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

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This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

June 25, 2009

We’re in the heat of summer now. It certainly seems as if summer arrived earlier this year too. I am sure swimming pools and sprinklers have been crowded with Tampa Bay kids these past few days.  Here are some options for family activities in the area this weekend. Please stay cool out there!

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This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

June 11, 2009

It’s Thursday which means the weekend is almost here. It also means it’s time for our weekend picks for family activities in Tampa Bay. Come see what’s happening for your family in the area!

Annie: The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center presents the fabulous musical Annie from June 12th – June 14th. Annie is a memorable family classic and has a wonderful musical score. It is suggested you purchase tickets ahead of time. See the website for times and ticket prices.

Fit Kids Playground: On June 13th, Hyde Park Village will host the first annual Fit Kids Playground. The fun starts at 10am and this free event will offer children’s yoga, a DJ spinning fun dance tunes, interactive exercise activities, animal encounters, healthy food samplings, giveaways and more.  

Little People Live: Lowry Park Zoo will host this fun performance on Saturday and Sunday, at 11:30am and 1:00pm. Music, dancing, animals and so much more! The show is free with zoo admission.

The Eighth Annual John Levique Pirate Days: Honoring the start to Hurricane season, John’s Pass hosts a fun family pirate event all weekend which will include a boat and street parade, a children’s pirate costume contest and a family treasure hunt.

Reminder: Members of the Salvador Dali Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art will be offered free admission to the Pier Aquarium for the entire month of June.  Read more...

This Weekend's Memorial Day and other Family Activities

May 21, 2009

Memorial Day weekend has always been the official start to summer in our family. A barbeque and a baseball game are both prerequisites. But so that we may remember the real reason we have a long weekend, check out some of the Memorial Day events for families – including some fabulous benefits for military personnel – being offered around the Tampa Bay area this weekend.

The Florida Aquarium offers free admission to military. From May 23 -25, military personnel are being offered 2 free general admission tickets. Up to four other family members will receive 50% off their tickets also.

Lowry Park Zoo offers free admission to military. On May 25th, military personnel and as many as three direct dependants will receive free admission into the zoo.

Busch Gardens free admission for military. Don’t forget, Busch Gardens offers free admission to military personnel once a year (which is not limited to Memorial Day).

Memorial Day Freedom Fest 2009 at Riverwalk. From the main stage at Cotanchobee Park to the Florida Aquarium, a patriotic festival will be held with music, entertainment and food. Don’t forget about the Memorial Day Service at 10am on Monday.

Military Families Day at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Military personnel and their family members are offered free admission on Memorial Day. There will be a performance re-enacting the experiences of Henry Dobson, a soldier who traveled through Tampa during in the Spanish-American War also.

Memorial Day Carillon Concert at Bok Tower Gardens. Bok Tower Gardens is offering free admission to military personnel and 50% off three family members. A patriotic musical salute will be featured on Monday at 1pm and 3pm.  

The Florida Orchestra accompanies a screening of the Wizard of Oz. On May 23rd and 24th, the Mahaffey Theater presents the Florida Orchestra as they musically accompany a screening of the Wizard of Oz below a theater sized screen.

Disney’s High School Musical will be performed Friday at 7:00pm at the Patel Youth Theater.

Reminder: Tickets for “Disney Live!”, which will be performed in Lakeland on Saturday, August 22, have just gone on sale.  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

April 30, 2009

Happy May Day! Yes, it’s May. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? School summer vacations will begin in a matter of weeks and that very warm Florida weather will be upon us very soon. Here are some suggested activities for Tampa parents this weekend.

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This Weekend's Family Activities

April 23, 2009

Tampa Bay parents have another busy weekend of activities to look forward to. Come check out what has made Being Savvy Tampa’s list for this weekend.

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This Weekend's Family Activities

April 16, 2009

With Earth Day coming up next week, there are all sorts of events planned this weekend to start raising awareness about this important day. While Earth Day isn’t the only thing going on around town - a lot of the events highlighted this week also happen to be free! Come see what’s happening for families in Tampa Bay this weekend.

