Unlocking the Wonders of the Frost Science Museum

I feel confident saying that from toddlers to teens, your children will be entertained at the Frost Science Museum. Sure, there's plenty of educational material here, but it's presented in such a fun way that your kids may not even notice they're learning. Way to go, parents!

The Frost Science Museum is a giant Florida attraction to discover the wonderful world of science.

Frost Science Museum: Exhibits That Kids Will Love

My daughters both agree their favorite part of the Frost Museum is the three-level aquarium. Walk through the the open-air Vista level to see native Florida birds like ibises and spoonbills; go eye-to-eye with baby alligators; and pet stingrays in a large pool. Kids can get their wiggles out in the River of Grass exhibit, playing in an animated scene from the Everglades that's projected onto a giant wall. 

Two other floors feature even more exotic sea life, from jellyfish to horseshoe crabs and hammerhead sharks. Prepare to be dazzled as you exit the area, too —on the bottom level, guests can enjoy the view from a giant oculus lens of the Gulf stream aquarium. In fact, many visitors just lay back on the floor and watch as fish peacefully swim overhead.

RELATED: 11 Best U.S. Aquariums for Your Next Family Vacation

Learn all about the human body and what it's capable of in the MeLab.

Our family also really enjoys Frost Science Museum's two-level MeLab, which centers on the wonders of the human body. Test your reflexes, solve puzzles, and explore human emotions through hands-on exhibits.  This is a great toddler-friendly area!

Connected to MeLab is the Power of Science, where kids can learn their chemical make-up from a giant periodic table or see themselves on a green screen as a hurricane hits. Don't be surprised if you have difficulty tearing your kids away from this exhibit's light-up dance floor — it's intended to show how people burn calories. (I think this may have gone over my daughters' heads, but they sure loved busting a move!) 

Temporary exhibition Ultimate Dinosaurs showcased the fascinating history of Earth's massive dinosaurs. 

Feathers to the Stars is another cool section of Frost Museum. Visitors discover aircraft on display, as well as a 30-foot dinosaur chasing smaller, flying dinos. My girls loved launching paper airplanes in a wind tunnel, and trying to land a spacecraft on Mars using video-game controllers. 

If you have time for a planetarium show at Frost Science Museum, you're in for a treat —the 250-seat, state-of-the-art theater airs shows about topics from coral reefs to black holes. Note: Strollers are not allowed inside the planetarium.

The Frost also hosts temporary exhibitions that appeal to families. We loved touching fossils and greeting the enormous Giganotosaurus in the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit. Upcoming temporary exhibits include Mummies of the World... just in time for summer!

See native Florida birds, like these spoonbills, while perusing the Frost aquarium.

Frost Science Museum: Know Before You Go 

• The Frost Museum is open every day of the year, 10am-6pm. Like many large museums, Frost Museum crowds build as the day goes on; try to arrive early and consider purchasing tickets online. 
• Admission is generally cheaper on weekdays: $29.95 for a weekday adult ticket ($22.95 for weekday child ticket) and $32.95 for a weekend adult ticket ($24.95 for weekend child ticket). Kids 3 and under are always free. 
• Parking is limited and costs $18. Try other means of transportation, including Uber, Brightline, and more.
• Food@Science is the Frost's restaurant and coffee shop. The restaurant offers salads, burgers, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and more. Sometimes food trucks are parked at the Maurice A. Ferré Park, so that could be another dining option. 
• Maurice A. Ferre Park is really nice, with a sculpture garden and waterfront walkway, so when you are done exploring the Frost Museum, get some fresh air out front. Admission tickets are good for the whole day, so you can leave and return the same day with your valid wristband.

Photos by the author