Read to Reef
Baltimore-area students in fifth grade or younger with a Pratt Library card can earn free admission to the Aquarium by joining the Read to Reef Book Club, a reading program in partnership with the National Aquarium.
Thanks for Joining Us!
Thanks for participating in the March 2026 Read to Reef Book Club! Check back soon for more information about our next Read to Reef Book Club in October.
How to Participate
During Read to Reef, Baltimore City children in fifth grade and younger can visit any Pratt location and show their library card to get a Read to Reef bookmark. Borrow, read, or listen to someone read any five aquatic- or conservation-themed books and record them on your Read to Reef bookmark or on Beanstack to earn up to six free admission tickets to the National Aquarium.
Reserve Your Tickets
Once you have read and logged five books, you can reserve up to six admission tickets to the National Aquarium. Guests of all ages (including four and under) will need a ticket for admission. Readers have until June 21, 2026, to complete their reading and visit the National Aquarium.
Reserve your tickets at aqua.org/read-tickets, or learn more about Read to Reef and other community programs at aqua.org/read. All guests must reserve their visit date and entry time in advance online using the reservation portal.
To reserve your timed entry slot, use the code printed on the bottom of your Read to Reef bookmark. This code can only be used once to redeem six tickets of admission. Tickets will be delivered digitally, though participants can visit the Information Desk after entering the aquarium to collect a certificate and sticker.
If you do not use all six tickets in your transaction they are forfeited and cannot be used on a separate day.
For more specifics and details, see the Aquarium website.
Please note that Read to Reef bookmarks and corresponding National Aquarium tickets are intended only for Baltimore City students in fifth grade or younger. If you're in possession of a Read to Reef bookmark and can't use it, please give it to a young reader in your life.
Read to Reef Events
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Sharks are not the fearsome eating machines portrayed in movies; they're unique and intelligent animals whose amazing…August 11, 11 AM -
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What’s better than a craft that’s also a snack? Kick off Read to Reef by making your own …October 3, 3 PM
Browse the Catalog
Browse available materials in the Pratt Library catalog.