How to Make a Splash at the Aquarium
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Aquariums make a splash with kids of all ages: The "touch me" exhibits most places offer are the perfect outlet for your 2-year-old's tactile needs; watchful 3-year-olds delight in observing all the colorful, intriguing, marine life and exhibits; and a 4-year-old's "whys" will find aquarium docents ready to respond - they have lots of fish stories to tell. To make your visit go swimmingly, follow these tips from Monterey Bay Aquarium biologist and special exhibit coordinator Andy Case and exhibit developer Jenny Sayre Ramberg, who boast a combined 20 years of experience at the world-famous California aquarium. What's more, as members of the team that created the children's exhibit Splash Zone at the aquarium, they offer a behind-the-glass view of top kid-pleasers.
Before you go
Learn about fish. And penguins and otters and coral. Looking through picture books or renting movies that feature marine animals can help your child put names with faces. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's online bookstore (www.mbayaq.org) lists several good titles. Try your local aquarium and public library as well. Your child might also be interested in the idea of animal habitats as neighborhoods where different kinds of animals live together. In the coral reef community, for instance, sea stars occupy the ground floor of the habitat, while moray eels lodge in cracks and crevices, and blacktip sharks cruise overhead. Like people, the animals have roles. Just as we vacuum the floors at home, so does the sea star "vacuum" the floor of the coral reef. And the cleaner shrimp, which also lives in the coral reef, works as a marine-world dental hygienist, crawling inside the mouth of the moray eel to clean its teeth.
Peer into an aquarium's Web site. Like the preview of a movie, the pictures of the habitats and animals featured on the aquarium's site can spark your child's imagination. It's also another opportunity to learn about the animals your child will soon be meeting in the flesh. Also, you can check out feeding hours - a popular viewing time - and other scheduled events, as well as learn about exhibits designed specifically for very young children.
Design an itinerary. After completing your fact-finding mission, you may want to plan a schedule of the "must sees" so your child isn't disappointed when you get to the much-anticipated sea otter display five minutes before closing time. And make some time to explore the habitats: All the different plants and animals inside habitats like coral reefs and kelp forests may intrigue your child. If there's an exhibit specifically for your child's age, you might want to call ahead to make sure it's not closed for maintenance. Also ask if any special activities are planned, such as an arts and craft session or seasonal events. In January, for instance, visitors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium might just spot gray whales migrating along the coastline.
When to go
Arrive early, if possible. Usually you'll find fewer crowds right after opening. Midday is generally the most crowded, with the number of visitors tapering off in late afternoon.
Once you arrive
Talk with the staff. Most aquariums station docents (guides) at specific exhibits. Also, volunteers often float, so to speak, through the aquarium. Although labels or graphics describe exhibits, an employee or volunteer can customize information and share amusing stories that are particularly intriguing for a young child.
Linger. You're much more likely to see fascinating animal behavior if you hang out for a bit at an exhibit, preferably one featuring active creatures. It's also a great opportunity for your child to observe and discuss any discoveries (such as the sea otters breaking open shells and eating the contents).
Don't try to drink it all in. The ocean of information at an aquarium could overwhelm your child. If possible, consider several short trips. Otherwise, try to break up the day with snacks, lunch, and a romp on the playground, if one is available. Some aquariums provide models of sea animals for children to play on as a nice change of pace.
"Find Waldo." Camouflage stories - how some animals blend in with their surroundings - often draw in kids. Start the "Where's Waldo?" experience by explaining that some fish use their coloring or appendages to disguise themselves. For example, sea horses change color to blend in with their surroundings and sit very still. And sea dragons have evolved frilly, lacy fins that make them look like pieces of drifting seaweed. (You might have to help out with some of the detective work.)
Get touchy-feely. When deciding which exhibits to hit, consider the "touch me" displays. Picking up a sea star or sea cucumber or touching the back of a crab is a thrill for young kids, who are eager to check things out with their sense of touch. The more senses your child uses during the visit, the more enriching and fun the experience.
Mention conservation. You don't want to spend the visit lecturing your child, but consider finding a moment - such as when you're at the "touch me" displays - to talk about respecting the animals' homes. Suggest that your child show the same courtesy to plants and animals as he shows to friends at daycare or preschool.
What to pack
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Snacks. Most aquariums don't allow food or drink in the exhibits, but the personnel understand children's snacking needs. Go ahead and pack the bag of crackers and boxes of juice; just be sure to find the designated eating areas.
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Stroller. If your child (and you) are in the habit of using a stroller, by all means bring it. However, with so much to see and do, some children may squirm to get out as soon as they roll in. You can also call ahead to see if the facility rents strollers or provides areas to park yours.
- A magnifying glass. The better to see those minnows.
Bring the experience home
Plan a field trip to the real thing. If you're close to the sea, walk on the beach and look for some of the plants and animals you saw at the aquarium. (While it's tempting to take shells home, marine experts say it's best to not take anything from an environment and to leave it as you found it.)
Relive some of the aquarium adventures. Play a game of hide-and-seek where your child pretends to be one of those clever masters of disguise. For camouflage, suggest your child dress in different colored shirts that match parts of her environment - green bushes or beige carpeting, for instance.
A fun fact
The jaw fish, exhibited at many aquariums, is a small, tropical fish about 3 to 4 inches long. Because of its huge head and jaw, it looks like a puppet, sticking out of its burrow. The fish is continually rearranging its surroundings - it's rarely satisfied with the placement of debris in and around its home. It will dive headfirst into its burrow, reappearing to spit out a load of gravel, like a little bulldozer.
This article has been adapted from original content written and provided by BabyCenter.com. © BabyCenter, L.L.C. 2005. All rights reserved.