School Field Trips
Spark Your Students’ Interest!
We offer self guided and Zoo-led field trips that are sure to create memorable learning experiences for students K-12. A field trip to the Reid Park Zoo is a great way to ignite your students’ interest in wildlife, conservation, and science!
Self-Guided School Field Trips
Did you know school groups who come to the Zoo during the regular school day are eligible for free self-guided trips? It’s true!
To receive this discount, self-guided trips must be reserved at least 30 days in advance to secure the date. Please be aware March-May fills up fast! To ease frustrations during the registration process, please submit as soon as possible.
Self-Guided Field Trip Details:
- Offered for K-12 students only (pre-schools and colleges should see our “Private and Youth Group” page)
- Must take place on a weekday (Mon.-Fri.) during the traditional school year (Aug.-May.)
- 1 adult REQUIRED for every 5 children
- 1 adult will be admitted FREE with every 5 children (additional adults and any guests are charged regular admission)
- Must be booked 30 days in advance in order to receive free admission for self-guided field trips.
- Additional activities available for purchase: Giraffe Encounters, Train Rides, and Carousel



Zoo-Led Field Trips
Zoo Adventure Program
Make your students’ visit to Reid Park Zoo a true learning experience by selecting one of the available Zoo Adventure Program (ZAP) topics listed below.
The ZAP program curriculum is designed to align with current state and federal science standards and provide a fun and memorable field trip for your students.
Pricing:
$8.00 per person (student AND adults/teachers within a 1:5 ratio of adults to students)
Minimum program price:
$160
- Grades K-12 students only (a self-guided trip or Zoo to You Outreach is best for preschool groups)
- 45-minute program featuring LIVE animal ambassadors
- 1 adult REQUIRED for every 5 children, adults outside the 1:5 ratio will not be able to join the program.
Grant funding is available to cover program fees for the 2024-2025 school year for Arizona Title 1 Schools. Funding is provided by The William E. Hall Foundation held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Hutchens Family Foundation, Zarling’s Zoo Kids, Southwest Gas, the Kasser Family, Cox Charities, Joseph Stanley Leeds Charitable Foundation, and the Arizona Cardinals Charities Fund. Chaperones outside the 1:5 ratio will need to pay regular Zoo admission and will not be able to join the program.
Zoo Adventure Program (ZAP) Details:
- Must take place on a weekday (Mon.-Fri.) during the traditional school year (Aug.-May.) with a start time of 9:30 or 10:00.
- 40 people maximum for most programs (students and chaperones). Animal Food and Nutrition and Animal Health Care ZAPs have a 30 person limit per program.
- Large groups will be scheduled into back-to-back programs automatically.
- For example: for a group of 80 people in the 9:30 time slot, we will schedule programs for groups of 40 at 9:30 – 10:15 and 10:15-11:00. Reid Park Zoo Staff will work with you as needed based on your group’s size.
- Please note for groups larger than 160 people, we will need to schedule an additional, extra day to accommodate your group.
- Must be booked 30 days in advance
- Additional chaperones outside the 1:5 ratio will need to pay regular zoo admission and will not join the program but can join the group after the program.
- Additional activities available for purchase: Giraffe Encounters, Train Rides, and Carousel
Programs will focus on the topic of your choice and will include fun activities and presentations with live animal ambassadors.
All Ages
Habitats
Learn what an animal needs in its habitat and how animals survive in the desert, rainforest, and savanna habitats.
All Ages
Adaptations
Learn about adaptations that help wild animals survive and how people can be inspired by nature’s survival tips.
All Ages
Zoo 101
Caring for the animals that call the Zoo home is a big job! Learn how we do it and why what we do is so important.
All Ages (20 people per program limit)
Animal Food and Nutrition – Feeding A Zoo
Omnivore, herbivore, carnivore, or insectivore? During this program, your group will take a peek at what some of the animals at the Zoo eat and meet live animal ambassadors.
Grades K-2
Locomotion
Investigate how animals move from here to there by exploring their unique adaptations.
Grades 3+
Conservation and Endangered Species
Discover Reid Park Zoo’s role as a conservation organization and how zoos and scientists work to protect wild animals and wild places.
Grades 3+ (20 people per program limit)
Animal Health Care – Caring for Animals in a Zoo
Visit the Zoo’s Animal Health Center, meet live animal ambassadors, and learn how the Zoo cares for over 250 animal residents in this hands-on, STEM-based program.



Request your K-12 Zoo Field Trip
- Select your Field Trip Type and Guide. For self-guided trips please choose Self-Guided for both.
- Click desired field trip date and available time. Field trips dates can only be selected starting 2 weeks from today.
- Fill in the Personal Information. Select Topic for Guided Educator Programs only.
- Once completed click submit. A confirmation email will be sent to you to confirm the visit date.
Green indicates daily availability, If a date or time is red or grey it is unavailable.
This form is for field trips to the Zoo ONLY. If you would like to reserve a VIRTUAL Zoo Adventure Program, please use this form.
Preschool, Summer School & College groups should fill out the Non School Group Program Form since you do not qualify for this program.
School Group – Sack Lunch Order Form
Low-cost sack lunches are available to purchase through the Zoo’s Flamingo Grill. Please submit your order using the order form below.
Please email your completed form to tklipfel@craftculinary.com
Please contact 326-8999 or tklipfel@craftculinary.com with any questions you may have.
Teachers, looking for a way to engage your students when you cannot come to the Zoo?
