We love this place! 2 floors of interactive fun with a bar and Starbucks on property for parents, amazing. The outside park bonnet springs is free and HUGE and probably just as fun as the museum. Super nice place with lots to do. The cafe is over priced for food so I’d pack a lunch. There’s also a water play area as part of one of the many playgrounds outside in bonnet springs so it may benefit to bring a change of clothes! All my photos are of the outside free parts at Bonnet Springs Park. The building pictured is the museum. My phone died right before we went inside so I couldn’t take photos. But similar to other indoor pretend play places.

Super cute fun place for kids .. like ages 2-10 (maybe). The photo of the little watermelon area is a soft space for baby’s that are crawling . My daughter is 2 and she had a blast with all of the activities. Slides , little things for kids to “garden”. Climbing areas , little area to play in an animal area , food trucks , fire truck / police. And some other fun activities!

We went on the opening day of the new location and had a great time. The kids loved all the exhibits and being able to interact with them. The grocery store and home set up were both a huge hit with my two, along with the painting. After we finished at the museum we walked around the different park areas outside. We didn’t have enough time to cover them all but will definitely be going back I’d we are in the area. Everything was so clean and we kept.

Is a good place to go with your kids, I can say that I had higher expectations, you can see the whole place in 30 min or less, so I recommend to pace your self and spend time in each spot so that you will make your money worth. It cost 15.00 dollars per person over 2 years of age, if you are a Teacher, bring your batch you'll get a discount. The outside perimeter has a huge place for your kids to run and play with a ball, I also saw people flying kites. I think when they finish up the huge yellow alligator park it will be better for he kids because they will have more stuff to do. The staff was really nice and helpful.

We LOVED the museum. Beautiful. We only had just under 2 hours and could have spent another 1-2 hours there. My toddler and baby had so much fun. It was neat to find a reading sitting area at one point to take a break. We also enjoyed the park with water next to it. We didn’t get to see the rest of park due to timing. I can’t believe some of the reviews! It was well worth $15, even for a 2.5 year old. They have to maintain it and pay people! I greatly appreciated how clean it was too.

It was great. Best for children 6 and under. No need to buy tickets in advance. They had science activities and pretend gardening and a grocery store and a first responder area (doctor/hospital, firefighters, etc). Was on a property that had multiple playgrounds, accessible by walking or a free trolley service.

What an amazing day spent at the Children's museum! We stayed about 3 hours enjoying all the different activities it had to offer ! Right next to bonnet Park which is a huge plus !

The museum itself was great lots of things to do for the kids however the party room was rather small built mostly for the children which was fine adults were standing. The issue was they only give you an hour and a half to two hours for your party and they won't let you come in and set up early so by the time you get everything all the way upstairs and set up you have to rush to do cake ice cream and presents before they push you out for the next party when we did my niece's party there we had such little time that she didn't even get to open her gifts we had to load them up in the car and let her open them at home we only had time for them to eat their sandwiches then do the cake and ice cream and then it was time to get out of the party room however they were allowed to play on all levels until closing time which was early as well.

Saturday, November 5th, 2022 Children's Museum review. The children's museum actually opened yesterday. This is the second day they've been opened. They moved here from downtown. The new children's museum seems much larger than the old one downtown. It has some newer exhibits for the kids to play with. The Children's museum is located at the entrance to Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. This is a much better location because after the children are through playing at the children's museum, If they ever do get through, they can go out to play in the park so they should go to bed tired. The museum is on two floors. They do have an elevator if you are unable to use the stairs, just ask one of the helpful staff members where it is. On the ground floor, they have an area were kids can learn about circuits, "home building", and gravity (a ball rolling down through pipes). The interesting thing about the dropping the ball through the pipes is that they use and Archimedes screw to elevate the ball to the drop point. They also have an air table, which is like an over-sized air hockey table, except that the air holes are angled to blow things to one end of the table. The children seem to enjoy watching dry sponges and scarves blown to the other end of the table. Some even have races to see if the scarf can beat the sponge. Upstairs they have areas representing the police department, a fire truck, a grocery store, hospital, a food truck, a news weather area, and an orange juice factory. The children can play dress up with police and doctor costumes They also have a little room where kids can play drums and make all kinds of noise and play with sound. They have a green screen stage where kids can pick a background and kind of blend in or pulled up a green scarf over themselves and disappear. It's a kind of fun for the kids to play with. They also have a an area with four stations where children can play with stop motion video and make their own little stop motion movies. There's a place to eat right across as you exit the children's museum they don't have a lot of seating and the past two times I've been, I've had to eat outside because the indoor air conditioned area fills up quickly. One other note about the restaurant, they are cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. You can purchase tickets online ahead of time, which I would suggest doing. Then you don't have to stand in line, just walk in and let them scan your receipt.

My son had such a great time here. Well worth the money.

