Table of contents
Classroom sessions
Sessions and/or presentations built around active student participation, tailored to the needs of each age group. Duration: 45 minutes.
The World of Animal Senses
Through a visual presentation and sensory games, we will learn about the senses and their basic functions. We’ll compare human and animal senses and find out who the champions of smell, sight, and touch are.
Recommended Age Groups:
Kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Life Under Our Feet
A hands-on introduction to the components of soil and soil types. We’ll meet underground animals and decomposers and learn about their vital roles in the soil.
Recommended Age Groups:
Kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Nature Discovery Investigations
In the Discovery Zone of the Magic Mountain (Varázshegy), we will explore animal and plant parts such as feathers, skins, bones, leaves, seeds, and shells through a research game in pairs. This playful session also develops text comprehension and independent problem-solving skills. A visit where it’s mandatory to peek into the drawers.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
A popular riddle that will be answered during this session, along with discovering if all eggs are truly alike. We’ll explore the parts of an egg, egg-layers, incubation types, and parental care.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Zoo Treasure Trove
In the Darwin Lab at Magic Mountain, we will explore various bones, skins, furs, and remains, including some rare specimens. We’ll discuss how different creatures’ skeletons, teeth, and skin have adapted to different environments.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Who Are the Pollinators?
Jam and cocoa for breakfast? Today, that’s something we take for granted. But what would happen if pollinators disappeared? Through a presentation and interactive games, we will learn about pollinators, their roles, the intricacies of honey production, and what we can do to protect these amazing creatures.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade
Diversity on Many Legs
In this session, we explore the world of arthropods. We’ll discuss why arthropods need so many legs, their connection to fungi, what their number of legs tells us, and what would happen if they disappeared from Earth.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade
The Bible’s Living Creatures
What’s the difference between a scapegoat and a sacrificial lamb? How did lions end up in the Holy Land? What is a plague of locusts like, and did snakes ever have legs? What kind of wood was used to build Solomon’s palace, and what does that famous fig leaf look like? A journey through the wildlife of the Bible, exploring culture, faith, and science, while highlighting the role of zoos as the “modern-day Noah’s arks” in species conservation efforts.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Responsible Pet Ownership
Owning pets and companion animals comes with serious responsibilities. Through interactive activities, we’ll explore how to properly set up an animal enclosure, considering their needs for appropriate hiding spots, environmental enrichment, and diet.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade
Animals and Epidemics
Can animals play a role in the outbreak of a pandemic? Throughout history, which animals have been linked to certain diseases? Which species have contributed to the spread of epidemics, and have any helped in stopping them? All these questions will be answered during the session.
Recommended Age Groups:
9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Zoo in a Drop of Water
Why does clean water turn green in the sun? Are there microbes in tap water, and what lives in natural bodies of water? Under the microscope, we’ll search for single-celled organisms such as ciliates, flagellates, amoebas, and rotifers, revealing the richness of the microscopic world beyond our senses.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Microorganisms at Our Service
In this session, we’ll explore the world of viruses, bacteria, and single-celled organisms. We’ll discuss how microbes are used for preservation, why we associate microorganisms with diseases, and what surprising benefits we owe to them.
Recommended Age Groups:
9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Tattooed Tiger, Carved Wolf
Some animals have been revered by humans for centuries. Every culture has its sacred animals, totem animals, or heraldic animals. But do the lions and eagles drawn on shields, Asian bear cults, Native American totem poles, and Egypt’s sacred animals have modern equivalents?
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Cute or Scary? – Morris’s List
Why do we find some animals cute while others scare or disgust us? Why do we love bears but fear spiders, even though bears are dangerous and most spiders are harmless? A study conducted with British children more than half a century ago revealed many insights—how much has changed since then?
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Thematic walks
Zoo walks, during which children are encouraged to actively participate, adjusted to their age group’s needs. The routes include both outdoor enclosures and indoor animal habitats. Duration: 45 minutes.
