9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends. Early morning opening of 8 a.m. begins on Saturday, May 25 through Labor Day. 816.513.5800.
Zoological District Resident (Jackson/Clay County MO) pricing is only $5 Adults, $4.50 Seniors, $4.00 children 3-11. Regular Pricing $11.50 Adults; $10.50 Seniors; $8.50 Children ages 3-11. 2 and under are free.
Located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Just off I-435 and US-71 highway, the Zoo is easily accessible from any part of the metropolitan area. 816.513.5800
Click Tickets Above to Buy Online! Tickets with Rides, Gift Certificates and Discounted Tickets must be purchased on-site at the Zoo's Admission windows. Thank you for your understanding.
The volunteer application can be found at the “how to volunteer” link.
Adult Volunteer Programs at the Kansas City Zoo
All potential volunteers must submit an application to be considered for the Kansas CityZoo volunteer programs.The application can be found under the “How to volunteer” link. Only completed applications (all fields filled in) will be accepted. In some cases, a background check and an interview is required.All new volunteers must attend a 2 hour orientation.Additional training is required for certain programs.A fee is required for most volunteer programs; this fee covers your volunteer shirt, name badge, training materials and a background check.Please note the fee associated with each program, and the time of year each program is offered.Volunteering for multiple programs requires multiple fees and multiple training sessions.
Guest Guide volunteersYear round
Must be 18 years or older to apply
Guest guide volunteers greet our visitors that come to the zoo.They also assist guests by answering their questions, directing them various attractions in the zoo, and make suggestions for more satisfying visits.Guest Guides spend their time walking on zoo grounds or stationed at high traffic areas, such as the tram station, African Market area or the front entrance of the zoo.
Guest Guides can also choose to assist our Guest Services or Membership Team in a variety of areas.Volunteer stations include admissions, membership, gift shops, and rides.Volunteers need to be able to stand the duration of their shift, and commit to 3 hours per week from April-October.
Guest Guide volunteers must have excellent customer service and problem solving skills.This program requires a minimum of 30 hours of service to our visitors in the zoo.Adults must complete and pass a background check, attend volunteer orientation and up to 3 training sessions before participating in the volunteer program.Volunteer performance will be evaluated annually.
A materials fee for adults of $30 is required for the first year to participate in the Guest Guide Program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service.
Guest Guide volunteers that contribute 30 or more hours of direct service to our guests on grounds by October 31 will be eligible to apply for the docent program.
Special events volunteersYear round
Special events are volunteers that are available to help primarily on weekends with our special events on a consistent basis, such as our Second Saturday Kid’s Fun Fest, Pancakes for Penguins, and holiday special events.Activities include helping with child activities and crafts, distributing promotional items/freebies, assisting with special events/characters, crowd control, set-up/tear-down and other events as needed. This program requires a minimum of 30 hours of service to our visitors in the zoo.Adults must complete and pass a background check.Youth volunteers 14 – 15 years may participate but must be accompanied by a Special Events volunteer adult/parent volunteer at all times.Youth ages 16 and older may volunteer without a parent, and will be considered an adult volunteer.
A materials fee for adults of $30, $15.00 for youth is required for the first year to participate in Special Events Program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service.
Special Events volunteers that contribute 30 or more hours of direct service to our guests on grounds by October 31 will be eligible to apply for the docent program.
Team Habitat/ZooscapersMarch – November
A Team Habitat volunteer assists with projects for all the departments at the Zoo as part of a team.Projects range from light physical duty such as planting bulbs and painting doors, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall, cleaning/reorganizing zoo areas after big special events, pruning and clearing brush. Team Habitat meets the 4th Saturday of the month, March-November from 9am-12:00 noon,and requires at least 15 hours (5 work days) a year minimum to be considered for the next year’s program.One training session is required.
A ZooScaper volunteer is a more individualized program that assists with projects for the Horticultural Department. Projects range from light physical duty such as planting, weeding, mulching, and watering, to more physically challenging projects such as moving deadfall and clearing brush. The ZooScapers program requires 30 hours of volunteer work each year in order to participate in the next year’s program. Various time commitments are available, generally Monday-Friday, and requires one training session, plus additional training depending on the task. Opportunities are available March-October.
Youth volunteers 14-15 years may participate in this program, but must be accompanied by a Team Habitat/Zooscaper volunteer adult/parent volunteer at all times. Youth ages 16 and older may volunteer without a parent, and will be considered an adult volunteer.
A materials fee of $30 for adults, $15.00 for youth is required for the first year in order to participate in the Team Habitat/ZooScaper Program, and a $15 fee for every new shirt after the first year of volunteer service.
Docent Program
Those volunteers that have completed the service requirements as a Guest Guide or Special Events, and are 21 years old are eligible to apply for the Docent program.Thirty hours of direct contact with the public must be completed by October 31 in order to be eligible to apply for the spring docent class.Volunteers must keep their own record of hours worked at the zoo.Please contact the volunteer coordinator after completing 30 hours of service for a docent application.
As a Zoo Docent, you will assist the Education Department with a variety of programs. Docent volunteers have a primary role in educating our guests on zoo grounds using educational messages that share concern and respect to the natural world.Docents can also give guided tours, assist with Scout programs and Zoo camps offered throughout the year, assist with classroom presentations, off ground programs, and a variety of onsite, hands on educational activities. The Docent Program is intense and requires 60 hours of direct contact with our guests each year. A 13 week (1 class per week) training course is required. Training classes are held once a year in the spring. Volunteer performance will be evaluated semi-annually.
To be eligible for the Kansas City Zoo Docent program, you must:
have successfully completed the Guest Guide or Special Events volunteer program
be 21 years old and a high school graduate to participate; a college degree is preferred.
complete and submit the docent application (contact the Volunteer Coordinator)
be able to pass a background check.
complete an interview with the volunteer coordinator.
pay the training fee of $100 that is required to participate in the Docent Program.
Due to the integrity of this program, the zoo reserves the right to suggest other volunteer opportunities that are a better fit.
For more information, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 816-513-5728,
