The new kid on the block

An exterior view of the Florida Children's Museum

You can’t miss the museum’s colorful building at Bonnet Springs Park. | Photo by LALtoday

Blinky and you’ll miss it — the Grand Opening of the Florida Children’s Museum is this weekend at Bonnet Springs Park. We’re not kidding around when we say it’ll be action-packed, so check out what you can expect from the museum.

Grand Opening Weekend

Date: Fri., Nov. 4-Sat., Nov. 5
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd.
Admission: $15/person

A rendering of Florida Children's Museum — The Harrell Family Charities Front Yard (see Blinky in the corner?)

Features
The museum’s first two floors are filled with interactive exhibits. Children can climb on a 100-ft Blinky the Alligator jungle gym in the ~8,000 sqft Harrell Family Charities Front Yard, create vehicles in the Design Park, explore careers in St. Christopher’s Project City Play, and more. Plus, every visit will be different thanks to traveling exhibits and daily activities.

On the third floor, families will find the Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, which provides classes and activities for children aged 0-6. Free child development classes will begin Mon., Nov. 7 — visit for an open house during the Florida Children’s Museum’s grand opening.

Rendering of the Design Park with honeycomb structures and kids' play areas — Design your own vehicles in the Design Park, inspired by honeybees.

Membership
Membership pricing starts at $120 per year, including one adult and one child. It’s $20 per year to add on additional members, like other children, spouses, grandparents, and nannies. Membership includes complimentary museum access + discounted guest passes.

Perks don’t stop there. Members also receive access to exclusive events, birthday cards from Blinky himself, and discounts at affiliate partners like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, the Florida Air Museum, and Pressed Books & Coffee, to name a few.

Want to learn more about the museum before it opens? Read our Q+A with Kerry Falwell — the CEO of the Florida Children’s Museum — to learn more about upcoming programs, the inspiration behind the exhibits, and the steps taken to create an inclusive space for kids.

EVENTS

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Tuesday, November 1

Music Bingo and Fun Run w/ SSB Seafood | Tue., Nov. 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Come for the Fun Run at 5:30, stay for music bingo at 6:30 while feasting on bites from SSB Seafood.
Crochet Buddies | Tue., Nov. 1 | 3-4 p.m. | Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W McLendon St., Plant City | Free | Individuals aged nine and up can come to learn the basics of crochet — space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wednesday, November 2

Line Dancing Lessons & Karaoke | Wed., Nov. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Learn some new moves from 5-7 p.m., then sing your heart out starting at 8 p.m.
Munch & Learn: “It’s Thyme” for Growing Herbs (online only) | Wed., Nov. 2 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn expert tips on starting and maintaining a successful herb garden.

Thursday, November 3

Harrison School for the Arts - Mary Poppins | Thu., Nov. 3 - Sun., Nov. 6 | 7 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Road, Lakeland | $16.00 - $18.00 | You won’t need a spoonful of sugar to sweeten this experience — watch the students of Harrison School for the Arts bring this classic musical to life.
Jo Koy Funny is Funny World Tour | Thu., Nov. 3 | 8-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $49.50 - $194.50 | Laugh along with comedian Jo Koy, as seen on Netflix and Comedy Central.

Friday, November 4

First Friday: Dancing Under the Stars | Fri., Nov. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Join this salute to our armed forces with a live band and dancing in Munn Park, plus a maker’s market and car show.
PACA Pick of The Month: A Siren’s Peril | Mon., Oct. 31-Fri., Nov. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., #2 | Free | Stunning underwater portraits of 10 talented “zombie” mermaids and mermen by photographer Scott Audette will be on display as well as props, behind-the-scenes videos, and costuming.*

Saturday, November 5

46th Lake to Lake 10K | Sat., Nov. 5 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Lake Morton, Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland | $45.00 | Run past three lakes and through the historic Lake Morton district in Polk County’s oldest annual race — proceeds benefit the YMCA of West Central Florida.

