Santa Monica Pier Aquarium555

Built underneath the Santa Monica Pier for the purpose of research and education, the Santa Monica Pier 'Heal the Bay' Aquarium (formerly the UCLA Ocean Discovery Center) features interactive displays, touch tanks filled with animals found in tide pools, and other small aquaria exhibits. Delightful for any age, this aquarium is especially perfect for young children, who can run and touch freely around its manageably-sized galleries.

A comfortable, inviting Kid's Corner offers interactive space full of books, a puppet theater, games, crafts, and puzzles centered around a marine theme. The interesting tanks in this section include the home of the aquarium's famous, escape-artist octopus.

Families can also learn about marine conservation and other environmental issues by watching the short educational films shown throughout the day in the Santa Monica Bay Room. Craft projects for a range of age groups are ongoing as well. Another advantage for families with small kids: this is a fairly small aquarium, where one would be hard pressed to lose anyone. It's the perfect size to spend an hour or two at a leisurely pace.

Birthday parties here let the kids explore the wonders of ocean animals living in the Santa Monica Bay, with touch tanks, movies, activity tables, and a computer and microscope lab all available for use during a party. Volunteer educators lead fun educational activities, too. Call for pricing and to schedule.

Classes are wonderful and affordable - particularly the Microbiologist series for three to five-year-olds. These two-hour, drop-off classes have a Reggio style approach and send little tikes home as experts on a different marine topic each time. Registration usually takes place three times per year and costs only $25 per session, or $20 for members.

Teens can enjoy the amazing learning opportunity of becoming a volunteer.

Summer camp is available for grade schoolers, in daily or weekly sessions. Each day focuses on a different marine animal. Heal the Bay members get discounts on camps, classes, and admission.