Who’s Who in the Zoo
Feathers? Fur? Grazing? Hunting? Living in water or up in the trees? During this walk, we observe animals and categorize them based on their body structure, diet, and habitat. A fun introduction to taxonomy for younger children, with many amusing zoo stories.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
Move Like an Animal!
We observe how animals adapt their movement to their environment for survival. A playful activity with lots of movement.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade
Daily Life at the Zoo
During our walk, we learn about the daily routines of the animals and their caretakers. We find out if daily rhythms are important to them too. Discover what happens when a new animal arrives or if one gets sick.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
The Diverse World of Mammals
While we take a closer look at the zoo’s mammals, we examine how they are similar and different. We categorize them by habitat, diet, and lifestyle and observe the connection between body structure and diet.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
Farm Animals on the Ranch
Many children today think of pets kept at home when they hear “domesticated animals”, but originally this term referred to livestock. While exploring the, we get to know these animals, find out why the rooster scratches, where milk comes from, and what the difference is between a goat and a sheep. We also meet some exotic domestic animals.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
From Wild to Domesticated
What is the difference between wild and domestic animals? Are all wild animals wild, and all domestic animals tame? How did humans form a bond with wolves, and when, why, and how did we start domesticating other animals? Is there a connection between the appearance of animals and their tameness? We’ll reevaluate domestication.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Myth and Reality – Animal Literature
Whether it’s The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, The Lion King, Zootropolis, or the fables of Aesop and La Fontaine, animals are ever-present in stories, cartoons, and literature. What traits do we attribute to them in stories, and how much of that is true? Is the rabbit really cowardly, the fox sly, and the owl wise? Does the elephant stomp and does the hedgehog carry apples on its back? We’ll visit some “storybook” to discover what their lives are really like.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade
The Fascinating World of Reptiles
In this session, we explore the body structure and major groups of reptiles. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being cold-blooded. What are the characteristics of keratinized scales, and what is shedding? How do reptiles reproduce, and do they care for their young? Get to know snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and turtles, some up close and personal.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
African Safari
We are invited to a playful journey on the African savannah. Where exactly is it? What is the weather like there? What kind of animals live there? We hop into our imaginary off-road vehicle and find out why the giraffe’s neck is so long and what the meerkat is looking at in the sky.
Recommended Age Groups:
kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade.
Australia – An Isolated Continent
Children in pockets, egg-laying “hedgehogs”, and life-threatening birds – the long isolation of the Australian continent has resulted in a unique wildlife rich in indigenous species. We explore its formation and learn about the impact of the introduction of various foreign species.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
South America – The Land of Oddities
Tapir, mara, coati, and capybara – all strange creatures unknown to us. And then there are the oddly named Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—who, at first glance, don’t seem related, and of course, the noisy family of giant otters. Let’s explore the eventful history of this peculiar continent!
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Endangered Animals of Asia
A vast continent, but there’s hardly any space left for animals: the Asiatic lion, the Siberian tiger, the golden takin, and the Visayan warty pig are all threatened with extinction. We visit a variety of Asian animal species and learn about the factors endangering their survival.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Life in and Around Water
During a walk along the Great Lake (Nagy-tó), we observe the animals living there and learn how they have adapted to aquatic life conditions. Birds, fish, turtles – so many different ways of moving and feeding.
Recommended Age Groups:
Kindergarten, 1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Adaptation: The Key to Survival
Different animal groups have adapted to environmental conditions and climate in various ways. During our zoo walk, we look for examples of adaptation and draw conclusions from them. We discuss who are the dietary specialists and generalists, narrow- and broad-tolerance organisms, and how these traits influence different organisms’ adaptation strategies.
Recommended Age Groups:
7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade.
Gorillas and Mobile Phones
During the activity, we’ll explore what sets great apes apart from monkeys. We meet the zoo’s gorilla and orangutan families. We’ll discuss the dangers threatening their survival in the wild, what we can do to protect them, and how mobile phones are connected to this issue.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Toxic Companions: Poison-Producing Creatures
During the activity, we review what exactly we mean by poison, and the difference between passive and active poisonous creatures. We learn which are the world’s most venomous animals and how some animals obtain their poison from their food. We also get to know our country’s rare venomous snake, the Hungarian meadow viper.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Taxonomic Challenges
It’s not easy to navigate the classification of living creatures, as external similarities often deceive us. During our walk, we discuss the basis for categorizing animals, what convergent evolution is, and why Latin names are important.
