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

Visit the New and Improved Lowry Park Zoo

by Caroline

June 08, 2009

My family recently invested in a pass to Lowry Park Zoo. Now I haven’t been to the zoo in over two years. We’ve never bought a pass before and a single day entry just seemed too pricey. But now that both children are old enough to appreciate the animals - and having heard how great the renovations are – I thought it was time to get a pass and get reacquainted with the zoo. Here are my thoughts about our visit this weekend.

Visiting The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

by Caroline

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!

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...

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

This Weekend's Family Easter Activities

by Caroline

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.

 Read more...

Top Five Aquariums in the Tampa Bay Area

by Caroline

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.

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

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“.

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.

This Weekends Family Activities

by Caroline

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.

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 the Florida State Fair with your Family

by Caroline

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

by Caroline

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...

Winter Books for Winter Days

by Caroline

January 21, 2009

The Tampa Bay area has recently seen its own fair share of cold weather. So for all the nay saying northerners, we should feel confident in saying that "Yes, Florida does in fact experience winter." But I am often looking for children's books which will help explain to my young sons what "snowy" winters are like. They need explanations about the kinds of winters that drop every leaf, freeze  Read more...

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...

This Weekend's Family Activities

by Caroline

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...

Get Lost with your Child in Sweetfields Corn Maze

by Caroline

October 29, 2008

Last weekend, my family and I were determined to enjoy this lovely fall weather by doing something seasonal. After some thought, we followed up with a local organic farm (found just over the border of Hernando county) that boasts a 4 acre butterfly shaped corn maze during the months of October and November. With a resounding cheer of approval from both of my sons, we set off to Sweetfields  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, 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

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

by Becky

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

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.  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 today, 8/20

by Becky

August 20, 2008

Wednesday, Aug. 20 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 20th Anniversary Recognition Day ~ 2 tickets for $20, Lowry Park Zoo, admission for ages 3 and older (2 and younger are always free) with $2 special in food, gifts and rides. Call 813-935-8552 for more information. (Special prices also available Sept. 20, Oct. 20 and Nov. 20.) 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday Night Movie ~ In the Company of Wild  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...

Guest post: Learn about Big Cat Rescue

by Becky

August 06, 2008

Bobcat photograph courtesy of Big Cat Rescue Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit educational sanctuary in Tampa devoted to rescuing and providing a permanent home for exotic (wild, not domestic) cats that have been abused, abandoned, bred to be pets, retired from performing acts or saved from being slaughtered for fur coats. Its goal is to educate the public about these animals and the  Read more...

Things to do, upcoming week

by Becky

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...

How do you choose a pet?

by Becky

July 17, 2008

This chameleon was my son's pet for about four hours the other day. He caught it and put it in his screened "bughouse." It was hot that day, though, and I have no idea what's on the menu for a chameleon, so we let the little critter go. My son has been asking several times a day for, oh, about a year, to get a pet. He usually asks for a dog, but sometimes he asks for a cat. Sometimes two  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...

Three days in Tampa, Day 3

by Becky

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...

Three days in Tampa, Day 1

by Becky

July 08, 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. First on the list is one of the best children's zoos in the country, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo . It was rated the No. 1 zoo for kids in 2004 by CHILD magazine. It has more than 2,000 animals, including elephants, Florida panthers and even penguins. It also  Read more...

Preschoolers can learn about nature with hands-on activities

by Becky

June 17, 2008

Looking for activities for your preschoolers to learn about ecosystems, bugs and dinosaurs? Check these out. Interactive exhibits showcase ecosystems at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve / Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center in St. Petersburg. Check the Web site or call (727) 893-7326 for more information. Go on a fossil dig at Dinosaur World in Plant City. Check the Web site or call  Read more...

Things to do today, 6/12

by Becky

June 12, 2008

Things to do today 10:30-11:15 a.m. Book Time: Izzie Lizzie Alligator: A Tale of a Big Lizard , Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, admission is free, but registration is required, ages 3-5. Program includes craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wee-time at Weedon: Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean (by Gail Langer Karwoski) ,  Read more...

Summer camps

by Becky

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...

Birthday party ideas

by Becky

June 03, 2008

Here are some unique birthday-party ideas. Hire a Fire Truck : For $350, a firefighter will arrive in a real fire truck, complete with lights, siren, horns and hoses. Parties are geared to the age of children, who will get fire tips, a tour of the engine, and they will get to try on firefighter gear. Each child gets promoted to junior firefighter and gets a plastic fire helmet and goody  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 things to do in Tampa Bay when 'It's too HOT, Mommy!'

by Becky

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...

Room to run on Granma's Hug-n-Farm in Crystal Springs

by Becky

May 23, 2008

Do you live in the city (or the suburbs) and want your children to experience a taste of farm life? Make the books you've been reading about farm animals come alive. (Oink, oink! Moo, moo! Cock-a-doodle-doo!) Put on your overalls and straw hat and check out Granma's Hug-n-Farm in Crystal Springs. The farm is a large fenced-in, grassy area with lots to see and do. Children can pet  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...