Turtle Back Zoo Tots
👶 Ages 2–3📍 West Orange

Turtle Back Zoo Tots

📆
📍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 Zoo Tots Age group: 2 & 3 years old with a caregiver Description: This 1 hour program is designed for toddlers and adults to discover the natural world together. We will use the alphabet to explore different animals in our zoo. Each day you will discover a different animal type such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Stories, projects, and special animal visitors in the classroom enhance your class experience. All children must be accompanied by an adult who is willing to take part in the activities. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, unregistered children (including siblings) may not attend; programs are moderately structured. Capacity is limited; appropriate face coverings may be required during some animal presentations. 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 @11:30am Sunday, October 11, 2026 @11:30am Sunday, November 8, 2026 @11:30am Meet at the Berson Learning Center For additional program information, please contact sburwell@parks.essexcountynj.org.

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Turtle Back HatchlingsFrom $30

Turtle Back Hatchlings

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

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.

Ages 12 mo–2 yr
Stroller SafariFrom $15

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Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo offers a monthly stroller safaris monthly for children 1-4 and a caregiver. Each safari features a unique discussion topic while exploring an area of the zoo. This 30-40 minute guided tour, led by one of our educators, focuses on the wonders of the natural world through the eyes of children. The cost is $15 for one child and an accompanying adult. $10 for each additional adult and $5 for each additional child over the age of 2. All Fall Dates and Themes Wednesday, September 9 @10 AM | Primates Wednesday, October 7 @10 AM | Nature's Costumes Wednesday, November 11 @10 AM | Ungulates Meet at the Komodo Dragon Statue just inside the zoo entrance 10-15 minutes prior to the start of your safari. The program begins promptly at the provided time. Please dress for the weather as the program largely takes place outside on zoo grounds rain or shine. All individuals attending must have a valid ticket. This is not a drop-off program. Zoo admission is not included in you ticket price. If you are not a current zoo member, you must purchase separate zoo admission to enter. For more information email Crystal Chapman at cchapman@parks.essexcountynj.org.

Kids
Wonders of the WildscienceFrom $40

Wonders of the Wild

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

Turtle Back Zoo is an amazing classroom! Our Wonders of the Wild program offers children an opportunity to participate in supplementary science and nature-themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. Available to children age 6-12, this program includes a visit to the South Mountain Reservation, Reservoir, or Zoo as weather permits. These are in-person, drop-off sessions held in the Berson Family Center from 1-3 PM. Fee is $40/person per session, with a maximum capacity of 10 students in each class. Program fee does not include separate zoo admission. All Fall Dates and Themes Saturday, September 12 @1pm | Animal Training Saturday, October 10 @1pm | Weird, Creepy, and Unique (wear your costume!) Saturday, November 14 @1pm | Ungulates Drop-off is at the Berson Family Center as early as 12:50pm; the program begins promptly at 1pm. Pick-up time is 3pm; 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 in light rain or snow as long as it is safe. Severe weather including thunder and lightning will keep the group indoors for the duration of the program. For more information email Crystal Chapman at cchapman@parks.essexcountynj.org.ntynj.org.

Ages 6–12
Zoo ExplorersFrom $40

Zoo Explorers

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo · West Orange

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. Zoo Explorers is a drop-off program. Zoo Explorers Age group: 4 & 5 year olds Description: Join us as we use movement, stories, games, and crafts for these interactive, science-based lessons to learn about the wonderful and fascinating world of animals. These 2 hour sessions include supervised outings to specific areas of the Zoo as weather permits. Registration: $40 per child per class. Advanced registration and payment are required. No refunds for cancellations requested within one week of your registered session. All Fall Sessions Sunday, September 13, 2026 @10am Sunday, October 18, 2026 @10am Sunday, November 22, 2026 @10am Meet at the Berson Learning Center For additional program information, please contact sburwell@parks.essexcountynj.org.

Ages 4–5

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