How to Celebrate Shark Week
Published July 11, 2025
This Shark Week, Wonders of Wildlife invites guests to plunge into the fascinating world of sharks with a weeklong celebration of these awe-inspiring predators. From thrilling underwater encounters to educational experiences, guests of all ages can explore the vital role sharks play in our planet’s ecosystems and why they need our protection now more than ever.
Home to eight different species of sharks, from the large sand tigers to the bite-size epaulettes, Wonders of Wildlife offers a rare opportunity to come face-to-fin with these often-misunderstood creatures. Sharks, along with their close relatives the rays, are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone. These animals are essential to the health of our oceans, acting as apex predators that help maintain balance in marine ecosystems.
With over a tenth of all shark species currently endangered, learning about their behaviors, habitats, and the threats they face is the first step toward ensuring their survival.
Here’s five ways to dive deeper this Shark Week at Wonders of Wildlife:
Dive with Sharks in the Midwest
Step into the deep blue and come face-to-face with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, and Atlantic goliath groupers in our award winning Out to Sea Shark Dive! Inside a secure steel enclosure, guests use state-of-the-art air helmets to explore underwater; no diving certification required!
Included with the experience:
- Towels, wetsuits, and dive helmets
- Commemorative t-shirt
- Underwater camera to take photos during your experience
- One 6″x8″ printed photo and souvenir flash drive with additional photos
Design Your Own FINtastic Snack Board
July 18, 2025 | 6–9 PM
Whether you’re looking for the perfect date night, girls night out, or a new way to kick off Shark Week, our Sharkcuterie event is perfect for an evening of fun. After you learn how to arrange the perfect charcuterie with an expert-eye guiding your hand, you will wood burn your very own charcuterie board to show off your skills at home!
Paint Your Very Own Shark
July 22, 2025 | 6–8 PM
Come celebrate Shark Week with us and create your own jaw-some shark painting in this family-friendly class, designed for ages 8 and up. Our instructor will lead you “fin-by-fin” through this 2-hour class to create a stunning piece of artwork. Be sure to swim by early to grab a seat and refreshments before class begins!
Pet Stingrays — And Feed Them!
Help us feed our sharks’ close cousins, the rays! This interactive experience at the end of your Aquarium Adventure gives you an up-close encounter with several different species of rays, including our extremely social and adorable cownose rays! Make sure to reserve your feeding as an add-on when purchasing tickets online.
Can’t make it to WOW? Here are ways anyone can celebrate from home!
Take some time to enjoy a craft, coloring page, or activity.
Click one of the buttons below to download the PDF for each activity!
Follow us for More
Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes content by following us on social media @wondersofwildlife or visiting our website at wondersofwildlife.org/sharkweek!
Don’t forget to secure your membership! All members receive discounts on activities all week long!
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