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

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

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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Ten Ways to Enjoy Earth Day with your Children

by Caroline

April 21, 2009

Tomorrow is Earth Day! As parents of very impressionable young ones, we should use this opportunity to kick off a year round family commitment to caring for our environment by reusing, reducing and recycling. Here are five suggested activities to honor Earth Day. And once you’ve checked those out, pull your kid up onto your lap and click through my top five suggested Earth Day websites for children. Get green, Tampa Bay!

1. Plant something today: Whether its a row of sunflowers, a new tree or a simple potted plant, you’ll be teaching your child about the outdoor world while doing something beneficial for your environment.
2. Go for a walk at a local park: Florida is a beautiful state worth protecting with its gorgeous state, county and city parks. If your child learns to love the outdoors, they will be more likely to protect it.
3. Enjoy Florida wildlife: Grab the binoculars and watch birds land near a pond, observe a squirrel jumping through your yard or use your pass and enjoy a day at the zoo. Florida wildlife is amazing so teach your children all about it.
4. Turn off the TV: Read books, play games, do crafts and spend a day enjoying something other than Noggin.
5. Visit a local farm: Teach your child about where fruits and vegetable are grown and then buy some produce while during your visit to support your local farm.

There are quite a few interactive websites that teach children about the environment that you might want to check out with your children also.

1. PBS Kids: This site offers Earth Day videos and the fun interactive Eeko World
2. Playhouse Disney: Games, printables and videos
3. Nick Jr.: Guides, gifts, crafts and garden fun
4. Kaboose: Crafts, food, games, projects and fun
5. Savvy Source: Our national site celebrates Earth Day

Top five Florida Animals our Children should Learn more About

by Caroline

March 03, 2009

When I moved to Florida, nothing could have prepared me for the kind of wildlife that I’ve encountered in the Tampa Bay area. In my backyard alone, I’ve seen bobcat, snakes of all kinds, birds of all kinds, turtles, alligators, deer and armadillos to list a few. And if I am exposed to all of these animals, my children are too. So here are a few safety tips to teach your youngest when and if they come in contact with some of our most common Florida animals.

Visit Lettuce Lake Park

by Caroline

February 24, 2009

Last Sunday, my ceaselessly restless boys began whining “what are we doing today?” The need for a morning outing was immediately established. We love taking advantage of these cooler February days outside but we wanted to find somewhere we didn't have to drive far to find that also wouldn’t cost us much to visit. A morning hike at Lettuce Lake Park wound up being the perfect solution.

SeaWorld through the Eyes of a Preschool Mother

by Caroline

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.

Visit Orlando's Gatorland

by Caroline

January 12, 2009

Over the holiday break, my family had the opportunity to visit Gatorland in Orlando. I haven't been there since I was very young and it has certainly changed over the years. If you are looking for something to do other than visit the expensive theme parks, you might want to consider spending an afternoon at Gatorland. As Florida residents, we are used to occasionally seeing an alligator  Read more...

Take a Family Hike in Hillsborough State River Park

by Caroline

November 10, 2008

Finally, it's that wonderful time of year in Florida when the heat has passed us by and we are left with perfect days filled with sunshine and clear, comfortable weather. It's time to tie on our hiking shoes, grab the kids and take advantage of it all by heading out to a local state park. One of my favs? Hillsborough State River Park. If you have preschool aged children who are up for a walk  Read more...

Landmarks: Bridges of Tampa Bay

by Becky

June 24, 2008

Most children love bridges, and Tampa Bay has plenty. Take a look at a map and find Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the bridges in the area. Then take a ride over some of the bridges and get a beautiful view of the water, land and sky. Go for sunrise or sunset. Watch for birds, boats and planes while you're at it! Bayside Bridge Courtney Campbell Causeway Gandy Bridge Howard  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...

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...

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! Discovering the wilderness of the urban jungle

by Becky

May 14, 2008

"It's a jungle out there" in Tampa Bay . Animals big and small live in our area, and I'm not just talking about the alligators in the lake or the whooping cranes that walk down the streets in many neighborhoods. Lowry Park Zoo has more than 2,000 animals from elephants (my children's favorite) to Florida panthers and even penguins ! It also has a petting zoo with farm  Read more...