Whether you want to be able to tick off National Curriculum targets, or you just want your group to have a really great time, with these Wild Learning sessions your group will have fun as they learn. All sessions are adapted for age and education level. You could try one of the following classroom-based sessions.

• General Animal Handling - the most popular session. This creepy crawly experience allows the children to hadle or gawp at (for the under 4s) three different animals whilst learning the basic information about what they are seeing. Animals may include stick insects, hissing cockroaches, African land snails, milk snake, blue-tongued skink etc. Sessions last 30 minutes.
• Monkeying Around - distinguishing between real and not real animals. Learning how various animals from different habitats move and vocalise by encouraging the children to mimic their noise and movements. A fun physical session which lasts 30 minutes.
• Jungle Stories - two stories are read (Elephant and Tiger) which include messages of the animals' habitats and conservation. Children are encouraged to participate in mimicking animal noises during the stories. If desired, the children can be taken to the animals' enclosures. Lasts up to 30 minutes.
• Lifecycles - a classroom-based session focusing on animal lifecycles. Determining the difference between animal classes and how they reproduce and grow. Various animals can be handled, particularly invertebrates. 30 minute sessions. Can also incorporate a zoo babies' tour (seasonal).
• Habitats - looking at different habitats around the world and animal adaptations to their environment. Various animal artefacts and live animals used for viewing and handling (eg turtle shell, sharks' teeth, stick insects etc.) Sessions from 45 - 60 minutes.
• Bones, Guts and Gore - discussion of differences between vertebrate and invertebrate species. looking at animal nutrition, feeding habits (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore), teeth and g growth. Various artefacts and live animals may be used. 45 - 60 minute sessions

We also offer sessions on a range of topics including:

• Zoo as an Industry
• Leisure and Tourism
• Animal Behaviour
• Endangered Species and Conservation
• Classification
• If you can't see what you would like, call the education team on (01253) 830805 to discuss the session you have in mind.

Instead of a classroom-based session, you could take one of our zoo tours, which take from up to 60 minutes. We have tours on the following topics :

• Big Animal Safari - looking at our largest animals around the zoo such as Asian elephant, Bactrian camel, Siberian tiger etc. Looking at where they live, what they eat, special adaptations etc.
• Senses Tour - Exploring how various animals around the zoo rely on their senses for survival. Including animals such as lemur (smell), Asian elephant (hearing) and Siberian tiger (sight).
• Rainforest Tour - A tour of various rainforest animals such as caiman, macaws, gorilla as well as our free ranging monkey exhibit, Amazonia. Explaining the importance of the rainforest, the food found there in which we use everyday (coffee beans, peanuts etc) and rainforest conservation.

Craft sessions are also available at an additional cost of £1 for every child taking part.

• Elephant Batik - this workshop is based around elephants used in traditional cultures, such as Ganesha and the Hindu religion. Learning basic Asian elephant information, looking at seized elephant artefacts, the threats they face and their conservation. Followed by a craft session using traditional Indian batik to create a colourful elephant.

Can't find what you're after?

Our education team will be more than happy to arrange tailor-made sessions to suit your requirements, whether that's topics which are not covered here, or creating sessions for people with specific educational needs. Call us on 01253 830805 or email education@blackpoolzoo.org.uk to let us know how we can help you.

Want to book?

These sessions get booked up fast. During May to July only one session per group of 30 (plus 5 adults) is permitted because of the high demand. Out of season booking more than one session may be possible. Call (01253) 830805* to book your session directly or e-mail the education team at education@blackpoolzoo.org.uk with any queries you may have.

* Our education team may be busy out in the zoo throughout the day, so don't hesitate to leave a message.

What else can my group do?

To occupy your group for longer at the zoo you could try the following things…

Follow the animal talks and feeds that happen every day at the zoo.

Hire a Trail Blazers Trail Bag for only £5 with a £20 deposit. You can lead your group around the zoo yourself with these self contained kit bags.