Ape-ril School Vacation Week-FPZ

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Bubble fun! (Gorilla Grove & Tropical Forest) 🫧

• Get hands on with bubble-making stations and bubble machines
• Snap a pic with our life-size gorilla cutout – perfect for photo ops!
• Go on a gorilla-themed scavenger hunt
• Write a special note to wish Little Joe well before his upcoming move

9:30 a.m.: Gorilla Enrichment (Gorilla Grove, weather permitting, or indoor Tropical Forest)

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Gorilla Conservation Discovery Station (Tropical Forest)
Join our education team to learn about western lowland gorillas, explore biofacts up close, and discover how you can help protect gorilla habitats by recycling your small electronics through our “Gorillas on the Line” initiative.

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Lion Chat (Kalahari Kingdom)
Discover one of the most iconic animals in the animal kingdom, the African lion, and learn how Zoo New England is supporting carnivore conservation efforts in Tanzania.

1:00 and 2:00 p.m.: Big Joe the Storyteller (Gorilla Grove, weather permitting, or indoor Tropical Forest)
Join local favorite Big Joe the Storyteller for two lively, family-friendly storytimes.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Discovery Station (Tropical Forest, by the clouded leopard habitat)
Learn more about our gorilla troop and participate in gorilla-themed games and activities. 

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Tree Giveaway and Scavenger Hunt (Giraffe entrance)
Local residents of all ages from Dorchester, Roxbury and Greater Boston who signed up to receive a free tree can pick up their sapling. In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, we’re helping expand tree canopy across these neighborhoods—one backyard at a time. 

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Giraffe Chat (Giraffe savannah across from the playground)
Join us for a chat about the world's tallest land mammal and how you can help protect them in the wild.

2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Chat and Forage Feed (Tropical Forest)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.: “Who Am I: Little Joe Edition” (Tropical Forest)
Join us for a fun, family-friendly chat about Little Joe and the rest of our gorilla troop, their unique personalities and stories. Discover how gorillas use their skills in the wild and learn simple ways we can all help protect this majestic species.

View Zoo Map

Celebrate Arbor Day with a fun-filled day of hands-on activities for all ages! 🌳

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Tree Giveaway and Scavenger Hunt (Giraffe entrance)
Local residents from Dorchester, Roxbury and Greater Boston who signed up to receive a free tree can pick up their sapling. In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, we’re helping expand tree canopy across these neighborhoods—one backyard at a time. And everyone is invited to check out our scavenger hunt while exploring the natural world in the zoo's backyard.

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Arbor Day Arts & Crafts (Tropical Forest)

• Discover your “bee name”
• Explore pollinator-themed Discovery Stations and learn how you can be a planet protector
• Don’t miss the iNaturalist table—explore local wildlife, share your observations, and discover the incredible diversity of plants and animals around us!
• Go on a Little Joe-themed scavenger hunt
• Write a special note to Little Joe at our card station
• Visit our photo display honoring the many years we've enjoyed with Little Joe

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Gorilla Conservation Discovery Station (Tropical Forest)
Join our education team to learn about western lowland gorillas, explore biofacts up close, and discover how you can help protect gorilla habitats by recycling your small electronics through our “Gorillas on the Line” initiative.

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Lion Chat (Kalahari Kingdom)
Discover one of the most iconic animals in the animal kingdom, the African lion, and learn how Zoo New England is supporting carnivore conservation efforts(opens in a new tab) in Tanzania.

12:00 and 1:00 p.m.: Big Joe the Storyteller (Gorilla Grove or indoor Tropical Forest if rain)
Join local favorite Big Joe the Storyteller for two lively, family-friendly storytimes.

1:00 p.m.: Tree Planting and Dedication (Gorilla Grove)
Join the ZNE Horticulture team for a special planting in honor of Little Joe. We’ll dedicate a magnolia tree in front of Gorilla Grove to celebrate him and our gorilla troop.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Discovery Station (Tropical Forest, by the clouded leopard habitat)
Learn more about our gorilla troop and participate in gorilla-themed games and activities. 

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Giraffe Chat (Giraffe savannah across from the playground)
Join us for a chat about the world's tallest land mammal and how you can help protect them in the wild.

2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Chat and Forage Feed (Tropical Forest)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.: “Who Am I: Little Joe Edition” (Tropical Forest)
Join us for a fun, family-friendly chat about Little Joe and the rest of our gorilla troop, their unique personalities and stories. Discover how gorillas use their skills in the wild and learn simple ways we can all help protect this majestic species.

View Zoo Map

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Tree Giveaway and Scavenger Hunt (Giraffe entrance)
Local residents from Dorchester, Roxbury and Greater Boston who signed up receive a free tree can pick up their sapling. In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, we’re helping expand tree canopy across these neighborhoods—one backyard at a time. And explore the Zoo's back yard with our springtime scavenger hunt.

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Arts & Crafts (Gorilla Grove or indoor Tropical Forest if rain)

• Get hands on with gorilla-inspired crafts
• Make your own gorilla bookmark
• Snap a pic with our life-size gorilla cutout – perfect for photo ops!
• Go on a Little Joe-themed scavenger hunt
• Create a heartfelt note for Little Joe before his move

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Gorilla Conservation Discovery Station (Tropical Forest)
Join our education team to learn about western lowland gorillas, explore biofacts up close, and discover how you can help protect gorilla habitats by recycling your small electronics through our “Gorillas on the Line” initiative.

10:30 a.m.: Little Joe Bingo (Tropical Forest Classroom by entrance)

11:00 a.m.: Lion Chat (Kalahari Kingdom)
Discover one of the most iconic animals in the animal kingdom, the African lion, and learn how Zoo New England is supporting carnivore conservation efforts(opens in a new tab) in Tanzania.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Discovery Station (Tropical Forest, by the clouded leopard habitat)
Learn more about our gorilla troop and participate in gorilla-themed games and activities. 

1:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Giraffe Chat (Giraffe savannah across from the playground)
Join us for a chat about the world's tallest land mammal and how you can help protect them in the wild.

2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Chat and Forage Feed (Tropical Forest)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.: “Who Am I: Gorilla Edition” (Tropical Forest)
Join us for a fun, family-friendly chat about our gorilla troop, their unique personalities and stories. Discover how gorillas use their skills in the wild and learn simple ways we can all help protect this majestic species.

View Zoo Map