Posts Tagged ‘Children’s Zoo’

Jul
31

Whats New in the Swap Shop?

Posted by in Animal Info,Children's Zoo,Insects,Swap Shop

Meet Edward Scissorhands, our Tailless Whip Scorpion.  He now lives in the Swap Shop full time!  Edward is not a true scorpion, but is in the Arachnid family and is a variety found in Africa.  He is harmless to humans but, if you are a cricket or worm, it’s a whole different story.  Tailless Whip Scorpions are nocturnal so they are active at night.  During the day they can be found hiding in leaf litter, logs, bark or under stones.  At night they come out to hunt and then it’s crickets beware.  They don’t have venom like a true scorpion but instead use their pinchers, called pedipalps, to crush their prey.  As in some other arachnid orders, Edward’s first pair of legs are modified to act as sensory organs or whips.  While Edward walks on the other six legs, these two legs are held out in front of his body as he moves to probe terrain and find prey. Come in to swap with us and visit Edward while you are here.  Don’t know about the Swap Shop?  Click here for more information.

Edward the Tailless Whip Scorpion

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Jul
28

Passport to Bright Futures

Posted by in Children's Zoo,Events

Join Collaborative for Children and the Houston Zoo at Passport to Bright Futures, an event that celebrates early learners, ages  0-6, with a kid-friendly musical performance by The Non-Toxic Band!  Performances will take place at the Butterfly Pavilion from 10-10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

The fun, yet educational journey begins in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo with a passport that leads families through three interactive stations where they will learn about the importance of play, learning and nurturing their children. After receiving a stamp at each station, passports can be redeemed for a signature gift.

Head to Passport to Bright Futures on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This event is FREE with your paid Zoo admission. This event is FREE for Zoo Members. Visit Collaborative for Children for details.

 

 

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Jun
11

1000th Trader in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop!

Posted by in Children's Zoo,Just for Kids,Swap Shop

We made it to 1000!  On June 4, 2011, Taylor Albrecht was our 1000th new trader.  In honor of this milestone he was awarded 100 extra points!    Taylor’s first trade  included a mule deer antler and a white-tailed deer skull – he started his trading in grand style. 

Taylor Albrecht - Trader # 1000!

He and his parents had a great time looking around the Swap Shop and Taylor decided to spend some of his points to start an insect collection.

We hope that this will be the first of many, many trades Taylor will make as he explores nature. 

The Naturally Wild Swap Shop has been growing by leaps and bounds.  Not only do we now have over 1000 individual traders, but the number of trades has increased too.  For 2011, each month the number of trades per month has increased at least 200% from the same time last year.  Dont know about the Swap Shop and trades?  Click here to find out more.

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May
15

Exciting Swap Shop News

Posted by in Children's Zoo,Conservation,Swap Shop

The Naturally Wild Swap Shop in the McGovern Children’s Zoo is becoming more and more popular.  Our young guests have  brought in everything from pine cones and sweet gum balls to skulls and crystal formations. We currently have over 900 traders in the system and continue to grow.  In celebration of our success, we will be giving our 1000th new trader an extra 100 points! 

Trading in the Swap Shop

Those 18 and younger can bring in things found in nature.  We award points for the items brought in and the points can be swapped for some of the things in the shop.  An easy way to boost your points is by doing a little research before you come.  If our traders can tell us about the item they have brought in they get extra points for knowledge.  The Swap Shop has a wonderful collection of things to trade for including bones, fossils, rocks, minerals and shells to name a few.  There are a few rules for trading so be sure to check here for details.

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Apr
22

Are those cats in the Swap Shop?

Posted by in Swap Shop

Penny

Cats?  In the Naturally Wild Swap Shop?  Yes!

Penny and Bagherra are a part of our education collection and actually have a job at the zoo.  Are you wondering what they do when they are working?They both go to classrooms and presentations as part of the Houston Zoo’s outreach program.  They are wonderful ambassadors and can help us when we teach about animals, especially cats.  We cant bring a big cat like a tiger to a classroom but, we can bring a small cat and teach about the big cats.  We can also use the small cats to talk about predator vs. prey or what animals would make a good pet.

