New Sea Life exhibit is splashy fun for children
Sea Life aquarium’s new Colorado River Adventure is a $1 million nod to the vital river’s ecology. But what kids will remember is that they played in water, got wet and no adult told them not to.
The latest exhibit opened May 19 at the aquarium’s Arizona Mills location in Tempe. The outdoor display is awash in bright shades of blue, a contrast to the cave-like darkness of the aquarium inside. The display, which takes kids on an interactive playground journey along the Colorado River from the Rocky Mountains to the Sea of Cortez, is ideal for toddlers through age 8.
Joanna Hobday, Sea Life and Legoland general manager, said leaders sought an exhibit that would serve as a regional attraction and further the aquarium’s message about the importance of conservation.
“We want all of our guest to think about how we use water, perhaps the environmental footprint we have on the Colorado River,” Hobday said. Kids get the message through play since the river journey “is all about the children controlling the water.”
The Sea Life Aquarium is mesmerizing for all ages but the Colorado River Adventure will delight small children and young learners.
1. Physical fun
While the inside aquarium’s displays and tide pools allow kids to look and touch, the Colorado River Adventure encourages children to get physical. Sometimes kids just need a place to focus their abundant energy. This exhibit provides the opportunity to crank, push, pull, scoop, slide and splash.
2. Water
Well, duh. Of course water is part of an exhibit about a river. It’s just enough water to cool kids off in the heat but not enough that parents have to bring a change of clothes. During the summer, it would be best to hit this exhibit when the aquarium opens at 10 a.m (11 a.m. on Sundays).
3. Colorful fact posters
Some kids collect facts the way others do shiny rocks or Shopkins. Posters around the river exhibit are like a picture book of illustrations and information about the river’s water cycle and animals. Among them, the Colorado River...
once gushed into the Sea of Cortez. Today the river runs short of its natural destination because of overuse.
is known as the “lifeline of the Southwest.”
is the only home to razorback suckerfish, Colorado squawfish and the desert pupfish.
The Colorado River Adventure exhibit is part of Sea Life Arizona. 10 a.m.-6:30 Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe. $18, $13 for ages 3-12, free for age 2 and younger. Discounts available online. visitsealife.com/arizona.
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