The New England Aquarium is committed to providing interactive and informative programming for students in homeschool programs.

Please check out our offerings and thank you for choosing us for your next homeschool field trip.

Homeschool Days

On Mondays between September 9 and December 23, 2019, the New England Aquarium invites homeschool families to take advantage of special pricing during a visit to the Aquarium. Daily Aquarium programming opportunities are scheduled throughout the day, including Live Animal Presentations, Seal Training Sessions, and Giant Ocean Tank Talks. Please check the daily schedule for times.

September 16, 2019

Come Meet the Aquarium on Monday, September 16, 2019. Educator-led stations featuring science skills and practice will have content focusing on animal care and exhibit design. Activities will run between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Rates and Reservations

Homeschool families can buy tickets in advance or at the Box Office at the school rate of admission ($10.00 for children and $19.00 for adults). When you make your reservation at least one business day in advance via telephone, you are eligible to receive one free chaperone ticket per homeschool family who is visiting the Aquarium and purchasing child tickets for admission.

Homeschool Field Trip days will be available to book on August 8, 2019. To book your tickets, please call Central Reservations at 617-973-5206. A $2 service fee will be added to all reservations.

Contact groupsales@neaq.org for more information.

Fall 2019 Homeschool Programs

Boston Harbor, whales, and penguins will come alive during the Fall 2019 Homeschool Programs at the New England Aquarium!

On Mondays, October 21, November 18, and December 16, the Aquarium invites families who homeschool their children to visit and experience special programming. Each Homeschool Program includes an Aquarium visit, a hands-on experimental class, and an informative educational session with an Aquarium staff member.

October 21: Boston Harbor

Use the ocean in our backyard as your lab. Take a closer look at what lives in Boston Harbor, both large and small, and learn about how we are connected. Students will practice close observation and get a taste of what it means to be a marine biologist.

• 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet a Scientist
• 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Dockside Explorers K–2
• 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Dockside Explorers 3–5
• 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Dockside Explorers 6–12

November 18: Whales

Using interactive exhibits, students learn about the intelligence and biology of marine mammals as well as how researchers study them. Kids get the answers to all their questions about marine mammals and get involved with the activities.

• 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet a Scientist
• 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Whale Day K–2
• 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Whale Day 3–5
• 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Whale Day 6–12

December 16: Penguins

Turn your students into penguins! Aquarium educators will teach children how to act like penguins and how to collect and analyze data like scientists. In addition to learning about penguin behavior, students will discover the variety of penguin species found at the Aquarium and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. This program was developed to fulfill National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. Live penguins stay at the Aquarium!

• 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet a Scientist
• 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Penguin Data K–2
• 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Penguin Data 3–5
• 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Penguin Data 6–12

Pricing

Individual Programs

Single program: $24.00 per child participant; $19.00 per adult participant
Chaperone (1 chaperone ticket per paid child participant): No charge

Member single program: $21.00 per child participant; $17.00 per adult participant
Member chaperone (1 chaperone ticket per paid child participant): No charge

Full Series Pricing

Includes admission to the offerings of each Homeschool Program scheduled for October 21, November 18, and December 16. Please note that priority is given to child participants for the informative educational sections.

Series program participant: $63.00 per child
Member series program participant: $54.00 per child

A programming break has been scheduled between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Homeschool Programming days for students to socialize while eating lunch.

Make a Reservation

To book your tickets, please call Central Reservations at 617-973-5206. A $2.00 service fee will be added to all reservations.

Activities for Homeschoolers

Below, find activities to help you explore the Aquarium more deeply. These activities encourage content learning and improve science skills as well as support math and literacy development. You can choose to focus on ecology, ethology, or zoology, or focus on the skills practiced. Pick a focus area to guide your own experience through the Aquarium. Aquarium educators will be available to help you work on these investigations. Each activity includes a list of recommended materials to bring with you. A pencil and clipboard are always recommended.