Do you know what a sea urchin eats, and what eats a sea urchin? The answer to that question and more is coming to a Traveling Tidepool Program near you!

Traveling Tidepool is best for groups of children ages 3-6 or 6-12.  The program lasts approximately 45 minutes.

This program, a favorite for many years, allows participants to handle and observe a wide range of live tidal pool animals from local waters.

Traveling Tidepool: Ages 6 to 12

The program for 6- to 12-year-olds can be tailored to varying age levels and features a unique tabletop exhibit that recreates three separate habitats. Models of the salt marsh, sandy beach and rocky coast are made out of fiberglass, foam and sand and placed into trays of water.

Discussions focus on participants’ experiences with these habitats and the adaptations of animals that live in them. Participants are encouraged to discover the answers to their questions through direct observation. Live animals may include horseshoe crabs, moon snails, sea urchins, sea stars, periwinkle snails, waved whelks, scallops, oysters, mussels, soft-shell clams and more.

Traveling Tidepool Ages 3 to 6

For a younger audience, ages 3 to 6, the program focuses on understanding and becoming comfortable with tide pool animals. Trays of water are set up on the floor, and the animals we bring will not be hurt by little hands. Live animals may include snails, clams, sea urchins, sea stars and hermit crabs.

Reservations

  • For organizations outside of Boston and Cambridge that would like to book a fee-based Tidepool Open House program please contact Sunnye Dreyfus via email or at (617) 973-6596.
  • Community organizations in Boston and Cambridge seeking to book this program should fill out the community outreach application form or contact the Aquarium's Community Programs department for more information.