When they are not working,  they live in the building that houses the Swap Shop.

Bagherra

They are very popular in the Swap Shop and some of our visitors come in not only to trade but to visit Penny and Bagherra too.  If you dont know about making trades in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop, click here for more info.

Recently the swap shop even had a visit from a different kind of cat – some of the cast of the Broadway show CATS!  The members of the cast of Broadway Across America’s Cats On Tour stopped by.

You never know what – or who – you will see in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop!

Suzanne from the Swap Shop with Cats cast members

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Apr
15

Host Your Houston Zoo Birthday Party

Posted by in Birthday

Did you know that you can rent out one of our Children’s Zoo pavilions for your child’s next Birthday Celebration and support the Houston Zoo?

We offer the following Birthday Party Packages for children who are 12 years of age or younger.

Our Birthday Party Package includes 30 admission tickets for adults and/or children and the rental of one of our three pavilions in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo for two hours.  Click here to learn more about where our Children’s Zoo is located within the Houston Zoo.

Your guests will be allowed admission to the Zoo for the entire day of the party, but the party pavilion is only reserved for your event during one of the following timeslots:

Time Slots (Upon availability):

9:30 – 11:30 AM

12:30 – 2:30 PM

3:30 – 5:30 PM

The package for one of our outdoor pavilions, the Blue Pavilion or the Yellow Pavilion is as follows:

$285 for Zoo Members

$335 for Non-Members

Children's Zoo Yellow Pavilion

Children's Zoo Blue Pavilion

 

The package for our indoor, air-conditioned Red Pavilion is as follows:

$335 for Zoo Members

$385 for Non-Members

Children's Zoo Red Pavilion

 

If you are not a member, I would suggest that you check out our Zoo Membership information on our Houston Zoo Website. Our Zoo Memberships come with all kinds of perks and awesome discounts that are sure to make any Zoo enthusiast happy!

We will place the table covers on the tables for you so all you have to do is bring the cake, presents, birthday celebrant, and guests, etc.! We offer plastic table covers in the following colors: red, blue, green, and/or orange. There are five round tables in each of the pavilions with bench style seating and two rectangular tables available for your food and gifts.  You will not have to worry about taking out the trash at the end of the party- that’s our job!

So plan your next child’s Birthday Party with us at the Houston Zoo! Our goal is to make this process as easy and convenient as possible for you so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the party!

Please note that the maximum capacity in each of the pavilions is 55 guests.  No balloons, straws, or piñatas are allowed inside Zoo grounds.

ARE YOU READY TO BOOK?

To book your child’s party or to check availability please visit our Birthday Party Page on the Houston Zoo website.

Click on the “BOOK A PARTY!” button and you will be navigated to a new page.  Here you can choose the pavilion you prefer and pick a time and date.  If a time slot does not appear in the drop down menu after you pick a date, that time slot is no longer available.

If you want to “WOW” your guests you can add on any of the following options to your party:

Entertainment ADD-ONS:

Animal Experience – $ 200. *Requires two week notice to schedule

One of our Zoo Keepers will come directly to your pavilion with two animals for your guests to meet and greet.  This experience last for approximately thirty minutes.

Children’s Zoo Scavenger Hunt – $50

Our Scavenger Hunt allows participants to connect in a fun way while they explore the zoo and learn something new about our animals and each other! Children can work together or alone to answer a variety of questions by following the Hunt’s clues that will lead them to various areas around the Children’s Zoo.

Carousel Tickets – $1.25

Buy your carousel tickets ahead of time for a discounted rate and avoid long lines!

Houston Zoo Wildlife Carousel

 

Additional Admission Tickets – $8 (for adult or child)

Greeter – $40 for two hours.

Two hour minimum. Are you afraid your guests are going to misplace their admission tickets for the party if you send them out to them in their invitation? Then let us hire you a Greeter who will be stationed out front of the Zoo so that your guests can pick up their tickets on the day of the party.

Face Painter – $350 for two hours. *Requires two week notice to schedule

Airbrush Tattoo Artist – $350 for two hours.  *Requires two week notice to schedule

FOOD ADD-ONS:

Cupcakes – $2.50 per Cupcake

Brownies – $2.00 per Brownie

Ice Cream Cups – $2.75 per Ice Cream Cup

Hot Dog – Hot Dogs, Chips and Juice Boxes – $5.99 per person

Hamburger, Chips and Juice Boxes – $6.49 per person

Large Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza – $21.99 per pizza

PB&J Sandwiches, Animal Crackers and Juice Boxes – $5.49 per person

Deli Sandwich (Ham, Turkey or Roast Beef), Chips and Soda or Bottled Water – $7.99 per person

Cotton Candy – $2.75 per bag

Popcorn – $2.75 per bag

Punch Bowl – $1.50 per person

Soda and Bottled Water – $1.50 per drink

Anything off of our full menu can also be ordered for birthday parties.

Any food/beverage orders must be paid for prior to your event.

Food orders must be received at least 5 days prior to the event.

All menu options include paper products and utensils.

Prices do not include 18% support charge and 8.25% sales tax.

ARE YOU READY TO BOOK?

To book your child’s party or to check availability please visit our Birthday Party Page on the Houston Zoo website.

Click on the “BOOK A PARTY!” button and you will be navigated to a new page.  Here you can choose the pavilion you prefer and pick a time and date.  If a time slot does not appear in the drop down menu after you pick a date, that time slot is no longer available.

Successful party planning tips: Plan ahead and arrive early to avoid parking issues. Ride together so that the driver can pull up to our West Gate Entrance at 1618 Cambridge Drive and you can unload your belongings and head straight over to the pavilion.  Check out our webpage for directions and alternative parking information.  We also encourage you to bring your own wagons and rolling coolers in case we are sold out of our wagons on a busy day.

Have questions?

Call us at 713-533-6797 or e-mail us at birthday.parties@houstonzoo.org

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Apr
13

Earth Day in the Swap Shop

Posted by in Children's Zoo,Conservation,Endangered,Recycling/Green,Swap Shop

Earth Day at the Houston Zoo is fast approaching!   April 16th and 17th are going to be full of Earth Day activities at the zoo and the Naturally Wild Swap Shop is no exception.  Here is your nature journal assignment for Earth Day – How Can I Save The Planet?

Any nature journal brought in April 16th or 17th with an Earth Day topic will recieve DOUBLE points.  This is a great opportunity to earn some extra Swap Shop points and all you need is paper and pen. 

What topics will earn you double points?  Any conservation or green topics that includes such things as:

  • recycling and renewable energy sources
  • conserving water or other resources
  • protecting endagered species (plants or animals)
  • efforts to improve air or water quality
  • pollution, greenhouse effect

 

 

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Mar
31

Sam the Pineywoods Steer

Posted by in Animal Info,Children's Zoo,Conservation,Endangered

 

Sam the Pineywoods
Sam
Meet Sam!
Sam is a 5 month old Pineywoods cattle steer. Named after Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas, Sam went on exhibit in the farm area of the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo on March 8th. So far, he is very calm about his new home and seems to enjoy all the attention. Sam is very smart and his trainers are teaching him to walk around the Children’s zoo every morning.

 

What are Pineywoods Cattle?

Most of us are familiar with the Texas Longhorn, but the longhorn wasn’t the only breed that developed from the release and escape of cattle into the ‘wild’ by the Spanish explorers when they came to the New World. In the thick brush of the southeastern US, the Southern Woods, or Pineywoods, cattle developed. Though they have a resemblance to longhorns, they are a unique breed adapted to a very different environment than the open plains where longhorns roamed. 

Pineywoods

Sam and Callian

Due to their nimbleness and strength, they played a significant role as oxen in the early timber industry but were eventually replaced by machinery in the late 1800’s. They were also an important source of meat but in the 1930’s, ranchers started crossing pineywoods cattle with the larger meat-type commercial breeds. Eventually, ‘purebred’ pineywoods cattle became rare. Today, pineywoods cattle are valued for their natural resistance to most of the diseases, insects, and parasites of the Southeast and for their ability to forage on brush in a manner similar to goats.

