Create memories with your little one while exploring the wonders of the natural world at The Tennessee Aquarium!
This spring, we will be hosting two separate programs throughout the semester. Each program is a six-week series that provides children ages 3-5 with the opportunity to learn about nature in a safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate environment. You can choose all six classes within the series or only those that fit within your schedule.
Sea Sprouts classes may include story time, sensory play, exploration stations, animal encounters, and take-home crafts. Each class is specifically created for hands-on interactive play-based learning for you and your sea sprout. Activities are developed to encourage curiosity and to promote kindergarten readiness for your little one.
One adult must accompany the registered child for the entirety of the program.
Pricing
Non-members: $15/class; $80 for all 6 weeks
Aquarium Members may receive 10% discount. Look out for more information in member emails!
Registration is open now!
Upcoming Sessions
Session 2: Who’s That Critter?
Join us as we use the scientific method to uncover our mystery critter! We’ll start with a set of animal pictures, ask questions, make observations, and explore their adaptations and lives. We’ll gather clues to solve the mystery through crafts, hands-on activities, and animal encounters.
Ages:
- Program for children ages 3-5 years old.
- One adult must accompany the registered child for the entirety of the program.
- Tag along siblings both older and younger are welcome! Please note: Tag along siblings may not be able to take home crafts depending on our supply.
Location:
- Week 1-5 will be held in the IMAX classrooms at 201 Chestnut Street.
- Week 6 will be held in our River Journey Aquarium building at 1 Broad Street.
Program Time:
- Wednesdays at 10:00-11:00 am ET from March 26 – April 30
- Saturdays at 1:00-2:00 pm ET from March 29 – April 26
Week 1 (March 26 and March 29): Act like a Scientist
Week one will help us learn how to observe, think, and wonder to come up with the right questions. We will get our first look at our critter collection, and through exploration, we will be introduced to animal adaptations. Our day wraps up as we decorate our clue journals!
Week 2 (April 2 and April 5): Exploring Habitats
It is time to start eliminating animals from our critter collection as we learn more about different habitats that our animals call home. We take our first step towards discovering who our mystery critter is through exploration and a craft!
Week 3 (April 9 and April 12): Life Cycles
This week, we take a closer look at the different types of life cycles that animals have. Who hatches from eggs, who goes through metamorphosis, and who looks like their parent when they are young? After hands-on explorations, we will end the day with an encounter with an Ambassador Animal.
Week 4 (April 16 and April 19): How Animals Eat
Animals have adapted to hunt and eat in so many ways! Some rely on sight, while others use their sense of smell and hearing. Some have sharp teeth, long noses, or straw-like mouths to help them dine on the perfect diet. We explore some of these strategies and build bird feeders for you and your sea sprout to take home!
Week 5 (April 23 and April 26): Fur, Feathers, Scales, and Slime
Week five brings us closer to knowing the identity of our mystery animal! Today, we will explore the different body coverings of animals, like scales, fur, feathers, or slime. After exploring, we will eliminate one more animal from our critter collection as we get closer to the answer!
Week 6 (Apr. 30 and May 3): Act Like an Animal
During our final week, we will meet at the River Journey building of the Aquarium to investigate animal behaviors that help keep them safe! Join us as we explore and learn the identity of our mystery critter with one final encounter with an animal that you won’t want to miss!
Registration is open now!
Questions?
Contact Shelley McIntyre by email at summercamp@tnaqua.org or by phone at 423-785-4093.
Sea Sprouts is sponsored by:
