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Today's Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Happy Hollow Experience ProgramsEducation 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
Birdwatching – Saturday, Sept. 26 @10 A.M.
We are going to flock together like birds of a feather and see who we can detect in our trees.Birdwatching – Saturday, Sept. 26 @2 P.M.
We are going to flock together like birds of a feather and see who we can detect in our trees.October
Crushing Flower Power – Saturday, Oct. 17 @10 A.M.
Nature makes the coolest color paints so we are going to use plants at happy Hollow to make our own.Crushing Flower Power – Saturday, Oct. 17 @2 P.M.
Nature makes the coolest color paints so we are going to use plants at happy Hollow to make our own.Build-A-Zoo – Saturday, Oct. 24 @10 A.M.
What zoo would you crew? You get to pick the critters you will include when you design your own zoo.Build-A-Zoo – Saturday, Oct. 24 @2 P.M.
What zoo would you crew? You get to pick the critters you will include when you design your own zoo.Fall Festival – Saturday, Oct. 31 @10 A.M.
Fall-themed activities including pumpkins and bats will fly our way for this program.Fall Festival – Saturday, Oct. 31 @2 P.M.
Fall-themed activities including pumpkins and bats will fly our way for this program.November
Run Away Racers – Saturday, Nov. 14 @10 A.M.
Were are focusing on animals that are fast . . . before they get away!Run Away Racers – Saturday, Nov. 14 @2 P.M.
Were are focusing on animals that are fast . . . before they get away!Hop, Skip & A Jump– Saturday, Nov. 21 @10 A.M.
Animals hop and animals bounce. We are going to discover why they might want to move like a bouncing ball.Hop, Skip & A Jump– Saturday, Nov. 21 @2 P.M.
Animals hop and animals bounce. We are going to discover why they might want to move like a bouncing ball.December
Aquarium Terrarium – Saturday, Dec. 12 @10 A.M.
Let’s visit the fish and the seaweed and the seashells too in this underwater adventure!Aquarium Terrarium – Saturday, Dec. 12 @2 P.M.
Let’s visit the fish and the seaweed and the seashells too in this underwater adventure!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
A Booty of Bugs – Friday, Sept. 18
We will go “buggy” together through song, crafts and play over the “innocent” creepy-crawlies that fascinate young explorers.
Body Part Art – Friday, Sept. 25
Does every animal have a head, nose or toes? We will name the parts & create a new animal by combining different designs.
October
Fall to Sleep – Friday, Oct. 9
In fall, the colorful leaves begin to shrink away and the plants start to slow down for the sleepy time of year. Through art and play we will say good night to the flowers, trees and bumblebees.
There is no better playground than outside surrounded by nature’s toys. Leaves, acorns, sticks and surprises will be our playthings as we explore, learn and play pretend.
Puddle Jumpers – Friday, Oct. 23
When rain falls down, we bring out the rubber boots, hats & gloves. What happens to the world of wildlife when the wet weather comes?
November
Shake, Rattle & Roll – Friday, Nov. 6
Kids and critters love the sound of music. We are going to create our own music to dance to by making shaker rattles.
Spiders, Snakes & Slithery Things – Friday, Nov. 20
Explore how snakes and spiders use their senses to explore the world around them. Some have 8 legs and some have none. What do they do?
December
Touch Tables – Friday, Dec. 14
The zoo has so many wonderful things to share. We will discover a treasure trove of wildlife-related touchables as we sing, dance and play.
Color Kaleidoscope – Friday, Dec. 11
Animal patterns create a kaleidoscope of color and we are going to craft own own crazy sets of multi-colored crayons.
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
October
Leaping Lemurs – Saturday, Oct. 3
Do you like to bounce when you play? Lemurs do and hop on their hind feet as part of their games. Today we are going to parallel play like lemurs do.
November
Lighter Than Air – Saturday, Nov. 7
We are flying our imaginations high into the sky as we explore light & air-based earth science & how animals use both.
December
Water + Soil = MUD – Saturday, Dec. 5
We are making mud pies and you are the chef. You “cook” while we talk about where mud comes from and how animals use it.
Creature Club (Ages 7 to 9)Junior Keepers is now called Creature Club! Our zoo crew does it all & you can too! Zoologists are scientists too as you will learn when you practice your new zookeeping skills.
September
Biodiversity University – Saturday, Sept. 19
We are looking at all of the animals that live in different habitats and how they get along.
November
Mysteries of Migration – Saturday, Nov. 7
What motivates the movement of animals across long distances? Is fun, food or better weather?
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
October
Animal Behavior & Ethograms – Saturday, Oct. 3
We are “citizen scientists” collecting real-world data and learning how animal studies work.
December
Conservation Investigation – Saturday, Dec. 5
We are asking what does it mean to be endangered and how does an animal accidently get there?
Sensational SeniorsThursday | 9 to 10:30 a.m.
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. Ages 50 years & up.
$12 Non-Members or $10.80 Members
*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.November
Fleece To Fabric – Thursday, Nov. 19
Where do all of the fluffy sheep go? Twice a year Happy Hollow sheep get a “trim”. Come learn how sheep fluff turns into other beautiful things.December
Zigging Thru Zoo Ed – Thursday, Dec. 10
You have come to know us and some even look for us, but once you meet all of Zoo Education, you’ll love us!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
October
A Colorful Mixture – Friday, Oct. 9
We are going to “mix it up’ this night, our paints and beverages included!
December
Flow Upriver – Friday, Dec. 4
Using a reverse watercolor method, we will paint a frame around our star animal of the night.
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
September
Mixing It Up – Friday, Sept. 25
We are mixing up a party as we blend our own colors as well as our beverages.
November
Go With the Flow – Friday, Nov. 6
Using a reverse watercolor method we will frame our animal star of the night in beauty.
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)
October
Fall Family Sleepover – Saturday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 18
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.
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: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/scholarships for more information.