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Spring Break Camps and Activities in the Tampa Bay Area

April 05, 2009

For many families in the Tampa bay area, today marks the first day of Spring Break. While there is a certain luxury to a week without schedules, it may also mean that your usually busy children will get bored fast. If you are looking to keep everyone busy this week, there are some fantastic camps and activities available to Tampa Bay kids.  And check them out right now before they fill up for the week!

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This Weekend's Family Activities

April 02, 2009

Spring has sprung and April is here! Many of us are getting excited for Spring Break next week. If you won’t be traveling but are looking for some fun things to do in the area next week, I will be posting some fun activities on Monday. But there are some exciting events that will rev your family’s engines this weekend too.

Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

For all the fast car fans in your family, the annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will certainly get everyone’s motors running. Rumor has it there will be some new, quieter engines on display this weekend. Come join car and racing enthusiasts all weekend in downtown St. Pete! Be sure to check their website for all sorts of details. The event schedule can be found here.

Festival of States Illuminated Night Parade

To kick off the Honda Grand Prix Weekend, be sure to check out the Thursday evening parade, fireworks and festivities at the Festival of States. This event was begun to coax winter residents to stay in the area a bit longer. Now winter and year round residents enjoy the fun at the “south’s largest civic celebration”.

Spring Fling and Earth Day at the Library

A “Spring Fling for Preschoolers” will be happening on Saturday at 11:00am at the Pasco County Regency Park Library. And your children can celebrate Earth Day at 2:00pm at the Centennial Park Library on Saturday also.

Skywatch at MOSI

Since this week’s space shuttle landing, perhaps you and your children continue to be fascinated with all thing celestial. Come visit MOSI where a free sky watch will be happening in the butterfly garden at sundown on both Saturday and Sunday.

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This Weekend's Family Activities

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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This Weekend's Family Activities

March 18, 2009

Happy Spring! This weekend officially ends the winter season. If you are feeling a little spring in your step, consider checking out one of the following activities with your family this weekend.

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This Weekend's Family Activities

March 12, 2009

You better start digging through the family's closets and find all the green you've got - Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! But perhaps you and your family don't want to wait for the 17th to celebrate? Well consider it the luck of the Irish, there are some Saint Paddy's events in Tampa this weekend. As well as a few other events that you might want to check out.

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This Weekend's Family Activities

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“.

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Visit the Florida Strawberry Festival this Weekend

February 26, 2009

If you’re from Florida, you know that this state is known for more than just oranges. In fact, we grow some very fine strawberries in this state of ours. And to celebrate just that, it is once again time for the annual Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City.

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This Weekends Family Activities

February 20, 2009

It’s hard to believe that February is more than half way over now! Spring training for baseball is right around the corner and our temps are starting to warm back up already. So what’s there to do this weekend? Here are a few ideas for the family.

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Visit the Florida State Fair with your Family

February 06, 2009

Ready the family, the Florida State Fair has begun here in Tampa! Sure, there are all sorts of crazy, spinning, "lose your hot dog" type of rides that aren't exactly preschooler appropriate. But the State Fair is not limited to just rides, flashing lights and cotton candy. My family has been pleasantly surprised to find all sorts of fun for our young children and, as a result, have made the  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

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

January 16, 2009

The temperatures may be dropping and we're finally experiencing our small share of winter, but there is plenty to do in the Tampa Bay area to keep the blood moving! Check out this weekend's events. Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Starting yesterday, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage festival will run until the 24th. Famous actors, speakers performers, musicians will celebrate cultural  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

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...

This Weekend's Family Activities

January 02, 2009

Happy New Year, once again! The holidays have passed and many Tampa Bay families are bidding adieu to visiting relatives and regrouping their homes before school and the regular work week begins on Monday. Hopefully you will find some time to enjoy these last few days of winter break together. Here are this weekend's suggested local family activities. Fritzy Bros. One Man Circus at the  Read more...

