Homeschool Programs

Fall Homeschool Day - November 5

Calling all Homeschool Students! Join us for a fun and educational day of learning at the Aquarium during one of our Homeschool Programs. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a living classroom for all learners and offers a unique opportunity to discover the wildlife and ecosystems of the Oregon coast.

See below for details regarding our next two Homeschool Day date and events below.

Join us Thursday, November 5th for a fun and educational day of learning at the Aquarium! We will be hosting several Educational Programs (registration required) for homeschool students throughout the day as well as a variety of open-access activities (no pre-registration required). 

Check back closer to the event for a finalized schedule! Program names and descriptions subject to change. 

What's Happening When?
Time Program Location
10:00am – 5:00pm
Welcome Table
Lobby
10:30am, 11:15am, 12:00pm
Ambassador Animal Care 101*
Classroom
10:30am, 11:15am, 12:00pm
Plankton Investigation*
Gleason
10:30am
Otter Feed
Otter Habitat
10:45am
Storytime
Rocky Coast
11:00am
Pinniped Feeding
Pinniped Habitat
11:30am
Pelican Presentation
Pelican Stage
12:00pm
Ambassador Animal Presentation
Outdoor Amphitheater
1:00pm
Otter Feed
Otter Habitat
1:30pm
Ambassador Animal Presentation
Outdoor Amphitheater
1:30pm, 2:15pm, 3:00pm
Exploring Aquarium Careers*
Classroom
1:30pm, 2:15pm, 3:00pm
Kelp Forest*
Gleason
2:00pm
Aviary Feeding
Seabird Aviary
2:30pm
Pinniped Feeding
Pinniped Habitat
3:00pm
Otter Feeding
Otter Habitat

*registration required

Register for an education program!

Spaces are limited.

Learn more about our available programs!

Ambassador Animal Care 101
Ambassador Animal Care 101

Three 30 minute sessions offered:

  • 10:30am, Gleason Room
  • 11:15am, Gleason Room
  • 12:00pm, Gleason Room

Open to all ages, recommended for Pre-K – 3rd grade

Description coming soon! Title subject to change. 

Plankton Investigation
Plankton Investigation

Three 30 minute sessions offered:

  • 10:30am, Gleason Room
  • 11:15am, Gleason Room
  • 12:00pm, Gleason Room

Open to all ages, recommended for Pre-K – 3rd grade

Discover the world of plankton! Use scientific tools to collect microscopic life from the Yaquina Bay and examine the external structures of plankton. Use scientific reasoning to complete the lifecycle of a local mystery plankton. Make predictions, investigate, and discover! 

So You Want To Be An Aquarist?
So You Want To Be An Aquarist?

Three 30 minute sessions offered:

  • 1:30pm, Gleason Room
  • 11:15am, Gleason Room
  • 12:00pm, Gleason Room

Open to middle and high school students only. 

Description coming soon! Title subject to change. 

Kelp Forest Hide and Seek
Kelp Forest Hide and Seek

Three 30 minute sessions offered:

  • 1:30pm, Gleason Room
  • 11:15am, Gleason Room
  • 12:00pm, Gleason Room

Open to all ages, recommended for K-5

What do otter pups, urchin and kelp have in common? Find out as we investigate one of our ocean’s most diverse habitats – a kelp forest! Study the similarities and differences between each incredible organism that call this place a home. 

Don’t want to register for a program?

No problem!

Don’t want to register for a program? Drop by a keeper talk, animal cart, challenge yourself to become a Jr. Aquarist, or many other non-registration activities throughout the day.

Check out our full schedule of registration and non-registration events above, or check out our Plan Your Visit page for animal feed times and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost for admission to the Aquarium for Homeschool Day?

Yes. General admission is required for all visitors and can be purchased online or at Admissions on arrival. For more details, please visit: aquarium.org/visit/hours/#tickets. There is no additional cost for the Educational Programs available just for Homeschool Day. 

Are there discounts available for admission on Homeschool Day?

Yes! Homeschool families are eligible for the school group rate for admission. To be eligible, you must book your visit as a field trip through our Group Bookings Coordinator (groups@aquarium.org) at least 2 weeks before your visit. November is also the Northwest Attractions Alliance Reciprocal Membership month for the Oregon Coast Aquarium (aquarium.org/support/membership/membership-reciprocity/). For other discounts please visit our discounts page.

What should I do if I need to cancel?

You can cancel through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event. We appreciate you taking the time to cancel so that other families can sign up as space becomes available. Aquarium admission tickets are good for a year from their date of purchase.

How long are the Educational Programs?

All Educational Programs are 30 minutes

 
Where should I go to check-in for my Educational Program?

Please arrive at your check-in location at least 5 minutes prior to the program’s start time. The check-in location can be found in each program’s description and in the full schedule of events.

Who all needs to register for a seat?

To help us manage room capacity, each individual who will be in the room during the class must reserve a seat. This includes the student, guardian, and other siblings.

Can parents/guardians stay to observe their child’s program?

Yes. To help us manage room capacity, each individual who will be in the room during the class must reserve a seat. This includes the student, guardian, and other siblings.

Are any of the programs outside?

While all of the Educational Programs will take place indoors, the Aquarium has both indoor and outdoor areas and activities like Feeding Talks and the Pelican Presentation take place outdoors. Animal Ambassador presentations and Marine Storytime are moved indoors on rainy days. 

Is the Moon Jelly Cafe open on Homeschool Day?

Yes! The Aquarium’s Moon Jelly Cafe and Coffee Shop will both be open on Homeschool Day! For hours and menus, please visit our dining page. 

Still have questions? Contact us at education@aquarium.org.

Spring Homeschool Day - March 4

Not able to join us this March? Our next Homeschool day is March 4, 2027–check back closer to the event date for updates and to register!

Have you heard about our

Homeschool Discount?

Take advantage of our school group discount rate and use the field trip booking form for your next visit!

  • No minimum group size required
  • Includes complementary admission for 1 chaperone for every 5 students
  • Must be booked online at least 2 weeks in advance.