Sugar Sand Park: Lots of free and cheap activities, Boca Raton
Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is a popular local community park that is home to Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre and it also features a vintage Carousel.
This is a park and a playground for kids of all ages. Many programs are free but may require advance registration; others have nominal fees to cover materials, etc. Check the monthly calendar for recurring events and details.
This is a 132-acre park that also features nature trails, an outdoor playground and lots of cool stuff to explore!
The Children's Science Explorium in Sugar Sand Park is a hands-on science center designed for children 5-12 years of age and their caregivers. It offers interactive exhibits, programs and demonstrations that bring the physical sciences to life. Many activities are free.
Admission to the is free, however a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. The classic Carousel is only $1 per ride. Some activities require fees to cover the cost of materials or are being presented by outside hosts. Tickets to Willow Theatre productions are usually $10-$15.
Following is a sample of ongoing activities available at no cost.
Eyes To The Skies
(Recommended for Ages 8+)
- Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 8 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, at 7 p.m.
Discover the fun of telescope nights! These FREE, informal events are held in the Camino parking lot behind the Explorium (weather permitting). We will explore the skies using our computerized 16" LX200 Meade Telescope, computerized 8-inch Celestron CPC Deluxe Telescope, and star gazing apps.
Weekend Science Demos for age 7 and up:
Join the Explorium staff as they dig a little deeper into some exciting scientific principles that will surely spark your curiosity during these FREE 30 minute, interactive, demonstrations.
In addition to a permanent exhibit collection, the Explorium also offers visitors a variety of traveling exhibits each year. From rockets to molecules, the museum engages and teaches children about the fantastic world of science.
Visit this website for more details.
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Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton
300 S Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33486
561-347-3900
The “Eyes to the Skies” nights sound like a great part of Sugar Sand Park, especially for families whose kids haven’t looked through a serious telescope before. The 16-inch Meade in particular should make quite an impression. I was reading this explanation of telescope aperture vs. focal length comparison, which helped me understand why aperture matters so much for gathering light and viewing fainter objects. It would be interesting to know what they usually point the telescopes at during these events — planets, the Moon, or some brighter deep-sky objects.