1 Hour

Children and parents are encouraged to take advantage of some toddler time in the Aquarium on a quiet morning. Designed for ages 2-5, these new and exciting interactive sessions will encourage hands on learning through free play, stories, crafts, and open time in the Aquarium. We will look at a different animal topic or ocean theme during each class and incorporate shapes, colors, numbers and sounds. Parents can relax with a morning coffee, as their little ones play in the Aquarium while accompanied by our education staff.
Each program begins at 9:00am.

Ages: 2-5

June 11th - Turtle Time
June25th - Alligators

$7.00 per Child
$6.30 for NC Aquarium Members
No charge for one accompanying adult.

2 Hours

Walk the plank, fire cannonballs, and learn about pirate legends of the Outer Banks on this swashbuckling adventure!  Join us as we play games on our pirate ship, sing sea shanties, and go on a hunt for Blackbeard’s buried treasure.  X marks the spot - ARRRRR you ready? 
Program begins at 10:00am.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 4 - 8

June 15, 2013
June 29, 2013

$20 per Child
$18.00 for NC Aquarium Members

2 Hours

Dive in to the mystical underwater world of mermaids and sea monsters.  Are there any true sea monsters?  Dress up as one of these fantastical or real creatures, learn about real-life mermaids and sea monsters, and explore the enchanting world of the deep blue sea!  Program begins at 10:00am.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 4 - 8

June 22, 2013

$20 per Child
$18.00 for NC Aquarium Members

1 1/2 Hours

Get an exciting start to your day at the Aquarium as you assist our staff with a morning feeding, while learning about a few of the resident species. Participants will feed the stingrays at the touch tank and then snack on a light breakfast of “people” food. 
Program begins at 8:30am.

Closed toe shoes must be worn.

Ages: 6 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

May 29th
June 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th

$15 per Person
$13.50 for NC Aquarium Members

1 1/2 Hours

Venture behind the scenes of the Aquarium’s Graveyard of the Atlantic tank to observe one of the weekly shark feedings. Participants will not be able to assist with the feeding, but will get an up close look as all of the fish and sharks are fed. Shark facts and myths will then be presented while the class has a light afternoon snack in the Aquarium classroom.
Program begins at 12:00pm.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 8 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

June 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, & 28th.

$15 per Person
$13.50 for NC Aquarium Members

1 1/2 Hours

Even late in the day, the otters at the Aquarium have fun! Learn about otter behavior and biology as you design an enrichment toy to be shared with these playful animals. Participants can savor a true otter snack before seeing the otters enjoy their own treats and their newly designed "toys." The program will conclude with a glance behind the river otter exhibit.
Program begins at 2:00pm.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 6 and Up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

May 29th.
June 11th, 18th & 25th.

$15 per Person
$13.50 for NC Aquarium Members

1 1/2 Hours

Accompany an Aquarium educator to sneak a peek behind the scenes of different areas in the Aquarium. Visitors will see the exhibits and all the systems that keep them working, from a side normally viewed by staff only.
Program begins at 11:30am.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 8 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

May 28th

$15 per Person
$13.50 for NC Aquarium Members

30 minutes

Take a short visit behind the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic Exhibit.  Peek into the dive locker, learn about an out-of-site holding tank, and get an overhead view of the largest exhibit in the aquarium.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 8 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

10:00am
May 29th
June 7th, 12th, 14th, 26th & 28th.

2:00pm
June 13th, 20th & 27th.

$5 per Person
$4.50 for NC Aquarium Members

30 minutes

Visit a food prep kitchen and some of the snakes, frogs, and alligators that live behind the scenes.  These featured animals make guest appearances during programs and events.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 6 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

$5 per Person
$4.50 for NC Aquarium Members

1 hours

Stroll through our quarantine building with aquarium staff to see where our animals come from and how they get to the aquarium.  This exclusive behind the scenes opportunity exposes visitors to our animal hospital and holding area- the first stop for our animals upon their arrival to the aquarium.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 12 and up

$10 per Person
$9 for NC Aquarium Members

30 minutes

Where do the otters go when they are not on exhibit?  Step behind the scenes, while they play in the public exhibit, to see some of their enrichment toys, favorite snacks, and living quarters.

Closed toe shoes are required.

Ages: 6 and up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

$6 per Person
$5.40 for NC Aquarium Members

2 Hours

Tantalize your taste buds with new recipes from the sea, presented by a local restaurant chef.  Different seafood will be featured at each session, with an emphasis on local Outer Banks seafood.  Class participants receive biological information, copies of all recipes, and a savory sample of each dish prepared.   

Ages: 12 and up.

Check back in the Fall for more classes.

$20 per Person
$18 for NC Aquarium Members

2 Hours

Try your skills at this ancient art form of Japanese fish printing. Discover the purpose of this art and details about fish anatomy while you create your very own Gyotaku T-shirt to take home. All supplies, including one T-shirt is provided.

Ages: 6 and Up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

$16 per Person
$14.40 for NC Aquarium Members

3 Hours

Using natural materials, create a handmade basket for decoration or practical use. Be sure to bring a pocketknife and an old towel; all other materials are provided.

Ages: 16 and up.

$15 per Person
$13.50 for NC Aquarium Members

2 Hours

Bring your creative ideas and incorporate natural items from the sea into a grapevine wreath for decorative use year round. We will provide one wreath per person, shells, moss, ribbon, dried flowers and other maritime castoffs. Participants are welcome to bring in special shells or other treasures for their wreath.

Ages: 8 and Up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

$16 per Person
$14.40 for NC Aquarium Members

3 Hours

Make your own pendants and earrings out of glass, beads, and wire, as you learn to wrap real and replicated treasures from the sea. Materials and instruction will be provided for a minimum of three pieces of jewelry, but participants are encouraged to bring their own sentimental beach finds to wrap.

Ages: 12 and Up

$18 per Person
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

2 Hours

Practice this fun craft technique, which uses a seaweed extract to produce beautiful marbleized designs. Join us to make a unique assortment of papers with original colored swirls, and bring a t-shirt if you would like your own print to wear.

Ages: 6 and Up - Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

$18 per Person
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members