Okay, so the kids didn’t really get to play with the penguins or the piranhas (that’s a given!) but they did get to play with a few stingrays and sea urchins.

Before heading over to the luminescent jellies and local octopus, our kids were able to learn more about Utah’s endangered species, wetlands and our state’s important waterways. One of George’s favorite things to do is hop on the boat and take a simulated boat ride (life jacket not required).

After doing the local thing, which doesn’t take long because the kids are anxious to catch sight of the resident octopus and poisonous toads, we find ourselves staring transfixed at the jellyfish who change from neon blue to pink to who knows how many other colors. I could sit there for hours but my kids always have other plans…

From there we make our way to the stingray exhibit, arms outstretched to catch a touch of those silky smooth backs.

I have yet to touch one but my kids have been successful! And while the Sassies were there, Michelle’s little guy was a stingray magnet—those rays hovered, slapped and said hello to him multiple times! Me? I was too busy trying to get Livi’s arm to do the Plastic Man thing and stretch another foot as the rays went by.

Next to the rays is a fun hands-on exhibit with different open cases full of little creatures like non-poke-your-eye-out sea urchins. Wash your hands and you’re off to a little coral reef play area perfect for the little ones. Of course I prefer bypassing that for the large shark tank complete with nurse sharks and sea turtles. Love those sea turtles!

The last of the favorites are found in the rainforest section. George loves looking for the poisonous toads…

…and I love staring at fish larger than Livi. It’s almost unbelievable how big those fish can get! Not far down the path I can hear my girls giggling away and I know they’ve found the electric eel exhibit. Outside the case is a display where you can place your fingers and feel just how shocking those eels can be. It’s a hoot!

The penguin exhibit is awesome—another display where I could sit for hours watching those creatures swim and dive.

Of course my kids are always on the move, and this time we found ourselves enjoying the rainforest presentation. We had never attended one of the Aquarium’s presentations so this was a real treat! We shivered at the scorpions and giant cockroaches, got a little squeamish when the boa came around, and then oohed and aahed over the rainforest birds. Those feathered friends are quite talented!

Though the Living Planet Aquarium isn’t much to look at from the outside, you can find some real treats indoors. Oh, and their cafe is reasonably priced, which I love. It’s a great little family field trip if you need to escape the hot August sun or the frigid January snowfall.

It’s GIVEAWAY time!

Four (4) lucky SassyScoops.com readers are going to win a family 6-pack of passes to The Living Planet Aquarium!

It is easy to enter. Just leave a comment telling us your favorite water-loving creature.

But that’s not all…

You can earn EXTRA entries:

1 entry ~ “Like” The Living Planet Aquarium on Facebook

1 entry ~ Follow The Living Planet Aquarium on Twitter

2 entries ~ Tweet about this giveaway and include a link to your tweet in the comments.

2 entries ~ Facebook about this giveaway and include a link to your update in comments.

5 entries ~ Blog about this giveaway and include a link to your post in comments.

Good luck! This giveaway will end on Friday, September 3rdth at midnight!

P.S. All SassyScoops giveaway winners are notified via direct email.