INSIDE LOOK: Get a peek inside the new Florida Children’s Museum in Lakeland

INSIDE LOOK: Florida Children's Museum

by Laura Byrne

The I-4 corridor just got a bit more exciting with a brandnew place to play! Formerly the Explorations V Children's Museum, the re-branded Florida Children’s Museum is a brand new, 47,800-squarefoot building located within the new 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park (which is equally as awesome). The museum’s new name comes with a lot of intention. Located right in the heart of the two major metropolitan regions of Tampa Bay and Orlando, “We couldn’t help but invite the entire state to come visit," explains the museum's CEO Kerry Fallwell. To help you plan your adventure, we’re sharing some of our favorite things about this amazing place to play!

THE FLORIDA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

WHERE:

600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

HOW MUCH:

Tickets are $15 each for all guests 2 years old and older. Kids under 2 are free. There is a 50% discount for seniors (65+), teachers and military members along with reciprocal discounts through the Association of Children's Museums. There will also be a Free Day sponsored by the United Way with four hours of free play on the last Monday of every month.

Since we couldn’t fit everything we love about the Florida Children’s Museum on this page, scan here for even more fun details about what to expect when you go!

Design Park Exhibit City Play Exhibit

The Design Park exhibit area on the first floor is a creative space geared for kids ages 6 through 12, but even younger kids will enjoy playing here. One of the coolest features here is the long air-hockey type table where kids can set scarves, feathers and paper airplanes soaring across the table. There are also smaller play stations where kids can design a LEGO build, construct a house and play with magnet tiles.

Watermelon Seeds Exhibit

Located on the second floor, the City Play gallery is where you’ll find the Orange Juice Factory, Publix Supermarket, Weather Station and more! The family favorite fire truck and sheriff’s car can also be found here, to the relief of several families who told us they were thrilled to see these made the move over from the old museum. This space has a really cool design feature that allows parents to easily keep their eyes on their kids if they have multiple children heading in different directions. It is open and airy without taking away from each individual exhibit’s identity.

TBD-To Be Determind Gallery

This is an absolutely adorable space designed for the little ones up to age 6, but older kids will also enjoy playing here with younger siblings and friends. It is a bright, colorful space on the first floor that also tells a story about the community. “There was a lot of research in the beginning, so we took a deep dive into what is Central Florida now. And that’s when we learned watermelon is the fastest growing industry in Polk County,” Fallwell says. To celebrate this important crop in our community, they designed this entire exhibit around the sweet watermelon! Kids start exploring the huge climbing structure at the roots and vines of a watermelon plant and eventually make their way through to a slide behind the shape of a slice of watermelon and an adorable play area just for babies. Let’s move on to the TBD gallery which is also on the second floor! Nope, they haven’t forgotten to name this play area. In fact, it’s called TBD because “everything is to be determined by the kid who comes in here.” This is where you’ll find the Found Sound booth where kids can make music with all sorts of instruments and even pots and pans—and make as much noise as they want. There is a fun green screen play area where kids can create real videos and even a Stop Motion exhibit the older kids will love!