Santa’s Workshop at MOSI Opens Soon

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area parents looking for some hands-on fun for their little ones as the holidays approach may want to set a course for Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry. It seems that Santa Claus intends to set up shop, along with some of his elves, to help kids make their own toys.

Santa’s Workshop is set to open at the 4801 E. Fowler Ave. museum on Black Friday, Nov. 25. The special attraction will be open during normal museum hours through Jan. 3, 2017. Since Santa has a busy holiday schedule, he’ll only be able to make personal appearances during the first three weekends in December, museum officials say.

Santa’s Workshop is included with regular MOSI admission, which also includes entry into the Idea Zone creativity lab. Here kids will be able to make their own toys to give to family and friends or keep for themselves.

During the holiday event, Idea Zone will be transformed into a “Minecraft-inspired winter wonderland, complete with a cubic Christmas tree and Minecraft model train,” the museum noted in a media release. Guests will be able to get hands-on creating crafts such as cardboard creatures. The museum also plans to offer live science shows, retro toy-building classes and games, like “Santa Sleuths” where kids will help find lost toys hidden throughout the museum.

“To me, the best kind of gift is a gift you make yourself – especially if you’re a kid,” Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI CEO, said in a statement. “Santa’s Workshop at MOSI gives kids the chance to show their creative sides and make something memorable and unique for a friend or family member, instead of only choosing a gift off a shelf.”

Santa will make personal appearances at his workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3. He'll make return 90-minute visits on Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, museum officials say.

For more information about MOSI, ticket prices and hours of operation, visit the museum online.

Photo courtesy of MOSI