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

This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

July 16, 2009

Tampa Bay offers us all sorts of family fun this weekend. Come check out our Savvy Source picks!

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This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

June 04, 2009

Happy June to every Tampa family! For our family, it truly means the start to summer as our oldest child has finished his final day of school. Already, we are hearing about being “bored” and seeing flashes of sibling rivalry. It’s time to get the family out this weekend then! Here are some great options.

Touch a Truck: June 6th, 10am – 1pm at Safety Harbor Park, 7th street south.

Learn-to-Skate Open House: The Tampa Bay Skating Academy is offering a free introductory skating session from 11:30 – 1:00pm at its Westfield Countryside location on June 6th. Admission, skate rental, and lessons are free. Ages as young as three are welcome. Please call 727.723.7785 to pre-register.

Meet Rays Mascot Raymond: The Land o Lakes Public Library kicks off its Reading with the Rays Summer Program on Friday. The Rays mascot Raymond will meet his fans at 1pm.

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens: Beginning this Saturday, Busch Gardens kicks off its season of Summer Nights.

Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning: Bring your child for weekly free arts and crafts every Saturday. Check out this website for the schedule here in Tampa or call 801.268.2224 for more information.  Read more...

Birthday Party Options in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

May 26, 2009

Today, I am celebrating my oldest child’s birthday. And as expected, I have been researching birthday party ideas a great deal over the past few weeks. I thought I would share some popular birthday party locations for preschool aged children in the Tampa bay area. I’ve included some options that might work for their older siblings too.

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Ten Free Things to Do with Children in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

May 05, 2009

I don’t know about you, but nothing makes this parent happier than entertaining my children for free. While we are stretching limited budgets at home or struggling to afford another expensive Florida park pass – free fun is a welcome change of pace. Here are some favorite freebies of mine here in the Tampa Bay area.

1.  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

March 05, 2009

It is suddenly March and spring is finally on its way. The temperatures promise to warm up this weekend so it’s the perfect time to get out with the family and enjoy a weekend of “sunny and seventy-five“.

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

January 30, 2009

Between Gasparilla and Super Bowl Sunday , there is a whole lot going on in Tampa this weekend. Its enough to overwhelm us a bit. If you are looking to avoid the crowds and do something else with your family, consider checking out one of these activities. Go (insert your Super bowl pick here)! Royal Lipizzan Stallions Winter Training Do your children love horses? How about dancing horses?  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

January 09, 2009

Now that holidays have passed, we are back underway with school schedules, work schedules, playgroup schedules and the like. And as we soak up this lovely weather, our families and friends up north are certainly envious of this beautiful Florida sunshine. So let's get out with our families and enjoy our city this weekend. Manatee Festival in Crystal River The Manatee Festival is taking  Read more...

Top 20 Memberships for your child in the new year

by Caroline

December 16, 2008

So Tampa Parents, are you looking for a practical gift for your children? Have all the toys stores got you down? Do you want to give your child something special, something different this year? Well, look no further. I have listed 20 local spots where you might want to consider buying an annual pass for your child. As Clark Griswold's cousin Eddy noted about the Jelly of the month club, "It's  Read more...

Fun and easy Tree Decorations to make with your Children

by Caroline

December 10, 2008

My Christmas tree is up but it is not quite entirely decorated. Why is that, you ask? My 5 year old and 2 year old have been "decorating" with my unbreakable ornaments quite a bit already. After watching them rearrange those ornaments as much as they have, maybe the breakable ornaments need to stay in the box this year. So how do I fill in the gaps? I have found some very fun ornaments that we  Read more...

More highlights from Savvy Source Toy Reviews

by Caroline

December 09, 2008

There are plenty of shopping days left in this holiday season so here are some more highlights from all the toy reviews at Savvy Source . There are some fabulous ideas for gifts over there so be sure to go check them out. In the meantime, here are a few more of my favorite toys from their review list. The Hopper Toy This toy is a classic and a true favorite for my children. Sometimes the  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

November 14, 2008

The weekend is here! With a rainy Saturday and cooler Sunday in the forecast, use this weekend as an opportunity to enjoy some fun indoor events. Along with interesting museum exhibits and other options for hands on learning, there seems to be lots of children's theater happening around town. So, come check out what we can do this weekend! " Farm to Fridge" at MOSI : Come enjoy this hands-on  Read more...

