A hands-on animal experience where kids become the expert
What It Is
The Junior Animal Expert Experience is a guided, hands-on program where children step into the role of a real animal expert. This is not a tour — participants actively learn, observe, and interact with live ambassador animals while completing age-appropriate animal care and observation tasks.
Designed for curious kids who love animals, this experience builds confidence, empathy, and real-world learning in a fun, unforgettable way.
What Your Child Will Do
During this 1-hour experience, Junior Animal Experts will:
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Learn how animal care professionals work with live animals
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Safely interact with select ambassador animals
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Practice observation skills used by real animal experts
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Assist with simple animal-related tasks and enrichment activities
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Ask questions and learn directly from experienced animal educators
Each experience is structured so kids feel involved, capable, and proud of what they accomplish.
Options For Junior Animal Experts
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Junior Animal Expert: Mammal Masters
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Junior Animal Expert: Reptile Rescue
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Junior Animal Expert: Nocturnal Animals
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Junior Animal Expert: Animal Detectives
What Makes This Special
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Hands-on, interactive learning (not passive watching)
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Small group experience for personalized attention
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Led by professional animal educators
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Designed specifically for kids — fun, engaging, and educational
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Unique to Los Angeles and our animal education facility
What Your Child Takes Home
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Junior Animal Expert Certificate of Completion
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A memorable experience they’ll be excited to talk about
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A deeper appreciation for animals and their care
Details
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Ages: 3-16
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Length: 1 hour
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Price: $45 per child
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Location: Our animal education headquarters in Los Angeles
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Group Size: Limited for the best experience
Perfect for animal lovers, homeschoolers, and kids who want more than a typical animal encounter.
Is this the same as a “zookeeper for a day” experience?
Yes — the Junior Animal Expert Experience is our upgraded version of a zookeeper-for-a-day program. Instead of a simple tour, kids actively participate in age-appropriate animal care activities, hands-on learning, and guided animal interactions led by professional educators.
Will my child actually interact with animals?
Yes. Children will safely interact with select live ambassador animals as part of the experience. Interactions are structured, supervised, and designed to be educational and engaging for kids.
Is this experience educational or just for fun?
Both. The program combines real animal science concepts with fun, hands-on activities. Kids learn observation skills, animal care basics, and respect for wildlife — all while having a great time.
What ages is this best for?
This experience is designed for children who love animals and are ready to participate in guided activities. Most participants fall within [your age range], but we encourage parents to reach out if they have questions.
How is this different from a zoo visit?
Unlike a traditional zoo visit, this experience is interactive, small-group, and led by educators. Children aren’t just observing animals — they’re learning how animal care professionals work and what goes on behind the scenes.