Great Explorations - Opinions? Other Ideas

Hi C.,
Maybe look into Dino World. It's in Plant City. My 4 and 5 year old nieces love it.
T. F
Venice

I would highly recommend great expectations, though i don't remember how much it is. It is great because it has stuff for all age ranges, so you two year old will do great there too. I know Bush gardens is expensive, but it is just the once and then you get in free all year. Pack snacks and a lunch and I bet the initial payment will be well worth it (especially since I'm sure the 2 year old would be free and they don't have to know when he turns 3). Look up bounce house places, there must be one somewhere near you. I live in Sarasota, so I'm sorry I can't be more help. Have fun! I was just at Lowry park today, I wish I lived closer to that.

It is a great place and I believe even with the age range, both kids will have fun. Mine are 6 and 10 and they both had a blast. If you want, take another adult and you can have one take the younger one to things she'd enjoy and the other adult can go to the things he'd enjoy, otherwsie, as I did with mine, we took turns on zones... she got to pick one, then he did. Anyway, I encourage you to check it out. Also, fyi, keep your ticket, it will give you a discount (or free - i can't recall) icecream just down the road to top off the fun! Have fun!!!

Hi, we used to have a membership to Great Expl. It is so much fun for the kids! My girls are now 8 and 5 and we have been going there for about 3 years now. Also, right next door is Sunken Garden which we have never gone into but it's supposed to be beautiful and would be really nice on a day like today since it's outdoors. Free is Heritage Village and the Botanical Gardens which are in Pinellas Park area (Largo maybe). One more note...Great Expl. is not nearly as expensive as MOSI (as somebody said). You can look it up online to check pricing.

Hi C.,
I live here in St Pete and I am not a huge fan of Great Ex. I have ben there several times, on school field trips and birthday parties. It gets really crowded and therefore stressful when trying to keep up with two. Why not just keep it simple? We do live in the sunshine state!! do you all have bikes and a baby seat? I have twin boys and a daughter 3 yrs older, we always play outside,. I find the kids would much rather stay around home and play with Mommy!! Can't get any cheaper than that!! If you want to get away from the house, Myacka State Park is awsome , take a little friend to help entertain your 7 year old and you can concentrate on your smaller one. Don't forget we have the beaches, again take another child for your daughter to play with bring a few buckets and a shovel for the 2 year old and a good book for yourself!!
Good Luck!
B.-

I am not sure if it is still there, but Pirates Cove in Bradenton on 41 was a great place for kids. If you don't mind going to Sarasota they have a couple of great places to take the kids like:
GWiz a hands on and interactive science exhibits that are very cool. I think it is like $10 for adults and only $6 for kids.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a neat place that my daughter loved. $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
Selby Aquatic Center is a small waterpark also in Sarasota that is on $10 a person to get in for the whole day.
One place I haven't been to yet, but look forward to taking my daughter to is the Big Cat Habitat. My mom told me that they do weekend presentation and it only cost about $10-12 a person.

Hope that you have fun!

I've been to Great Explorations with my son (he might have been 6 then). There is not much to do there. You should get an Entertainment Book because there are lots of deals in there for 2/1 admission. We go to Chuck E. Cheese when we want something easy and indoor.

I recently donated blood and by doing that I recieved a free admission to MOSI (with one purchased admission). I will not use this as my son is much too young and the pass expires at the end of the month (ascutally Ihave 2 passes) I can mail these to you if you think you would use them. With one pass you would only need to pay for yourself and your two children would get in free (your 2 year old is free anyway). Again, if you think you would use these you are free to have them, or if you think you would only use one that is fine too. Just let me know!

I just looked at the family plans for a annual membership for MOSI and Great Explorations. They cost about the same, and I believe that their entry tickets are the same fee as well. So I don't think you will be saving any money. However, while you might think it's expensive, if you could swing the membership fee at MOSI/Great Explorations, it comes with a reciprocal benefit package that allows you to get into museums all over the US. Look up Great Explorations St. Pete click on membership application and then review the different packages. The $125 Gold membership covers 5 family members, plus you get into MOSI, the Aquarium, etc. locally for free, plus over 500 museums nationally. So it depends on how you look at it. You will spend $100 to go to these places separately thru out the year. Why not invest in a membership and go to all for the one price all year. It's a bargain when you look at it that way. I take the kids when ever I want, grandma too. I don't have to worry about if I have money at the time or not. I just put $100 - $125 to the side each year and know that I have unlimited educational entertainment for the year! Oh, there is the Manatee viewing area at the TECO Energy plant in Apollo Beach. Free and very cool! You could go to Lithia Springs park, minimal fee to get in to the park. Great for walks in the woods, playing in the spring, picnics, playing on the play ground. Lots to keep busy with. We have also been to a HYDROPONIC vegetable farm in Ruskin. It's small, but an outing that cost little and you get food out of it. The kids (5 & 2)cut their own veggies and we went home, they cut them up with a kid's non sharp knife ($1), and we made vegetable soup. THEY LOVED IT!! No entrance fee, just paid for the veggies. Not priced any differently than a regular produce stand. Take them Strawberry picking!! It's that time of the year!!! Fun, fun, fun. Take them home and have them help cut them up for strawberry short cake. Very inexpensive to purchase the strawberries at the fields when you pick them your self. I am sure you will get many great ideas from other moms as well. There is a plethora of free/to almost free things to do out there. Good luck!!

Great explorations and midi are great. Not sure what else is out your way but preschool bounce days at Bounce U would be fun too. Here it is m, t, th, fri from 9:30-12:00 for kids up to age 7. They get to bounce and slide and get a snack for $5. Also, the library or parks are great, and free.

You should look into annual membership to the zoo or something like that. It gives you free afmission to whichever one you purchase that year. Then you get discounts on gift shop and food purchases. It also gives you certain days to get in free to other attractions. It commits you to go to those places during that time period. Also Busch Gardens is currently offering pay for a day and go back all year for free to FL residents. We bought 1 year pass and 3 one day admission tickets, because the year pass gices you 10 percent off in the gift shop and food, it also gives you free parking. We also bought 2 refill cups and take them back every time we go. If you make the drive to St. Pete for Great Exploration, I would encourage you to make a day of it and go downtown to the Pier while you are there. You will have to pay to park at the Pier, but they have a cute trolley that takes you from the parking area to the Pier, my kids loved it at that age. They also have an aquarium, that is small, but does not charge admission.

Enjoy your family time, whatever you do.

1. Your local SPCA or Humane Society - gather up blankets, towels and donations from friends, family and neighbors and if your local places have bunnies or goats and things you can take carrots or celery for treats, and feed and pet the animals. SET RULES THOUGH - "We are going to help- not to bring home a pet" (LOL)
2. Also - I believe there is a Petting Farm there in Brandenton - google check local petting Zoos.
3. Loaf of bread to your nearest Duck pond.
4. Libraries have story times and sometimes they play movies and such for kids. check out their website for more info.
GOOD LUCK - HOPE I HELPED!

Hi C.,

MOSI membership might seem steep, but the reciprocal benefits with other local attractions more than pay for it. In addition to free admission to MOSI all year, you have free admission to Great Explorations all year. Also, at various times of the year, you get free admission to Lowry Park Zoo, the Florida Aquarium, Weeki Wachee, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the Pier Aquarium and many others. Check out the MOSI website to learn more. Also, check out your local libraries - they usually have interesting, free activities.

God bless,

N.