Feed the Sharks at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s Back Stage Feeding Time Program on Dec. 28

Looking for that unique gift idea for a child who loves animals? Or need a fun activity for out-of-town guests during the holiday week?

Send them behind the scenes – and let them feed some of the marine life – of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk!

The Aquarium’s “Feeding Time” program on Wed., Dec. 28 goes “backstage” before the popular family attraction opens for the day. This fun experience gives participants exclusive access to some of their favorite marine animals by letting them join educators and the animal-husbandry staff during morning rounds. Opportunities include:

• Feeling the vacuuming power of rays on your palm as you offer morsels in the Shark & Ray Touch Pool.

• Hand-feeding a horseshoe crab and diamondback terrapin.

• Going above the Aquarium’s 110,000-gallon Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit to watch as Aquarium staff feed the 7-foot sharks prowling just below your feet. Toss in some bonus food for the sharks and the exhibit’s rays and other fish.

• Attending a private seal feeding open only to “Feeding Time” participants.

“Feeding Time” participants get fed too: the program starts at 8 a.m. with a hot breakfast in the Aquarium’s Cascade Café.

“ ‘Feeding Time’ is perfect for anyone who is curious about a career in marine biology or animal husbandry,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. “But it’s also just plain fun for anyone who wants to enhance their experiences here at The Maritime Aquarium beyond a typical visit.”

Children must be at least 5 years old.

Cost is $50 for adults and $25 for ages 5-12 ($45 and $20 for members). Aquarium admission at 10 a.m. is included.

Advance registration is required. Call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206, or register online at www.maritimeaquarium.org (under Public Programs).

The Maritime Aquarium is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate visitors about – and to create stewards for – Long Island Sound.

It accomplishes this by allowing visitors to get close to more than 250 species native to the Sound and its watershed, including sharks, seals, sea turtles, river otters, jellyfish and other animals.

One of the top places for family fun in Connecticut, the Aquarium also features hands-on educational programs and displays, public study cruises out onto the Sound, and Connecticut’s largest IMAX movie theater with a screen that’s six stories high. TripAdvisor.com reviewers rate The Maritime Aquarium as one of the Top 25 aquariums in the U.S. and No. 1 in New England.