Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Colchester Zoo offers a variety of educational opportunities for Youth Groups, click to find out more:
Challenge Badges
Is your Scouting or Guiding unit up for a challenge?
Want to earn our exclusive Challenge Badge?
Click to find out more about Challenge Badges
Cost: £4.00 per child (in addition to entry fees)
Each unit will also get free leader badges (additional leader badges can be purchased at £4.00 each).*
*1 leader badge for groups under 15 children, and 2 leader badges for groups over 15 children
What you get: A Colchester Zoo Challenge Badge for each child, a challenge activity pack of worksheets and more to complete during your visit.
A digital Challenge Pack filled with activities to complete during your zoo visit will be emailed to you. The Challenge Pack activites focus on learning about the role of zoos, across a variety of topics including: Endangered Species, Education, Looking After Animals, and Zoo Research.
Activities are differentiated by age level, with different sections recommended to complete a certain number of activites within a section in order to earn their Challenge Badge.
We recommend all leaders wanting to complete the Colchester Zoo Challenge as part of their visit make a leader pre-trip to the zoo ahead of their group visit. You can use this trip to decide which activity worksheets to complete, familiarise yourself with the site, and plan your route with your unit.
When: Challenge Days are self-guided and can be added to your visit on whichever date you select to visit.
How to Book: please select the option of “Challenge Badge” as an optional extra when filling out the Educational Youth Group Booking Form. (Final numbers of badges required, including if you wish to purchase additional leader badges will be confirmed on the day of your visit).
Explorer Days
Want an education sessions as part of your visit?
Want to earn our exclusive Challenge Badge?
Click to find out more about Explorer Days
Cost: £4.51 per child (in addition to entry fees)
Each unit will also get free leader badges (additional leader badges can be purchased at £4.51 each).*
*1 leader badge for groups under 15 children, and 2 leader badges for groups over 15 children
What you get: A dedicated education session for your group during your visit, a digital leader pack with more information & activities, and a Colchester Zoo Explorer Badge
A digital Explorer Pack filled with activities will be emailed to your prior to your trip. It contains information related to your chosen topic with tailored activites that link learning at the zoo to badge requirements for different section levels. The pack contains activities to do during your visit as will as follow up meeting activites after your visit.
Select one of the options to find out how this day will help you work towards Girlguiding or Scouting badges:
When: Explorer Days are available on any Saturday or Sunday (during Essex term time)
We can accomodate up to 60 children on one date with your educational session starting your day at 10:00 or 11:00
If you are visiting with larger groups (e.g. an entire Area or District), it is possible to book larger groups with sessions. We can accomodate a maximum of 450 children for larger Explorer Days. these are dependant on staff availability and need to be booked well in advance to ensure we can accommodate these larger numbers. To discuss potential availability please contact our education department directly at 01206 331292 ext. 463 or email education@colchesterzoo.org
How to Book: please select the option of “Explorer Day” when filling out the Educational Youth Group Booking Form.
(Final numbers of badges required, including if you wish to purchase additional leader badges, will be confirmed on the day of your visit).
Please note, spaces are limited. Book early to avoid disappointment, especially during the busier summer months. Bookings are dependent on availability, and all bookings must be received a minimum of 9 days prior to the Explorer Day.
Meeting Animals Up-Close
There are no bookable timeslots for groups to meet animals up close. Please also be aware, there are no live animals in education sessions.
However, educational groups can meet minibeasts and other animals up close during their zoo visit. Drop in anytime at the Discovery Den (by the elephant house), or at set times (see the sign at the building for details) at Sensation Station. You can also stroke or feed other animals in the ‘Familiar Friends’ Farm section of the zoo (see signs at the animals to check which animals you can stroke/feed). All of these activities are all drop-in and cannot be pre-booked.
If you want to know more about any animals, why not attend an Animal Encounter Zookeeper Talk? These take place at the animal enclosures and may include the keepers feeding the animals, providing them with toys or even training.
Other Education Sessions
If you are interested in attending Educational Sessions as part of your Educational Youth Group visit, please book to attend an Explorer Days.
If you are visiting with a very large group (e.g. an entire District or Area) please contact the education department directly (01206 331292 ext. 463 or email education@colchesterzoo.org) to disscuss if it would be posible to organise a custom Explorer Day for you on other topics. Please note that this is dependant on avaliability and we recommend contacting the education department well in advance.
