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 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!

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...

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

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.

 Read more...

Spring Break Camps and Activities in the Tampa Bay Area

by Caroline

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!

 Read more...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

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.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday with your Children

by Caroline

January 19, 2009

Today, we are celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This holiday offers us an excellent opportunity to teach our preschoolers about this great man's lessons and legacy. Here are various resources which should help you share the meaning of this day with your family. And then be sure to get downtown for the MLK parade starting at noon; details are listed here as well. Are you  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...

Storytimes offered in the Tampa Bay Area

by Caroline

November 11, 2008

One of the best ways to excite your children about books is to read aloud to them. And while we all take the time to do this, maybe we've read the same "Chika Chika ABC" book one too many times. How about a change? Here is a list of places we can take our children to hear some stories locally. Sitting with other children, hearing a new story with a new voice and even singing some songs can  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, Sept. 30

by Becky

September 30, 2008

Tuesday, Sept. 30 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages 3-5, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 10:15 a.m. Toddler Story Time , East Lake Community Library, ages birth-3, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 11 a.m. Preschool Story Time , East Lake Community Library, ages 3-5, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 11  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

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

by Becky

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...

Things to do today, 9/23

by Becky

September 23, 2008

Tuesday, Sept. 23 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages 3-5, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 10:15 a.m. Toddler Story Time , East Lake Community Library, ages birth-3, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages birth-3, call 727-341-7197 for more  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...

Things to do today, 9/17

by Becky

September 17, 2008

Wednesday, Sept. 17 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg main library, ages 3-5, call 727-893-7724 for more information. 10 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg North Branch library, ages birth-3, registration required, call 727-893-7214 for more information. http://www.splibraries.org/Pre_School.htm 10 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg South Branch library, ages birth-3,  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/16

by Becky

September 16, 2008

Tuesday, Sept. 16 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages 3-5, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 10:15 a.m. Toddler Story Time , East Lake Community Library, ages birth-3, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages birth-3, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 11 a.m.  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

September 15, 2008

Monday, Sept. 15 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. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg North Branch library, ages birth-3, registration required, call 727-893-7214 for more  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/11

by Becky

September 11, 2008

Thursday, Sept. 11 10 a.m. Toddler Tales , Largo Public Library, ages 18 months-3 years, call 727-587-6715 for more information. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Book Time at Brooker Creek ~ Hungry Hoppers: Grasshoppers in Your Backyard by Nancy Loewen, Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, ages 3-5, free but registration is required, call 727-453-6800. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wee-time at  Read more...

Celebrate literacy in September

by Becky

September 11, 2008

For more than 40 years, Sept. 8 has been recognized as International Literacy Day , and September is Florida Adult and Family Literacy Month . Call the Florida Literacy Coalition at 800-237-5113 for more information. Florida is also celebrating September as National Library Card Sign Up Month . To celebrate, get in free at any Florida State Park , Sept. 7-13, by taking a library card, a  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/9

by Becky

September 09, 2008

Tuesday, Sept. 9 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages 3-5, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 10:15 a.m. Toddler Story Time , East Lake Community Library, ages birth-3, call 727-773-2665 for more information. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg West Community library, ages birth-3, call 727-341-7197 for more information. 11 a.m.  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/8

by Becky

September 08, 2008

Monday, Sept. 8 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. 11 a.m. Mother Goose , St. Petersburg North Branch library, ages birth-3, registration required, call 727-893-7214 for more  Read more...

Safety Harbor library airs story time on television

by Becky

September 05, 2008

Puppets Plus story time will air on InSight , Safety Harbor's 24-hour government access station (Brighthouse channel 615 and Knology channel 15). Set to begin Saturday, check the library's site for the schedule or call 727-724-1525 for more information.  Read more...

Things to do today, 9/19

by Becky

August 19, 2008

Friday, Sept. 19 Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! 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.-5 p.m. Clearwater Jazz 'N Art Walk , featuring an Educational  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...

Five free (or almost free) things to do in Tampa Bay when 'it's too HOT, Mommy!"

by Becky

May 28, 2008

Looking for inspiration to bypass the perspiration without breaking the bank? Give these ideas a try. Go for a swim. Go see a free movie . Go to the library. Go for a milkshake or ice-cream cone Go to the Tampa Museum of Art .  Read more...

Book nooks for tots

by Becky

May 26, 2008

You have a range of choices for story times in Tampa Bay. Check each site for locations and schedules. Barnes & Noble Children's Museum of Tampa Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative Pasco County Library System Pinellas Public Library Cooperative  Read more...