Technically, visiting the Little Blue Penguins is not part of the Christmas Celebration but they are utterly delightful. Letters placed in the mailbox in the Ocean Realm prior to December 22 will get a special message from Scuba Santa (just make sure to include a parent’s email address).

If you are encouraging your child to write, they can pen a letter to Scuba Santa and place in the special mailbox that will deliver letters to him.

At the end of the story, the Aquarium snows which helps add to the magic! In 2017, there is a NEW Elf Story time which is located at the Shark Den by the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree. My son loved the props and afterwards had plenty of questions for the Elf which he patiently answered. There are a few times a day that children are read the tale of Scuba Santa and also learn how they can help take care of the planet. Right outside the Ocean Realm, the Shark Touch Tank and the Ray Touch Tank, is a special story time led by one of Scuba Santa’s elves. An Elf talks about the skills needed to help Santa and afterwards every member in the audience can take photos with Santa or his Elves swimming. We waited ten minutes before the show to get a seat which I don’t recommend since we grabbed the last seats. Later in the day, we caught the “I Believe in Scuba Santa” show in the Ocean Realm Theater show. It was a spectacular interaction as he indicated to take photos as Hammerhead sharks swam by him. We arrived early so we took several photos at a relaxed pace with no individuals photo bombing. Mommy University Presents Must Do Experiences at Adventure Aquarium Engage with Scuba Diving SantaĮveryone knows that Santa can maneuver a sleigh but did you know that he can scuba dive? In fact, we found Scuba Santa hanging out in the Ocean Realm with several elves prior to the “I Believe in Scuba Santa” show. The various festive touches in the aquarium inspired us to get excited for Christmas. Throughout the different spaces you will be greeted with white trees decorated in blue ornaments. I have heard whispers of how cool the aquarium is at this time of the year but nothing prepared us for how much fun the activities were going to be. Prior to the close of our membership to Adventure Aquarium, visiting the Christmas Celebration was a mandatory requirement. Children are having fun as they are engaged in a multi-sensory experience. It boasts a Shark Bridge, Nile hippos (Button and Genny), and the learning through play space The Kidzone. Holiday celebrations in the state of New Jersey are diverse! Holiday trains, choreographed holiday light displays, or the story time at the zoo, there are so many different options including the Annual Christmas Celebration at Adventure Aquarium which has been renamed Christmas Underwater in 2017! Located in Camden, this space is 200,000 square feet making it perfect for brain boosting fun throughout the entire year. Make a weekend of it: We decided to go on a random weekday but if we had planned it better (a girl can dream, right?!), I would've liked to head into Philadelphia for dinner afterwards, stay overnight, and then head to the Please Touch Museum the next morning after a fun breakfast.Santa swims with the sharks… Updated for 2017! It's fast food (burgers, fries, chicken fingers, root beer floats) and super fun! Make a day of it: We stopped at Weber's Drive-In ( 105 S White Horse Pike, Stratford NJ) on the way home and the boys thought it was so cool to have them hook the tray on the window and be served in the car. Don't miss the 'shark bridge,' a little walkway that goes over the shark tank! Stingrays, turtles, frogs, reef fish, a little outdoor playground, and more. There are also scheduled feedings for penguins and sharks. What to see: Touch tanks - lots of them! The hippos are must-see and check the website before you go to try to make it to one of the many daily hippo feedings. Consider bringing a change of clothes for any children who, like mine, get a little overzealous around touch tanks and end up with soaking wet shirts. You can also bring in water bottles and strollers. What to bring: They have a nice cafe with options for everyone but we always pack a lunch for ourselves. It was no problem finding a spot and $10 for the day!

Parking: There are multiple large parking lots right next to the facility. At the box office, add $2 per ticket! I'm fairly certain the prices are pretty equal once you factor in online fees but you can also beat the ticket line by buying online before you go so, to me, still worth it! Price: $29.99/adult (ages 13+) and $21.99/child (ages 2-12) if you buy online before you go. Location: 1 Riverside Dr, Camden NJ (about a 1.5 hour drive for us from Summit)

Adventure aquarium shark bridge