This was a wonderful, we never knew prior to our Florida vacation that this place existed untill we looked for fun family stuff to do. This place was great! the definition of this place is like a TARDIS, it's tight and compact from the outside but lots of activities for our kids to do on the inside. I would wholeheartedly recommend this place for other families who are in the area either living or on vacation.

The museum itself was a wonderful experience for my grandson. My only complaint is that although a sign is posted saying a person must supervise their children, they don't enforce it. There was a family of children running wild to the point of knocking over my grandson and another little one who were playing. Parents nowhere in sight.

Fantastic! My granddaughter loved the place! There were instruments to play, pretend you're on TV, drive a fire truck, juice packing plant, grocery store check out, so much fun for her. Also, it is so nice to have a place like this where she can be entertained inside when the weather isn't cooperating. Looking forward to seeing how the new setup is over at Bonnett Park.

Very nice place to bring kids of really any age, our daughter had fun at every one of the 3 floors of activities. Wished we had brought her sooner than later. Would recommend to all.

Great time! We took our barely walking 1 year old and 4 year old. They loved it! We spent about 2 hours there and left only because we were hungry. But there is a dining hall right across and you can use your receipt for re-entry same day. There is so much to do. We would definitely come again!

First time visiting at the new location, I visited on a Saturday, it was super packed, almost uncomfortably packed. It was cheap to get in/discounts for EBT cardholders. There were alot of cool things/activities for kids to do and explore, it was just in disarray due to so many people using them. I will definitely visit again on a weekday so we can fully enjoy the experience. There also aren’t enough seats for parents to sit in while the kids play.

Wonderful place packed full of learning and activities! This is our first visit, but we will return soon. The kiddos spent hours and hours here and still didn't want to leave. Friendly staff, clean facilities, and activities you don't see at other museums. Highly recommend!!

We went there for a birthday party, and my children loved it. They enjoyed each of the activities the museum has available.

My son really enjoyed himself! Lots of fun, interactive things to do!

Rating: ★★★★★ Bonnet Springs has truly outdone itself with its captivating and educational Children's Museum, designed to inspire and ignite the imaginations of young explorers. As a parent, I was thrilled to take my children on this adventure, and I can confidently say that it exceeded all expectations. Upon entering the museum, we were greeted by a whimsical facade that instantly transported us into a world of wonder. The attention to detail in the museum's design is commendable, with vibrant colors, interactive displays, and engaging exhibits that are perfectly tailored to capture the curiosity of children of all ages. The museum's layout is intuitive, allowing kids to explore at their own pace. Each exhibit is thoughtfully crafted, blending education with entertainment seamlessly. From the interactive science displays to the hands-on art activities, there was something to captivate every child's interests. I was particularly impressed by the variety of exhibits, catering to diverse fields such as history, technology, nature, and more. The staff at the Children's Museum are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about their work. They effortlessly guided us through the different exhibits, sharing fascinating insights and encouraging our children to ask questions and delve deeper into their curiosities. It was evident that their goal was not just to entertain but also to educate and foster a love for learning. One standout feature of the Children's Museum is the emphasis on sensory experiences. Kids can engage their senses in a range of interactive displays, stimulating their minds and encouraging hands-on exploration. Whether it's the touch-and-feel exhibits, the captivating soundscape in the music area, or the immersive visual displays, every corner of the museum sparks joy and curiosity. Another aspect that deserves praise is the museum's commitment to inclusivity. The exhibits are designed to accommodate children with various physical abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate and enjoy the experience. It's heartwarming to see such dedication to inclusivity in a space that fosters creativity and learning. Bonnet Springs has also done an excellent job of providing a safe and clean environment for families. The museum's hygiene practices were visibly apparent, and the staff was vigilant in ensuring that visitors adhered to the safety guidelines. This allowed us to focus on the exhibits and enjoy our time without any concerns. In conclusion, the Children's Museum at Bonnet Springs is a true gem in the realm of children's educational experiences. It combines entertainment, education, and enchantment to create an unforgettable adventure for young explorers. If you're looking for a place where your child can learn, grow, and have an absolute blast, this museum is an absolute must-visit. Prepare to be amazed as your little ones embark on an immersive journey of discovery and creativity.

It is such a cute place to take your children. We took our children and they didn't want to leave. They had so much fun. Definitely will be back soon. So much stuff to do.

Fun STEAM museum with lots of ongoing programs and activities for kids. Right outside of Bonnett Springs Park. There can be lots of field trips so if might be worth going after 12:30 in the afternoon for a quieter visit if that's an option for you. Very play based which is nice but my guess is kids would age out around 10 or 11 or so

Drove pass it the first time thinking it was just another store. There are three levels in the museum. You walk into the first floor, there one on the second floor and another one in the basement. My little one spend more time on the first floor and the basement. Many activities for him to do. There's a music station, a little library, bay news station, a groceries store and many more on the first floor. We were there for 3 hours. Since it downtown, parking was harder to find. Weekday parking are free first two hours then you have to pay through a parking app or one of the parking stations. I didn't have to pay for parking because it was the weekend. Would come here again, when I'm down here.

