Turtle Back Hatchlings
👶 Ages 12 mo–2 yr📍 West Orange

Turtle Back Hatchlings

📆
📍Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052 Get directions ↗
🏷From $30Prices can change. Check the venue's site for today's price.

About this event

Early Childhood programs encourage family learning and foster early environmental awareness. We invite young children to discover the natural world through gently structured play, art, stories, animal visits, and more. Early Childhood programming is offered monthly throughout the school year. Age restrictions apply; Pre-registration required. Zoo admission is not included with registration. Turtle Back Hatchlings Age group: 12 – 24 months old with a caregiver Description: Learn how to meet and greet some of our small, friendly animals up close in the classroom and learn how to touch animals gently. Your child will also enjoy sensory interactions with feathers, turtle shells, puppets, and more in a lightly structured program. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is prepared to take part in the activities. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend. The class lasts approximately 1 hour. Registration: $30 per child per class. Admittance of one caregiver ONLY included per ticket. Advanced registration and payment are required. No refunds for cancellations requested within one week of your registered session. All Fall Sessions Sunday, September 6, 2026 @10am Sunday, October 11, 2026 @10am Sunday, November 8, 2026 @10am Meet at the Berson Learning Center For additional program information, please contact sburwell@parks.essexcountynj.org.

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Homeschool DaysscienceFrom $30

Homeschool Days

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

Welcome to the wildest classroom in NJ! Our homeschool classes offer students an opportunity to boost scientific literacy and knowledge of the natural world, and learn the importance of life-long environmental stewardship. Available to students ages 6-12, the programs include a visit to South Mountain Reservation, Reservoir, or Zoo as weather permits. These are in-person, drop-off sessions held one Wednesday per month from 11am – 1pm in the Berson Family Center. maximum capacity of 20 students. Program fee does not include separate zoo admission. Students are encouraged to bring their own supplies (note books, pens, water bottle). All Fall Dates and Themes Wednesday, September 16 | Planet of the Primates - From Bushbabies to Humans Wednesday, October 21 | Life in the Dark Wednesday, November 18 | Radical Rodents Drop-off is at the Berson Family Center as early as 10:50am; the program begins promptly at 11am. Pick-up time is at 1pm; late pick-ups after 1pm will incur a fee of $10 for every 15 minutes late. Please make sure that your child has a refillable water bottle and is comfortably dressed to spend time outside. We will go outside, rain or shine or snow, unless there is thunder or lightning.

Ages 6–12
Howl-O-WeenFREE

Howl-O-Ween

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

SAVE THE DATE! Howl-O-Ween Come Trick-or-Treating at the Zoo with Candy Stations throughout the grounds, everyone is sure to have a "sweet" time. All attendees over 2 years old must purchase a ticket. There is no rain date, this event will take place Rain or Shine. $5 per person General Howl-O-Ween ticket | $3 per person Current Zoo Members Howl-O-Ween ticket Free for Children Under 2 years old (no ticket required)*Spooky Storytime is not included in these ticket options. Zoo Members may be asked to show ID with their tickets. Admission at Zoo Member rate is limited to the number of people listed on your current membership. WHAT TO EXPECT:- Candy Stations for Trick-or-Treating- Stilt Walkers- Come in your Halloween Costume!- Bring Your Own Reusable Candy Bag- Shows ( Information TBD ) Spooky Storytime This is an optional add on to our Safe Howl-o-ween, not included in the Howl-O-Ween Admission ticket. Wear your favorite Halloween costume, enjoy a not-so-spooky story read by a costumed zoo staff member, play a game, and take home a creepy craft. Programs last approximately 45 minutes. This is a family-friendly event recommended for families with children ages 8 and younger. $13 per person General ticket | $11 per person current Zoo Members ticket Free for Children Under 2 years old (no ticket required)* Ticket includes Howl-O-Ween admission and your Spooky Storytime specific timed program. Sessions @ 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm

