If you have any queries regarding your visit, you can find answers to our most popular FAQs HERE
Please be aware that the Spotted hyena at Edge of Africa will be off-show today due to maintenance work.
Please be aware that the Rainforest Walkthrough will be closed today due to maintenance work.
SAVE PAPER and download the Colchester Zoo App ahead of your visit for an interactive map and all of today's animal encounter times!
Make sure you TURN ON the Bluetooth and location services on your mobile device to use the INTERACTIVE map function.
Your support is still critical – now more than ever. Find out how you can help us here.
Important Information
Education
Learning Resources
Info, Activities, Worksheets and More!
Click the links below or scroll down the page to access these free resources:
Activity Packs for SCHOOLS: Cross-curricular pre-trip, post-trip, and at the zoo activities including worksheets.
STEM and Maths Trails for SCHOOLS: Activity packs for at the zoo focused on STEM and Maths.
Business Activities for SCHOOLS: Resources and worksheets on the topic of business, travel and tourism.
Sensory Resources for ANY VISITORS: Including a visual social story and sensory trails.
Children’s University Resourcesfor ANY VISITORS (including families or groups): Worksheets to complete at the zoo or after your visit to earn Children’s University hours.
Information Packsfor STUDENTS (aimed at secondary and higher level): Detailed information great for homework or course work!
Activity packs designed for schools to use as part of a school trip including fact sheets about relevant animals, and background information on the topic. To help you plan a topic themed visit to the zoo, the packs also contain a map showing suggested animals to visit, worksheets to complete during your visit, and pre-trip and post-trip classroom activities.
Click on the age range/KS level after the topic to open the pdf pack in a new tab.
At Home – Wildlife Activities to do at Home – All Ages
Please note, we suggest you pick and choose which worksheets would work best for your class and your topic from each pack, as each worksheet is independent and can be done without completing the whole pack.
STEM Resources
The above activity packs contain cross-curricular activities including some STEM. The below STEM activity pack is specifically focused on the wider range of STEM at the zoo and includes pre-trip and post-trip activities and worksheets relating to engineering, structural design, developing hypothesis, physics, medicine, and lots more! To focus specifically on maths, the Maths Workbook provides in-depth at the zoo worksheets using a variety of mathematical skills including: estimation, graphing, measuring, and real world problem solving.
There are a variety of independent worksheets and activities in the packs for a range of ages. Please pick and choose which worksheets to complete based on the level of your students.
Business and Tourism Resources
Resources for Business or Travel and Tourismschools groups learning about Colchester Zoo.
Business and Tourism Activity Pack: activities relating to business and tourism coursework, including worksheets and research at the zoo and follow-classroom activities.
If your students are completing surveys oncustomer service, visitor opinions, etc. while at Colchester Zoo, please ensure they comply with our Business Survey Guidelines.
Sensory Resources
A downloadableVisual Social Story (click to open in a new tab). This resource uses images and concise text to explain what to expect during a visit to Colchester Zoo.
Downloadable sensory trails to help you explore the zoo. The LONG Sensory Trail (click to open in a new tab) includes exploration around the entire zoo. The SHORT Sensory Trail(click to open in a new tab) explores the Familiar Friends farm section of the zoo.
Children’s University Resources
At the Zoo Activity Packs
Packs designed for families and groups to use independently during your visit to the zoo. If your child is a member of Children’s University, they can earn CU hours and passport stamps! See inside the packs or the Essex Children’s University website for details of how to get involved.
Please note, you can earn a maximum of 6 hours per day by completing worksheet pages. You can mix and match to complete worksheets from different packs to earn your hours.
After visit learning to earn CU Hours
Resources for at-home independent learning AFTER children have attended a formal educational session at Colchester Zoo.
Please note, in order to qualify as Children’s University hours these workbooks should be completed outside of school hours (either at home, or as part of a before or after school club). Complete the entire workbook to earn 2 CU hours.
Information Packs
These information packs provide in depth background information on a range of topics. Great for homework and coursework!
Click on a pack title to open the PDF in a new window.
We have tried our best to cover all topics of interest here at Colchester Zoo. However, after looking through the information, if your question remains unanswered, please contact the Education Team by email: education@colchesterzoo.org
This website uses cookies to improve your experience and analyse our website traffic. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website however you can opt-out if you wish. You can change your mind about your consent choices at any time by returning to this site. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.