Bring your child to take advantage of a fun-filled 45 minute toddler time.  Beginning at 11:00 am, each session encourages hands-on learning of a new animal topic or nature theme using stories, crafts, and occasionally free time in the Aquarium.  Parents can sit back and relax, as little ones play while accompanied by our education staff. 

Ages: 2-5. Advanced registration is strongly recommended, will close registration at 10am the day of program if numbers are low. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Services area in the lobby.

December 4- Cool Crabs; December 11- Awesome Amphibians

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.

Ages 8 and up- Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Staff will meet participants at Visitor Services area in the lobby. Closed toe shoes are required.

December 7, 14 & 31 at 10:00

$18 per Person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Experience what it is like to work as an Aquarist as you spend a few hours of your day working with our staff behind the scenes.  Prepare food for the box turtles, create treats for the river otters, and prep food for the largest tank in the Aquarium.  Once meals are prepared, watch the otters eat their snacks and observe the fish and sharks feast in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit.  Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get a little "fishy."

Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch are required. Ages: 8 and up. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. 

Program begins at 9:00 am. Staff will meet participants at Admission area in front gate entrance. 

9:00am to 2:00pm

December 12

$52 per Person
$46.80 for NC Aquarium Members

Venture behind the scenes of the Aquarium’s 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit to observe one of the weekly shark feedings.  Participants will not be able to assist with the shark feeding, but will get an up close look as all of the fish and sharks feast on favorite food. 

Ages: 6 and up - Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Staff will meet participants at Visitor Services area in the lobby. Closed toe shoes are required.

12:30pm

December 5, 7, 14 & 31

$12 per person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$10.80 for NC Aquarium Members

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 pool, and then snack on a light breakfast of “people” food. 

Ages 6 & up- Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Closed toe shoes required. Program begins at 8:30 am. Staff will meet participants at Admissions area in front gate entrance.

December 5 & 14

$19 per person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Members

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.

Ages: 6 and up - Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Service area in the lobby. Closed toe shoes are required. 

December 18 at 1:00; December 4, 12, 27, 28 & 31 at 3:00

$8 per person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$7.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Stroll through our quarantine building to see where our animals come from and how they move into 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. Children under 13 must have a paying participating adult.  

December 7 at 2:00

$11 per person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$9.90 for NC Aquarium Members

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. We encourage you to bring in special shells or other treasures to personalize your wreath. 

Aquarium admission purchased separately. Ages: 8 and up - Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Staff will meet participants at Visitor Services in the lobby. 

December 5 & 11 at 2:00.

$21 per Person
$17.00 for NC Aquarium Members

The river otters at the Aquarium have fun most anytime of the day!  Learn more about otter behavior and biology as you design an enrichment toy to share with these playful animals. Participants savor a true otter snack before seeing the otters enjoy their own treats and their newly designed "toys."

At 10am. Closed toe shoes are required. Ages: 6 and up - Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Staff will meet participants at the Visitor Services area in the lobby.  

December 18 at 10:00

$19 per Person, Plus regular Aquarium admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Members