Tampa Bay Chanukah Family Events

December 22, 2008

Happy Chanukah! Hurray for a week of family, latkes, donuts, gifts and tradition. There are all sorts of fun family events going on this week for Jewish families. Gather your family, check out these events and enjoy your week. Chanukah in Plant Park - Monday, December 22: Experience this wonderful Tampa annual tradition! This even is also free to every family. There will be latkes, donuts,  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

December 19, 2008

Coming up this week, many of us will be celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas. I am quite sure that many parents are still scrambling to finish up holiday shopping and preparations. However, other folks may have finished preparations and are ready to have fun with family. Or maybe extended family is in town and they need some entertaining. If you are looking for some family activities this  Read more...

This weekend's family activities

December 12, 2008

Holiday preparations are in full swing right now and our weekends are filled with parties, shopping and decorating. Or you may need a break from all of those preparations and you're looking for something to channel your child's excitement this weekend. Here are some ideas for family fun this weekend. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center This classic movie has  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

December 05, 2008

While many of you will be bustling around decorating or doing holiday shopping, try to save some time for one these upcoming events. There are endless ways to celebrate the holiday season in the Tampa area this weekend! St. Petersburg Santa Parade and Snowfest at North Straub Park On Saturday from 10am - 12pm, our Tampa Bay Rays will be the grand marshals for Santa's parade. The parade  Read more...

Holiday Traditions in Tampa Bay

December 02, 2008

Who says we can't have a "real" holiday season here in Florida? We don't need snow to get in the spirit in these parts. There are some wonderful holiday traditions for families here in our area. You may already be familiar with some of these traditions. Or perhaps your family will start a new tradition this year while attending one of the following events. Holiday in the Park at Upper Tampa  Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

November 21, 2008

The weekend is upon us once again! Next week brings the start of a busy holiday season. Perhaps you will be traveling to see family or having family visit you for Thanksgiving. Either way, there is a lot of excitement ahead. Take the time to enjoy this weekend with your children before the holiday rush is upon us. Free Circus and Food Drive at the St. Pete Times Forum Today between 11am and  Read more...

Top 10 Things to do in Tampa before your kids grow up.

November 07, 2008

Part of being a parent is creating memories with our children. As a child, I can certainly remember being thrilled to ride a local carousel with my father and we have the pictures to prove it. Well, now it's our turn to make the same kind of memories for our children. Tampa offers so much for our families. Here are some suggested spots in Tampa Bay that we should all visit before our children  Read more...

Enjoy the Tampa Music Scene with your Preschooler

November 03, 2008

If my husband and I are playing some of our favorite tunes - and our youngest is anywhere within ear shot - you can bet he will be in the middle of the living room floor romping about wildly, maybe even with some semblance of rhythm. Do you have a child who loves music of every kind too? I know that I am always looking for ways to further expose my children to diverse types of music. Here is a  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

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...

Three days in Tampa, Day 3

July 10, 2008

As part of our July Escapes theme , I am highlighting over three days fun things for travelers with preschoolers to do in Tampa. On Tuesday, I suggested Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo , rated the No. 1 children's zoo in the country. On Wednesday, I talked about The Florida Aquarium , which offers 200,000 square feet of exhibits, shows and indoor fun. Today, I have suggestions for great festivals and  Read more...

Things to do today, 6/6

June 06, 2008

Things to do today 11 a.m. Story time, Fantastic Fridays (toddlers >3 & preschool 3-6), Barnes & Noble, Carrollwood 3-11 p.m. John Levique Pirate Days starts today and goes all weekend. 4 p.m. Story time with Froggy, Special Costume Character, Barnes & Noble, Tampa 5-8 p.m. Kid City , Free First Friday, all ages  Read more...

Things to do this weekend

June 04, 2008

John Levique Pirate Days in John's Pass Village in Madeira Beach starts Friday. Admission is free. It runs from 3-11 p.m. on Friday, noon-10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. You can participate in a family treasure hunt from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Children can enter a costume contest at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Check out what else is going on  Read more...

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

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...

A pirate says, 'Aaargh!'

May 22, 2008

Looking for a good time for your little mateys? Check out these local festivals. The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is held in January, including a children's parade and other activities. The John Levique Pirate Days is a three-day event that includes a family treasure hunt and a variety of activities for children face-painting, storytelling and games. Hurry! It's coming soon: June 6-8, 2008.  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in tampa

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy tampa:
Caroline, Becky

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