Marine Environmental Education for Early Childhood at L’Aquàrium Barcelona

A meeting with the sea that combines play, discovery, and emotion.

Learning comes naturally when you connect with the sea.

A programme designed to bring marine environmental education into the classroom through a direct experience with Barcelona’s marine environment, encouraging sensory learning.

Discover our activities

Educational visits can be conducted in several languages depending on availability, mainly in Catalan or Spanish.

What early childhood students learn during the school visit

A first contact with marine ecosystems

Marine environmental education aims to stimulate children’s natural curiosity.

This educational approach introduces young learners to the marine environment through exploration, observation and scientific play.

During their experience at L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, pupils learn to observe the marine environment with curiosity, interpret what they discover and connect it to situations in their everyday lives.

Experimental educational activities for early childhood

Sensory and participatory workshops

Stories, songs, observation, experimentation and emotion. These are the key ingredients of scientific workshops specially designed for Early Childhood Education.

The workshop ends with a moment in which children share their emotions and experiences.

All experimental educational activities include free access to the different exhibitions at L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, as well as access to the panoramic terrace with its children’s playground.

Workshop “STARS AND THE SEA”

How many arms do starfish have? Where is their mouth? Can they move? Let’s find out!

A short story and a song invite children to discover starfish and their relatives. Children will observe these marine invertebrates directly, sparking curiosity and questions.

Capacity : 30 students per educator 
Duration : 45 minutes
Price : 13 € per student (workshop + free admission to all exhibition areas )

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Educational materials to complement the visit:

First notions of marine animals

Workshop “SHARK FIN”

What are sharks like? What do they eat? How are they born? Let’s discover!

By following clues left by sharks at L’Aquàrium Barcelona, children become researchers, learning through observation and handling biological materials.

Capacity : 30 students per educator 
Duration : 45 minutes
Price : 13 € per student (workshop + free admission to all exhibition areas )

Children explore sensory and visual materials during a hands-on activity about the marine environment.
Children observe marine species during a guided classroom experience that lets them discover the textures and features of marine animals.

Sensory learning and guided observation

Workshop “PENGUIN FOOTPRINT”

How do penguins live? What do they eat? How do they reproduce? Let’s explore!

By following penguin footprints, children solve mysteries through research and experimentation.

Capacity : 30 students per educator 
Duration : 45 minutes
Price : 13 € per student (workshop + free admission to all exhibition areas )

Children look at an illustrated panel of different penguin species and compare their sizes and features.
An introduction to species diversity for children through comparative illustrations showing the sizes and features of different penguins.

Participatory dynamics

Workshop “THE DANCE OF SEAHORSES”

How do seahorses dance? How do they interact with the world around them? 

Through dance, we will explore water as a medium, the different shapes a fish’s body can take, and its locomotion system.
We invite children to explore movement with their own bodies through a short choreography built from their experience.

Capacity : 30 students per educator 
Duration : 45 minutes
Price : 13 € per student (workshop + free admission to all exhibition areas )

Close-up of a yellow seahorse against a marine backdrop with red corals, seen in its natural habitat.
Observing marine species and their environment to learn about their movements.

Educational materials to complement the visit:

Story comprehension and body expression

Workshop: “JELLYFISH: THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE SEA”

What are jellyfish like? Do they have a skeleton? Let’s learn about them!

The calm, mesmerizing movement of jellyfish invites children to explore the fascinating world of these enigmatic animals. Throughout the workshop, they discover the main characteristics of these invertebrates and learn about some of their surprising relatives.

Capacity: 30 students per educator
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: €13 per student (workshop + free admission to all areas)

Recreación artística de una medusa que permite a los niños y niñas experimentar el movimiento de estos animales.

Connection with nature.

Educational materials to complement the visit:

Interactive scientific theatre

Stories of the sea to better understand the marine environment

Early Childhood Education students dive into a marine world full of surprises. In addition, Dr Pandora, the clownfish Evaristo and other characters bring them closer to life in the ocean in a clear, engaging and highly entertaining way.

 Theater “JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF MARMARÁ“

Mariel has lost her imaginary fish, Marmará, and sets out to find it across all the seas of the world. During this journey, she experiences exciting adventures and discovers what life is like under the sea. Will she find Marmará? Adventure and emotion guaranteed!

Black-light scene with fluorescent marine-themed props designed to spark children’s curiosity.
An actress interacts with a glowing fish in a black-light science-theatre activity that blends fantasy, science and ocean creatures.

By participating in this activity, children observe living beings in an imaginary environment, helping them identify their characteristics and adaptations to the environment.

A wonderful setting to raise awareness about respecting nature and its conservation.

Capacity: min. 30 – max. 50 students per time slot
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 14,50 € per student  (theatre + guided visit + free admission to all exhibition areas )Duración: 2 horas

* Black light theatre * The theatrical performance is in Catalan

* If you enjoyed our video, please give it a “like” on YouTube. Thank you.

Discovering marine species through storytelling. Emotional connection

Theater “ALL THE COLOURS!”

