Near the beaches of St. Petersburg, Great Explorations Children’s Museum is a “hands-on learning environment” where kids can play, create, and pretend while enjoying time with their families. The museum is essentially one room with different stations around a central playground. The playground is, of course, water and beach themed with surf boards to climb on and mangrove roots to navigate through.
On the outskirts of the room are 11 different exhibits. Each exhibit allows children to learn through play in different ways.
1. Great Beginnings
This is the designated baby/toddler area of the museum. Not that younger kids can’t appreciate other areas as well, but Great Beginnings is specifically designed for them. I didn’t see any small toys or pieces and, there was plenty of padding and areas safe for barefoot children to play. The major feature of this area is a large “sand pit” where children can dig and play with beach toys.
2. Live On Air
In a miniature TV studio, kids can stand in front of a green screen to give the weather forecast. Monitors facing both into and outside the studio finish the shot with actual weather maps and images. Make sure you don’t wear a green shirt! 🙂
3. Explorations Theater
In this theater, kids can don costumes and put on their own impromptu productions.
4. My First Market
Sponsored by Publix, this exhibit is my favorite of the museum! Not because I think it’s the most educational, it’s just adorable!! It’s an entire tiny Publix, complete with bakery section, produce, cash registers, and even a portrait of Publix founder, George W. Jenkins. My kids loved this area! They made several rounds filling their carts, taking them to the register, and then putting away the food – and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed grocery shopping so much!
5. Pet Vet
In this area, kids can pick out a stuffed pet and give it a “checkup.” There are written explanations and instructions for each station, including grooming, a laboratory, and a weigh station. Of course, there are veterinary smocks available to keep things sanitary! 😉
6. My Checkup
Similar to the Pet Vet exhibit, in this area kids can turn into either doctors or patients. There are real x-ray films to examine, a check-in area, and a larger-than-life Operation board game. My kids loved playing with a large wall display showing different foods and where they come from. Do I understand why that particular display was in the doctor exhibit? I do not, but my toddlers enjoyed it just the same.
7. Build-It
In the front center of the room, there are several tables filled with different kinds of building materials. Kids can fashion all sorts of creations at these tables.
8. Imagination Playground
Immediately next to Build-It is Imagination Playground. Here kids can use large, foam blocks to create their own castles, forts, or any other structure they imagine!
9. BellaBrava Pizza Kitchen
In this play kitchen, kids can create their own pizza masterpiece! With cloth “ingredients,” kids can grab a crust, pick their toppings, and design their pie. Once their pizza is complete, they can take it over the “oven” and pack it up for a to-go order! My kids loved this exhibit though they did have a hard time identifying some of the ingredients.
10. Express Yourself Art Studio
My kids aren’t really into crafts, so we didn’t enter this exhibit. From what I can tell, there are a lot of different kinds of mediums, such as clay and magnets, that kids can use to build various sculptures.
11. Engine Company 15 Fire House
In this area, kids learn about fire safety by exploring a kid-sized engine and fire house. Kids can dress up like a firefighter, slide down the pole, and “drive” the engine. My kids loved crawling into the truck and watching footage of fire engines driving around streets.
While my kids didn’t love every single exhibit at this museum, there was enough variety that they found plenty to keep them busy. Young kids with diverse interests and abilities will be able to find something they love. If you’re visiting the St. Petersburg area or if you live there full-time, I highly recommend this museum for young families.
Contact Information: 1925 4th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida, 33704 (727) 821-8992 https://greatex.org Hours: |
