Unwrap Holiday Fun with The Polar Express, Camp STEAMology and More
This holiday season, warm-up to a variety of winter wonderland STEM-based family adventures at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)! From explosive Nitro shows to a dazzling Noon Year’s Eve ball drop and party, kids of all ages will find creative ways to embrace and engage the wonder of winter!
“Holiday time at MODS is the perfect opportunity for families to connect through the wonders of STEM and hands-on learning,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “We’re sledding right into the magic of winter by investigating the science of seasons, snowflakes, and snowstorms followed by the holiday classic The Polar Express in breathtaking larger-than-life IMAX®. Further adventures await with the 10th anniversary exclusive limited engagement of Interstellar in 15/70mm, Mufasa: The Lion King and the interactive SCOOBY-DOO!™ Mansion Mayhem exhibit that challenges families to solve mysteries together while fostering teamwork and scientific thinking.”
Get ready for a wonderful winter adventure during MODS Winter Wonderlab Science Weekends in December on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Sundays, from noon – 5 p.m. Discover the science behind wild winter storms, explore water’s magical transformations and learn why Florida’s climate is so unique. Find out how Earth’s axis creates seasons, make your own snowflake and witness an “un-brr-lievable” winter Nitro show. Experience a sensory winter wonderland with enchanting winter lights. Explore careers in technology, environmental science and more! Young explorers (ages 0-6) will observe how snowstorms can appear in a jar, experience misty bubbles and create snowball paintings and winter magic watercolors. Watch an IMAX® film on the GIANT Screen: Arctic: Our Frozen Planet, Into America’s Wild, Blue Whales and more!
The holiday festivities don’t end there. All aboard for Polar Express Pajama Party on December 14 and 21 at the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of this beloved holiday classic on South Florida’s GIANT screen. Guests will enjoy a festive concessions package featuring a cookie, chocolate milk and popcorn while embracing the magic of the season. Don’t forget to wear your favorite holiday pajamas for an extra touch of cheer! Tickets are $26 for children (ages 1-12) and $28 for adults. Register today at mods.org/northpole.
When school is out, Camp STEAMology is in! Children ages 5 – 10 can travel “Around the World in December” on December 23, 26, 27 and 30 and on January 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. In this three-day weekly program, campers will travel from sunny Florida to icy tundras and beyond! Make snowflakes, explore animal migrations and build architectural wonders. Engineer coral nurseries and embark on a global adventure of discovery! Presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Camp STEAMology weekly camp is $300 for members and $350 for non-members. Aftercare is $45 per child. Registration is required at mods.org/camp.
Celebrate Baby’s First Winter and New Year, presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Make your baby’s first holiday season unforgettable with playful discovery and hands-on STEM fun. Join us on December 14 for Baby’s First Winter and December 30 for Baby’s First New Year from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy activities like snowball painting, fireworks in a jar and star wand crafting, plus parenting safety tips and a holiday-themed photobooth in the Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab. Included with Museum admission.
Ring in 2025 in style with MODS’ annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.! Get ready for a midday bash packed with immersive activities, lively tunes from DJ Express, dance-offs and mind-blowing science experiments. Craft fun party gear to get the party started, prepare for the epic ball drop at noon and dance your way into the new year on a bubble wrap dance floor. Don’t forget to swing by our gallery wall and add your very own New Year’s resolution for a fresh start. It’s an electrifying celebration that’s fun for all ages and the perfect way to kick off the new year with a bang! Included with Museum admission.
Last chance to chill with SCOOBY-DOO!™ and the Mystery Inc. gang through January 5.
Winter break is the last opportunity to explore the national traveling exhibit SCOOBY-DOO!™ Mansion Mayhem at MODS. This immersive experience, in partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, allows families to join the members of Mystery Inc. to analyze clues and put their problem-solving skills to the test. SCOOBY-DOO!™ Mansion Mayhem was produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Warner Bros. It is locally presented by Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan and sponsored by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
MODS has the coolest gifts! Looking for the perfect year-round gift? MODS is offering a scientastic holiday membership sale. Family memberships are $20 off until December 31 with code modsfriday24. Membership levels with full benefits can be viewed at mods.org/member.
The Explore Store also offers a great selection of items, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education toys, games, puzzles, books, plush animals and unique items inspired by the natural world, including jewelry, gems, sustainable products and more. The Explore Store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. and on
Sunday from noon – 5:15 p.m. No admission is needed to shop!
MODS will be open during normal operating hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
All aboard for MODS’ Polar Express Pajama Party on December 14 and 21 at the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater!
Around the World: Camp STEAMology offers kids on Winter Break the opportunity to learn about how animals survive and thrive in different climates – whether snowy or tropical.
Little ones can celebrate the season with fun, themed STEAM activities at Baby’s First Winter on December 14 and Baby’s First New Year’s on December 31.
Get ready to countdown to Noon Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 complete with an epic ball drop, lively tunes from DJ Express, dance-offs and mind-blowing science experiments!
