Great Explorations Children's Museum

The Play List: Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete

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With the big kids back in school, it’s the perfect time to plan a Pinellas County playdate with your toddler at Great Explorations.

Here in Tampa Bay, we’re lucky to have two wonderful children’s museums within reach: Great Explorations in St. Petersburg and Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa. “Great Ex” might be the smaller of the two, but it packs a great big fun punch. Read on to discover what makes Great Explorations a great place to play.

Location

Great Explorations has a discreet entrance, tucked in between Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Sunken Gardens on Fourth Street North. The ticketing lobby is shared with Sunken Gardens, with Great Ex to the left once you step inside. Parking is simple and (free) in the big, adjoining lot.

Ways to Play

Inside Great Ex, you’ll discover a ginormous room showcasing a wonderful treehouse, slide and climbing structure, which doesn’t disappoint. Smaller exhibit rooms line the perimeter of the space. Kids can go shopping at Publix, pretend to be a doctor or a news anchor, build with LEGO, drive a fire truck, make pizzas from Papa John’s and more.

My personal favorite is the dentist office where kids can master the art of brushing their teeth through a couple of really cute interactive exhibits. Keep your eye out for the Tooth Fairy’s adorable hidden house.

Publix at Great Explorations Museum
How cute is this pint-sized Publix?

We especially love the sweet spaces meant for littles in Great Beginnings, a gated area for children ages 4 and under. It has its own smaller climbing structure and a trampoline, plus a couple of other divided areas with more focused play.

Great Beginnings at Great Explorations
The Great Beginnings area is perfect for younger visitors.

At Great Explorations you can also:

  • Play a ginormous game of Operation or Guess Who?
  • Excavate fossils
  • Learn about the Water Cycle in the brand-new exhibit, Wonders of Wetlands
  • See cool snakes and reptiles like a bearded dragon.
  • Pretend to drive a submarine

Once you’re finished playing at the museum, we love to explore the beauty of Sunken Gardens right next door. For the perfect morning, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it on the lawn in the Gardens.

Programs at Great Explorations

Great Explorations is autism-friendly and hosts a preschool, summer camps and a variety of community programs benefitting families:

  • Terrific Tots (children 3 and under): An interactive 20-35-minute program for children under 3 with music, crafts, story time and activities. Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. during the Pinellas County School Year.
  • Great Connections: A free program for families with special needs, the program includes a “cool down” room for kids who need a break. The second Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Safe Spaces: Anyone 15 years and older with special needs (and their families) can schedule a date and time to visit the museum with adjusted lights and sounds.

Details and Info:

For tickets and additional info, visit greatex.org.

Address: 

1925 4th St. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33704
727-821-8992

Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Closed: Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Admission:

Free for children under 12 months
$15 for kids age 1-17
$12 for adults
$1 Off for: Military families, teachers, first responders, AAA and senior citizens
Memberships are also available.

Check out the museum's newest exhibit, the Wonders of Wetlands!

All images courtesy of Zoe Joiner.