Bring your child to enjoy a fun-filled 45-minute toddler time.  Each session encourages hands-on learning of a new animal, habitat topic or nature theme using stories, crafts, and occasionally guided time in the Aquarium.  Parents can sit back and relax nearby, as little ones play while accompanied by our education staff. 

Ages: 3-5. 

Start time is 11:00AM. Advanced registration is strongly recommended; we will close registration at 10:00am on the day of the program if we do have 4 toddlers registered. 

September 3: S for Snakes

September 10: J for Jellies

September 12: Fur, Feather & Scales

September 17: Frogs & Toads

September 19:  Nature Play

September 24: Creepy Crawlies

September 26: Splashy Stingrays!

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here.

$8 per child, Plus regular Aquarium admission

$7.20 NC Aquarium Member
No program fee for adults, but regular admission rates apply.

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.  Learn about water quality, visit and interact with animal ambassadors, and prep food for a few animals who live in the Aquarium. Lastly, 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."

Ages: 8 and up. Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes and a bag lunch are required. This program utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.

September 18 9:00am-2:00pm

Registration closes at 12:00pm, the day prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission ticket IS included in the price, please check-in with the instructor out front at the Admission Gatehouse upon arrival. 

$52 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$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 can help broadcast feed the fish and watch the sharks and fish feast on their favorite food. 

Ages: 8 and up - Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.   

September 16, 18, 20, 25 & 27 at 12:00.

Registration closes 15mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$20 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$18 for NC Aquarium Members

Come check out our sea turtle patients in the Sea Turtle Assistance & Rehabilitation (STAR) Center and join us for an in-depth look at our sea turtle hospital. Engage in an educational discussion about sea turtle species, learn what the sea turtles eat, visit the treatment room, and discover how you can help these endangered species.  

Ages: 8 and up - Children ages 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required.

September 3, 4, 5, 12, 17, 19, 24, 25 & 26 at 10:00.

Registration closes 30 minutes prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$18 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Accompany an Aquarium educator to sneak a peek behind the Graveyard of the Atlantic, shark exhibit and the Animal Ambassador room or freshwater kitchen in the Aquarium. Visitors will see the exhibits, animals, and all the systems that keep them working, from a side normally viewed by staff only.

Ages 8 and up- Children 8-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.

September 19 at 2:00.

September 16 & 20 at 3:00. 

Registration closes 15 mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$18 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$16.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Take a short visit behind the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic Exhibit.  Walk over and check out some dive equipment, learn about an out-of-sight holding area, and get an overhead view of the largest exhibit in the Aquarium.

Ages: 6 and up - Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

Closed toe shoes are required. This tour utilizes 2 sets of stairs; our elevator is currently not available.

September 20 2:00.

September 16, 18, 25 & 27 at 3:00.

Registration closes 15 mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$16 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$14.40 for NC Aquarium Member

Bring your creative ideas and incorporate natural items from the sea into a grapevine wreath for decorative use year round, or highlight your wreath with holiday accents. 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. 

Ages: 8 and Up.  Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here.

September 25 & 27 at 10:00.

September 23 at 2:00.

Registration closes 24 hours prior to program, if no reservations

$21 per Person, Plus Regular Admission
$18.90 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. 

Ages 12 and up- Children, age 12, must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier.  Closed toe shoes are required.

September 5, 20 & 30 at 11:00.

September 24 at 1:00.

September 23 & 26 at 3:00.

Registration closes 45mins prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program. 

Buy tickets here. Please check in with instructor in the lobby.

$16 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$14.20 for NC Aquarium Members

Test your skills with the ancient art form of Gyotaku, Japanese fish printing.  Discover how this art form originated and learn a thing or two about fish anatomy while you create your very own Gyotaku t-shirt to take home.  All supplies, including one t-shirt per person, are provided. 
Ages: 6 and Up - Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. We are not able to accommodate infants, even if they are in a carrier. 

September 23 at 10:00.

September 3, 11, 16, 19 & 30 at 2:00

Registration closes 1 hour prior to program, if there are no reservations.

Admission tickets must be purchased online prior to date of program.

Buy tickets here.  Please check in with the instructor in the lobby.

$19 per Person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Society Members

The river otters at the Aquarium have fun most anytime of the day!  Learn more about otter behavior and biology as you prepare an enrichment treat to share with these playful animals.  Participants will savor a true otter snack before seeing their enrichment contributions go on exhibit with the otters.  Help us enhance the well-being of our river otters with a daily treat challenge.

Ages: 6 and up - Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult.

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

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 broadcast feed the stingrays at the touch pool, and then snack on a light breakfast of “people” food in our classroom while learning a little more about stingrays!  

Ages 6 & up- Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying participating adult. Closed toe shoes are required.

Programs begin at 8:30 am.

This program will be coming back in October 2024!

$19 per person, Plus Regular Aquarium Admission
$17.10 for NC Aquarium Members