Author: Laura Byrne

Laura Byrne is an award-winning former television news journalist who spent 15+ years in newsrooms across the state of Florida including Sarasota, Tallahassee, Fort Myers and right here in Tampa Bay. She covered the political beat, crime beat and every day breaking news during her time in Florida newsrooms, but is now focused on sharing positive news stories and events with families in Tampa Bay. She is a proud mommy of two little boys who keep her on her toes and laughing every day. Her goal is to inspire families just like yours to get out and play and experience all that Tampa Bay and our great state of Florida have to offer! She encourages you to share your stories and upcoming events so we can spread the good news.
Peak Surf Park rendering of beach

SNEAK PEEK: Peak Surf Park Coming to Tampa Bay as soon as 2027

Jarod Curley with the American Ballet Theatre returns to The Straz for the Next Generation Ballet's Nutcracker in December.

Next Generation Ballet alumnus Jarod Curley returns for Nutracker at The Straz

MOSI Drone Zone

Soar into the future with MOSI’s expanded Drone Zone!

christmas town at busch gardens tampa bay

INSIDE LOOK: What to Expect at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

A Parent’s Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom 2024

free holiday events in Tampa Bay

The BEST Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Tampa Bay

Ergle Tree Farm Cut your own Christmas Tree

Yes, you CAN cut down your own Florida Christmas Tree at Ergle Tree Farm!

Best Christmas Shows in Tampa Bay The Nutcracker at The Straz

The Best Holiday Shows in Tampa Bay to See With the Kids

Christmas Town Holly Jolly train Best Christmas Events in Tampa Bay

The Best Christmas Events for Families in Tampa Bay

Things to Do Thanksgiving Week in Tampa Bay

Our Favorite Things to Do Thanksgiving Break in Tampa Bay

santa claus in Tampa Bay

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay in 2024

Where to see the Nutcracker in Tampa Bay The Straz Center

Where to see The Nutcracker in Tampa Bay

The Most Adorable Places to Celebrate Christmas on the Farm in Tampa Bay

The Most Adorable Places to Celebrate Christmas on the Farm in Tampa Bay

Maggie and the Moms podcast

A Conversation for Moms: The conversation continues in the Maggie and the Moms Podcast!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium hurricane recovery Chloe Neighbarger dolphin trainer

Finding Light After Dark at Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Resilience After the Hurricanes

Letters from Santa

Don’t miss out on the USPS letters from Santa program!

where to donate Halloween candy in Tampa Bay

Awesome Ways to Donate Halloween Candy or PLAY with Candy!

LEGOLAND entrance holidays 2023

INSIDE LOOK: Why we love HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

trick-or-treating in Tampa Bay

Awesome Places to Go Trick-or-Treating this Halloween in Tampa Bay

DIY Halloween Costumes Mickey Mouse

Scary Good: Our Team Shares Their Favorite DIY Halloween Costumes

TECO Manatee Viewing Center

The sweetest way to see Manatees: The TECO Manatee Viewing Center

Tampa Bay's Best Pumpkin Patches Armature World

20+ Best Pumpkin Patches in Tampa Bay to Visit with the Kids

fall halloween event for kids

20+ Adorable Fall Festivals in Tampa Bay for Kids

Metropolitan Ministries Hurricane Help

Hurricane Relief: How to volunteer and where to donate

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa 2024 Trolls in troll cave

INSIDE LOOK: Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa returns with NEW thrills in 2024!

Sweetfields Corn Maze 2023.

9+ Not-to-Miss Corn Mazes in Tampa Bay and Beyond

Halloween Jokes for Kids

Ghoulishly Good: Our Favorite Halloween Jokes for Kids

The BEST Halloween Events for Kids in Tampa Bay + MORE Fun!

The BEST Halloween Events for Kids in Tampa Bay + MORE Fun!