Evaristo, a tropical clownfish, has gotten lost and ended up in the Mediterranean Sea. How can he return to his home? How will he find his anemone again?

With the help of the students and the fish of the sea, he will surely succeed

Through the activity, children will identify characteristics of fish such as colors and relate them to their environment.

By participating and enjoying the experience, awareness of respect and conservation of the natural environment is also reinforced.

Capacity: min. 30 – max. 50 students per time slot
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 14,50 € per student  (theatre + guided visit + free admission to all exhibition areas )

La representación teatral se realiza en catalán

Introduction to marine biodiversity. Cultural awareness and expression

Theater “THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING SHARK”

Jordi, the largest shark at L’Aquàrium, has disappeared. Dr. Pandora, with the help of her friends from the depths of the sea, will try to find him. Will they succeed?

During the activity, children will discover different characteristics and adaptations of animals that live in the depths of the sea, by following the clues Dr. Pandora uses to find the missing shark.

Capacity: min. 30 – max. 50 students per time slot
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 14,50 € per student  (theatre + guided visit + free admission to all exhibition areas )Duración: 2 horas

* The theatrical performance is in Catalan

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Introduction to marine biodiversity. Cultural awareness and expression

Educational materials to complement the visit:

School visits for Early Childhood Education

School visit with a route designed to discover the diversity of marine ecosystems

By fostering scientific curiosity and the discovery of marine biodiversity, this route allows pupils to explore:

  • The 33 Mediterranean and tropical aquariums
  • The large Oceanarium
  • The Planeta Aqua room and the Mangrove Forest
  • The interactive spaces
  • The panoramic terrace with a children’s playground
GUIDED SCHOOL VISIT

A walk to discover what life is like on the seabed, guided by an educator from L’Aquàrium de Barcelona.

Throughout the main exhibition route, pupils observe, discover and understand the marine world in a fun and engaging way. Questions, anecdotes and curiosities will spark their interest and help them understand the importance of respecting and conserving the natural environment.

Capacity: 30 students per educator
Duration: 1 hour
Price: €13.50 per student (guided visit through the main exhibition + free access to all other areas)

* If you enjoyed our video, please give it a “like” on YouTube. Thank you.

Guided observation with scientific learning

SELF-GUIDED SCHOOL VISIT

Scientific exploration of the marine ecosystem: 600 species, 11,000 organisms. 

This type of visit allows students to explore the exhibition areas of L’Aquàrium de Barcelona guided by their own school educator. It includes a visit to the main exhibition with the 33 Mediterranean and tropical aquariums and the large Oceanarium, as well as the rest of the spaces and the panoramic terrace with a children’s playground. 

Capacity: 100 students per time slot
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: €11,90 per student (self guided visit through the main exhibition + free access to all other areas)

Consult the L’Aquàrium de Barcelona species guide to learn more about the marine diversity you will encounter during your visit. 

If you enjoyed our video, please give it a “like” on YouTube. Thank you.

Independent exploration adapted to the group’s pace

Educational materials to complement the visit:

Learning about the sea through play and experimentation

Sensory experiences that connect emotion and learning

Our activities turn your school visit into a learning experience, where play and observation become essential tools.

In addition, our programmes connect with the classroom before, during and after the visit, reinforcing pedagogical continuity.

Early experiences with the sea can shape the way children understand nature in the future.

Key educational principles of the school visit for Early Childhood Education
  • Activity aligned with the Early Childhood Education curriculum
  • Direct observation of marine species and ecosystems
  • Development of language and oral expression
  • First concepts of marine biodiversity
  • Promotion of attitudes of respect for and care of the marine environment
  • Guidance by specialised educators

What skills are developed in Early Childhood Education students

Key learning outcomes through marine exploration

The school visit supports the holistic development of pupils through hands-on experiences connected to the marine environment.

  • Autonomy and emotional awareness
  • Social interaction and cooperation
  • Observation skills and scientific curiosity
  • Language and oral communication
  • Creativity and artistic expression

Marine environmental education content in Early Childhood Education

First steps towards understanding and caring for the marine ecosystem

Programmes designed to bring marine biodiversity closer to Early Childhood Education pupils through sensory experiences, storytelling and direct observation.

View program content

Communication development

  • Use and respect of turn-taking
  • Listening comprehension
  • Developing attention to and understanding of stories and theatrical performances
  • Body expression

Discovery of the natural world

  • Diversity of marine species
  • What they are like, how they feed, and how they live

Environmental awareness

  • Importance of caring for marine ecosystems
  • Threats affecting species and habitats

How to book

For availability and reservations:

Complete your visit with interactive areas

A spectacular circular room with distinct habitats housing penguins, piranhas, jellyfish, rays, and more, along with interactive areas

An interactive experience where students become ocean protectors, helping keep it free from waste and pollution to protect marine species

A new digital space where students discover different ecosystems, located among trees that connect land and sea

Explore activities for other educational levels:

Learn more about L’Aquàrium de Barcelona: