Like all fish out of water, our family needs to "wet our gills" in whatever way possible. If the surf's flat at home, we head to the local aquarium; even traveling to landlocked places has somehow lead us to an aquarium of sorts.
Visiting one is an easy (and air-conditioned) outing for kids. Our ocean-obsessed daughter has grown to love these aquatic experiences that get her near the water, even if it doesn't require putting on a swim suit. But after a while–no matter if it's an aquarium in Hawaii or Colorado–things get as repetitive as the fish swimming back and forth in tanks.
To keep it interesting for our daughter, who could probably care less about a fish's scientific name, we try to incorporate movement. It might be pointing at the school of fish swimming by; or it might also be spending more time at the indoor play areas than the aquatic exhibits themselves. Maybe when she's older, she'll appreciate fun fish facts. For now, here's what we do to keep her from getting bored:
Skip the stroller. Bringing a stroller to an aquarium can be cumbersome. Wear your child in a carrier or let her walk around instead. It's a more inviting way for children to enjoy the exhibits. They can get up close and feel like they're swimming right alongside the underwater creatures.
Skip the scary stuff. Unlike Hawaii's aquariums of colorful tropical marine life, aquariums on the mainland are home to fish of dimmer hues. Colorado's Downtown Aquarium includes dozens of freshwater fish native to the state. They're totally amazing but not the most visually-satisfying for a toddler; a few of the bigger river-mouth fish can be kind of frightening! Anyways, we just skip those parts of the exhibit altogether until she's old enough to appreciate them.
Get hands-on. Aquariums often include interactive exhibits where visitors can experience the sea life with their sense of touch. At the Waikiki Aquarium, a small outdoor exhibit shows off a few slimy and squishy reef creatures for visitors to hold. The Colorado aquarium lets visitors pet sting rays! Both are fun ways to experience fish that a trip to the beach can't always provide.
Enjoy shows. Most live shows at aquariums are just long enough to keep a kid's attention. And they're usually ones that require standing. Carry your child to get a better view instead of the back of people's butts. But be prepared to dig out if your child's just not interested. Luckily, most of these shows are free, so it's not a total waste of money and time if they'd rather see something else.
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