Houston Zoo gives educators 10% off admission during Zoo Lights, its holiday evening event. Bring an ID, and you can buy up to 5 discounted tickets for your family or a few friends. Outside Zoo Lights there’s no teacher ticket rate, but educators also get a discount on a zoo membership if they ask for it.
Zoo Lights runs in the evening, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., with last entry at 9:30 p.m. That makes it a night out after school, not a weekday morning with your class. For a class trip, the field trip program further down is the better route.
How To Get The Houston Zoo Teacher Discount
- Buy your Zoo Lights tickets from the Zoo Lights page. The 10% applies to admission for the whole Zoo Lights season, not just one night.
- Bring an ID. It’s required at the entrance to verify the discount. Your school ID is a good one to carry.
- The limit is up to 5 tickets, so plan your group around that.
- Children two and under are free. Anyone three and older needs a ticket of their own.
Houston Zoo doesn’t say which ID an educator should show, so a school ID or badge is the safest choice. Check the total before you pay.
The Membership Discount
Educators get a discount on a Houston Zoo membership, and you set it up by email. Write to membership@houstonzoo.org before you buy and include proof of employment. The zoo doesn’t post the amount, so ask what it is before you decide. A membership pays off if you plan to come back several times in a year. See the membership page for the levels.
Regular Visits
Educators don’t get a teacher rate on regular admission. The zoo does offer Free Zoo Days on the first Tuesday of each month, from open until closing. Tickets aren’t guaranteed because of demand. Tickets for children ages 3 to 12 are 20% off. Both are on the prices page.
Bringing A Class
Public and private schools inside the Houston city limits, plus Title 1 schools in outlying cities, get free field trips. You pay a $25 processing fee by credit card to reserve. You get one free adult chaperone for every ten students in grades K-12, and teachers count toward that ratio. Field trips fill up, so start on the field trips page early.
For your own classroom, the zoo also has a Classroom level of its Adopt an Animal program.
Q&A
Does Houston Zoo give teachers a discount?
Yes. Educators get 10% off admission during Zoo Lights and a discount on a membership.
What do I bring to Zoo Lights?
An ID. The zoo checks it at the entrance.
How many tickets can I discount?
Up to 5.
What are the Zoo Lights hours?
5:30 to 10:30 p.m., with last entry at 9:30 p.m.
Do my kids need tickets?
Children two and under are free. Children three and older need their own ticket.
How do I get the membership discount?
Email membership@houstonzoo.org before you buy, with proof of employment.
Is there a free day?
Yes, the first Tuesday of each month, but tickets aren’t guaranteed.
More Information:
For more days out, see our entertainment discounts for teachers.