There’s artistic inspiration everywhere you look at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and their Mason Jar Aquarium activity is the perfect way for little ones to use their creativity and imagination! This adorable afternoon activity is available to anyone, but is geared toward younger kids (age 3-7). To participate, look for the Recreation Team at their table just outside the Big Blue Pool. Note that the activity table is located off the main path and can be a little tough to find. If you’re heading from the Big Blue Pool towards the Cars section, the craft table will be on your right, just behind Bell Services (if you’re familiar with the little office where guests used to check in their bags for airport delivery with Magical Express on departure day - that’s where you’ll find this activity happening).

This activity costs $8 per jar. After you pay, you’ll be given an empty glass mason jar. First, you’ll choose colored pebbles to put in the bottom of your jar. There’s a wide variety of colors available, so they’re sure to have everyone’s favorite color! Next, you’ll choose a plastic plant to add to your jar. Again, they have an assortment of different plants so you can choose your favorite. The last thing you’ll add to your jar is a fish. There are all sorts of plastic creatures to choose from, including seahorses, jellyfish, goldfish, and more. Once you’ve completed your jar, they’ll put the lid on tight - they won’t add any water to the jar now so you can easily pack it, but you’re encouraged to fill it up with water when you get home so your fish can “swim” around inside the jar.

The final step is your aquarium adoption! The Cast Members will add your child’s name to the jar as the owner of the aquarium, and then they’ll ask for the name of your new fish friend. They will fill out an official Certificate of Adoption from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort with your child’s name and the fish’s name. It’s an adorable way to wrap up the activity, and makes for a great keepsake.

The activity only takes about 10 minutes, but it’s really fun for smaller kids. And for only $8, it’s much cheaper than most Disney souvenirs, plus you get the added value of an interactive activity and a personalized, unique aquarium to take home! This is a great activity to do if you need a short break from swimming in The Big Blue Pool. Or if you’re in Epcot or Hollywood Studios for the day and want to take an afternoon break away from the park, you can take a relaxing Skyliner ride to Art of Animation to make your mason jar aquarium, have a snack at Landscape of Flavors or The Drop Off Pool Bar, spend some time playing at the ping pong table, Pixel Play Arcade, or the Righteous Reef Playground, or enjoy any of the other recreation activities offered at the resort.

Mason Jar Aquariums | Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 PM | Outside Animation Hall

*Activity dates and times listed here were accurate at the time this review was published. Resort activities and activity schedules may change month-to-month, so be sure to check the current Art of Animation Recreation Calendar for updated times/dates when making plans to participate.