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 30, 2009

We’ve made it to August folks! Preparations for school begin soon so it’s time to take advantage of some family fun before our schedules get too hectic. Here’s what’s happening around town this weekend.

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Tips for Road Trips with your Preschooler

by Caroline

July 27, 2009

We at Savvy Source are sure that many of our readers are embarking on the same summertime tradition as we are: the family road trip. Yes, your friendly editor Caroline is heading out on to the open road with her young ones in tow and a whole lot of sense of humor packed in the trunk. Often, we are testing out our children’s patience as we take them out on the road for longer stretches than they are used to. How do we survive it? Here are some tips.

Special toy bag: Before venturing out on your road trip, stop and pick up a few small, inexpensive toys, books and games for each child. Try not to spend more than a few dollars on each (since they may be lost or ignored later in the trip) but try to find things they don’t already have. Then pack these into a special toy bag. Show your children your goody bag and explain that if they behave, they will get a new toy every hour, or state line, or whatever goal you set. Make the goals realistic for your child so that they remain engaged and excited to earn another toy.

Food: Be sure to keep your children fed on the same schedule they are at home. Hungry travelers are not very patient travelers. Make food ahead of time and pack a cooler to save money. Then, consider adding in a few new fun treats for them to keep things interesting.

Stops: Depending on the ages of your children and the length of the trip, plan for a few lengthy stops. Then sit back and let your children expel some of that pent up energy. While play places found at roadside McDonalds offer great playgrounds, don’t feel you must stop at one. Pack some balls (inflatable beach balls work well as space savers) and stop near a safe grassy area where they can run around. Play tag, stage races, play “red rover”; do anything to get them moving.

Games: Don’t forget to break out the old school car games you played as a child. Younger kids enjoy the “ABC” game – try to find every letter of the alphabet. Older kids like to keep track of state license plates. “I Spy” never gets old either (well, to our kids at least). Start a story and have each family member take turns adding to the storyline. Here are some more websites with great ideas too!

• Moms Minivan
• Suite 101
• Family Fun

Movies: If you are able to (or want to), playing a DVD in the car certainly passes the time for children. If this is an option you have, consider bringing movies that your children have not seen yet. However, with younger ones who love the familiar, sticking to oldies but goodies might keep their attention better.

A Sense of Humor: No matter how prepared you are, expect grumpy, annoyed, tired and bored children. It is inevitable. So do what you can to keep your cool and your sense of humor. The more you relax and enjoy yourself, the more likely it is that they will do the same. Eventually.

Happy Trails!  Read more...

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...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

January 23, 2009

Get ready; there is lots to do in Tampa this weekend! And don't hide in your homes, using the excuse that it will be too cold for outdoor fun either. A warm up is finally on its way. So let's get out there and enjoy all that Tampa Bay has to offer us. The Gasparilla Extravaganza It's that time of year again! The annual kid-friendly Gasparilla Extravaganza takes place this Saturday in  Read more...