Thursday, November 24

Thanksgiving Dinner | Thu., Nov. 24 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland, 329 E Main St., Lakeland | $49.00 - $120.00 | Opt for a stress-free meal this holiday and choose from a smorgasbord of curated entrees — your taste buds will thank you.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR MONTH

NEWS NOTES

Weather

89º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Open

Circle B Bar Reserve has reopened after being closed for several weeks due to flooding by Hurricane Ian. Guests can now enjoy hiking trails like Alligator Alley and Marsh Rabbit Run, but should look out for water and debris. (The Ledger)

Number

28. That’s how many of Lake Morton’s royal swans found new homes at last week’s public swan sale. The City of Lakeland sold all of the available birds to approved buyers to maintain Lake Morton’s swan population at a safe level. 🦢 (WFTS)

Biz

Local small business June Taylor (125 N. Kentucky Ave., Ste. 103) is expanding its Florida footprint. You can now shop its vintage furniture, decor, and more unique finds at The Col.lec.tive (4243 W. El Prado Blvd., Tampa). Make it a stop on your next Tampa day trip.

Edu

Florida Southern College is welcoming a new classroom — and students might need to gain their sea legs to join. “The Moccasin,” a Carolina Skiff boat, will launch on Lake Hollingsworth on Thurs., Nov. 10, allowing students to learn about marine ecosystems up close. ⛵️

Sports

The Lakeland Magic are hitting the courts on Fri., Nov. 4 for their first game of the season. Buy your season tickets before their home opener on Fri., Nov. 11, and tell us what kind of sports content you want to see in LALtoday. The ball’s in your court. 🏀

Learn

Are you a poet and you didn’t know it? Find out in Orange Blossom Poems’ Women’s Studies: Poetry Workshop, happening on Zoom each Monday of November. Learn about women, music, gratitude, and more — send a direct message via Instagram to register.

Drink

Gather around the campfire and try the new s’mores old fashioned from Cob & Pen, made with toasted marshmallow bourbon and topped with a Shmush marshmallow. Order one tonight at Ladies’ Night, featuring half-off bottles of wine and discounted champagne cocktails. 🥃

DYK

Did you know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month? Support diabetes research at Leadership Winter Haven’s Fall Festival, benefitting the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. Join the festivities at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (199 E. Lake Silver Dr. NE, Winter Haven) on Sat., Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Arts

Auburndale High School is looking for vendors to take part in Winter Fest on Sat., Dec. 3. Students, alumni, and local craftspeople are invited to take part in this arts and crafts festival. Email Sherry Ross to sign up.

Outdoors

This is nothing to Bok at. Lake Wales was recognized on the Cultural Landscape Foundation’s list of national sites designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Olmsted Sr.’s firm. Learn more about his son Frederick Olmsted Jr.'s influence on Bok Tower Gardens here. 🌼 (The Ledger)

Try This

Keep the Halloween spirit going this month with a visit to Spook Hill, a roadside attraction in Lake Wales where cars appear to roll uphill. You can decide if it’s just an optical illusion, or if there are more supernatural forces at play. (Fox 13 News)

Health

Eat too much Halloween candy last night? This cordless water flosser can help clean up those pearly whites. It is more effective than traditional dental floss and includes two flossing tips and two pressure settings. Bonus: This battery operated + cordless flosser is travel-friendly. 🦷*

Correction

Yesterday, we incorrectly stated that Art Crawl and the Coffee Crawl happen on Friday. What we should have said was that Art Crawl is on Sat., Nov. 5 and the Coffee Crawl runs from Fri., Nov. 4-Sun., Nov. 6 — shout out to our eagle-eyed readers for catching this error.

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Culture

Botany new plants lately? 🪴

Pumpkins and plants on sidewalk outside of Scout & Tag storefront

Find new seasonal houseplants from Scout & Tag. | Photo by @nicolefeller_

Clearing out your Halloween decor? It’s the perfect time to bring new life to your home with seasonal flowers or houseplants. Visit these local shops for fresh foliage:

Bloom Shakalaka, The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.

Promising “funky fresh blooms,” Bloom Shakalaka is a great place to get a wrapped bunch of bright florals or a fun arrangement. Stop by The Joinery and visit the flower fridge to pick your own by the stem.

The Nectary, 1047 E. Main St.

Not sure where to start? Try a native plant from The Nectary. This nursery has carried everything from native wildflowers to vines + trees. Visit to see what’s in stock and make your lawn biodiverse and beautiful.

Scout & Tag, 244 N. Kentucky Ave.

If you’re hunting for a holiday gift, visit The Potting Shed at Scout & Tag for small houseplants and unique planters. We think the swan topiaries are the perfect present for every Lakelander on your list.

7 MORE PLANT SHOPS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Here’s another cool feature of the Florida Children’s Museum: It partnered with USF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities to make visits comfortable for all kids. Stop by the front desk to request a Sensory Kit, complete with noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and a fidget toy.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Stay up to date on midterm elections, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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