If you have never been to the Aquarium of the Pacific, I highly recommend going. And if you are a homeschooler then you really need to go on one of the Homeschool Days that the Aquarium offers. Each year, they offer two dates in September for Homeschool Days. This year it was Sept 10 and Sept 12. Sometimes they offer a Homeschool Holiday in December. So make sure to be on the look out for that. If you missed the Homeschool Days, but really want to go, you can click here for more details on how you can bring your group at the discounted Homeschool price. The Aquarium is open to the Public during this event, but they do not conduct school tours so that they can set up classrooms and tables for demonstrations on various topics related to aquatic life.
Our family had the privilege of attending The Aquarium of the Pacific's Homeschool Days on Sept 10. We were able to explore the Aquarium on our own, at our own pace. There were a variety of things to explore. Tanks of all different sizes contained different types of fish, sea life and sea habitats. There were different touch ponds throughout the Aquarium that allowed the kids to touch different species of sea life. Sea Urchins, Star Fish, Rays and Sharks, were just a few of the sea life that we got to touch.
In one of the larger exhibits, we got to watch as a diver talked to us from inside the tank, about the different fish and sea life that were in her tank. She explained what each fish was, and how big they would grow to be. There was a curator on the outside relaying questions that different attendees had about something inside the tank. In another exhibit, a bit smaller, we watched as a diver collected samples from different habitats and sent them up top to someone waiting out above the water. We explored Shark Lagoon which had many different species of sharks, some that we could touch and some that we could not. The curators were very good at explaining to the kids to use two finger touches with all of the sea life, and to remind them to always be safe and wash their hands after touching.
The new Pacific Visions exhibit was very interesting. Inside the Pacific Visions area they have many multimedia displays. interactive art displays and a state-of-the-art immersive theater. This theater has many rows and levels of seating and the screen is floor to ceiling. And when I say floor to ceiling, I mean there are screens on the floor as well as up the wall. It really adds to the experience, almost putting you right into the movie. The movie is about 8 min long. It is a very thought provoking program about new ways to collect and use energy and how to become more sustainable so that our Earth will be around for many more years. The technology, design and plan were very thought out and it looks promising.
The Aquarium is both multi-level as well as indoors and out. Outside you will find the Penguin exhibit, the Seals and Sea Lion exhibit, Lorakeet Forest, a Playground with a little water play, and an exhibit on how you can save water usage both inside and outside, in your own home. There are snack bars and gift shops located inside and out, as well. Of course, the Aquarium also has classrooms where there are a variety of activities set up for the kids to color, look through microscopes, more touch ponds, and other activities to engage the learning process.
Before I end, I feel there are some more details you should know before visiting the Aquarium. First, parking is conveniently located in the parking structure across from the Aquarium. Parking is $8 after validation from the Aquarium. You can purchase food from the Aquarium, or bring your own. There are no lockers so you would need to leave any big ice chests in the car. However, there are picnic areas to eat at, or you could sit near the docks and watch the cruise liners coming in and out of the Harbor. There is a mall located right next to the Aquarium that also has a variety of places to eat and shop.
Our family had a great time at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Homeschool Days. We took our 4th grader, three preschoolers and a toddler. I do believe this is a great field trip for all ages. The older kids would understand the science concepts on a much higher level. The exhibits are engaging to all. A definite must see, that I think the teens would really like, The Spider Crab. He is huge, and definitely not something I would want to come up against.
If you would like to see more pictures from our field trip, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram. I will also be giving away three Family 4 packs for different Festival Dates coming up at The Aquarium of the Pacific, so make sure you enter!
