The Whaling Museum in Cold Spring Harbor is offering Deep Sea Adventure as well as Monster Mayhem for children and adults to take a technology-enhanced journey into one of the region’s biggest attractions: the sea.
Founded in 1936 to shine a spotlight on the whaling industry’s contributions to early Long Island, the museum uses technology to make even the youngest visitors eager to explore.
Both programs run until the end of March. Deep Sea Adventure will cost $10 besides the price of admission, while the scavenger hunt is free with admission.
According to Assistant Director Cristina Ainslie, those embarking on Deep Sea Adventure can expect to deep dive into the “unknown of the abyss of the sea” with help from their smartphones.
“You’re discovering otherworldly organisms that dwell in the ocean depths, and it’s a self-guided activity,” Ainslie said in an interview with South Shore Press. “You receive an activity book of black light to hunt for clues and solve puzzles throughout the museum. There’s little QR codes, and once they find the clue, they scan the QR code.”
Describing the entire experience as “a lot of fun,” she explained that kids delight in shining the black light on various clues.
Besides gathering clues, participants will hear stories about ocean life and learn along the way. The destination in this game for all who finish is a treasure chest of prizes that opens when the last clue completes a secret code, Ainslie said. Awaiting those who have journeyed this far is a kit to create their own jellyfish.
Also self-guided is the Monster Mayhem Scavenger Hunt, which inspires participants to look for monster artifacts hidden throughout the museum. The hunt for 10 items will take participants through different areas of the museum, enabling them to experience galleries where they’ll discover whale bones, scrimshaw artwork made by whalers, the museum’s prize exhibit—a fully equipped whaling boat—and more.
“So, they really get a good understanding of the museum and what we have to offer, all while having fun looking for those artifacts,” she said, noting how it also ties in with the museum’s current Monsters and Mermaids theme. Free with admission, this activity includes a finger puppet monster presented at the end of the hunt, said Ainslie.
Both Monster Mayhem and Deep Sea Explorers take place Thursday through Sunday during gallery hours from 11 to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the museum's website. The gallery is located at 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor.