Discover Zoo's in Hull

Visit the Zoo's this Summer!

Step into the wild side this Summer!

Looking for a fun and unique day out with family and friends? Discover the wild side of Hull with a visit to the Animal Education Centre and Pickering Park Aviary!

Enjoy FREE entry and meet a variety of amazing animals and birds – from the curious meerkats at Pickering Park to the chatty parrots and Shetland ponies at the Animal Education Centre.

We have plenty going on across the summer holidays, including:

Free 'It's a Beautiful World' fact trail, taking place daily at both Animal Education Centre and Pickering Park Aviary.
Free colouring and puzzle activities, when the crafts events listed below are not running, after 2pm on craft days.

Get Crafty this Summer at Hull Zoo's

This summer, join us as the Animal Education Centre and Pickering Park Aviary as we celebrate This Green Planet!

We only have one planet that we can call home, so it’s very important that we do the best we can to look after it. Pop along and design a variety of craft items starting from only £1, all based around this environmental theme.

East Park Animal Education Centre:

Mondays and Fridays, 10.30am - 2pm
24 July to 4 September

Pickering Park Aviary:

Wednesdays, 10.30am - 2pm
22 July to 2 September

Healthy Holiday's Summer at Hull Zoo's

Hull Culture and Leisure are proud to work with Hull City Council and its partners on the Healthy Holidays Summer programme for 2026. Funded by Hull City Council and the Department of Education as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, Healthy Holidays Summer 2026 offers a range of different free and low-cost activities for young people and families across the summer holidays.

How to book your free place:

We are using a new booking platform called Eequ to host all of our summer activities in one place. Simply click the link below to browse our full collection.

To secure your spots, you'll just need to create a quick, free parent account on Eequ. Once you're signed up, you can add your children's details and book any of our activities in just a few clicks.

Secure your place here!

Become a Zoo Explorer this Summer

Looking for a fun and educational activity for the summer holidays? Join our expert team at the Animal Education Centre and Pickering Park Aviary for exciting Zoo Explorer Sessions!

Get hands-on with nature with different themes throughout the holidays, there is something new to discover each week.

Image for zoo explorers

Discover a whole new way to explore Hull Parks Zoos!

These fun and interactive sessions are recommended for children aged 3 to 11 years.

£5 per child – parent or guardian attendance is required. Please note that you only need to pay for the child's place; accompanying adults attend free of charge. Secure your place here!

East Park Animal Education Centre:

Date:	Time:
Thursday 30 July	11am to 1pm
Thursday 6 August	11am to 1pm
Thursday 13 August	11am to 1pm
Thursday 20 August	11am to 1pm

Pickering Park Aviary:

Date:	Time:
Friday 31 July	1pm to 3pm
Friday 7 August	1pm to 3pm
Friday 14 August	1pm to 3pm
Friday 28 August	1pm to 3pm

We have different themes running each week throughout the summer holidays, which Zoo Explorer will you be?

Week:	Theme:	More Information:
Week 1	Butterfly Explorers	Come and join in a variety of fun, butterfly-themed activities within the zoo, including an exclusive trail, games and crafts. Design your own wearable pair of butterfly wings, discover more about the different native butterflies, be given an opportunity to explore the local area in a butterfly hunt and experience a guided walk and talk around the public area of the zoo.
Week 2	Minibeast Explorers	Come and join in a variety of fun, minibeast-themed activities within the zoo, including an exclusive trail, games and crafts. Design your own minibeast mask, discover more about the different native insects, be given an opportunity to explore the local area in a bug hunt and experience a guided walk and talk around the public area of the zoo.
Week 3	Bird Explorers	Come and join in a variety of fun, bird-themed activities within the zoo, including an exclusive trail, games and crafts. Design your own bird feeders and wooden bird glider, discover more about the different native bird species, be given an opportunity to explore the local area whilst birdwatching and experience a guided walk and talk around the public area of the zoo.
Week 4/5	Mammal Explorers	Come and join in a variety of fun, mammal-themed activities within the zoo, including an exclusive trail, games and crafts; Design your own hedgehog highway sign, discover more about the different native mammal species, be given an opportunity to explore the local area to try and identify the different mammals within the park and experience a guided walk and talk around the public area of the zoo.