Safe sleep for babies

How to Keep Bedtime Safe for Babies

Tampa Bay Area school closures

Hurricane Related School Closures in Tampa Bay

Dancing with LEGO Monster Rocker at Brick or Treat

A Parent’s Guide to Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida 2024

Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

INSIDE LOOK: The ALL-NEW Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Target's Car Seat Trade-in Program

Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Program Returns Sept. 15-28!

Corbett Prep Middle School Years, Runyan family on the campus

Middle School at Corbett Prep: Building Strong Foundations for Emotional and Academic Success

Planet Play at Kennedy Space Center

Kids Get in Free this Month at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex

Caladesi Island State Park chair rental

The BEST Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in Tampa Bay

Rendering of the entrance of new Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Charities to add 5th house in Tampa Bay at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital

Rays Games with Kids

Let’s Play Ball: September Game Day Fun with the Kids in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Sun FC players on field in Tampa

Tampa Bay Sun FC: Ready to Kick Off a History-Making Season

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024 Minnie and friends

A Parent’s Guide to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is Here: Know Before You Go!

Megladon at Amalie Arena

Monster Jam Returns to Tampa’s Amalie Arena!

Jr. Bucs Fan Club

Calling all pint-sized Bucs Fans: You can join the Jr. Bucs Fan Club today!

Best Ice-Cream Shops in Tampa Dairy Joy

The BEST Ice-Cream Shops in Tampa Bay! 

Rays Rookies Fans

Take Me Out the the Ball Game: Join the Club with the Rays Rookies!

Scalloping 2024

2024 Scalloping Season in Florida: It’s a Must Do Family Adventure

STAYcation in Tampa Bay

STAYcation in Tampa Bay: All That’s NEW to Explore!

sales tax

Florida’s Sales Tax Holidays: Freedom Month, Back-to-School + MORE

car seat safety refresher from BayCare Kids

On the Road Again… But are you using your child’s car seat correctly?

Jurassic Quest Raptor Training

What to Expect: Jurassic Quest ROARS Back into Tampa July 19-21!

NEW Heart of the Sea fish at Florida Aquarium Circle Window

FIRST LOOK: Indo-Pacific fish move into the Florida Aquarium’s Heart of the Sea habitat

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Opens June 28 at Magic Kingdom Park

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is better than Splash Mountain. Here’s why…

Free things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids Weedon Island Preserve

40+ BEST Free Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa Bay

Pirate Water Taxi Dolphin Cruise in Tampa

Pirate Water Taxi launching new Dolphin Cruise in Downtown Tampa

NEW Stingray Feeding Experience at The Florida Aquarium

INSIDE LOOK: New Stingray Feeding Experience at The Florida Aquarium

Glazer Children's Museum Very Eric Carle exhibit

INSIDE LOOK: Very Eric Carle exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum

Dance Party at H2O Glow at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Avoid the Long Lines and Celebrate at a Disney After Hours Party!

Big John, the world's largest fossil triceratops at Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa

Where to see dinosaurs in Tampa Bay

CUP Coffee South Tampa interior photo by Maggie Rodriguez

Fill Your CUP: The mission behind Tampa’s inclusive coffee shop

Free and cheap movies in Tampa Bay

FREE and CHEAP Movies All Summer Long in Tampa Bay

veterans Day weekend in Tampa Bay

Memorial Day Weekend Events in Tampa Bay to Kick-Off Summer Break

Endless Surf Adventure Island

The BEST Water Parks in Tampa Bay: Keep cool and have FUN!

U-pick peaches at florida sweeties

U-Pick Farms in Tampa Bay: Where to pick peaches, berries, and veggies now!