Lakeland Children’s Museum is a wonderful place for a day out with grandchildren. Its interactive exhibits are both educational and entertaining, keeping the kids engaged and learning. The clean, safe environment and friendly staff make it a top-notch experience for families. It’s definitely a five-star destination.

A favorite place for our family! Staying cool inside for the Florida summer while letting the kids have a blast and explore! Being a short ride to visit this Wonderland for the kids the family membership was great! Visit The Depot for a quick bite while there. Prices were very reasonable and ice cream cones available!

We loved it, my kid loved it, my friend and his kid loved it it was very awesome and the outdoor play area is the best plus you have more to do within the area the museum is located, highly recommended

So I held off on reviewing Florida children’s museum for a while, because it was so new, and I wanted to see what shifts and changes they made at the start. I have both positives and negatives about this place, but overall we have enjoyed it very much. We have visited the museum at least 6-7 times and are currently museum members. So you can say we have a bit of a vested interest as well as high hopes for the success of our beloved children’s museum. This has been a great place for my daughter with Down Syndrome to explore and play. I find that the attractions in the museum collectively will keep her attention for an hour to an hour and a half before I can tell it’s time for us to go. Positives- 1) Museum pricing is set up to accommodate low income as well as standard fare. Reciprocal memberships only give you half off at other museums. if you are a typical family and plan to visit more than once, a membership package might be in your best interest. 2) There are different things for multiple age levels, but I would certainly cap age interest at about 11. 3) This is a play-based children’s museum. There will be direct educational crossover, but the primary route is exploration through imaginative play. This is both positive and negative depending on what your families hopes are for your experience. I love that for the best experience, parental interaction is recommended! 4) Mood/theme/styling- on this front it gets an A+ for styling and accessibility. Displays are wide open, allowing for both strollers, wheelchairs, walkers etc, but watch out for your kids that typically elope, as there are lots of places to run away. Everything is trendy, thematic, and beautiful to the eye. Great use of palette, theme and decor. Negatives- 1) The City- it’s almost too wide open – I would expect crossover play to happen as this is a play based museum, but there are certain displays that could be completely wiped out and shifted over multiple times during the course of play, especially on busy days. I can only imagine the museum workers, and how many times they have to clear out the house and return it to Publix and clear out Publix and return it to the farmers stand and the farm. The city could use a little bit more definition of space. That’s where the Glazer museum has it down. 2) Some of the city exhibits could use a little bit more flushing out – for instance J Burns pizza food truck – would love to see better organizational system for pizza toppings. Labeled places for all of the things to go set up like a kitchen would look with bins in the counter and workstations. Maybe even a few pizza making signs. Melissa and Doug was a good start… But not sustainable. Also I would love to see the farmstand more flushed out. It’s such a big open space but no definitive way to use it. Plus all the vegetables go straight back to Publix. The doctors office could use the same TLC that the veterinary clinic received – that was definitely a good upgrade. 3) Many exhibits are already worn or broken and the museum hasn’t been open very long. The oranges exhibit has never worked properly as the angles are off, the percussion room used to be overstocked, and now it’s down to the bare minimum, on three of our visits, the green screen video monitor and camera were not working together properly. Also the fabulous cork turning music box, which I love, is full of broken corks. Overall, we’ve had a very positive experience and have appreciated how the museum continues to bring in new community events, activities, and educational connections to encourage your repeat visit.

I was there with my 2 daughters (20 and 26) and my 2 granddaughters and we all had so much fun, climbing, grocery shopping, ordering pizza at the food truck and so much more, then the park outside was so nice, the butterfly cage, the tree house. I definitely recommend this place, if you ever visit Lakeland, take a trip to this place.

Absolutely loved this place!! My 3 year old had a blast!! Wonderful little restaurant with fresh made to order salads, burgers, chicken tenders and fries available. We took the tram ride around the area and learned so much!

It was ok… not worth $45 for the three of us, in our opinion. Half of the displays were not functional due to kids rough wear and tear. Only one stop/motion picture screen was working, the orange factory was not built correctly and the oranges kept getting stuck, the grocery checkouts didn’t work, and there was absolutely ZERO shade in the Alligator Play Park area. It is definitely geared toward 1-10 years more, but would have been better if everything was working properly.

Beautiful park. Super fun museum. My girls loved playing with the mini city. My son loved the designing area. We enjoyed the free shuttle around the park and visited the butterfly house, tree house and the Starbucks in the visitor center. Also, super fun downhill slides.

We have been here more times than I can count. My kids love it. They get a chance to grocery shop and checkout, be a news anchor, put on a show, explore the orange juice factory, be a doctor, and so much more. We are a little sad that they are closing the existing location but could not be more excited about the new location at Bonnet Springs.