Youth Program: Minecraft Mania

Minecraft Mania is one of the youth programs at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, aimed at kids aged 7 to 12. It's a drop-off session, so you can leave your child there for a few hours and get some things done while they're occupied. The program runs on select Saturdays from 1 PM to 3 PM, and the next one is scheduled for April 17, 2027.

The whole thing is built around Minecraft, but it's not just free-building. The kids put their skills to the test through a mix of individual, small-group, and full-team challenges, and they pick up computer skills as they go. They'll be perfecting strategies, enchanting armor, and even learning some basic coding—all while defending their city from an alien attack. It's a way to turn something they already love into a bit of a learning experience without it feeling like a classroom.

Since it takes place in the museum's computer lab, space is limited, and parents aren't allowed to stay in the session. You can drop your kids off and pick them up at 3 PM, or if you'd rather hang around, you can buy your own general admission ticket and explore the rest of the museum while the program is running. Registered children get general admission to the museum at no extra cost, so they can keep exploring after the session ends. Check-in is inside, at the tables near the entrance and the gift shop.

Tickets are $20 for non-members and $15 for members. The session runs from 1 PM to 3 PM on select Saturdays at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa.