MarineLab Family Day

Bring the family along for some friendly competition and spirited science at this months Family Day!

You'll have the opportunity to compete as a group against other families or see how you stack up against your very own household to gain ultimate bragging rights.

We'll start off by splitting up into stations to collect as many points (and knowledge!) as possible. Choose between plankton races, giant guess who, coral ecology, and a scavenger hunt in our lagoon. Then, once the competitive juices are flowing, we'll reconvene for a final group game of Coral Reef Jeopardy. Afterwards, we'll crown the MarineLab Game Day champions!

Please do not arrive before 12:45!  

1 PM: Arrive and check in

1:15 - 2 PM: MarineLab instructors will review proper use of snorkel equipment as well as safety signs and signals.  All participants will be outfitted with snorkel gear - we have plenty for all but feel free to bring your own, if you prefer.  All participants will also need to take a simple swim test.

2 PM - 4 PM: Earn points at our different stations - 

Giant Guess Who - MarineLab's take on the classic game of Guess Who. But, we've blown it up for more fun! And, of course, made it coral reef themed. See if you can narrow it down to the correct reef species to earn points for you team! Bonus points if you can tell us what its role is in the reef ecosystem.

Plankton Racing - Check out some live plankton under the microscope and maybe even spot plankton from spongebob! Once you've gained inspiration from their bizarre body shapes, see if you can build your very own plankton model to be crowned the slowest sinker. Being a plankton may turn out to be harder than it looks!

Coral Succession Game - The classic coral vs algae match up. See how coral reefs can change over time as a result of human and natural influences. Try not to let the algae overgrow your reef! More coral = more points.

Lagoon Snorkel Scavenger Hunt - See how many things you can spot while snorkeling the lagoon. Mermaid teacups, feather duster worms, lobsters, Nemo? Or, if you're really good, maybe even a seahorse! Earn points for each item you check off the list.

**sequence of events and lagoon snorkel subject to change due to weather conditions

Admission: There will be a $10 REFUNDABLE deposit for all participants. 

**if the refundable deposit poses a financial burden for your family, please contact our Outreach Coordinator directly to register

Please consider that these are high demand events with waitlists - if you sign up and are no longer able to attend, please reach out to Anne at outreach@marinelab.org in advance so that another family can fill your spot!

Waiver Required! Find the waiver here (If you have already attended a family day in 2025, there is no need to fill out another waiver.)

Age: Open to all ages. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

Snorkel gear: Don’t have your own? We’ve got you covered! We are happy to provide snorkel gear in any size you need.

What to bring: A swimsuit, towel, water bottle, sunscreen, and snorkel gear/wetsuit (if you have it!)

For more information, email our Outreach Coordinator, Anne den Otter, at anne.denotter@marinelab.org