Winter Break Camp: Winter Wonderland

MOSI is running its winter break camps in Tampa this December, and the Winter Wonderland session kicks off on Monday, December 28. It's part of the museum's school break series, which keeps kids active with hands-on STEAM activities—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—throughout the break. This particular session is built for the youngest crowd, kindergarten through 1st grade, and the whole thing centers on the science of cold, with experiments and STEM challenges that let them explore how things change when the temperature drops.

One of the best parts is how they handle the age groups. The camps are split into three grade-level tracks—K-1st, 2nd-4th, and 5th-8th—so kids work at a pace that fits them rather than being lumped in with a wide range of ages. If you have a little one in that K-1st window, they'll be with peers their own age, which makes a big difference in how they engage with the activities.

Logistics are pretty straightforward. The camp runs from 9 AM to 4 PM daily, and there are two separate weeks to choose from: December 21-23 and December 28-30. If you need a bit more wiggle room around those hours, extended care is available before 9 AM and after 4 PM for an additional fee, which helps if your workday doesn't line up perfectly with the drop-off and pick-up. Lunch is provided by Puff 'n Stuff, so you don't have to pack a bag every morning.

It costs $199 per week, and MOSI members get a discount that brings it down to $160. Between the grade-level tracks, the extended care option, and the provided lunch, it's a solid way to fill a few days of the winter break while the kids get to actually do something rather than just watch screens.