Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead runs week-long themed programs from late June through mid-August for children ages 6 to 16. Each week covers a different topic and is matched to a specific age group. Most programs include a ride on the aquarium's Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat along the Peconic River.
Ahoy Pirates! · Ages 6–8
July 6–10
A pirate-themed week with activities built around animals that pirates historically kept as companions. Kids search for gems and jewels and take a boat ride on the Peconic River.
Wild Wings! · Ages 6–8
July 13–17
Kids explore animals that fly and swim, from bugs to sea creatures. They meet a penguin and an owl, visit the bug lab, and learn about pollinators and what attracts butterflies.
Catch Some Rays · Ages 6–8
July 20–24
This week focuses on stingrays and sharks. Kids feed stingrays, play Shark Jeopardy, and learn about the life cycles of rays and sharks.
'Lil Naturalists · Ages 6–8
July 27–31
This nature week explores Long Island's freshwater, saltwater, and land habitats. Kids meet animals from the aquarium's Critter Cart.
Investi-gators · Ages 6–8
June 29–July 3 and August 3–7
During this detective-themed week, kids solve animal myths, mysteries, and puzzles. They meet reptiles, visit the butterfly habitat, and have a hands-on bug encounter.
Shark Week · Ages 9–11
June 29–July 3 and July 27–31
This week is all about sharks, including their adaptations, diet, and habitat. Kids watch a shark dissection, feed stingrays, and snorkel with bamboo sharks, rays, and tropical fish in the Shark Reef Lagoon.
Zoology 101 · Ages 9–11
July 20–24
This week offers a broad look at the animal kingdom, including how animals are grouped, how they feed, and how they adapt to their environments. Activities include snorkeling at the Shark Reef Lagoon and seining for fish on the Peconic River.
Animal Super Heroes · Ages 9–11
August 3–7
This week focuses on animals with extraordinary abilities such as camouflage, venom, and armor. Kids visit the Insect Lab and Preservatory, meet a penguin and an owl, snorkel in the Shark Reef Lagoon, and collect specimens during the boat trip.
Sea Lion Scouts · Ages 10–12
July 6–10
Kids learn what marine mammal trainers do. They make enrichment toys for the fishing cat, attend a private seal feeding, take a sea lion selfie, and join a training session with an animal ambassador.
Adventurers · Ages 12–14
July 13–17
This week is all about adventure. Kids kayak on the Peconic River, climb the rock wall, scale the 60-foot Eye Opener, snorkel with sharks and rays in the Shark Reef Lagoon, and finish the week with a dive into the 120,000-gallon shark habitat.
Junior Aquarist · Ages 14–16
August 10–14
Teens spend the week with the aquarium's fish department, learning about coral propagation, fish breeding, and tank maintenance. They also go on an off-site collecting trip to seine for specimens and set up their own aquarium.
Programs for ages 6–8 cost $395 per week. Shark Week and Sea Lion Scouts cost $425. Zoology 101 and Animal Super Heroes cost $400. Adventurers costs $500, and Junior Aquarist costs $510. All programs run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.