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

July 23, 2009

Tampa Bay rounds the last bend in the month of July with all sorts of fun activities this weekend. Come see what’s happening for families in the area.

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Visit The Pier in St. Petersburg

July 20, 2009

If you’re looking for a scenic spot to get out with the family or maybe show off the beauty of Florida to visiting relatives, a favorite recommendation is always The Pier in St. Pete. Here are some reasons why this spot is family friendly and always worth the trip.

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This Weekend's Family Activities in Tampa Bay

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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Visiting The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

June 01, 2009

Last week, local bloggers, area press, twitter fans, and all varieties social media folk descended upon The Florida Aquarium and enjoyed a visit sponsored by Tampa Bloggers. On a rainy Saturday afternoon, we brought out families and curiosities about underwater life to downtown Tampa. Here are my thoughts about the Florida Aquarium if you are considering a visit sometime soon!

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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

May 14, 2009

The heat, afternoon rain storms and love bugs have all returned to Tampa this week. A special time of year, indeed. Here are this week’s picks for family activities, including some fun options to cool off, get out of the rain and away from those dreaded love bugs.

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This Weekend's Family Easter Activities

April 09, 2009

This weekend, Tampa Bay is hippity hopping with Easter activities. In fact, there are honestly just too many egg hunts and bunny sightings to list. But here are some of the more popular Easter events happening around town. And then, be sure to check your local area listings for egg hunts and Easter fun right around the corner from your home.

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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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Top Five Aquariums in the Tampa Bay Area

March 17, 2009

Are your children hoping to actually find Nemo after marathon sessions of a certain Disney movie? Perhaps your young ones are itching to see more than just your family goldfish swim in circles at home. Well, it may be time to pile the family into the car and check out a local aquarium. Here are the top five local aquariums in the Tampa bay area.

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SeaWorld through the Eyes of a Preschool Mother

February 16, 2009

Last weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity as a mom blogger to visit SeaWorld thanks to the folks at Izea. A crew of central Florida mom bloggers met at the front gate and spent an entire day checking out the park together. Surprisingly, even after living in the area for four years, I had never been to SeaWorld. So in case you haven’t been to SeaWorld recently either - and you are possibly considering a trip - here is my take on the park from the perspective of a preschool mother.

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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...

Top 20 Memberships for your child in the new year

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...

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...

Top Five Things to Do on a Rainy day in Tampa

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, upcoming week

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, 9/26

September 26, 2008

Friday, Sept. 26 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. 9:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg Johnson Branch library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7113 for more information. 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg Mirror Lake Branch library, age 3 (at 10  Read more...

It's Swaptember!

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...

Things to do today, 9/5

September 05, 2008

Friday, Sept. 5 12:30-1:45 p.m. AquaTots ~ Magical Movements: Limber Legs, The Florida Aquarium, ages 3-4 with parent, $14/1 child & 1 adult, ($10/members). Call 813-273-4015 for more information. 7:15-9:15 p.m. Back to School Bash Ice Skating Party , Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar, buy one admission get one free, call 813-843-4010 for more information.  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

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

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 today, 8/29

August 29, 2008

Friday, Aug. 29 12:30-1:45 p.m. AquaTots ~ Smart Animals: Training Animals, The Florida Aquarium, ages 3-4 with parent, $14/1 child & 1 adult, ($10/members). Call 813-273-4015 for more information. 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Disney on Ice Presents Worlds of Fantasy ~ featuring Lightning McQueen, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Tinker Bell, Jenkins Arena, The Lakeland  Read more...

Things to do today, 8/22

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.  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

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...

Best places to see fish

August 19, 2008

See dolphins, sharks, turtles and oh yeah fish at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium , which specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sick or injured marine animals. Admission is $11/adults, $7.50/children 3-12, or a Party of Four membership is $55/year. Call 727-441-1790 for more information. Plenty of fish live at The Florida Aquarium 's 200,000 square feet of exhibits, shows  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

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

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

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...

Three days in Tampa, Day 2

July 09, 2008

As part of our July Escapes theme , I am highlighting over the next three days fun things for travelers with preschoolers to do in Tampa. Yesterday, I suggested Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo , rated the No. 1 children's zoo in the country. Today, I'll talk about The Florida Aquarium , which offers 200,000 square feet of exhibits, shows and indoor fun. Check out the sea otters, turtles and birds in  Read more...

Summer camps

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...

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...

Five things to do in Tampa Bay when 'It's too HOT, Mommy!'

May 27, 2008

1) The Florida Aquarium ~ Pet stingrays, visit penguins and play in the water at Explore A Shore , a 2-acre outdoor water park with slides, sand castles, pirate ships and fountains. Open daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $17.95/adults and $12.95/children (>2/free). A Party of Six membership is $135/year.* 2) MOSI ~ Check out Kids in Charge! with hands-on learning from  Read more...

5 best 'day trips' within an hour

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

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...

Planes, trains and automobiles: Things that go vroom!

May 13, 2008

With a railroad history like Tampa's, you'd think we'd have plenty of trains nearby and we do! Ride the miniature trains at Largo Central Railroad from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first full weekend of every month. It's free, but they appreciate donations. Take a ride on bigger trains at Inland Lakes Railway in Eustis, Mount Dora and Tavares. Psst! Thomas the Tank Engine usually visits  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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