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

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 Ten Spring Family Activities in Tampa Bay

by Caroline

April 14, 2009

While the weather is still a perfect 80 degrees, dry and sunny - and schools are still in session - now is the time to take advantage of all that outdoor Tampa Bay has to offer. Here are my top ten suggested spring activities for Tampa Bay families.

1.  Read more...

Local "Pick Your Own" Farms

by Caroline

March 10, 2009

Yesterday we listed some community farms and farmers markets to visit with your child. Today I would like to list some local farms where you and your children can pick your own fruit. I have fond childhood memories of going out to countryside strawberry patches to pick (and eat) as many berries as I could possibly manage. Consider creating the same fruit picking memories with your children!

Local Kid-friendly Farmers Markets and Community Farms

by Caroline

March 09, 2009

After so many trips to the grocery store, I have come to wonder if my children know where fresh vegetables actually come from. Sure, they understand the concept of farms and how they work, but I think it’s high time they learn more about growing fresh, organic produce at local community farms. I also think it’s time we visit area farmers markets more often. I will list some community farms and farmers markets here so that we can all benefit from freshly grown local produce on a more regular basis.