Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Tampa, FL

Unlike the majority of states in our country, January is a beautiful time of the year in the Tampa Bay area. However, it is easy for all of us to take the sunshine for granted while our northern friends and relatives shovel out their driveways. As a reminder for all of us to appreciate what we have, here is a top ten list of activitiesTampa Bay parents can enjoy with their preschoolers in the "wintery" month of January.

1. Go to the beach. Even if you may not think it's warm enough to swim, it's a wonderful time to bring a picnic, build some castles and just enjoy the sunshine.

2. Go to the park. Most parks up north are buried in snow or coated in ice. Not ours.

3. Ride bikes. Get out the helmets, tricycles and bikes with training wheels.  Tampa boasts the longest continuous sidewalk in the country, so get out there!

4. Fly kites. This is a great activity for the beach.

5. Go for a hike. Scout out your local parks and find a walk you wouldn't try in the stifling heat of July.

6. Play with sidewalk chalk. Get outside and brighten up that driveway of yours with some preschool artwork! Try playing a game of hopscotch or outlining one another in silly poses on the ground.

7. Outdoor Games. Play "Freeze Tag", "Hide and Seek", "Sardines" or any other outside "run around like mad and scream a lot" game.

8. Garden. Go buy some seeds, bulbs or annuals, plant a little garden, and tend to it regularly. Be sure to let your kids get nice and dirty!

9. Go fishing. If your preschooler is old enough, buy them an inexpensive children's fishing rod and take them to a local pond. My husband caught a bass with my five year old just yesterday!

10. Go places you normally avoid in the hot summer. For example, visit the zoo, Busch Gardens or Disney world. Now that the busy holiday season has passed, you should have these places to yourself - and with perfect weather.