Recommended Age Groups:
9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
A Drop of Vietnam
The Vietnamazing conservation campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria draws attention to Vietnam’s rich but endangered wildlife. In this country, which suffered severe war damage at the end of the 20th century, new animal species are still being discovered today – some of which can also be seen in our Zoo, and we will introduce a few of them during our walk.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade
Complex activities
Zoo walks enriched with observations, games, and tasks, tailored to the needs of the age group. The programs take place both in the outdoor areas of the Zoo and in its classrooms. Duration: 90 minutes.
Magic Mountain Tour
The century-old artificial rock provides a home for numerous animals, and it also serves as a venue for live shows, an interactive playground, and adventurous explorations, where even time travel is possible. And most importantly, we won’t get wet here.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
The Skill of Orientation
How do animals navigate, and how do humans? Location determination, maps, signs, boards, and compasses only help if you know how to use them. We explore how animals navigate while also developing our own orientation skills.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Marine Life and Ecological Situation
During this activity, we embark on a spectacular journey to the depths of the world’s oceans, learning about the body structures, lifestyles, and adaptations of the most typical sea creatures to aquatic conditions. We discuss the dangers threatening marine life.
Recommended Age Groups:
7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Protection of Wild Animals
Modern zoos have successfully coordinated the breeding of endangered and critically endangered species for decades. We will explore what zoos can do to protect natural habitats and wild animals. We will get an insight into the species conservation activities of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, and learn, for example, what the role of a species coordinator is.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Ethology: Learning and Communication
Learning is a tool for survival, both for us and for animals. We will examine how similar or different human and animal learning processes are. Through zoo examples, we will review how different animals communicate and what signals they use.
Recommended Age Groups:
9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Career orientation activity
Now available for lower grade students too.
During our “BemutatkoZoo” (Meet the Zoo) program, students can get to know the various zoo professions. How does a day begin at the Zoo? What is a veterinary visit like, and how and where do injured or sick animals recover? Who are the animal trainers? What does a zoo educator do? What is a species-saving breeding program, and who are the species coordinators?
During our varied and exciting activity, we will show what our colleagues do every day to protect wildlife, and we will also reveal where and how much an aspiring “zookeeper” needs to study.
Our interactive program lasts 45 minutes for grades 1-4, and 90 minutes from grade 5 onwards.
Craft activities
Playful skill development, either combined with zoo education programs or as a standalone activity. Creation – experience – education – sustainability – nature – reuse – recycling – freedom – responsibility – success – flow – community – gathering – slowing down – mindset shaping – value preservation and transfer.
This craft activity is a themed, specialized program that uses visual and manual engagement as a form of knowledge transfer and education. One of the main goals of Green Workshop activities is to bring children closer to nature, from which we have become so distant, yet it remains one of the most important points of connection for developing and maintaining our physical and mental health.
We believe it is important for children to experience the joy and freedom of creation, to dare to experiment, to develop their imagination and aesthetic sense, to learn about both old and new techniques, while their competencies grow and their worldview and skills expand.
We primarily recommend our activities to elementary school groups, but we are also happy to welcome older students if they are enthusiastic. The sessions take place indoors, lasting 60 minutes, after which children can take the items they have made with them. When designing the activities, we keep in mind the age characteristics and the core values we aim to pass on.
We distinguish two main directions in our activities:
1) The treasures of nature take centre stage, based on various themes. Reviving old crafts, understanding/using/appreciating natural materials. We aim to provide the young generation with a means to notice the created world and to live in the present reality.
2) Reimagining and repurposing our objects and waste. During the activities, we work with reused materials and explore the related concepts, while discussing our responsibility and opportunities during the creation of objects.
