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

August 20, 2009

Hard to believe but the new school year is right around the corner! It’s time to take advantage of the fabulous discounts and specials being offered as our summers come to an end. Check out what’s happening in Tampa this

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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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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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Discover Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Petersburg

by Caroline

July 13, 2009

Are your children tearing apart your home because it’s just too hot or too rainy to be outside? Are your children craving some physical, explorative and imaginative play during these repetitive summer days? Then Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Petersburg may be exactly what you and your children need for a fun family outing.

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This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

July 09, 2009

We’re half way through July and it’s hard to believe that some of our children will be starting school in just over a month! We should all make the most of family time before busy schedules get in the way. Here are some fun activities for this upcoming weekend!

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This Weekend's Father's Day Activities in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

June 18, 2009

This weekend we will be honoring all of the wonderful Tampa Bay fathers! There are all sorts of ways to celebrate the dads in our households. Check out some of our suggested ways to make it a very Happy Father’s day weekend!

Free admission for fathers at the following:

• The Lowry Park Zoo (all weekend)

• Florida Railroad Museum (fathers ride free all weekend)

• The Florida Aquarium (on Father’s day)

• Dinosaur World (on Father’s day)

• The Tampa Bay History Center (on Father’s day)

• Fantasy of Flight (on Father’s day)

Stu’s Father Daughter Dance: On Sunday, June 21st, the Children’s Cancer center of Tampa will host a father-daughter dance. Tickets cost $25.00 and must be purchased in advance. Call (813) 383-1914 or visit their website for more information.

Hot Air Balloon Rides for Dad. This option is pricey but it might be fun! For more information, check their website.  Read more...

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 26, 2009

No fooling around, April 1st is right around the corner. But before we start thinking about April, Tampa has a whole lot going on during the end of March. Let’s get started because there is a lot to cover!

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Top 5 Things To Do with your Child before Kindergarten.

by Caroline

January 27, 2009

Kindergarten is an exciting transition for any child. While it means the beginning of elementary school, it also means your child will be in school full time for 5 days a week. Think about all you do with your child during the day. It is time to take advantage of that time before absences and tardiness are made note of on a report card. Here are my top five suggested things you should do with  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...

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...

Top Five Things to Do on a Rainy day in Tampa

by Caroline

October 28, 2008

Despite the wonderful press our state receives for its sunshine, we know that it does actually rain in Florida. And since our children are so used to outdoor living - if it rains, we need a plan. Fast. So here is a "go to" list for Tampa parents. When those rain clouds come rolling in, think about visiting one of these fun indoor spots in the Tampa Bay area. The Florida Aquarium When it  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...

It's Swaptember!

by Becky

September 15, 2008

Do you have an annual membership to The Florida Aquarium , Lowry Park Zoo or MOSI ? You can use it to get in free at any of the other places during the month of Swaptember. Check it out before Sept. 30!  Read more...

Ybor City Museum State Park celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

by Becky

September 08, 2008

Tour the Ybor City Museum , originally a bakery in business until the 1920s, in Tampa's Barrio Latino to learn about the multicultural community that helped build the city of Tampa. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger get in free. Call 813-247-6323 for more information.  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, 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, 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...

Back to school: Fair at MOSI

by Becky

July 31, 2008

The Museum of Science and Industry will hold a Back to School Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to arts and crafts, face painting, live entertainment and giveaways, kids can also check out MOSI's Kids In Charge! And Dinosaurs! The Exhibition for only $10. MOSI members and children 2 and younger get in free. Call 813-987-6000 for more  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 13, 2008

On Fridays, I will post an extensive schedule of educational and entertaining things to do for the week and weekends ahead. Make sure to check the links or call ahead. Enjoy and have fun! June 13, Friday 10-11 a.m. Story time, Kid City, Oldies but Goodies Books Every Child Should Experience , all ages, free with admission ($5) 11 a.m. Story time, Fantastic Fridays (toddlers >3  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...

5 best 'day trips' within an hour

by Becky

May 19, 2008

I'm going with a water theme here for some day trips within an hour away, depending on where in Tampa Bay you live. 1) Anna Maria Island ( Bradenton , 51 minutes away) ~ Walk on the beach, play in the water and collect shells, ride the trolley or visit a local museum. 2) Lithia Springs Park (32 minutes away) ~ Take a dip in the inviting 72-degree water of  Read more...

How to cultivate the tiniest green thumb in Tampa Bay

by Becky

May 15, 2008

Learn about ecosystems, insects and how plants decompose at Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs. Prices and age requirements vary (many are free!), so check the Web site or call (727) 453-6800 for more information. The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo has more than 30 acres of gardens and 90 acres of natural landscape to  Read more...