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Butterfly Creek Junior Keeper

Do you have a child that loves animals? Let them spend a day during the school holidays with our keepers and animals where they will learn what it is like to be a zookeeper – cleaning, feeding, monitoring, caring and playing with the animals. They will get up-close with some of our cutest creatures including our otters, lizards, farm animals and more!

We have 2 fantastic programmes tailored to both older and younger kids. Our Junior Keeper Rookie programme (aged 7-11) is an introductory programme where kids will learn the basics of animal care including feeding, cleaning and play with the animals. Our Junior Keeper Explorers programme (aged 11-14) is a more in-depth look into animal care designed for older kids where they will learn about conservation, behavior and health.

Note this programme is only available during school holidays. If you have any questions please email our team on [email protected].

Junior Keeper Programmes

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Junior Keeper Rookie

Junior Keeper Programme (Rookie) – $110.00
Age group: 7 – 11 years old
Our Junior Keeper Rookie programme is an introductory programme designed for kids aged 7 – 11 who love animals. They will spend a day during the school holidays with our experienced keepers and animals where they will learn what it is like to be a zookeeper – They will enjoy cleaning, feeding, monitoring, caring, creating enrichment and playing with the animals. They will get up close with our barn animals, butterflies, otters, lizards, wētāpunga and loads more! For children aged 11 – 14 please see our Junior Keeper Explorer programme.

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Junior Keeper Explorer

Junior Keeper Programme (Explorers) – $125.00
Age group: 11 – 14 years old
Our Junior Keeper Explorers is a more advanced/in-depth programme designed for older kids (aged 11-14) who are passionate animal lovers. They will spend a day with our keepers helping care for, monitor, clean and feed the animals as well as creating animal enrichment and learning why it is important. They will also learn more about animal behaviour, health, and conservation. This programme is fun and educational and gives an up-close experience with our farm animals, aviary, tamarins, otters, wētāpunga, lizards, tarantula, and butterflies.

Book Junior Keeper Online

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Important Information

  • Drop off at 8.30am and pick up at 3.00pm.
  • Minimum of 5 children per day, a maximum of 6. You will be notified 1 week beforehand to confirm whether there are enough children to go ahead with your booking.
  • Payment needs to be made in advance to secure your booking and you will receive a confirmation email once this has gone through.
  • The Junior Keeper experience includes a train ride, certificate, lanyard and photo with an animal.
  • Bring snacks, lunch, camera, water and gumboots/closed-toe shoes.
  • Lunch packs can be purchased in advance when booking ($14.50 each).
  • Lunch pack options: Chicken nuggets, mini hot dogs, fish goujons or spinach rolls. All come with chips and a drink (juice or water).
  • No adults during the programme, however you are welcome to enjoy the park – family members receive 20% discount off individual day passes on the day.

Testimonials

“My two children recently did Butterfly Creek’s Junior Keeper programme and they rated it as amazing & awesome.  They got up close with the farm animals, Crocodiles & Tarantulas as well as hand feeding the farm animals. Amazing experience for the kids. They want to do it again!!!! Recommended. Thank you to the staff who made it a great day.”

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