Little Explorers Thursdays at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Littles Explorers Thursdays at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory lets kids learn about animals and plants while participating in fun activities!

I may have six kids now, but I remember well how difficult it was for me to fill the days when I just had one kiddo at home. I just didn’t know what to do with him!

Here’s an option for those of you with littles at home: Lil’ Explorers Thursdays are held at Como Zoo! 

Lil’ Explorers is a free program from 10 am – 12 pm each Thursday in the Visitor Center in the winter and on the zoo grounds in the summer. It’s tailored to kiddos ages 1 to 3 years old, but all ages are welcome. Kids can meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games, and participate in many other fun activities.

Lil’ Explorers has a different theme each week – here’s their current schedule for 2026:

May
May 7- Fancy Flowers
May 14- Furry Friends
May 21- Jr. Gardener
May 28- Jr. Zookeeper

June
June 4- Nighttime Critters
June 11- Under the Sea
June 18- Animal Families
June 25- Bird Buddies

July
July 2- Diggin’ Dinos
July 9- Down on the Farm
July 23- Jr. Gardener
July 30- Jr. Zookeeper

August
August 6- Nighttime Critters
August 13- Under the Sea
August 20- Animal Families
August 27- Bird Buddies

September
September 3- Busy Bugs
September 10- Diggin’ Dinos
September 17- Down on the Farm
September 24- Furry Friends

October
October 1- Fancy Flowers
October 8- Jr. Zookeeper
October 15- Jr. Gardener
October 22- Under the Sea
October 29- Nighttime Critters

November
November 5- Animal Families
November 12- Bird Buddies
November 19- Busy Bugs

December
December 3- Diggin’ Dinos
December 10- Down on the Farm
December 17- Fancy Flowers
December 24- Furry Friends

Admission and parking are free, but they do ask for voluntary donations of $4/adult and $2/child, if you so choose.

Visit the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory website for more information.