Great Extravaganza Silent Auction
October 28th – November 8th
Though we’ve had to cancel our big annual fundraiser due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, we remain committed to supporting our community and the children who need us most. Now more than ever, your involvement is crucial.
Our silent auction is now live and features a wide array of exciting items, from exclusive experiences to unique treasures, all to support the continued rebuilding efforts for our community. Proceeds will directly fund Great Explorations Children’s Museum’s vital STEAM-based programs, offering hands-on learning experiences for children of all abilities.
By participating, you’re not only bidding on fantastic items, but you’re also contributing to the healing and education of our community’s children. Check out the amazing auction items and place your bids now by clicking here.
Thank you for your generous support! Together, we can empower our littlest explorers and bring joy back into their lives.
Creative Crusts Pizza Coloring Contest
November 1st – 23rd
Join us at Great Explorations Children’s Museum for our Creative Crusts Pizza Coloring Contest, brought to you by Papa Johns! 🍕 Kids are invited to let their imaginations run wild by designing and coloring their dream pizza creation.
Contest Timeline:
November 1–15: Submit your colorful pizza creation at Great Explorations.
November 18–22: Vote for your favorite pizza design online and at the museum.
November 23: Winner selected!
Grand Prize: Free Papa Johns Pizza for a Year!* That’s twelve one-topping pizzas to enjoy! The winning entry will be displayed in the museum and celebrated with a photo of the artist.
How to Enter: Pick up a pizza design sheet at our admissions desk or download it online. After creating your masterpiece, complete the online entry form and bring each submission to the museum in person. Ten finalists will be selected, and voting will kick off on our Facebook page on November 18th. The Creative Crust with the most votes wins free Pizza for a year!
Don’t miss out on the chance to bring your pizza dreams to life and win an entire year of delicious Papa John’s Pizza!
November Monthly Reciprocal
Tampa Bay History Center
🏴☠️ Ahoy, mateys! Set sail on an adventure through Tampa’s past with FREE entry to the Tampa Bay History Center all month long! 🦜⚓️
Enjoy this treasure of a museum with your Great Ex membership—don’t miss out on the fun, savvy?
Check out our membership page for more info.
Great Connections: A Free Program for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum or with Sensory Processing Differences
November 9th & November 10th
Join Us for November’s Great Connections!
This monthly program is designed for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing differences, and their families. 💙
This month’s theme is Goodnight, Morris! ⭐🌙 Join us for cozy activities and a couple of bedtime stories! We’ll also have a “cool down” room available for anyone who needs to take a quiet break.
We’re excited to welcome art therapist Amanda Shaw, MA, LMHC, ATR, who will lead a collaborative art therapy exercise. No artistic skills are required—just come ready to explore, relax, and reconnect.
Best of all? This program is FREE and sensory-friendly, thanks to the support of Guardian Trust and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Parents Night Out
November 8th, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Calling All Parents! 🎉
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: November 8th (Register by November 6th)
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 won’t forget! ✨
Learn more here!
November Special
November 1st – 30th
This month, we’re offering 25% OFF Bento Boxes! 🎉
These bento boxes are perfect for packing healthy, organized meals with a fun twist—and they make a fantastic holiday gift with the season just around the corner! 🎁✨
Don’t miss out on this amazing deal! Visit the Great Ex Eshop or stop by the museum in person to grab yours today. And remember, use promo code: NOV2024CART at checkout to save!

We Are St. Pete Spirit Week
November 4th – November 10th
🎉 In honor of St. Petersburg’s hardworking city employees, Great Explorations Children’s Museum is offering an exclusive BOGO admission for all city employees and their families! 🎟️
🗓️ When: November 4 – 10, 2024
🎟️ How: Show proof of employment at entry
Bring your loved ones, explore, play, and celebrate all that you do for our community. 💙 Thank you for keeping St. Pete running strong!
Planetarium Monday
1st Monday of Every Month
Attention space explorers 🪐
Great Explorations will now have Planetarium Mondays on the first Monday of every month!
With new topics every month and 3 scheduled programs throughout the day, there’s no limit to what we can explore!
Learn more here!
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 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.