Inspire your Budding Art Critic at One of Our Local Museums

by Caroline

November 05, 2008

You might assume that visiting an art museum is strictly a "grown-up" activity. Think again! A day at a museum may just unlock the budding art critic within your own preschooler. In fact, exposing your child to fantastic art can be an extraordinary learning experience. And did you know that we have over 40 museums in the Tampa Bay area ? Pick a day when there are not many crowds and set out for  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

September 29, 2008

Monday, Sept. 29 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg South Branch library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7244 for more information. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg Mirror Lake Branch library, ages walkers-3, call 727-893-7268 for more information. 7 p.m. Family Puppet Theatre , East Lake Community Library, all ages, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 7 p.m.  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/18

by Becky

September 18, 2008

Thursday, Sept. 18 10 a.m. Toddler Tales , Largo Public Library, ages 18 months-3 years, call 727-587-6715 for more information. 10:45 a.m. Start with the Arts Pre-School , Tampa Museum of Art, ages 3-5, accompanied by parent/guardian, $4/first child and adult, $2/each additional child, registration is required, call 813-274-7328. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Clearwater Jazz 'N Art Walk ,  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

September 05, 2008

Friday, Sept. 5 9:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg Johnson Branch library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7113 for more information. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg main library, ages infant-3, call 727-893-7724 for more information. 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg South Branch library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7244 for more information.  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/4

by Becky

September 04, 2008

Thursday, Sept. 4 10:45 a.m. Start with the Arts Pre-School , Tampa Museum of Art, ages 3-5, accompanied by parent/guardian, $4/first child and adult, $2/each additional child, registration is required, call 813-274-7328.  Read more...

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a bookmark contest

by Becky

September 04, 2008

Students in grades K-5 can participate by creating a bookmark to celebrate Our Hispanic Heritage. The contest ends Sept. 30 . First prize for each grade is a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. Second prize for each grade is a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2008, at the Hispanic Heritage Poetry Ceremony at the John F. Germany Public Library auditorium. Call  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

September 01, 2008

Monday, Sept. 1 Labor Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pioneer Days , Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, Dade City, children's games, arts & crafts show, war re-enactment, call 352-567-0262 for more information. 1-3 p.m. Fun in the Sun ~ outdoor brass-band concert, Carrollwood Cultural Center, free, call 813-269-1310 for more information. 4-9:30 p.m. Salsa En St. Pete Celebration ,  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

August 22, 2008

Friday, Aug. 22 12:30-1:45 p.m. AquaTots ~ Smart Animals: Learning from Parents, The Florida Aquarium, ages 3-4 with parent, $14/1 child & 1 adult, ($10/members). Call 813-273-4015 for more information. 5-8:30 p.m. Nite Zoo , Lowry Park Zoo, free unlimited rides after 5, cost included in admission, free for members. Saturday, Aug. 23 10 a.m. Free Kids' Matinee ,  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/19

by Becky

August 19, 2008

Friday, Sept. 19 Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! 9:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg Johnson Branch library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7113 for more information. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg main library, ages infant-3, call 727-893-7724 for more information. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Clearwater Jazz 'N Art Walk , featuring an Educational  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

August 15, 2008

Friday, Aug. 15 11 a.m. Puppet show , Great Explorations, The Children's Museum in St. Petersburg, call 727-821-8992 for more information. 5-8:30 p.m. Summer Safari Night , Lowry Park Zoo, free rides after 5 p.m., included in regular admission prices and free for members. Call 813-935-8552 for more information. 6-10 p.m. 3rd Friday Music Series , John Wilson Park Gazebo,  Read more...

Things to do today, 8/11

by Becky

August 11, 2008

Monday, Aug. 11 9 a.m.-5 p.m. MOSI Homeschool Educators Open House , take free self-guided tours of exhibits and learn about MOSI's Homeschool Education programs, get 20 percent discount on membership with on-site registration, call 813-987-6100 for more information. 10:30 a.m. Story time, (preschool 3-6), Barnes & Noble Clearwater 10:30 a.m. Magical Monday  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

August 08, 2008

Friday, Aug. 8 5-8:30 p.m. Nite Zoo , Lowry Park Zoo, free unlimited rides after 5, cost included in admission, free for members. 7-9 p.m. Ulmer Park, Largo, Panakolada , steel drums, free for all ages. Saturday, Aug. 9 Puss In Boots in Bradenton, Bits N Pieces Puppet Theatre, call 813-659-0659 for more information. 10 a.m. Free Kids' Matinee , The Princess Bride,  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

August 01, 2008

Friday, Aug. 1 August Double Dino Days ~ Buy a Dinosaur World ticket in August and get a free ticket for December. 10-11 a.m. Flash! Bang! Boom! Discover our Amazing Weather! Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center , ages 5 and up, free but registration is required. Call 727-453-6800. 5-8 p.m. Free First Friday , Kid City, all ages 5-8:30 p.m. Nite  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

