For kids who enjoy learning, exploring, discovering, climbing and running, they have just your ticket at the North Carolina Zoo. The park's popular discovery area, kidZone, opened for the season Monday, April 6, and runs through Nov. 1. But don't worry, grownups, you're invited too.

kidZone, which first opened in the spring of 2007, connects children with the natural world through play.

The hope is that kids will better understand, and be more likely to want to protect, wild spaces and wildlife.

It's a fun place for kids and families to roll up their sleeves and play in the dirt.

Building forts, digging in the garden and discovering wildlife are just a few of the activities available every day. It's open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily.

Although it's not an animal exhibit area, the zoo's keepers and educators present live animal encounters Thursdays through Sundays at 1:30 p.m. at the area's Front Porch.

Here, visitors have the opportunity to get a closer look at some animals, discover the wonders of wildlife and learn how these kidZone animal ambassadors live and survive in the wild.

One kidZone area, the Woods, is a great spot for building forts. No directions are required, and kids' imaginations can run wild. Here, too, kids can explore the sand pit for fossils, bugs and more. At the Wildlife Pond and Butterfly Garden, visitors of all ages can investigate the life cycle of frogs, butterflies and all the wildlife that call kidZone home.

At the Playhouse, kids can put on a puppet show for friends and family, or color on the giant chalk wall at the Artist's Cove.

At Water's Edge, kids can explore the rocks and water to discover nature's treasures.

Children can imagine what it's like to be a zoo vet, a keeper or even one of the animals, when they use costumes, tools and animal props at the kidZone Closet.

Then they can wind their way through the twists and turns of the bamboo Maze.

After jumping and scrambling over the obstacles in the Treenasium -- where logs and upside-down stumps let kids explore their balance and test their comfort zone -- kids can venture on to the Mud Caf.

Here, they can cook up all sorts of delectably dirty dishes from dirt and gravel.

Also, the park's pre-school programs, formerly known as June Bugs, are offered Mondays through Fridays at 10 a.m., June through August. Hosted by kidZone play leaders, all programs meet at the Front Porch just inside the kidZone entrance and last about 45 minutes. The programs are open to all children, but target ages are specified below:

Music Mondays, targeted for kids aged 4-5, let young visitors learn new songs about animals and the things that make those animals unique. Children can listen, sing along, play along and even dance.

Toddler Tuesdays, targeted for age 2, will engage tots in their growing development by using movement and object manipulation as they are given the opportunity to learn about animals and their environments.

Water-Wednesdays activities, designed for 3-year-olds, allow children to splash around, interact with water and learn about how it moves, where it comes from and who needs it. Children are not allowed to submerge themselves in water during these programs, but they may get wet, so parents should dress them appropriately.

Thursdays' Nature's Art days, for 4-5-year olds, provide kids with an opportunity to express their creative side using natural objects. Zoo educators will share methods with the children to help them develop skills for self expression.

On Free-Play Fridays, Zoo play leaders will have different activities available for children of all ages to engage in and interact with throughout kidZone.

There is no registration required, and programs are free, although donations are accepted and appreciated.

The programs will take place outdoors, regardless of weather, so, again, parents are reminded to dress children appropriately.

Parents are also encouraged to check the Zoo's Web site for dates, times and additional programs. So pack the kids' curiosities and imaginations and get ready to let them run loose, get their hands dirty and to play naturally.

Tom Gillespie works for the public affairs office of the N.C. Zoo.