Surviving the Aquarium Tantrum. A Day Out with My One and Two-Year-Old

Taking young kids on an outing can be both an exciting adventure and a bit of a gamble. You prepare for the day with high hopes, pack everything you might need like snacks, nappies and extra clothes, and set out, ready for some fun. But somewhere in the back of your mind, you know that no matter how perfect the experience is, there’s always a chance of things taking a turn, especially when it’s time to leave.

Recently, I took my one-year-old and two-year-old to the aquarium. It was everything I hoped it would be. They were in awe of the fish, pointing excitedly at the jellyfish and pressing their little faces against the glass as sharks swam by. It was a day filled with excitement, discovery, and smiles. I loved watching their eyes light up with wonder, as they explored a new part of the world for the very first time.

But, as any parent knows, the magic of the day doesn’t always carry over into the end of the trip. When it was time to go, the dream-like adventure turned into a meltdown so loud it stopped people in their tracks.

The Fun Part: Aquarium Adventures

Let’s start with the good stuff. The aquarium is honestly a magical place for young kids. As soon as we walked in, my two-year-old’s eyes widened with excitement. The dim lighting, bright coloured spotlights, the colourful fish swimming all around. It’s sensory overload in the best possible way for toddlers. My one-year-old, strapped in the pram, stared in amazement, either hands outstretched toward the giant tanks or blissfully reclined in all-attention absorbing observation mode.

We slowly made our way through the exhibits, and I got to watch my kids completely absorbed in the experience. They were fascinated by the colourful coral and mesmerised by the jellyfish floating gracefully in their tanks. It was one of those moments when you think, this is why I do these things. Seeing their faces light up with excitement made the planning, the packing, and the trip totally worth it.

But the highlight was the shark tunnel. Walking through the glass tunnel with sharks swimming overhead was almost too much for my two-year-old to handle. Actually, it may have been more impressive to me because as he did sprints up and down, I wanted him to slow just a little so I could take in the amazing sight. He kept pointing up, looking back at me as if to say, Can you believe this, Mama? It was the best part of the day. I remember thinking, we should do this more often.

The Hard Part: Leaving the Magic Behind

The tricky part of any day out with toddlers is knowing that the high of the experience can quickly come crashing down when it’s time to leave. And I knew this, but it didn’t make it any easier when it happened.

We had been at the aquarium for about two hours, and it was time to go. I gave the usual warnings: We’ll have to leave soon... but, of course, that doesn’t always help. As soon as we headed toward the exit, my two-year-old realised that the fun was over. And that’s when the tantrum began.

We’re not talking about a quiet whimper here. It was a full-blown, head-thrown-back, screaming-at-the-top-of-his-lungs tantrum. People actually stopped in their tracks to see what was going on. And I get it, when you see a two-year-old completely losing it in public, it’s hard not to look, but also, come on guys, move along please!

The biggest challenge? Getting him into the pram. He was absolutely not having it. Every time I tried to get him seated, he’d arch his back, flail his arms, and let out a scream that echoed through the aquarium exhibits. I tried to remain calm and patient, but the longer it went on, the more exhausted and hopeless I felt. I tried being gentle, I tried being firm, I tried bribery, I tried promises, I tried everything. In the end, what is the best way to deal with toddler tantrums? In that moment for me, it was about waiting, somehow controlling it, enduring it, and simply getting through until I managed to calm my boy down.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to wrangle him into the pram. But by then, I was exhausted, embarrassed, and more than ready to be home. It’s the kind of moment that can really take the shine off the entire day.

Why It’s Still Worth It

Here’s the thing: as hard as those moments are, they don’t erase the fun and joy we had earlier. The tantrum was intense, yes, but when I looked back at the day, I realised that for most of it, we had an incredible time. My kids loved the aquarium. They got to explore, learn, and see things they wouldn’t see on a regular day at home.

It’s easy to let the difficult moments overshadow the good ones, but I remind myself that they still had the best day. The tantrum was just my toddlers way of processing the fact that something amazing had to come to an end. They’re still learning how to manage their emotions, and when you’re two, leaving the aquarium is like having your little world collapse for a moment.

Pushing Through the Challenges

I must confess, a significant part of me avoids big outings due to the fear of tantrums and challenges. What I’ve learned from experiences like this is that you can’t let the fear of a meltdown keep you from going out and doing fun things with your kids. Yes, it’s hard sometimes. You know that there will be challenges, whether it’s a tantrum, a refusal to get in the pram, a car ride with tears and screams, or a struggle over lunch. But staying at home all the time doesn’t teach them how to navigate the world outside.

The best way to help them get used to being out and about is to just go for it. The more you expose them to these situations, the more they’ll learn how to handle transitions and emotional ups and downs. They’ll learn that fun outings do come to an end, but it doesn’t mean the fun won’t happen again.

It’s All Part of the Process

For me, the key is to focus on the good moments and not let the tough ones take over. Yes, the tantrum at the end was a struggle (and the car ride home wasn't much better), but the time we spent exploring the aquarium was magical. And the more we do it, the better they’ll get at managing those transitions.

So, to all the parents out there, I say: don’t be afraid to take your kids out on adventures, even when you know there might be challenges along the way. The joy they experience is worth it, and it’s all part of the process of helping them grow.

At the end of the day, they had fun, they learned something new, and they’ll remember the experience long after the tantrum has passed. Overall, I might have enjoyed it even more than they did, as I got to watch them and cherish those small moments of wonder that make it all worthwhile.