Denver Zoo’s Learn at the Zoo page spells it out: homeschools are eligible for the same free school-year field trips as public and private schools. Registered groups of 10 or more students visit free on most Tuesdays through Fridays during the traditional school year, and 2026-27 availability runs through May 12, 2027. Homeschool groups register by choosing ‘Home School’ in the district dropdown of the zoo’s school booking portal, which requires a DZCA account and works first-come.
Chaperone rules apply: adults must be 21 or older, at a minimum ratio of one per 10 students (one per five recommended). On select October and November dates the zoo adds ‘Discovery Days’ learning stations for K-5 groups. If your family is not part of a co-op, the zoo’s separate public free days are Nov. 11, 14 and 22, 2026; those require online tickets released Oct. 28, Oct. 31 and Nov. 8, with no walk-ups and a limit of five tickets per person.
Lesson hooks
- Life science: habitats, adaptations and conservation; pair with the zoo’s penguin conservation video.
- Logistics: form a group of 10 with other homeschool families to unlock the free rate.
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