Explorations V Children's Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Location | 109 N. Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, Florida |
| Type | Children's museum |
The Explorations V Children's Museum is a super fun place in downtown Lakeland, Florida! It's a special museum just for kids, where you can learn and play at the same time. It's a non-profit organization, which means it's run by people who want to help the community, not just make money.
Contents
Museum History
The museum first opened its doors in July 1991. It was started by parents who wanted a great place for kids to explore and learn. In 1999, the museum moved to a bigger, four-story building. This building used to be a historic Kress store.
The museum has also built another new building. This new spot is part of the Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. It will have brand new exhibits for everyone to enjoy. These new exhibits are planned to open by the end of 2022.
Explore the Exhibits
The Explorations V Children's Museum has many exciting areas to explore. Each floor offers different adventures and learning opportunities.
Our Town: First Floor Fun
The first floor of the museum is like a mini-town! Here, you can learn about many different things. You can explore basics of music appreciation, art, theater, and even math and science.
Imagine yourself in different jobs and places:
- A doctor's office
- A sheriff's car
- A fire truck
- A theater stage
- A maker space where you can create
- A news station
- A Space Shuttle and an airplane
- A school classroom
- A grocery store
These exhibits help you learn new words and understand how a town works.
"O’ is for Oranges": Local History
The lower floor of the museum teaches you about local history. You can also learn about the world around us. This area has an interactive orange factory! You can see how oranges go from a tree to juice.
Some cool exhibits here include:
- An orange grove
- A tree house
- A truck and a fruit stand
- A juice factory
You can also discover "Fossils of Florida." Plus, there are "International Impressions" exhibits. These show you cool things from Africa, Asia, Australia, and America.
Second Floor Discoveries
The second floor is all about early science. You can try out many hands-on science activities. There's also a small art gallery just for kids' artwork. This floor also has special rooms for programs and parties. These rooms host daily activities and workshops. They are also used for camps when school is out.
Programs and Activities
The museum offers many programs to help you learn and grow. These activities happen every day at the museum. They help you get ready for school and improve your social skills. You can also work on self-control and creative expression. They even help with your motor skills, like moving your hands and body.
The museum also has programs outside its building. For example, they have 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. They also match the Common Core Standards used in schools.
Many schools choose Explorations V for field trips. It's also a popular spot for home-school families and daycare centers. Scouts, teen parent programs, and kids celebrating birthdays love coming here too!
The museum also helps families learn about money. They offer financial education classes with United Way and local banks. These classes help families learn how to manage their money well.
