New Year’s at Noon
December 31st
Get ready to sparkle ✨, cheer 🎉, and celebrate 🎊 as we count down to 2026 a little early at New Year’s at Noon at Great Ex on December 31 from 10:30 am to 2 pm! The fun is packed from start to finish. Kids can deck themselves out with party hats 🎩, make magical wish bottles ✨🧪, play tons of games 🎮, and groove their hearts out in our super fun disco glow room 🪩. Morris the Explorasaurus 🦖 will be joining the party too, and he cannot wait to dance 💃🕺 into the new year with everyone.
We will also be serving free Papa Johns pizza 🍕 to all guests while supplies last, and the whole celebration builds up to our big confetti party 🎊 right at noon.
Tickets are available for purchase at the link below!
$12 for members and $18 for non-members. This special event cannot be combined with any discounts.
December Monthly Reciprocal
Tampa Bay History Center, The Florida Holocaust Museum, & Mote Aquarium
🎁 December Reciprocal Fun is Here!
This month, your Great Ex membership unlocks adventure at the Tampa Bay History Center, reflection at The Florida Holocaust Museum, and underwater wonders at Mote Aquarium! 🌊✨
Don’t miss out on a month full of learning, exploring, and unforgettable family moments! 🎄🔍🐠
Planetarium Monday
December 1st
🪐 Attention space explorers! 💫
Our final Planetarium Monday of the year is launching on December 1st!
With fresh topics each month and multiple stellar shows scheduled throughout the day, there’s no limit to what we can discover. Don’t miss your last chance this year to journey through the cosmos with us! 🚀
🎟️ Included with admission.
Wildlife Conservation Day
December 4th
It’s Wildlife Conservation Day at Great Ex!
Join us on Thursday, December 4th, as we reflect, take action, and raise awareness for the amazing creatures that share our planet. 💚 From 11 AM–1 PM, our friends at Heart of the Wild will be visiting with some incredible animal ambassadors!
Come meet them up close, learn how to protect wildlife, and discover how even small changes can make a big difference. Together, we can keep the wild—wild! ✨
Parents Night Out
December 5th
Calling all parents! ❄️✨
Treat yourself to a peaceful evening while your child enjoys a magical night at Great Explorations! With hands-on exhibit fun, games, a cozy movie moment, and dinner included, it’s the perfect seasonal treat for your little one.
And while they’re having a festive adventure, it’s a great chance for you to sneak in some early holiday shopping. 🎁😉
When: December 5th (Register by December 3rd)
Who: Ages 4–9 (Must be in VPK–5th Grade)
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 won’t forget! ✨
Flamingo Festival – CLOSED
December 7th
Please Note: We Will Be Closed on Sunday, December 7
Our neighbors at Sunken Gardens are hosting their annual Flamingo Festival on Sunday, December 7, from 10 AM–4:30 PM. Celebrate all things flamingo 🦩 with live music, kids’ activities, tasty food, and festive beverages—including their signature “flamosas.” Guests wearing pink even receive $1 off admission! 💗
We’ll be closed that day to support the festivities next door and encourage you to join in the fun! 🎉
Lillaquin’s Winter Groove Fest
December 13th
Join us on Saturday, December 13th, for a magical day of music, movement, and creativity at Great Explorations! 🎶✨ From 11 AM to 2 PM, we’re thrilled to welcome Lillaquin from Planet Peek-A-Boo 🌈 for an exciting day filled with fun activities for the whole family.
Enjoy a special Winter Groove ❄️ on the sock rink 🧦⛸️, where you can dance and slide to festive tunes, explore winter-themed activity tables throughout the museum, and join in on lively dance parties 🪩 that will keep everyone moving and smiling 😄. It’s going to be a truly enchanting day of imagination and play ✨🎨, so come ready to groove, create, and celebrate with us! 🎉
Learn more here! 🩷
Great Connections: A Free Program for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum or with Sensory Processing Differences
December 14th
❄️ Great Connections: Winter Wonderland ❄️
December 14 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Join us for a magical morning of seasonal fun at Great Connections: Winter Wonderland! Families are invited to enjoy a welcoming, sensory-friendly environment filled with winter cheer.
Slip, slide, and giggle on our Polar Playground sock-skating rink, and a dedicated cool-down room will be available for anyone who needs a quiet break.
Whether your family is exploring, creating, moving, or simply soaking in the winter spirit, this relaxed, inclusive morning is all about connecting and celebrating together. Bundle up in your coziest socks and step into the wonder! We can’t wait to see you there! ❄️✨
A heartfelt thank you to Guardian Trust, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, and the Pinellas Community Foundation for their generous support in making this special gathering possible. 💜
Holiday Membership Sale
November 28th – December 12th
🎁 It’s the most wonderful deal of the year! 🎁
From November 28th – December 12th, all Basic Level Memberships are 30% off! No discount code needed, just visit our membership page, starting 11/28, and the discount will magically appear ✨
Whether you’re renewing your own or gifting the joy of play, a Great Explorations membership unlocks a year of adventure. Plus, monthly reciprocities with favorites like the Dali Museum, The Ringling, The Florida Aquarium, and many more! 🌊🎨
Members also get free admission to our BIG 4 annual events:
🧁 Morris’ Birthday
🧪 Mess-plorations
👻 Eeks-plorations
Don’t miss out! Snag your discounted membership and make the holidays extra exploratory! 🎄
December Cart Sale
December 1st – December 31st
🎶 Musical Farm Band is 20% Off All December!
Kick off the winter fun with this adorable Mega Bloks set—perfect for little hands and big imaginations. Stop by Great Explorations this month and grab one while supplies last!
Holiday Plushie Sale
December 1st – December 31st
Snuggle season is HERE, and our cutest holiday & winter-themed plushies just got even better! 🎁✨
From December 1st to December 31st, enjoy $10 off — that means each festive friend is only $15 + tax! 🎄❤️
Stock up for gifts, stocking stuffers, or your own cozy collection. These plushies won’t last long! ⛄🧸
Grab yours while they’re still jingling! 🔔✨
Explorers’ Circle
Giving Program
Join the Explorers’ Circle today by pledging an ongoing monthly donation to Great Explorations Children’s Museum!
Donations like these help give students and families access to a world of creativity and knowledge.
