Family Friendly Attractions & Events

Nestled amidst breathtaking natural surroundings, Moody Gardens offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for guests of all ages for work or play. From tropical rainforests to the oceans of the world, a wide range of attractions, educational activities, kid's events, dining options, and exciting entertainment await. This island resort uniquely accommodates large conferences, weddings and social events as well as being the romantic escape and family destination where special memories are created.

Three children look at a Humboldt penguin which looks back at them from its enclosure inside the Aquarium Pyramid.
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Kids Programs at Moody Gardens

We provide learning experiences for our guests that instill enthusiasm, appreciation and stewardship for the natural world and its inhabitants.

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A child participating in the Learn Wild! Home School program looks through a microscope

Learn Live! Tours and Programs

Topic-focused guided tours & educational programs available to book for schools, home school groups, clubs or private families. Call 409-683-4558 or email attractionsales@moodygardens.org for more information.

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View List Of Available Programs
A child participating in the Learn Wild! Home School program looks through a microscope

NEW! Learn Live! - On or Off Property Beyond Biofacts Programs

These multi-sensory and interdisciplinary lessons include elements of history, geography, culture and conservation. The lessons are geared toward learners of all ages and not only provide an engaging discussion about the topics at hand, but also a presentation of real biofacts.


Available to book for schools, clubs or private families.

Call 409-683-4290 or email teaching@moodygardens.org​ for more information.

Pyramid Kids Camps

Great for all kids in grades K-8!

Camp includes up to 3 attraction experiences per day (weather dependent); with different program activities, games, crafts and experiments making every camp week unique!

Learn MoreLEARN WILD! 2024 Schedule
Pyramid Kids campers look at fish in the Aquarium Pyramid tank
Homeschool child looks through a microscope

Learn Wild! Home School Program

Join us for our all-new Learn Wild Home School, taking place each month here at Moody Gardens! These 3-hour long programs have been created for home school families/groups of all grade levels. Enjoy a focused educational experience each month with different combinations of elements to explore a featured attraction, ambassador animal presentations, documentary movie and engage with our Educators in walk-up hands-on activities.

Check-in will be 9:30 am in the Visitor Center. Programs start promptly at 10 am. Each family will receive a digital education guide for all grade levels to download at check-in that corresponds to the monthly focus topic to use as part of your home classroom curriculum.

Come to Moody Gardens for exciting mornings of various theme-related educational activities with a corresponding attraction!

  • September 2: Saving Seas: Marine Conservation
  • October 7: Ambitious Animals: Venomous Visitors
  • November 4: Kelp Kingdoms: Underwater Forests
  • December 2: Awesome Adaptations: Camouflaging Creatures
Get TicketsLEARN LIVE! 2024 Schedule
A large manta ray swims over the head of a Pyramid Kid camp attendee inside the Aquarium Pyramid tunnel

NON-Member: $18 (per person adult & youth 3-17; accompanying siblings 2 and under are free but must be registered).

Member: $10 (per person adult & youth 3-17; accompanying siblings 2 and under are free but must be registered).

Advanced registration is required for all attendees to the program regardless of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times. Children not in K-12 may attend ONLY with older school age sibling(s) in the program. A portion of the fee from Learn Wild Home School goes to Moody Gardens’ Conservation Fund.

Learn Wild! SCIENCE DAYS (Hands-On Learning)

Join us for our all-new Learn Wild Science Days, taking place each month here at Moody Gardens! Home School students will participate in STEM-focused hands-on learning experiences. These 3.5-hour long programs are designed for students in an interactive classroom setting. Program participation spots are limited, and registration is required.

  • September 1 - Saving Seas: Marine Conservation
  • October 6 - Ambitious Animals: Venomous Visitors
  • November 3 - Kelp Kingdoms: Underwater Forests
  • December 1 - Awesome Adaptations: Camouflaging Creatures

The program fee is $20 per student for non-members and $15 per student for members (Pre-K3 through 1st grade must be accompanied by an adult guardian at no charge. Only one guardian per each paid student). Check-in will be at 12:45 pm in the Visitor Center. Programs start promptly at 1 pm.

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Learn Wild! Adult Learning Opportunities

Homeschool parents can now access hands-on activities, targeted presentations, and teaching resources designed to keep students engaged and learning at home.

Non-Member Fee: $30 (per person)
Member: $20 (per person)
Advanced registration is required. Class is limited to adults only. Check-in will be 11:45 am in the Visitor Center and programs start promptly at 12:15 pm.

Call 409-683-4290 or email teaching@moodygardens.org​ for more information.

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Pyramid Kid camper smiles broadly for the camera

Learn Live! Tours and Programs

Topic-focused guided tours & educational programs available to book for schools, home school groups, clubs or private families. Call 409-683-4558 or email attractionsales@moodygardens.org for more information.

View Current List Of Available Programs

NEW! Learn Live! Pre-K Expeditions - For Learners Ages 3-5

Join other early learners for fun filled Pre-K Expeditions at Moody Gardens on the second Wednesday of every month (with the exception of June-August on the third Wednesday). Enjoy a fun-themed program which could include: games, crafts, experiments, story time, and admission into the corresponding attraction. Our education staff will even send you home with more “at home activity ideas” to keep the learning connections going. Morning sessions available to fit into your little one’s routine.
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  • September 10: Conservation is Key
  • October 7: Sea Lion Scientists
  • November 12: Lizard Playmates
  • December 10: Slimy Sidekicks

Call 409-683-4290 or email teaching@moodygardens.org for more information.