The craft activities can be taken up as active, meaningful relaxation after the zoo education program or as a standalone experience. In the latter case, while object creation is not strictly connected to zoo education in the narrower sense, in a broader sense – as mindset shaping through experiences, skill development – it definitely aligns with the core values conveyed by zoo education programs.
You can read about the price of the Green Workshop craft program and the discounted price for a craft program combined with a zoo education session under the “Tickets/For Institutions” menu.
Life Cycle (bird/bee/butterfly)
During this activity, we refresh the children’s knowledge about different developmental stages. We briefly discuss how the particular animal relates to our lives, and then we dive into the practical part of the session. We provide a sample model, based on which we discuss the order of tasks, and the necessary materials are distributed, only as much as is needed for the current step. The group works together to complete the creation.
Applied techniques: template usage, cutting with scissors (thin-thick paper), tearing, gluing, finger/bubble-wrap painting, coloring/drawing.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
Nature Identifier
With this activity, our not-so-hidden intention is to make nature walks and hiking more appealing to children. We select seasonally visible animals/plants that children might encounter when hiking in nearby mountains or even in parks. By holding the frame over the organism to be identified, recognition and learning become easier. The group progresses together through the object creation process.
Applied techniques: cutting with scissors, gluing.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade
Paper Sewing
At the beginning of the session, we discuss with the children what kind of picture we will create. The children draw the pattern on the paper, poke holes in it with a needle, and then proceed with the sewing. During the activity, children learn how to use a sewing needle safely, and their problem-solving skills develop.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade.
Plant Dyeing
In our institution, plants receive less attention than animals, even though our unique plants, arranged by different perspectives, offer numerous topics to explore. In this new activity, we introduce children to natural plant dyeing. We aim to reconnect with traditions, thus embracing a sustainable, natural mindset, which, in fact, doesn’t need to be reinvented—just rediscovered. The extraction and use of natural dyes have a long history. It’s surprising how many plants, even among kitchen waste or in our immediate surroundings, can be used for dye production. This activity provides a great opportunity to better understand the materials around us, their properties, origins, and versatile usability, educating the youth toward a more conscious, slower, creative life. We will also touch on the harmful effects of fast fashion, the joy of creation, and material knowledge (animal/plant origins and properties, etc.). Understanding our environment fosters a sense of security/coherence. At the start of the session, information is shared, followed by the distribution of watercolor paper, brushes, and paints (2-3 colors per table), along with color modifiers. From there, free creation takes place, allowing the children to play with colors, layering, and forms.
Applied technique: painting with a brush.
Recommended Age Groups:
3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade.
Needle Felting
At the beginning of the session, we familiarize ourselves with wool. Where does it come from, what is it, what can be made from it, what are its properties, and what are the possibilities for working with it (dry/wet)? After the materials are distributed, we explain the safety rules (needle usage), and the group progresses through the work processes together until the object is completed. We work with white wool, using colored wool only for decoration.
Recommended Age Groups:
5th–6th grade.
Let’s Stamp! The Play of Patterns and Shapes
At the beginning of the activity, we explain to the children how the stamps (cork, foam rubber) they will be working with were made. We talk about reusable materials and the properties of cork. Later, the following are distributed: draft papers (where they can try out the shapes, the strength/fading of the ink, and plan their creation), black stamp ink, cork stamps. The children can stamp patterns on paper using office stamp ink, creating pictures, postcards, or bookmarks. After explaining the possibilities/task, free design and creation take place, and during the last part of the session, the children receive the hard papers on which their final creations will be displayed.
Recommended Age Groups:
1st–2nd grade, 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, 7th–8th grade, 9th–10th grade, 11th–12th grade.
Requesting a worksheet
We recommend processing some topics, which cover multiple subjects, with the help of worksheets or “adventure sheets”. These so-called worksheet activities are planned in advance and can be carried out independently of a zoo educator. Details are coordinated via email. The duration of the activity depends on the worksheet and the age group, ranging from 45 to 90 minutes. For more details, you can coordinate with colleagues at zooped@zoobudapest.com.
