Gallons of Fun for Kids Ages 6-9 During Feb. School Break at The Maritime Aquarium

NORWALK, CT – Children 6 to 9 years old can build a rocket, discover how seals keep warm, get close to real live dragons and lots more in fun programs during the upcoming school vacation week Feb. 16-20 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The Maritime Aquarium’s “Winter Vacation Adventures” offer engaging introductions to marine science and other sciences during youngsters’ school break. There’s a different topic each day. Sign up for one, some or all five days.

Program hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Taking into account parents’ busy schedules, the Aquarium is offering pre-care from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and post-care from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The daily topics and activities include:

Mon., Feb. 16 – “Dragons!” 
Visit The Maritime Aquarium’s newest special exhibit, “Dragons! Real or Myth?” (opening Feb. 14), which will feature real live dragons! (Bearded dragons, black dragons and other cool dragon-named reptiles and fish.) Plus, students will learn about dragons – real and imagined – throughout history, and also explore reptile artifacts, play some reptile games, meet and touch an animal ambassador, and more.

Tues., Feb. 17 – “Shark Safari.” Get a real feel for sharks – literally – in a stop at the Aquarium’s Shark & Ray Touch Pool during a day spent exploring how sharks are similar to – but also different from – other fish.  Kids will discover sharks’ special adaptations, meet live animal ambassadors in the classroom, go behind-the-scenes to see how the Aquarium cares for its resident sharks, and more.

Wed., Feb. 18 – “Polar World: Seals & Whales.” 
Animals that live at the North and South poles must have special adaptations to survive. Discover what it takes to be able to ch-ch-chill out at the poles by exploring the adaptations of such creatures as polar bears, penguins, seals and whales. The group also will screen our newest IMAX® movie, “Humpback Whales,” attend a seal feeding and meet one of our seal trainers.

Thurs., Feb. 19 – “Wacky Science.”
 Science should be everything except boring! In this introduction to the physical and chemical sciences, kids will dig into it with such activities as making a volcano blow its top, and building and launching a pop-rocket and hovercraft – while also learning about the science behind how these things work. Also includes a tour of R/V Spirit of the Sound, the Aquarium’s ground-breaking new hybrid-electric research vessel.

Fri., Feb. 20 – “Touch Tank Friends.” 
Discover the world of animal senses, including our own. Kids will try to map out the different taste-bud senses on our tongues, look at optical illusions, and much more. And they’ll get they hands wet examining crabs, snails and turtles to discover how animals in the watery world have similar and different senses for interacting with their environment.

Cost of a “Winter Vacation Adventures” program is $100 per day or $450 for the full week. ($90 / $400 for Maritime Aquarium members.)

Pre-care is $20 additional per day or $85 for the week. ($15 / $65 for members.)

Post-care is $40 per day or $170 for the week. ($35 / $150 for members.)

Children should bring a bag lunch, a snack and an appetite for adventure. A Connecticut state-certified camp, the Aquarium requires health-exam forms for every child, as well as an authorization form for any medication.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. For more details or to download a registration form, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Or for reservations or more details, call (203) 852-0700 ext. 2206.

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Submitted by Westport, CT

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