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Children playing at the Lite-Zilla light wall inside the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida in Panama City.
FeaturedVerifiedFixed locationChildren's Museums

Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida

Panama City, FL

Hands-on children's museum with interactive science exhibits, toddler programming, and birthday parties in Panama City.
Plan This Visit

Best for

Best for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary kids; older kids may enjoy selected exhibits but this is not a high-adrenaline play venue.

Hours

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; closed Sunday and Monday.

Visit style

Self-guided museum-style visit with optional scheduled toddler programming.

Birthday parties

Available

Atlas Perspective

Editor's Take

A better fit for curious little kids than thrill-seeking big kids: think 1 to 2 hours of hands-on exhibits, pretend play, and low-pressure exploration rather than a giant indoor playground.

Atlas Perspective

Best Fit

Best For
  • Toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary kids who like hands-on discovery play.
  • Families wanting a rainy-day or hot-weather outing with a museum feel.
  • Kids who enjoy pretend play, sensory elements, and interactive exhibit stations.
  • Birthday parties that benefit from room rentals or a private-museum option.
Less Ideal For
  • Kids looking for a large climbing structure, trampolines, or a high-energy play gym.
  • Families wanting a longer all-day attraction with big physical play as the main draw.
  • Visitors who can only go on Sundays, Mondays, or outside daytime hours.

At a Glance

Venue type

Kids activity center

Age groups

ToddlersPreschoolersBig kids

Play features

Museum exhibitsSensory playPretend play

Birthday party options

Birthday partiesPrivate party roomFull venue buyoutParty packages

Accessibility and comfort

Sensory-friendly

Visit options

Drop-in visitsMembership availableClasses or events

Price range

Mid-range

Toddler-friendly

Yes

Verified only

Yes

Operator type

Museum

Play model

Mixed open play + classes

Supervision model

Mixed model

Max recommended age

Under 13

Structured classes or guided programming

Yes

Plan Your Visit

Mondayclosed
Tuesday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sundayclosed
Arrival Notes
General admission is available during regular museum hours.Science Spots for Tots runs on designated Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and is geared to ages 2 to 5.Toddler Time runs Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the camp room.
Hours SummaryOpen Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; closed Sunday and Monday.
Recommended Visit LengthAbout 1 to 2 hours for most families.
Who Its Best ForBest for families with toddlers through early elementary kids.

Pricing Snapshot

General Admission

Adults

$12

Bay District Teachers

Free with school ID

Children Ages 2 To 17

$12

Military

$11

Seniors

$11
Memberships

Available

Yes

Summary

Annual memberships include unlimited admission plus discounts on camps and birthday parties.
Special Programs

Age Guidance

Ages 5 and under

Name

Toddler Time

Pricing

Included

One accompanying adult is free

Members

$8

Non Members

$9

Schedule

Thursdays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

About the Venue

The Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida is a compact, hands-on children's museum in Panama City that works especially well for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids. Families can rotate through interactive spaces like the Beam Interactive projection floor, Medical Arena, Market, Construction Junction, Boat Room & Shark Tank, Air & Space, Tree of Knowledge, a sensory room, and reptile encounters. The center also runs age-specific options for younger kids, including Science Spots for Tots on designated Tuesdays for ages 2 to 5 and Thursday Toddler Time soft play for ages 5 and under. It's a strong rainy-day or hot-weather outing for families who want more discovery play and pretend play than a big climbing-focused indoor playground.

Atlas Perspective

Indoor Play Atlas Notes

Age FitBest for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary kids; older kids may enjoy selected exhibits but this is not a high-adrenaline play venue.
Booking FrictionLow for regular visits; moderate for parties because forms and package requests are handled directly by the venue.
Energy LevelLow to medium.
Noise LevelUsually low to moderate, with louder moments around interactive rooms and group programs.
Parent ComfortEasy to supervise because families move from exhibit to exhibit together.
Visit StyleSelf-guided museum-style visit with optional scheduled toddler programming.

Birthday Party Snapshot

Booking NotesUse the venue's party form and send completed reservations or party forms to [sdc@sdcnwfl.org](mailto:sdc@sdcnwfl.org).
OverviewBirthday parties are offered on weekends with DIY, themed, and private-museum options.
Packages

Includes

Party room for 2 hours with tables and chairs

Name

DIY Party

Notes

Family handles set-up and clean-up.Additional guests are $8 each.

Price

$300 for up to 15 children or $350 for up to 25 children

Schedule

Saturdays 11:00 AM-1:00 PM or 2:00-4:00 PM

Includes

Party room for 2 hours with tables and chairsVenue set-upPaper products including plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth, and forks

Name

Theme Party

Notes

Additional guests are $8 each.

Price

$350 for up to 15 children or $400 for up to 25 children

Schedule

Saturdays 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Includes

Museum open only to your guestsUp to 25 children and 25 adults

Name

Private Museum Party

Price

$500

Schedule

Sundays 1:30-4:00 PM

Accessibility & Comfort

Planning NoteDetailed mobility, restroom, and other accommodation policies are not clearly published on the public site, so call ahead for specific needs.
Program Flexibility
Science Spots for Tots says activities are adaptable so children of many ages and abilities can participate.
Sensory Supports
The museum lists a dedicated Sensory Room among its exhibits.
Sensory-friendly

Gallery

Children using the Beam Interactive projection floor at the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida.
Projection-floor games add a more active stop inside the museum.
Kids playing in the Medical Arena pretend-play exhibit at the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida.
The Medical Arena leans into imaginative, hands-on role play.
Boat Room exhibit with fishing-themed pretend play inside the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida.
The Boat Room & Shark Tank gives younger kids a coastal pretend-play zone.
Shark-themed exhibit room at the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida in Panama City.
One of the museum's themed exhibit spaces.

External Links

WebsiteBookingFacebookXDirections

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Quick Summary

Best for

Best for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary kids; older kids may enjoy selected exhibits but this is not a high-adrenaline play venue.

Hours

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; closed Sunday and Monday.

Visit style

Self-guided museum-style visit with optional scheduled toddler programming.

Birthday parties

Available

Contact Information

Address

308 Airport Rd

Panama City, FL, 32405

Location
FloridaPanama City / Forgotten CoastPanama City, FL
Source & Verification

Last updated

April 5, 2026

Verification summary

Last verified: April 4, 2026

Checked against 7 public sources.

Source

Web Research 2026 04 04

What Changed

April 4, 2026

Refreshed editorial copy and filled address, postal code, email, social links, planning fields, and official venue images from venue-controlled sources.

April 4, 2026

Verified hours, admission, toddler programming, exhibits, and birthday party packages on the official website.

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