Educational Programs

Night at the Aquarium

Get ready for an unforgettable evening where the aquarium transforms into a after-hours adventure! This special event invites kids ages 5-10 to experience a magical night filled with:

• Captivating Stories: Hear amazing tales about the ocean’s most incredible creatures!
• Hands-On Activities: Dive into interactive fun with ocean-themed crafts and games.
• Aquarium Exploration: Discover the secrets of CMA like never before!

When the lights go out, the ocean adventure truly begins!

UPCOMING DATES: 

• September 19, 2025                                            
• November 24, 2025                                  
• December 22, 2025                                 
• February 14, 2026                                       
• March 20, 2026 

Drop-Off: 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Pick-Up: 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm

All programs must be booked online at least 24-hours in advanced.

For more information, please contact: csmith@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2262.

Pre-registration is required. We require a minimum number of participants per Night at the Aquarium session and will reschedule or process a full refund if the minimum is not met.

*Parking fee is not included.

Pre-K Pod Pals

Join us for PRE-K POD PALS – a fun and educational morning program at Clearwater Marine Aquarium! Our turtle, dolphin, otter, shark, and ray friends will invite children to learn about where they live, what they eat, and the characteristics that help them live in the ocean. Programs will include classroom activities that explore the Florida pre-kindergarten standards, interactive games, and fun facts about the animal of the month! Available for children ages 3 to 5.

UPCOMING DATES: 

• September 2, 2025                                       
• October 7, 2025                               
• November 4, 2025                              
• December 2, 2025                                 
• January 6, 2026
• February 3, 2026
• March 3, 2026
• April 7, 2026
• May 5, 2026

All children must be accompanied by an adult. All programs must be booked online at least 24-hours in advanced.

Upcoming Programs:

Manatee Mania – October 7

Learn about the Florida manatee in this one-hour program. Investigate the habitats of a manatee and discover what they like to eat. Explore life as a manatee with story time and get a better understanding of how mother manatees care for their calves.

Coral Corral – November 4

What makes up a coral reef? Practice your counting skills as we work together as a team to identify the different animals that call a coral reef home in this one-hour program. Learn about the colors that can be seen on a coral reef and discover the reason why the animals are brightly colored.

Imagination Shellebration – December 2

How are shells made and who lives in a shell? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this one-hour program. Get an up-close look at our discovery pool animals that live in a shell.  Practice using your listening skills during story time and use your imagination to create your very own hermit crab shell to take home!

Dolphin Discovery – January 6

Learn all about our resident dolphin pals in this one-hour playdate program! Use your motor skills with hands-on learning games and activities that will teach you about what makes dolphins different from other animals. Practice your listening skills during story time and lessons about our flippered friends.

Bubble Babies – February 3

Explore the sea through the eyes of young animals that breathe air just like you do! Learn about where marine mammals live, what they eat, and the characteristics that help them live in the ocean. Discover how baby animals learn from their parents to live in the big blue ocean through a fun interactive activity.

Squishy Bones – March 3

In this one-hour program, you will learn about what you have in common with fish like sharks and rays! Sink your teeth into using your thinking skills to compare sharks and rays while looking at shark jaws and other biofacts. Throughout story time and the hands-on activities, you’re sure to have a fin-tastic time!

Whale Tales – April 7

Did you know whales come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors? Compare and contrast the different types of whales in this one-hour program. Learn about teamwork during story time and play an interactive game that uses your motor skills.

Hatchling Heroes – May 5

Do you love sea turtles? If so, this is the one-hour playdate for you! Learn about how sea turtles navigate through their lifecycle from egg to adulthood with hands-on activities. Discover the parts of a sea turtle and interact with real biofacts. Design your own sea turtle hatchling shell, listen to a story about sea turtle nesting on Clearwater Beach, and discover ways we can all help sea turtles!

For more information, please contact: csmith@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2262.

Pre-registration is required. We require a minimum number of participants per Pre-K Pals session and will reschedule or process a full refund if the minimum is not met.Admission is not required and not included with this program. Add on Aquarium Admission for $9.95 per person by calling 727-441-1790 x 2262 at least 24 hours in advance.
*Parking fee is not included.

Career Exploration

Join us for our Career Exploration Program! This experience provides an inside look at aquarium careers. Meet aquarium personnel, participate in activities, and explore behind the scenes. Learn about Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s research and conservation programs, education, and animal husbandry. 

DATES: 

• Wednesday, November 26, 2025               
• Tuesday, December 30, 2025                         
• Saturday, February 21, 2026                        
• Saturday, April 11, 2026                           
• Saturday, May 16, 2026 

For more information, please contact: csmith@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2262.

Pre-registration is required. We require a minimum number of participants per session and will reschedule or process a full refund if the minimum is not met.

Junior Career Quest

Are you a budding marine scientist? This experience provides an inside look at aquarium careers for students that are 4th through 6th grade. Participate in hands-on activities that showcase the rescue, rehabilitation, and release work that CMA does. Learn about different paths that you can take to achieve your marine science career goals. This is a drop-off program. Parents / guardians are not participants. All participants MUST be signed in and picked up by a parent or guardian promptly at the end of the program. 

DATES: 

• Wednesday, November 26, 2025               
• Tuesday, December 30, 2025                         
• Saturday, February 21, 2026                        
• Saturday, April 11, 2026                           
• Saturday, May 16, 2026 

For more information, please contact: csmith@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2262.

Pre-registration is required. We require a minimum number of participants per session and will reschedule or process a full refund if the minimum is not met.

Biologist-Led Classroom Programs

Coming for a group visit? Consider an educational add-on program! Group visits are completely self-guided; however, school, educational or scout groups can schedule a 60-minute Biologist-led classroom program. These programs are available for as low as $5.00 per participant. Please see our Educational Planner PDF for all of our program selections.

For more information, please contact: csmith@cmaquarium.org or call 727-441-1790 x 2262.