Most kids are already out of school for the summer months, which makes it even easier for you and your family to enjoy National Aquarium Month. This month, you may want to get yourself to an aquarium nearby to learn about marine life and enjoy the beautiful sea creatures. Of course, aquariums aren’t always the cheapest of places to visit. This might detour you from going; however, there are a few ways you can avoid the high price of the aquarium and enjoy it all the more. So, check out these ten tips and celebrate your favorite aquariums without stressing over your budget.
1. Season Pass
A lot of aquariums offer a season or yearly pass for their aquarium. This usually includes two adult tickets, a few children’s tickets and the option of a few guest tickets. You are also given many luxurious options like free or discounted parking, a discount in the gift shop and price reductions on foods. This can really help you save a bundle on your trip to aquarium. In fact, most of the time the price of the pass will cost about the same as you will pay for your entire family to go to the aquarium once. Thus, if you live nearby an aquarium then this is the perfect option for you. It will also give you a nice and cool place to visit in the summer, which is sure to entertain the kids. You may even be privy to activities thanks to your membership.
2. Pack a Snack
Like many educational institutions, the food options available usually cost an arm and a leg. This is largely to help fund the aquarium, but if you’re on a tight budget you may want to skip the restaurants altogether. Of course, many of these restaurant only offer snack style foods too, which means you won’t be able to keep to a healthy diet there. One of the best things you can do is pack a snack for the day. A lot of aquariums don’t mind if you bring it in to eat while you check out the exhibits. Of course, if they do you can always get a hand stamp and take a break to eat in your car. This will save you a lot of money and the food will help keep everyone energized and attentive.
3. Shop Online
When it comes to enjoying the aquarium, you may want to take your business to the internet. A lot of places will actually offer more sales online, which can help you save money on season passes, membership plans or everyday tickets. Shopping online will also help you find tickets to special events, so you can plan your visit based on interests or budget. A lot of places will even let you book tours online, which can help you get more out of your time at the aquarium.
4. Timing is Everything
There is a time and place for everything, including going to the aquarium. Usually, it is best to plan a visit in the morning when the aquarium opens up for the day. There tends to me less people during this time, so you will be able to move freely in the aquarium without having to feel rushed by crowds. If you really want to cut down on the price on tickets then you might want to check out the aquarium in the winter time. Usually people tend to choose other forms of entertainment then, especially if part of the aquarium is outdoors. Of course, the month of June is also an amazing time to go. Since it is National Aquarium Month there will be plenty of deals to choose from.
5. Map it Out
One of the keys to getting more out of your aquarium experience is to know exactly where everything is. This will allow you to see more of the exhibits that spark your interest. It will also help you to see the whole aquarium without feeling as wiped out. One of the key aspects to mapping out the aquarium is to consider your own needs. For instance, if the weather is too hot or cold then you may want to limit time outdoors by choosing only a few exhibits then using the indoor exhibits to cool down or warm up. You might also want to plan your visit around lunch areas, so you hit the food at the right time. This will help prevent kids from feeling like they want to stop too soon. Apart from that, you may want to space out major exhibits, so kids won’t get bored with the smaller exhibits.
6. Park Elsewhere
One of the most expensive aspects of going to the aquarium is dealing with parking. This is especially true if you’re in a major city. If the aquarium you’re visiting has its own parking lot then you may want to skip this area unless you have a pass via your ticket or membership. Typically, there is cheaper parking not too far from the area as many business people love to bank off of attractions. It may take a little driving around, but you’re sure to find one if you’re willing to do a little walking. If you don’t plan on staying long then you might also try parking in a temporary parking area or where there is a parking meter.
7. Take Breaks
Don’t feel like you have to conquer the aquarium in a short period of time. If you want to get your money’s worth out of the deal then it is important to take your time and embrace all that there is to see. If you have little ones with you then make sure to stop often. Little legs tend to get tired quickly, which could make the rest of your aquarium visit miserable for them. There should be lots of places to stop and sit in the aquarium; however, if you want to avoid boredom you may find an exhibit to sit in front of. If you can find a larger tank then you may want to have the children sit in front of it. This will prevent them from obstructing anyone’s view, while allowing them to rest while watching the fish swim. By stopping often, you will be able to learn more and observe for longer. Little legs get tired and if you don’t rest then your kids may want to leave before you get your money’s worth, so find an exhibit where you can sit and watch for a while
8. Avoid Gift Shops
If there is one thing that will harm your budget at the aquarium, it is certainly the gift shop. Most gift shops raise the price of their items substantially which makes them too expensive for the average budget. This is especially true if you have more than one child to buy for. Usually, you can get through the aquarium without putting a gift shop in your child’s point of view. Of course, it may help to look at the map before you begin your journey. This will help you point your child in the opposite direction of the shops. Most gift shops end up near exits and entrances though, so you might want to find a distraction for these times. Alternatively, you might want to try out some of the themed gift machines. These usually put images onto pennies or print our wax marine figures that make great souvenirs.
9. Scavenger Hunt
Local aquariums are always a great option when it comes to National Aquarium Month. Since you are already familiar with the layout of your aquarium then you can easily come up with a scavenger hunt that will keep the kids engaged. This can also help them learn a whole lot about their aquarium and marine life. There’s lots of templates online for a scavenger hunt, so you can always edit one to suit your needs. Some aquariums will even offer their own scavenger hunt for free so all you have to do is print it out. You may need to add an incentive to your hunt, but your children are sure to have more fun this way.
10. Print Out Information
One of the most important things about aquariums is they allow you to learn. However, you may not always be able to find the best information about a species that catches your eye at the aquarium. So, you might want to do a little research as to which marine life is at the aquarium you plan to visit. From there, you can print out facts about the marine animals so that the family can learn. You can even make different booklets for the varying ages in your group. This will make your trip even more educational, which is sure to help keep your child’s brain active while school is out.
The aquarium is one of the best ways to keep your family entertained during the summer months. So, you may want to plan a trip to celebrate National Aquarium Month. With these ten tips, you should be able to get more out of your trip, so you won’t have to stress about the price of your family’s adventure.
