Explorations V Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1991 |
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| Location | 109 N. Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, Florida |
| Type | Children's museum |
The Explorations V Children's Museum is a special place in downtown Lakeland, Florida. It's a children's museum where kids can learn and have fun at the same time. This museum is a non-profit organization, which means it's run for the good of the community, not to make money.
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History of the Museum
The Explorations V Children's Museum first opened its doors in July 1991. It was started by a group of parents who wanted a fun learning space for kids. In 1999, the museum moved to its current home. This is a big, four-story building that used to be a Kress store.
The museum has also expanded! It built another special building at the new Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. This new location opened with exciting new exhibits at the end of 2022.
Explore the Exhibits
The museum has many different areas where you can explore and learn. Each floor has unique exhibits designed for kids to interact with.
Our Town: First Floor Fun
On the first floor, you'll find the "Our Town" exhibits. This area helps kids learn about different jobs and parts of a community. You can pretend to be a doctor in a doctor's office or a police officer in a sheriff's car. There's also a fire truck, a theater, and a maker space where you can create things.
You can even visit a news station, a Space Shuttle, an airplane, a school, and a grocery store. These exhibits help you learn about music, art, math, science, and history in a hands-on way.
Orange Adventures: Lower Floor Discoveries
The lower floor takes you on a journey through local history and different cultures. One of the main attractions is an interactive orange factory. Here, you can learn how oranges go from a tree to juice!
You can explore an orange grove, a tree house, and even a juice factory. This floor also has exhibits about Florida's ancient past, like "Fossils of Florida." Plus, you can see "International Impressions" with displays about Africa, Asia, Australia, and America.
Science and Art: Second Floor Explorations
The second floor is all about early science and art. You'll find interactive exhibits that help you understand basic science ideas. There's also a small art gallery where you can see creative works. This floor also has rooms used for daily programs, workshops for school field trips, and camps when school is out.
Programs and Activities
The Explorations V Children's Museum offers many programs every day. These activities help kids get ready for school and improve important skills. They focus on things like solving problems, controlling emotions, and developing motor skills. They also encourage creative expression.
The museum also takes its programs outside its walls. For example, it offers a free weekly program at Family Fundamentals. This center helps families who don't have health insurance. All the museum's exhibits and programs follow Florida's learning standards.
Many schools choose Explorations V for field trips. It's also a popular spot for home-school families, daycare groups, and scout troops. Kids often celebrate their birthdays here too! The museum also works with United Way and local banks to teach families about managing money.
United Way's Family Fundamentals center is actually located right inside the museum.
