.
Summer Family Sleepover I – Saturday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 24
Summer Family Sleepover II – Saturday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Aug. 31
Fall Family Sleepover
Be our guests for a family-friendly, Halloween-themed sleepover and enjoy the thrill of the zoo after dark! Your family group will enjoy animal encounters, hands-on activities, games, crafts and a flashlight tour through the zoo. Pumpkins, crafts & candy bats will trick-or-treat their way through this overnight event.
Fall Family Sleepover I – Saturday, Sept. 12 to Sunday, Sept. 13
Fall Family Sleepover II – Saturday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 18 (Registration opens Monday, June 23)
REFUND & TRANSFER POLICY
Refund and transfer requests need to be made in writing. Refunds and transfers will be given for requests received at least 14 calendar days prior to the start of the program/class. No refunds or transfers will be made for cancellations received by the City less than 14 calendar days prior to the start of the program/class. There will be a $10 refund processing fee for each activity.
INCLUSION POLICY
The City of San Jose’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services encourages and supports the participation of individuals with all ability levels in programs and services. To facilitate opportunities for people with and without disabilities to engage in leisure pursuits together, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services provides inclusion support services. These services include, but are not limited to, interpreters for the deaf or hearing impaired, improved signage, activity modification, additional staff training, accessible equipment and facility features and support staff. To ensure the requested accommodation, please notify the specific facility where the program is provided at least two weeks in advance. For more information on inclusion opportunities, specialized recreation services, and accommodations, please contact Therapeutic Services at 408-369-6438.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The City of San Jose’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services’ Citywide Scholarship Program will ensure that residents of the City of San Jose in need have access to department programs, classes, and activities. All requests are subject to available funding and qualifications. Submit completed application to any Community Center. Please contact our office or visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/scholarships for more information.