Sam the Pineywoods Steer

Sam and Wendy walking the zoo

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Mar
30

You Never Know What You’ll See in the Swap Shop

Posted by in Just for Kids,Swap Shop

Welcome to the amazing Naturally Wild Swap Shop located just inside the McGovern Children’s Zoo!  The shop is set up for kids 18 and under to bring in things they find in nature.  We give them points for what they bring in and they can spend their points on some of the things in the shop.  It is a wonderful thing to watch the kids.  You can actually see the wheels start to turn as they realize what they could get for their points.  AND, we give extra points for knowledge!  So if they have learned about the item they bring in before hand and can tell us about it they get extra points for the knowledge.

Click here to see what items can and cannot be brought in.

The Swap Shop is open daily from 9:00 to 11:45 and 1:00-3:45 (closed on major holidays).  Come by and see our wonderful collection and watch your own children not only discover nature but begin to love and care for it.

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Aug
21

Introducing Penelope and Olivia-Guinea Hog Piglets at the Houston Zoo!

Posted by in Children's Zoo,Enrichment,Featured,Guinea Hog,Mammals,Training

Penelope (right) and Olivia enjoy snuggling together, even on hot summer days!

Guinea Hog piglets. Just saying that now brings a huge smile to my face, and I’m not the only one.  Our new girls have charmed every person-young or old, zookeeper or not-that has laid eyes on them.  They now have adorable names to match their very individual personalities: Penelope and Olivia.  Named after two famous piglets from children’s story books, Olivia was named such for her dainty, princess-like personality.  Penelope, on the other hand, goes by the nickname “bulldozer”, always trying to push her way to the center of attention. If these first few weeks of Penelope and Olivia being on exhibit has taught us anything, it is definitely that piglets have a TON of energy!  These girls seem to be on the move the majority of the day.  Running, chasing, bouncing off of each other, training, climbing in water bowls and searching for snacks in the dirt sure takes a lot of energy!  Even eating is a mini-marathon, each piglet trying to play and eat at the same time.  And when they are tuckered out they find a corner to snuggle in, sometimes nose to nose, other times side by side.

Play or eat? Decisions, decisions.

Even the other animals who live nearby are entertained by their antics.  The first few days on exhibit piqued everyone’s interest and nearly every move they made was being carefully watched.  Crowds of goats gathered at the fence, each one trying to get a good look at the new additions.  The Zebus called out, seeming to wonder why the attention was not centered on them, and the Llama couldn’t decide if the piglets were friend or foe.  A week later, everyone is content with Penelope and Olivia being their new neighbors.   When it is time for a training session, the excitement is easy to see.  Penelope and Olivia can’t get enough affection and attention, and they usually greet their trainers with a grunt or squeal.  According to trainer Amy Lavergne, Penelope and Olivia’s favorite reward seems to be strawberries, although being pigs they will accept almost any fruit or vegetable we give them!  Pigs are not picky.  One of the girls’ favorite behaviors to work on is paint, where the trainer applies non-toxic paint to their snouts and lets them go wild on a canvas to create their own masterpiece.  Ok, maybe they don’t go wild yet, but they’re working on it.  And just like your kids at home, they do not like cleaning up!  Running around with a bright pink nose is much more fun than taking a bath.  Before too long they will be learning to walk on harnesses to get some exercise and excitement outside of their exhibit.

Candace applies animal friendly paint to Olivia's snout, which she will use as her paintbrush.

Olivia makes her first swipe onto the canvas.

She seems to be catching on to the fun of being an animal artist!

She even managed to get some good snout prints!

A completed painting by Olivia

Next up is bath time to clean all that paint off!

For now, Penelope and Olivia are very busy exploring, playing, tasting new foods, learning new behaviors and getting used to their daily routine.  They are absolutely adorable and quite rambunctious, qualities that are sure to make them a Houston Zoo favorite for many years to come!   Be sure to visit the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo during your next visit to see Penelope and Olivia up close! For more adorable pictures of Penelope and Olivia visit the Houston Zoo’s Photo Albums!

To learn more about Olivia books by Ian Falconer, visit http://www.oliviathepiglet.com/. Visit http://www.nicolerubel.com/nicolebooks.htm to learn more about Penelope Pig books by Nicole Rubel.

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