Explore nature and learn about our animals from home!
Potter Park Zoo is passionate about our mission to inspire conservation of animals and the natural world. One of the best ways to do that is through education. We are currently working on producing and collecting resources for parents, students, and teachers to use to learn more about the natural world in which we live! Check back regularly to see what we have added!
Information About our Animals
Head to our animals page to learn more about the species that live here at Potter Park Zoo!
Potter Park Zoo on YouTube
Check out our YouTube Channel for fun and educational videos about the animals at the zoo!
Video Lessons
Prey Survival Guide
A 12 minute lesson with Education Intern Trent about some of the adaptations that animals have to help them avoid becoming lunch! Or to catch their lunch if they’re a predator.
Nitrogen Pollution
Learn about Nitrogen pollution, fertilizer use, and eutrophication with Education Intern Emily.
A Day at Potter Park Zoo
Check out this video to see some of the amazing things our Animal Care Staff do every day!
Career Information for Kids
Jobs with Animals Tri-fold Printable
Geared for Early Elementary – Explore jobs that let you work with or around animals!
Conservation Careers and Careers at the Zoo Printable
Geared for Middle School/High School – Explore careers in conservation and at zoos!
Scavenger Hunts
Animal Classification Scavenger Hunt (Recommended for Grades 3-5)
Explore animal classification with this scavenger hunt that will take you all over the zoo!
Taxonomy Trek Scavenger Hunt (Recommended for Middle School/High School)
Explore taxonomy with this scavenger hunt focusing on different animal orders and classes.
Crafts and Activities
Make Your Own Cotton-Top Tamarin Baby!
Step-by-step directions to create your very own baby tamarin. Alternate steps are included to accommodate for different supplies!
Interactive Activities
How it works: Fur (Grades 1-3)
An interactive lesson to learn about fur! Created by Intern Monica.
The Anthropocene (Grades 9-12)
An interactive lesson teaching you about different eras in our planet’s natural history, evolution, and mass extinction events. Created by Intern Kate.
Animal Evolution: How Did We Get Here? (Grades 9-12)
An interactive lesson discussing natural selection and the phylogenies of some of the species here at the zoo. Created by Intern Amanda.
Resources from Other Organizations
Check out these great resources from some of our friends in Environmental Education
Michigan DNR’s Nature at Home
The Michigan DNR has a great collection of video lessons, virtual field trips, and outdoor activities to help you connect with nature from home!
Michigan DNR’s Nature at SchoolThe Michigan DNR has developed a series of live educational experiences for classroom teachers to use during virtual learning.
