Did you know that our most recent animal addition, Astro, was sent to Mystic Aquarium from California via FedEx? Yes, he arrived overnight an on-time!

Ages Newborn-6 Summer Programs

Animal Spotlight- At the Aquarium and on the Coast

Ages 2 to 4
(Children must be accompanied by an adult)

Bring your little one and join us to learn all about aquatic animals. We will meet in our specially designed early childhood classroom and use stories, props, puppets, costumes and even live animals to engage the curiosity of these young minds. Each session is four weeks long. We will spend our last class on an adventure to Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT to explore the natural habitat and search out the creatures that live there. Choose one of the following two sessions.

Session 1: Fridays, July 11, 18, 25, 1:00pm- 2:00pm, Meet at the Aquarium

August 1, 1:00pm- 2:15pm, Meet at Bluff Point State Park

Session 2: Fridays, August 8, 15, 22, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Meet at the Aquarium

August 29, 1:00pm-2:15pm, Meet at Bluff Point State Park

Members Series Package: $40 child/adult pair; 2^nd child $18

Non-members Series Package: $52 child/adult pair; 2^nd child $22

Sea Urchins

Ages 4 to 6

What does a penguin eat? Is a tortoise different from a turtle?

Kids have curious minds and ask us all sorts of questions. This half day camp is full of fun and activities that will help answer a lot of their questions. Stories, costumes, live animals and crafts will all be utilized to help your child learn about the many fascinating animals found at the Aquarium.

Monday – Friday, July 7-11 or August 11-15, 8:30am – 11:30am

Members: $180 / Non-members: $215

Interested in a full day camp program for your 6 year old? See the Sea Lions and Sand Sharks camps in the ages 6-13 section.

Mommy (or Daddy!) and Me

Ages: Newborn – 3 year olds plus a caregiver
Explore, learn and play with your child as you take part in our Mommy (or Daddy ) and Me class. The 60 minute program will take place in our new early childhood classroom designed to provide a safe and stimulating atmosphere for young children. Classes will revolve around sea life themes, offering little ones age appropriate concepts to help them learn about and appreciate the ocean and its many wonders. Each class will include story time, music and dancing as well as time for parents or caregivers to interact with their little one as they explore and play in the learning areas set up through out the room. A wonderful opportunity to meet other parents!
Each class will include an activity such as finger painting, an arts and craft project, an age appropriate science experiment, or a visit from a sea life creature.

Classroom features include:

• A soft nest area for infants to lay and roll safely
• Changing table
• Terrarium housing two turtles
• Pretend play area featuring a mini-lab complete with x-ray light box
• Reading/Book area
• Sensory table that is filled with water, sand or other materials
• Child size tables and chairs
• Parent resource library

Turn your preschooler into a Sea Schooler! The next session begins July 7th!

The Mystic Aquarium is excited to announce Sea School for preschoolers age 3-5 years old. The 8 week sessions offer preschoolers a unique opportunity to experience the exciting world of marine biology. What better place to have children explore their natural curiosity than at an aquarium where live ocean critters are living all around them?

• Each two hour class will have children using their imagination, interacting with peers, and participating in projects designed to develop a variety of skills
• Children will be offered a unique opportunity to get to know various ocean animals, the people who work with them, as well as learn about the science that goes into exploring the sea
• Mini Picassos will have a blast working on a variety of arts and craft activities
• Parental input regarding the strengths and needs of their child will be an important element in designing a tailored learning experience for each child
• The program will take place in a computer-equipped classroom especially designed for preschool aged children