Pre-K Expeditions are designed for children 3-5 years old with an adult participating. Older siblings and additional adults may attend as a participant with a ticket purchase. Babies up to 2 years old are free, but will not be considered a participant.

  • Non-members: $15 per person for adult and children 3 years old and up. Tickets are required for all adults and youth.
  • Members: $10 per person for adult and children 3 years old and up. Tickets are required for all adults and youth.
  • Morning Session: 10:30am-12:30 pm (Online pre-registration closes at 5 pm the day before the program)
  • *Day of Tickets may be purchased at the Visitors Center Membership Ticket Counter if occupancy is available. *

Maximum of 36 attendees per session (adults and children included in count).

All Pre-K Expeditions Check In: Visitor’s Center Circle

LEARN LIVE! 2025 ScheduleGet TicketsLEARN LIVE! 2024 Schedule
Homeschool class listen to a Moody Gardens biologist speak to them about reptiles while they look at a large iguana
Visit the biofacts table which allows for tactile stimulation

NEW! Learn Live! - On or Off Property Beyond Biofacts Programs

These multi-sensory and interdisciplinary lessons include elements of history, geography, culture and conservation. The lessons are geared toward learners of all ages and not only provide an engaging discussion about the topics at hand, but also a presentation of real biofacts.
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Available to book for schools, clubs or private families.

Call 409-683-4290 or email teaching@moodygardens.org​ for more information.

Scout Programs

Booking for Private Workshops for all Ages and Ranks in Cub Scouts, Scouting America, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life.

Visit Moody Gardens and work towards earning a badge at the same time! At Moody Gardens you can see environments from around the world, try your skills on our ropes course and zip-line and so much more. Discounted tickets and tours for scouting units are available through Attraction Sales at 409-683-4558

Call 409-683-4231 or email workshops@moodygardens.org for more information and reservations.

Ask us about combining a private workshop with a sleepover to create a SCOUTING OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE!

Scouting America Merit Badge Workshops

Don't just earn it, learn it! Scouts ages 11-17 can complete most or all requirements in a single day.  Workshops may include exhibits or animal presentations dependent on badge.

October 18, 2025 – Nature Study

October 19, 2025 – Soil & Water Conservation

November 9, 2025 – Sustainability

November 15, 2025 – Insect Study

December 7, 2025 – Fish & Wildlife Management

Pricing: $35/Scout

Maximum of 36 participants for each workshop.

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American Heritage Girls Workshop 2025 Schedule

Public Badge Workshops

American Heritage Girls in the Pioneer/Patriot ranks can take part in an engaging and interactive badge workshop at Moody Gardens! Depending on the badge theme, workshops may feature exclusive exhibit experiences, live animal presentations, or guest speakers from our expert staff.

December 13, 2025 – Zoology badge

Pricing: $35/scout
Maximum of 36 participants for each workshop.
Advanced registration required.

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Private Badge Workshops

Don’t just earn it, Learn it!

We offer private workshops and Sleepover Adventure add-ons for youth participants in Cub Scouts, Scouting America, Venturing, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life. Each program is designed to guide participants through the requirements needed to earn an Adventure, Badge, or Conservation Award.

Call 409-683-4231 or email workshops@moodygardens.org​ for more information on your personal development of a private Workshop.

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Overnight Adventures

NOW BOOKING!

Moody Gardens offers two adventurous sleepovers which allow guests to spend the night exploring one of our exciting attractions. Chaperones required.

Time: 6:30PM - 8AM

Cost: $1,200 for up to 20 people, $60 for each additional guest.

Reservations are required and must be made at least three weeks in advance. A deposit is due at the time of booking.

Extend your adventure to the next day. Add-on attractions are available at group rates.

Call 409-683-4558 or email AttractionSales@moodygardens.org​ for more information and reservations.

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Creatures of the Night

Explore the rainforest after dark to discover how nocturnal creatures live! The evening includes a variety of activities and a tour of the Rainforest Pyramid. Participants spend the night in the Rainforest Entrance.

Night Under the Sea

Spend the night in the Aquarium and discover a world much different from your own! Make discoveries of ocean habitats, creatures that live within them and relationships they share during your night expedition. The evening includes a variety of activities and a tour of the Aquarium Pyramid.

Already participated in a sleepover? Fill out a sleepover evaluation.

A group of kids wearing orange and green Pyramid Kids t-shirts stand in front of a large tank filled with fish from the Caribbean inside the Aquarium Pyramid.
A group of kids wearing orange and green Pyramid Kids t-shirts stand in front of a large tank filled with fish from the Caribbean inside the Aquarium Pyramid.

Pyramid Kids Camps

Great for all kids in grades K-8!
Programs available for every season.

Camp includes attraction experiences with different program activities,
games, crafts, experiments and ambassador animals making every camp week unique!

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Scavenger Hunts

A bird's eye view of the three pyramids, the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat at dock, the Moody Gardens Visitor's Center, part of the west lot, and Offatt's Bayou.

General

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A smaller thumbnail that shows three children looking at the Humboldt Penguins while one of them looks back at the kids in its enclosure.

Aquarium Pyramid

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A Saki Monkey with a face puffed up with white fur, brown eyes and coarse black hair looks foward.

Rainforest Pyramid

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Moody Gardens does not provide printed materials on-site.