Let science come to life with live animals, animal artifacts and enthusiastic instructors through a variety of year-round, multi-sensory experiences that meet Assessment Anchors and can be adapted to any age level


Our Zoo Activity Packets (ZAPs) are specially designed programs for school groups that are coming to Lehigh Valley Zoo for a field trip. All ZAPs cover science-related themes, such as wildlife biology, conservation, ecology and pollution management. The packets offer students the opportunity to experience both hands-on scientific activities and live, up-close educational animal presentations. Each packet also includes education information for teachers on each topic along with pre-visit and post-visit activity ideas to extend the learning experience.

Each program is designed for specific grades and meets many Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content Standards in Science. Most ZAPs are designed to last 30 to 60 minutes.

You may choose from the topics listed below, or a program can be specially designed for the needs of your class! Contact our Education Department at 610-799-4171, ext. 238, 229, or 227 for Zoo Activity Programs!

ZAP Program Topics Include:
A Touch of Nature (preschool): Learn about the five senses and how humans and animals use them to experience the world around us!

Animal Tales (preschool): Learn about animals and how to place them into groups based on common characteristics such as tails, fur, and feathers.

Animal Coverings (preschool): Learn about animals and how to place them into groups based on common characteristics such as tails, fur, and feathers.

Animal Homes (K-1): Identify the four basic elements of survival and how animals use them.

Habitat - Basic Needs for All Animals (K-4): People and animals share the same basic needs: shelter, food, water, and space. Learn how different animals find each of these in their environment.

Splash Splash, Who's There (K-4): Learn about the various forms of life found in a creek! Help find and identify aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and aquatic birds.

Center Range Program / Ecosystem Explorations (G2): Explore different habitats and learn basic elements of survival, food chains, animal homes, trees, and how seeds grow!
(3-hour program)

Animal Life Cycles (2-3): Compare and contrast life cycles of different living organisms and the changes some of them undergo during their lives.

Who's Living Down at Jordan Creek? (2-3): Research the plants and animals that live in creeks and streams and along the riparian areas surrounding them.

Mammals, Birds, or Reptiles... Oh My! (3-4): Learn about the characteristics and differences between these different classes of animals and apply that knowledge in group activities.

What Are We Doing to Our Water? (3-4): Combine environmental awareness and creative problem solving to the issue of human-made water pollution.

Who Are the Experts? (2-4): Become experts on the natural habitats, physical characteristics, social behavior and communication of animal wildlife.

Native Species of PA (4-6): Learn to identify many native Pennsylvania species along their natural habitats and what causes fluctuations in wildlife populations.

Animal Classification (4-6): Through this hands-on encounter we'll learn about the seven ranks of the animal classification system, and actively classify wildlife at the Zoo.

Green Spaces (4-7): The environment we live in is constantly changing as a result of natural and human actions. Find out how sound environmental decisions about the use of our green spaces can help preserve natural resources and all the diversity of life within.

Deer to Us (4-7): Along with generating awareness of the history and management of deer populations, learn how species of animals, traditionally not thought of as pests, can be harmful to other plant and animal species as well as to themselves.

Guess What I'm Having for Dinner! (5-7): Study, observe, identify and become familiar with the energy sources (food) of various animal species and how energy flows through the food chain.

The Pollution Problem (5-7): Study types and causes of air, water and land population and learn solutions and clean-up methods for reducing their effects.

Soil - What's in it for Plants? (5-7): Analyze soil specimens, record characteristics, locations and water percolation rates, and then relate findings to biotic components in the environment.

I Want to Get to Know You (5-7): Discover the physical characteristics of some species and their dependence on living and nonliving components in their ecosystems.

Who Are the Experts (5-7): Become experts on natural habitats, physical characteristics, social behaviors and communication of some animal species.

Animal Observations (7-9): Identify different methods for observations of physical and behavioral characteristics, and have the opportunity to utilize these methods to learn more about wildlife species.


Programs for schools may include any or all of the following:

Live animal presentations: Designed to give students an up-close encounter with Zoo educational animals. Learn about their adaptations, behaviors, and the differences between species.

Creek Studies: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a study of the different invertebrates and other aquatic animals usually found in and around creeks and streams.

Guided Nature Trail Hikes and Zoo Tours: Discover animal habitats and homes, different species of trees and plants, and more on one of our guided hikes! Learn about the adaptations, habitats and behaviors of our resident Zoo animals on a professionally-guided Zoo tour with one of our education staff!


Programs can be customized to suit your needs. Please see our school group link to find program details and descriptions for children of all ages.


Can't make the trip to the Zoo? We can come to you! These live interactive programs are designed to bring out conservation education programs to visit your school or group. Live animal presentations combined with solid educational information will enrich your classroom and give students an experience they will remember for years. Click here for more information.