The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk has announced it has several programs available for children of various ages and families (space is limited, so register soon).
Here’s the announcement:
Maritime Aquarium photo
Families can help feed breakfast to the animals, while budding marine biologists dive into the worlds of turtles, sharks and intertidal creatures, through fun public programs available in October at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
The animal interactions begin Tues., Oct. 13 with the first session in a weekly mommy-and-metype series, “Seal Pups,” for ages 3 & 4. On Sun., Oct. 18, “Feeding Time,” gives families a chance to eat breakfast at the popular Connecticut attraction and then join the animal-husbandry staff as it serves finned and flippered creatures their first meals of the day.
And later in the day, kids age 8 to 10 can participate in “Shark Safari.” And, on Sun., Oct. 25, focused single-session explorations are available to kids ages 3 & 4 (“A House for Hermit Crab”) and ages 5 to 7 (“Turtle Town”).
A resource for marine education to regional school groups, The Maritime Aquarium is expanding its educational reach to also fulfill the interests of individuals. Here are the fall programs:
—“Seal Pups” is five-part series meeting from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Tuesdays from Oct. 13 to Nov. 10. Preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) participate with a parent or caregiver. They get a weekly up-close meeting with a live animal, a story that relates to the week’s topic and other activities inspired by marine animals. Cost for the series is $125 for a child and caregiver; $110 for members. Each additional child (with same caregiver), $100; $90 for members.
—In the “Feeding Time” program on Oct. 18 from 8 to 10 a.m., families enjoy a light breakfast in the Aquarium’s Cascade Café and then – prior to the Aquarium’s opening for the day – join the marine biologists on key stops of their morning rounds. Participants take a turn feeding the diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs and rays, and attend a private feeding of the seals. Best of all, they go behind-the-scenes to watch the feeding of the Aquarium’s large sharks. Cost is $50 per adult and $25 per child 12 & under ($45 & $20 for Aquarium members). Children must be age 5 or older.
—During “Shark Safari!” on Oct. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., young adventurers (ages 8 to 10) examine real shark jaws, skin and other artifacts, and learn how superb adaptations have allowed sharks to survive for millions of years. They get a true feel for sharks during a young shark’s classroom visit; go to the “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit for a close look at the Aquarium’s large sand tiger sharks; and meet more sharks and their cousins, the rays, at the Aquarium’s Shark & Ray Touch Pool. Cost is $25 per child ($20 for members). This is a “dropoff” program; parents or caregivers do not participate.
—“A House for Hermit Crab” on Oct. 25 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. uses the popular Eric Carle story in connecting preschoolers (ages 3 & 4) with a variety of live crabs and mollusks. They examine how the creatures look and feel and classify them according to size, shape, movement styles and other attributes that promote early-childhood science skills. Cost: $25 per child; $20 for members. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
—And “Turtle Town” on Oct. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. invites young herpetologists (ages 5 to 7) to compare turtles of land and sea to discover how the creatures are adapted to their different lifestyles. They examine the look and feel of real turtle shells, learn how baby sea turtles get to the ocean and, best of all, meet and touch a live terrapin. Cost is $25 per child ($20 for members). This is a “drop-off” program; parents or care-givers do not participate.
[Editor’s note: Here’s an additional workshop from another Maritime Aquarium news release — we’re not sure that advance registration is needed for this one:]
—Toy Boat-Making Workshop Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays Visit the toy boat-making area for a fun 20-minute boat-building project. Build and decorate a toy sailboat to take home as a special keepsake of your visit. Cost: $5 per child (plus Aquarium admission).
Aquarium admission is included for all registered program participants. Advance registration is required for all public programs. Call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206, or register online at www.maritimeaquarium.org under the “Fun & Learning” tab.