“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.“
~ Fred Rogers
If you want to involve your children in a world of play opportunities then visiting children’s museums will provide them with endless play for hours and hours. We have traveled to several different children’s museums and our girls have loved them all. However, Great Explorations in St. Petersburg, FL has a very unique aspect that was enjoyed by our girls, as well as, my husband and me! I will get to that in a moment but first lets chat about what you can expect during your visit to Great Explorations.
Open-Ended Play Opportunities
When you walk into the museum, you will walk into one large space which is divided into themed play areas. These areas are full of tools and toys for your little ones to explore. They will become a firefighter, veterinarian, musician, explorer, artist, and more all in one day! The areas you can expect to see are as follows:
Infant/Toddler Area
Beach Sensory Play Area
TreeHouse Play
Fire Station
Weather/News Station
Grocery Store
Doctor and Veterinarian Areas
Pizzeria
Theatre
Art Exploration
Music Exploration
Engineering Area
Open-ended play opportunities promote creativity, imagination, experimentation, problem-solving, independence, enhances motor skills, and when playing with others they will learn social skills and how to work well with others.
NOTE: You don’t have to visit a children’s museum to provide your children with open-ended play options. You can provide those opportunities by making simple tools available for them right at home! You can do this by giving them blocks, clay, sand, sticks, water, musical instruments, craft supplies, paint, dress-up materials, other sensory play materials (ex. rice, foam, beans, noodles, etc.), or even pots from your kitchen cabinet. There are so many possibilities! There are also open-ended toys you can purchase if you would like to provide additional options. However, as I mentioned above, it’s not necessary to purchase expensive toys to make this happen. I think some are pretty cool though!
Explore Programs @ Great Explorations
When we visited, we played and explored on our own but there were some classes and activities happening too! I am a sucker for fun activities and educational programs so this definitely piqued my interest.
Great Connections: Play for Children with Special Needs
Memory Mondays: FREE Program for Seniors with Memory Loss
Learn More HERE about their Terrific Tots Program (Members Only)
Explore the Gift Shop
Make sure to bring some extra money along because you might just want to go shopping during your visit! They have a wonderful gift shop with all kinds of educational toys and activities. You will find many toys with a science or engineering focus, as well as, some sensory toys and manipulative activities.
You HAVE to do THIS when you visit!
The girls had a wonderful time playing and exploring together but we continued the fun when we exited the building because there is such a GEM of space, and learning opportunity, right next door called Sunken Gardens. When you enter, you feel as if you are in a secret garden. A secret garden nestled in the heart of a busy bustling city. A unique escape from the rush of a busy day. The pictures and video clips found online about this space do not do it justice in the least bit. For a recap of our visit to Great Explorations and a peek into Sunken Gardens check out the video below.
I highly recommend that you pack your lunch when you visit Great Explorations and treat yourself to a serene lunch in the gardens. It is peaceful, relaxing, and actually very educational. Throughout the garden, they labeled the unique species of plants that you can use to teach your children about aspects of botany and horticulture. You will also learn about animals during your visit. We saw macaws, parrots, flamingos, tortoise, Koi fish, and butterflies. It is such a unique space in this large city and is absolutely a must-see.
TIP: If you don’t bring your lunch and you want to stay the day, Carrabas, Outback, and Panera are right next door for your convenience.
*Another Tip: You can often find discounts for Sunken Gardens and/or Great Explorations on Groupon or in the local St. Pete Visitor’s Guide
Thank you so much for following along with us! Make sure to find us on Facebook and Instagram to see what adventures we plan to go on next.
