Activities for Children at New England Aquarium in Boston

For over 40 years, the New England Aquarium in Boston has been the destination for countless family vacation trips and untold numbers of school field trips - and with good reason. Well over one million people visit the New England Aquarium every year, and perhaps no one enjoys it as much as children.

Before your visit to the New England Aquarium even begins, you can take the kids to the harbor seal exhibit, which is located outside the entrance to the aquarium. Two families of seals live here, exposed to the New England outdoor weather, and children love to watch them play.

The main attraction inside the New England Aquarium is the Giant Ocean Tank. Kids will marvel at the four-story tank at the very center of the aquarium. A winding ramp takes visitors from the coral reef at the bottom to the very top, with glass windows along the way that allow kids to come face-to-face with more than 600 species of sea creatures that swim inside. With their hands splayed and their noses pressed to the glass, kids can watch sharks, barracudas, and sting rays seemingly inches away. But the most popular resident of the tank, and perhaps of the entire New England Aquarium, is Myrtle the giant sea turtle. She's been living there since the aquarium opened in 1969, which means that many of the parents taking children to the aquarium in Boston today actually saw her here when they were kids themselves.

Another popular exhibit for children is the penguin area, where over 70 endearing penguins of three different varieties live. Kids will love the daily penguin feedings, when the lovable creatures are most active. The penguin exhibit completely surrounds the giant ocean tank, taking up much of the aquarium's first floor, and can be seen from almost anywhere in the aquarium.

Children can't seem to resist the lure of the New England Aquarium's Edge of the Sea Touch Tank. Here they'll get a chance to actually get wet, as they enjoy a hands-on experience. Under the supervision of the aquarium staff, they'll be able to hold little hermit crabs in their hands, touch a starfish , maybe even pet a lobster. They'll want to stay all day!

Throughout each day, there are scheduled events that kids will love. Aquarium staffers give live animal presentations with creatures like lizards and snakes. Seal training sessions are held several times each day. There's also the wonder of seeing divers in the giant ocean tank feeding the residents - sometimes right from their hands.

The New England Aquarium also offers special programs for children and adults at an additional fee. Visitors can go behind the scenes and play with the seals or stay overnight in the Amazing Jellies jellyfish exhibit. There's also the giant IMAX movie theater, with a screen more than six stories high.

The New England Aquarium is located at 1 Central Wharf on the Boston waterfront, a short distance from popular Boston tourist destinations Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The aquarium is open daily. Discounted admission is available for children and seniors.