What’s New at the Zoo?

Rise & Play: Sensory-Friendly Mornings in Our Big Backyard

Tuesday, May 7 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Join us for an hour of nature play before the zoo opens: designed for families who have a child with sensory sensitivities, come and play in Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard from 9 to 10 a.m. Build mud pies, watch boats float downstream and climb high in a tree-house. Limited to 70 participants, this hour will allow you and your family to spend time playing in nature, in a smaller group of guests. Program is the cost of regular daytime Zoo admission, and free for RWP Zoo members.

Rock-A-Baby Concert: Butterfly & Bug Boogie

Saturday, May 11 | 10:30 – 11:15 AM

This exciting 45-minute concert specifically geared towards our youngest Zoo guests promises to be fun for the whole family!  Meet “Rhythm, Melody and Harmony” – three silly and entertaining puppets who know a lot about music. Playing everything from well-known children’s songs to rock and pop classics – shake, dance and sing along as we explore fun musical concepts, play games, and boogie down. Pre-registration is required.

Rise & Play: Sensory-Friendly Mornings in Our Big Backyard

Saturday, May 18 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Join us for an hour of nature play before the zoo opens: designed for families who have a child with sensory sensitivities, come and play in Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard from 9 to 10 a.m. Build mud pies, watch boats float downstream and climb high in a tree-house. Limited to 70 participants, this hour will allow you and your family to spend time playing in nature, in a smaller group of guests. Program is the cost of regular daytime Zoo admission, and free for RWP Zoo members.

Endangered Species Day: Art and Animals

Saturday, May 18 | 10:00 – 3:00 PM

Celebrate Endangered Species Day at the Zoo! Appreciate the beauty of endangered species and awareness of animal conservation through art. Discover exhibited artwork featuring wildlife from local artists and watch them create their art throughout the Zoo. Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to over 30 threatened or endangered species including white-cheeked gibbons, a red wolf, cheetahs, snow leopards, a Komodo dragon, and African elephants. Visit endangered species during scheduled keeper talks and learn what everyday actions can be taken to make sure those species survive. Please note: Activities run from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm each day and are FREE with Zoo admission.

Scout Safari Night

Saturday, May 18 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Calling All Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts – explore the Zoo after the gates have closed during Scout Safari Night! Enjoy tours of the John J. Palumbo Veterinary Hospital, music and dancing, the opportunity to make enrichment for the animals, become a mad scientist, and much more – all while completing a variety of badge requirements. Each Scout will receive a souvenir Roger Williams Park Zoo Scout Safari Night Patch. (We guarantee patches for scouts who register in advance online only and cannot guarantee patch availability for walk-ins.)