Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

Our mission is to engage a child's curiosity in science and nature.

The JMZ is a place where children and their caregivers come to explore, discover, create and play. Through hands-on science exhibits and a diverse community of live animals, your child's natural scientist will be nurtured.

The Zoo is home to more than 50 species of animals—about 200 specimens in all—many of which are brought into classrooms as part of the Junior Museum & Zoo's science outreach program with local schools. Some of the animals include bobcats, raccoons, jungle bats, hedgehogs, ferrets, snakes, fresh water fish and invertebrates, birds, turtles and a giant tortoise!

We offer a menagerie of science programs for schools and community groups, as well as classes, summer camps and birthday parties for families.