Polar Pals Play Day
December 20th
đ¨ď¸ Mark your calendars for Polar Pals Play Day at Great Explorations on Friday, December 20th!
Bring the whole family for a day packed with winter-themed fun:
âď¸ Build your own igloo, snow globe, and snowman
âď¸ Join in exciting snowball fights
âď¸ Step inside a giant snow globe
âď¸ Glide across a massive sock skating rink
And donât forget to grab a refreshing shaved ice treat from Kona Ice in the afternoon! Pajamas are encouraged, so come cozy and ready to play.
đď¸ Members get in FREE! All other guests can enjoy this special event for just $18 per person.
Donât miss this frosty, fun-filled day! Get your tickets now and make holiday memories with us here!
New Year’s at Noon
December 31st
Kick off 2025 with a day packed with family fun, highlighted by big confetti cannon explosions as we count down to noon! Kids can unleash their creativity by making their own party hats, noise makers, and wish bottles, then hit the disco dance room to show off their moves. Interactive games like underwater fireworks and Pin the Hand on the Clock will keep everyone entertained. Enjoy pizza courtesy of Papa Johnâs and refreshments.
Tickets are $12 per person for members and $18 per person for non-members. Donât miss this spectacular celebration designed just for kids and familiesâreserve your spot today and make this New Yearâs Eve one to remember, all before bedtime!
December Monthly Reciprocal
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Dive into December with a special treat! đđÂ
Great Explorations members receive free admission to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium all month long! Enjoy amazing underwater discoveries and get up close with sea life. Just show your Great Ex membership for entry.
Donât miss this unique opportunity!Â
Holiday Membership Sale
December 2nd – December 11th
Celebrate the holiday season by giving the gift of play all year long! From December 2âDecember 11, 2024, enjoy $50 off any membership level at Great Explorations Children’s Museum.
Use discount code HOLIDAY24 at checkout to unlock this special deal.
Donât miss this chance to bring joy, learning, and fun to your loved ones all year round.
Offer valid online only from 12/2/24â12/11/24.
Great Connections: A Free Program for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum or with Sensory Processing Differences
December 7th & December 8th
âď¸â¨ Step into a Winter Wonderland at Great Explorations for this month’s Great Connections Sunday event! Join us for a morning designed especially for children on the autism spectrum or with auditory processing differences and their families.Â
Enjoy:
𧌠Sock Skating Rink
đ Nutcracker dance performance from STEPS Dance Academy
đ A cool-down room for whenever you need a break
đŠ Winter-themed dress-up encouraged!
This free program offers sensory-friendly fun and welcoming spaces for all. See you there!Â
Canât make it to Winter Wonderland? Join us Saturday, 12/7, from 9 am – 10 am for our regular Great Connections session.
Special thanks to Guardian Trust and Community Foundation of Tampa Bay for making this event possible.
Giving Back Tuesday
December 3rd
Join us on Tuesday, December 3rd, for “Giving Back Tuesday,” a special day of giving and gratitude hosted by Great Explorations. This year, thanks to the generous support of the TEGNA Foundation, weâre offering a Free Play Day at the museum! Bring your family to explore, play, and enjoy complimentary admission as we celebrate the season of giving.
In the spirit of community, weâre also collecting donations for two local, nonprofit partners through December 13th:
- St. Pete Housing Authority â Help us provide essential personal care and hygiene items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, and feminine care products for families in need.
- Gulf Coast JFCS â Brighten a childâs holiday with gifts such as dolls, bath toys, and books for the children they serve.
Get a detailed list of collection items here!
We warmly invite you to play, give back, and support these important efforts. Letâs make this Giving Tuesday a day to remember!
Parents Night Out
December 6th
Calling All Parents! đ
Enjoy a well-deserved night off while your child has an unforgettable evening at Great Explorations! From exciting exhibit exploration and games to movie time and dinner, your little one is in for a night of fun and adventure.
When: December 6th (Register by December 4th)
Who: Ages 4-9 (Must be in VPK)
Where: Great Explorations, 1925 4th St N, St. Pete
Cost: $40 per child
To secure your spot, contact Emily Barnes at EBarnes@greatex.org.
Make it a night they wonât forget! â¨
December Special
December 1st – December 31st
Our Large Morris Plushie is here to make your holiday season extra cozy! đŚđ
For a limited time, enjoy 25% OFF Large Morris Plushies! The plushies made the perfect holiday gift for the Morris-loving kid (or adult!) in your life đ â¨
đ Shop online at the Great Ex Eshop or visit us at the museum to snag your favorites. Donât forget to use promo code: DEC2024CART at checkout to save!
Nifty Fifty Fundraiser
December 1st – December 14th
đ Give the gift of pizza & play! đ Support Great Explorations Children’s Museum by purchasing a Nifty Fifty Card to Papa John’s Pizza. With the card, youâll get 50% off your entire online-only order for up to 18 orders! đ Perfect as a holiday stocking stuffer and a treat that gives back.
⨠2/3 of the proceeds benefit Great Ex! â¨
To purchase, stop by the Great Ex admission desk or follow this link.
Planetarium Monday
1st Monday of Every Month
Attention space explorers đŞ
Great Explorations will now have Planetarium Mondays on the first Monday of every month!Â
With new topics every month and 3 scheduled programs throughout the day, there’s no limit to what we can explore!
Â
Terrific Tots
Every Tuesday & Thursday Morning, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Terrific Tots is back!
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for a new school year in our Great Beginnings area.
Members get early access at 10:15 am, while non-members can join at 10:30 am. The program runs until 11:00 am and features exciting activities such as read-alouds, sing-alongs, and games.
Terrific Tots is included with the regular cost of admission.
Stick around after Terrific Tots to join us for our exciting new program for kids two and under, Book Babies! We’ll be heading over to Busy Burg for singing, reading, and lots of fun!
Explorers’ Circle
Giving Program
Join the Explorersâ Circle today by pledging an ongoing monthly donation to Great Explorations Childrenâs Museum!
Donations like these help give students and families access to a world of creativity and knowledge.Â