Up to age 8
Zoo Mini CampoutdoorFrom $100

Zoo Mini Camp

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

Join us at Turtle Back Zoo for some wild fun! We offer mini-camps throughout the school year on days that coincide with many of the major school holidays. The camp day runs from 9am-4pm and is available for ages 5 to 10. Campers should bring their own snack and lunch. We do our best to host a tree nut-free environment for our campers. We receive and comply with guidance from our local health agencies regarding COVID-19 and all other health and welfare concerns. Upcoming Mini Camp Dates Monday, September 21, 2026 Monday, October 12, 2026 Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Thursday-Friday November 5-6, 2026 Ages 5-7 Registration Ages 8-10 Registration Cost Mini camp costs $100/day. You may register for one day or multiple. Extended care is not available during any mini camp session. The mission of Turtle Back Zoo camp is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world through fun and educational activities. To further our mission of conservation, education, and stewardship, campers will be introduced to the extraordinary world of animals, nature, and science. Children will enjoy age-appropriate camp activities that include games, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal encounters, hands-on science demonstrations, and fun crafts. Additional Information and Cancellation Policy Cancellation policy: Refunds are guaranteed for cancellation requests made in writing least 3 weeks prior to the start of program. For requests made within 3 weeks of the start of camp, refunds are not guaranteed. Sign-in Procedures: Campers must be signed-in and -out by an authorized adult each day of camp. Authorized adults must present a physical copy of a government-issued photo ID in order to pick-up campers. What to Bring: Please ensure that your child has a snack, lunch, refillable water bottle, and is dressed comfortably for the outdoors. We will go outside rain, snow, or shine, as long as it is safe. Curriculum: Lessons and materials are not provided in advance of camp. An example of the daily schedule is shown below; days vary per age group, animal availability, weather, etc. 1. Check-in2. Discovery Activity/Game3. Lesson4. Snack5. Zoo Visit6. Lunch7. Animal Presentation8. Lesson9. Craft/Science Demo10. Zoo Visit11. Take-home Activity/ Game

Ages 5–103-week course
Zoo Mini CampoutdoorFrom $100

Zoo Mini Camp

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

Join us at Turtle Back Zoo for some wild fun! We offer mini-camps throughout the school year on days that coincide with many of the major school holidays. The camp day runs from 9am-4pm and is available for ages 5 to 10. Campers should bring their own snack and lunch. We do our best to host a tree nut-free environment for our campers. We receive and comply with guidance from our local health agencies regarding COVID-19 and all other health and welfare concerns. Upcoming Mini Camp Dates Monday, September 21, 2026 Monday, October 12, 2026 Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Thursday-Friday November 5-6, 2026 Ages 5-7 Registration Ages 8-10 Registration Cost Mini camp costs $100/day. You may register for one day or multiple. Extended care is not available during any mini camp session. The mission of Turtle Back Zoo camp is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world through fun and educational activities. To further our mission of conservation, education, and stewardship, campers will be introduced to the extraordinary world of animals, nature, and science. Children will enjoy age-appropriate camp activities that include games, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes visits, up-close animal encounters, hands-on science demonstrations, and fun crafts. Additional Information and Cancellation Policy Cancellation policy: Refunds are guaranteed for cancellation requests made in writing least 3 weeks prior to the start of program. For requests made within 3 weeks of the start of camp, refunds are not guaranteed. Sign-in Procedures: Campers must be signed-in and -out by an authorized adult each day of camp. Authorized adults must present a physical copy of a government-issued photo ID in order to pick-up campers. What to Bring: Please ensure that your child has a snack, lunch, refillable water bottle, and is dressed comfortably for the outdoors. We will go outside rain, snow, or shine, as long as it is safe. Curriculum: Lessons and materials are not provided in advance of camp. An example of the daily schedule is shown below; days vary per age group, animal availability, weather, etc. 1. Check-in2. Discovery Activity/Game3. Lesson4. Snack5. Zoo Visit6. Lunch7. Animal Presentation8. Lesson9. Craft/Science Demo10. Zoo Visit11. Take-home Activity/ Game

Ages 5–103-week course

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