The Roaming Petal Mother's Day Flowers

Mother’s Day Flowers: Where to create your own flower bouquets in Tampa Bay

Legoland Florida Master Builder Workshop

INSIDE LOOK: A peek inside the LEGOLAND Florida Master Builder Workshop

watermelon swim school water safety with Shaq Barrett group photo

Watermelon Swim and Shaq Barrett team up to offer swim lessons to more kids in Tampa Bay

ewg best sunscreens for kids

EWG’s 2024 Guide to Sunscreens and Best Sunscreens for Kids

Florida State Parks You Must Visit with the Kids cover

Florida State Parks You Must Visit with the Kids

sweetfields u-pick flowers flower fields in tampa bay

Where to pick sunflowers and other pretty flowers in Tampa Bay

Mother's Day in Tampa Bay

Awesome Things to Do on Mother’s Day Weekend in Tampa Bay

Tampa Museum of Art is offering free Mother's Day admission for a Mother's Day Freebies deal

Mother’s Day Deals and Freebies in Tampa Bay!

The Future is WILD at ZooTampa: A Look Ahead at Future Expansions cover

The Future is WILD at ZooTampa: A Look Ahead at Future Expansions

solar eclipse watch parties

Solar Eclipse Watch Parties in Tampa Bay

where to pick blueberries

It’s Blueberry U-Pick Season! Where to pick blueberries in Tampa Bay

Easter egg hunts in Tampa Bay Easter Bunny Photos

Where to Take Pictures with the Easter Bunny in Tampa Bay 2024

busch-gardens-preschool-card

The Busch Gardens + Adventure Island FREE Preschool Card is Back in 2024!

Disney Deals Cinderella's Castle

Disney Discounts and Deals for Florida Residents including Disney Annual Passes

River O'Green Fest

The Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in Tampa Bay for Families

zooTampa australia

Australia Realm NOW Open at ZooTampa and it’s Awesome!

Footgolf at Disney World

The Coolest Non-Theme Park Things to Do at Disney World: FootGolf, Fishing, and MORE!

Sit inside a LEGO Ferrari at LEGOLAND Florida

The BEST Things to Do this Spring Break in Tampa Bay with the Kids

Strawberry picking at Strawberry Passion in Thonotosassa.

Where to pick strawberries in Tampa Bay

spring festivals in tampa bay busch gardens food and wine festival

Our Favorite Spring Festivals in Tampa Bay

New in-water stingray experience at ZooTampa Stingray Shores

INSIDE LOOK: Incredible NEW Stingray Shores In-Water Animal Encounter at ZooTampa

Florida Strawberry Festival

How to Have the Best Day Ever at the Florida Strawberry Festival

New ZooTampa walking trail

ZooTampa debuts NEW Walking Trail with Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH

Legoland Florida Theme Park Deals

New LEGOLAND Florida Play Card deal available now for Florida residents!

Florida State Fair 2024

Our Favorite Things to Do with the Kids at the Florida State Fair!

Florida Strawberries

The SWEETEST THING: The Florida Strawberry

New exhibit at MOSI a-MAZE-ing Butterflies

NEW at MOSI: a-MAZE-ing Butterflies exhibit

Fairgrounds St Pete Motel Room

A Whimsical Wonderland: FloridaRAMA is a MUST-SEE for Families

coachman park playground

Let’s Play! Our Favorite Parks and Playgrounds in Tampa Bay

Lloyd_LEGO® NINJAGO® Weekends at LLFR

NINJAGO Weekends are Back at LEGOLAND Florida: Here’s what to expect

swimming with the manatees

Tampa Bay Bucket List: Swimming with Manatees in Crystal River

Keystone Farmers Market in Odessa.

15+ Best Farmers Markets in Tampa Bay for Farm Fresh Produce

best viewing spots Children's Gasparilla Parade

The Best Spots to Watch the Children’s Gasparilla Parade

Prehistoric Predators at ZooTampa

Prehistoric Predators exhibit NOW OPEN at ZooTampa

Hustle Sanely Jess Massey

Say goodbye to burnout with help from local mama, Jess Massey, founder of Hustle Sanely

where to donate Gasparilla Beads

RECYCLE Your Gasparilla Beads and Get Admission Discounts at Florida Aquarium!

End of content

End of content