By Gary Symons
TLL Editor-in-Chief
Santa’s Scout Elves are headed underwater this holiday season, with a new Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt at nine Sea Life aquariums in the U.S.
Sea Life and The Lumistella Company, which makes Elf on the Shelf, are launching The Sea Star Search with The Elf on the Shelf, an interactive event included with general admission. The activation is part of a new collaboration between the two companies.
The story is that decorations, including the Christmas Sea Star that goes on top of each aquarium’s Undersea Christmas Tree, have vanished. The Scout Elves have found them, but they need help from young visitors to put them back.
Visitors get an activity sheet and a lanyard when they arrive. Along the trail, they complete challenges at stops tied to individual Scout Elves. Each completed challenge earns a piece of the missing sea star, and visitors assemble a Christmas Sea Star Medallion to take home. Those who finish the trail receive a Christmas Star Certificate.
The underwater trail runs Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, 2027, at Sea Life aquariums in Arizona, Carlsbad, Grapevine, Mall of America, Michigan, New Jersey, Orlando, and San Antonio. Sea Life Charlotte-Concord will host it Dec. 7 through Jan. 3, 2027.
Sea Life is part of Merlin Entertainments, which operates more than 140 sites in 23 countries. Sea Life says it has about 50 aquariums and two sanctuaries worldwide. The Lumistella Company, which also makes Elf Pets and Elf Mates, says it has more than 100 licensees and operates in 36 countries.
More information is available at visitsealife.com.
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