Little Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week! An ASL interpreter will be here most Thursdays interpreting the 10:30 story time, 11am zookeeper talk, and the 11:30am SPIRE Sparky Show.

2023 Schedule

o August 31st – Fun with Fish
o September 7th – Teddy Bear Picnic
o September 14th – Fantastic Frogs
o September 21st – Down on the Farm
o September 28th – Rockin’ Reptiles

o October 5th – Bird Buddies
o October 9th – Fancy Flowers **Special Monday Little Explorer
o October 19th – Animal Families
o October 26th – Nighttime
o November 2nd – Fun with Fish
o November 9th – Busy Bugs
o November 16th – Jr. Gardener
o November 20th – Under the Sea **Special Monday Little Explorer due to Thanksgiving holiday
o December 7th – Animals in Winter
o December 14th – Furry Friends
o December 21st – Happy Hooves
o December 28th – Fantastic Frogs

This program was funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s art and cultural heritage.
A website was also created by the Minnesota Legislature to help citizens monitor how funds from the Legacy Amendment are being used. On the Minnesota’s Legacy: watch the progress website you can see how funds are being invested across the state.