July 25, 2008

Saturday, July 26 10 a.m. Free movie at Beach Theatre , St. Pete Beach, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad . 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dolphin Encounter cruise on a double-deck, 125-passenger boat into the Gulf of Mexico along Clearwater and Caladesi Island , all ages, $65/person. Make reservations here. 11 a.m. The Backyardigans Live! The Tale of the Mighty Knights , Tampa Bay Performing Arts  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

July 18, 2008

Friday, July 18 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to public for Sesame Street Live: Elmo Grows at Ruth Eckerd Hall. 11 a.m. Puppet show at Great Explorations , The Children's Museum in St. Petersburg. Call 727-821-8992, Ext. 209 for more information. Saturday, July 19 10 a.m. Free movie at Beach Theatre , St. Pete Beach, Batman with Adam West. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Snooty's 60th  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

July 11, 2008

Friday, July 11 3 p.m. Story time, Fantastic Friday Bilingual, Barnes & Noble, Tampa 7-9 p.m. Ulmer Park, Largo, Tim Mullally, rock & folk guitarist Saturday, July 12 10 a.m. Free movie at Beach Theatre , St. Pete Beach, Mysterious Island 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tropical Plant Fair , USF Botanical Gardens, $4/adults, free/children 12 & younger 11:45 a.m.-4:30  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

July 05, 2008

Saturday, July 5 10 a.m. Free movie at Beach Theatre , St. Pete Beach, Shirley Temple's A Little Princess 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Miniature train rides in Largo 11:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Family Fun Saturday, Salvador Dal Museum , St. Petersburg, hands-on activities, all ages, admission: $15/adult, $4/ages 5-9, free/4 & younger (annual membership/family is $70), call (727) 823-3767 Sunday,  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

June 27, 2008

Friday, June 27 10-11 a.m. Story time, Kid City, Oldies but Goodies Books Every Child Should Experience , all ages, free with admission 11 a.m. Story time, Fantastic Fridays (toddlers >3 & preschool 3-6), Barnes & Noble, Carrollwood 3 p.m. Story time, Fantastic Friday Bilingual, Barnes & Noble, Tampa Saturday, June 28 WEDU Summer Smash 50th Birthday Bash  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

June 20, 2008

Friday, June 20 11 a.m. Story time, Fantastic Fridays (toddlers >3 & preschool 3-6), Barnes & Noble, Carrollwood 11 a.m. Puppet show , Great Explorations, The Children's Museum in St. Petersburg 3 p.m. Story time, Fantastic Friday Bilingual, Barnes & Noble, Tampa 6-10 p.m. 3rd Friday Music Series , John Wilson Park Gazebo, Safety Harbor, free, all ages  Read more...

Imagination: The Really Big Art Show

by Becky

June 16, 2008

My children recently put on The Really Big Art Show for me, with the help of their incredibly talented art director and babysitter, who they adore. It was quite a production, with drawings by each of them, and I got to judge and give out awards for most colorful and most creative title. Next up, I've been promised a dance show. What do your children do to show off their artistic  Read more...

Summer camps

by Becky

June 06, 2008

Some of these start next week, but it's not too late to register for some of the offerings. Abrakadoodle : $125/3 hours/5 days, ages 4-5, pirate, Wild West, Zoo Doodle classes start June 9-August The Arts Center in St. Petersburg: $140/week/student, ages 5-6, June 9-Aug. 15 Circle C Ranch : prices vary, ages toddlers & twos and threes-5th grade, June 9-Aug. 11 Clearwater  Read more...

Budding art critic

by Becky

June 02, 2008

Children can get hands-on learning at The Arts Center in St. Petersburg. Sign up for toddler classes or summer camp (for ages 5 and 6). At the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, children can watch interactive presentations, participate in a hands-on discovery hour (on fourth Thursdays) or sign up for activities on Saturdays. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Read more...

99 (or So) Things To Do in Tampa Bay Before Your Children Grow Up

by Becky

May 29, 2008

Air, land & sea Carriage rides at The Pier (St. Pete) HMS Bounty  (St. Pete) Hot-air balloon rides Jolley Trolley (Clearwater Beach) MacDill AFB Air Fest Streetcars (Ybor City) Suncoast Beach Trolley (St. Pete) Trains (Largo) Aquariums Clearwater Marine Aquarium The Florida Aquarium Parker Manatee Aquarium (Bradenton) The Pier Aquarium (St. Pete) Tarpon  Read more...

Five free (or almost free) things to do in Tampa Bay when 'it's too HOT, Mommy!"

by Becky

May 28, 2008

Looking for inspiration to bypass the perspiration without breaking the bank? Give these ideas a try. Go for a swim. Go see a free movie . Go to the library. Go for a milkshake or ice-cream cone Go to the Tampa Museum of Art .  Read more...