FREE Weekend Programs
The Challenger Learning Center offers a rotating set of free weekend programs for familes to enjoy while spending quality time together.
1st Saturday
Skies Over Tallahassee
10 am – 11 am
Presented by the Tallahassee Astronomical Society, this free planetarium show reviews prominent constellations, stars, and planet positions that can be seen during the upcoming month. This free show occurs on the first Saturday of each month.
2nd Saturday
SCIturday
10 am – 2 pm
Join us for family friendly activities featuring various STEAM topics (science, technology, engineering, art and math). We are thankful for our 2024 SCIturday sponsor, Florida Prepaid. Open Enrollment for Florida Prepaid plans begins Thursday, February 1 and ends April 30, 2024 and feature the lowest plan prices in 10 years. Learn more now!
Upcoming Topics
Aug 10th: Nature Superheroes
Dive into the fascinating world of entomology. We are partnering with All the Buzz Apiaries—a local, veteran-owned apiary—to explore the incredible lives of insects. Discover the vital roles these tiny heroes play in our ecosystem, from pollination to producing delicious local honey. Come and learn, explore, and become a Nature Superhero with us.
Sept 14th: Driving the Future
Start your engines and get ready to drift into the exciting engineering of car science. Join us as we explore the history of cars, learn about the latest in self-driving technology, and even build and race our very own pinewood derby cars.
Oct 12: Mission Control
Explore the cutting-edge science and technology that makes space missions possible. Discover how teams at NASA’s Mission Control monitor and guide spacecraft, ensure astronauts’ safety, and solve real-time challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover the secrets of Mission Control and ignite your passion for space.
Nov 9: Astronaut Training
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience that will fuel the imagination of any young space enthusiast. Aspiring astronauts can engage in a variety of exciting activities from Barany chair training to mastering the art of maneuvering with astronaut gloves. Plus, unleash your creativity with incredible LEGO builds. Take a giant leap towards your dreams of space exploration.
Dec 14: Winter Weather
Bundle up and join us for a frosty adventure. Learn about the science of snowflakes and the winter storms that often accompany them. Discover how winter weather impacts our environment and daily lives while enjoying weather-themed crafts and experiments. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of winter with your family.
2nd Sunday
Storytime Under the Stars
6 pm – 7 pm
Join us for an enchanting evening of nostalgia and wonder where you can enjoy classic bedtime stories in our planetarium under a celestial canopy of twinkling stars.
A live narrator will be reading selected picture books with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome for families to enjoy the illustrations and follow along.
3rd Saturday
Kids’ Free Day
all day
On Kids’ Free Day children 12 and under receive a free* ticket to any scheduled IMAX documentary or planetarium show with a paying adult. *Receive one complimentary child’s ticket for each adult ticket purchase. Hollywood Films excluded from this offer.