Programs

Starting seeds in winter may seem daunting, but it isn’t difficult. These general guidelines—along with some effort and care—will give gardeners a great jump on spring!

What would you do if you ran the zoo? Spend a day with us to find out! We'll put fifth-eighth graders to work prepping animal diets and cleaning exhibits and introduce them to the zoo staff who meet the needs of animals every day.

Getting a good night’s rest is important for both rhinos and children. Join David Gozal, MD, professor and chairman of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief, Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago and Rachel Santymire, PhD, director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at Lincoln Park Zoo, for a discussion on how the medical profession is charging ahead by finding correlations between sleep and other health indicators in people and wild animals.

Experience the wild side of Africa by crawling through a life-size termite mound, smelling an aardvark and meeting a cockroach! 4–5-year-olds will have a blast learning about some of their favorite African animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lincoln Park Zoo scientists travel to Africa every year to study animals in the wild. Third–fourth graders will learn about field research projects focusing on everything from rhino poop to chimpanzee termite fishing.

Grab your safari gear—we’re going to Africa! First–second graders can join us for an all-day exploration of African habitats, from savanna to jungle to desert.  

Enjoy a delicious breakfast with the Easter Bunny before searching for eggs, making crafts and participating in animal activities at this inaugural event held at the Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere.

What does a zookeeper really spend the day doing? Third–fourth graders will have the chance to learn about animal training, see some tools of the trade and experience what it’s like to prepare meals for zoo animals.

Are you a “foodie” in need of a green thumb? We’ll walk you through the basics of growing herbs, taking you from seeds to harvest.

Whether you have an apartment balcony or a large backyard, you can create natural spaces that attract wildlife. Join us to discover how you can provide the basic habitat essentials to help local creatures thrive in the Chicago area.

Looking for a garden class that makes learning about plants easy? This three-part introductory series focuses on the tools you need to ID perennials!

Conservation Camp offers exciting exploration opportunities for animal and nature lovers from 4-year-olds to fourth graders. Registration for Conservation Camp 2012 will open in February 2012.

Want to learn about plants native to the Midwest? This three-part series offers a regional round-up that’s accessible, easy and useful.

Join Lincoln Park Zoo’s horticulture department for a free look at how they keep the grounds beautiful. New plants and areas will be highlighted each month as they blossom with the seasons.