How to Experience the Best Winter Break Ever in Tampa Bay
‘Tis the season for sleigh loads of winter break fun in Tampa Bay! We’re sharing our top picks of things to do!
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.
Christmas | Christmas>Events and Things to Do | Holiday Family Fun | People to KNOW in Tampa Bay | Straz Center for the Performing Arts and Patel Conservatory
Next Generation Ballet alumnus Jarod Curley returns for Nutcracker at The Straz
We’re catching up with Jarod Curley, an alumnus of Next Generation Ballet who now dances with the American Ballet Theatre. He is returning to The Straz as a guest star dancer in the 2024 production of Nutcracker.
Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay in 2024
We’re sharing some of our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay.
AHOY! Let’s board a Pirate’s Christmas Cruise on the Lost Pearl!
Come aboard with us as we share our adventure on The Lost Pearl’s ‘A Pirate’s Christmas Cruise’ in Downtown Tampa!
10 Kid-Friendly Ideas to Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Home
We’ve searched some of our favorite blogs to find some amazing ideas for your New Year’s Eve or Noon Year’s Eve celebration at home with the kids!
The Best Christmas Events for Families in Tampa Bay
Whether you want to meet Santa, take in the dazzling beauty of Christmas lights, or celebrate the season at local theme parks, we’re sharing our list of our favorite Christmas events in Tampa Bay for families.
The BEST Free and Cheap Holiday Events in Tampa Bay
We’re sharing our favorite free and cheap holiday events and Christmas events in Tampa Bay to help you save!
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida with a Bedtime-Friendly Party
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND a few hours early with an AWESOME day filled with kid-friendly activities and a brickacular fireworks display at 8 pm to end the night.
10 Cool Places to Buy a Christmas Tree this Year in Tampa Bay
We’re sharing some of our favorite places to buy Christmas trees in Tampa Bay, including where to cut your own tree.
How Your Family Can Give the Gift of HOPE at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent
There is an urgent need for food and toy donations at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent. We’re sharing ways your family can help.
SNEAK PEEK: Peak Surf Park Coming to Tampa Bay as soon as 2027
Get a first look at renderings of the planned Peak Surf Park in the Two Rivers development in Pasco County.
Soar into the future with MOSI’s expanded Drone Zone!
MOSI recently expanded its Drone Zone, adding even more square footage and obstacles along with a chance to explore eveyrhting you need to know about drones!
How to Volunteer with the Kids in Tampa Bay: 10+ ways to give back
We’re sharing ways you can volunteer with the kids in Tampa Bay to turn quality family time into give back time!
INSIDE LOOK: What to Expect at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
We attended Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on opening night to give you a peek at what to expect to help you plan your magical night out.
Gaylord Palms Celebrates the Holidays with The Return of ICE!
Gaylord Palms Celebrates the Holidays with ICE! featuring Elf! Buddy the Elf and his friends return this year for some magical holiday fun.
Yes, you CAN cut down your own Florida Christmas Tree at Ergle Tree Farm!
Discover this adorable tree farm in Dade City where you can cut down your own Florida Christmas tree this holiday season, or shop for a pre-cut tree from North Carolina!
The Best Holiday Shows in Tampa Bay to See With the Kids
We’re sharing some of our favorite Christmas shows on stage in Tampa Bay to help you plan your December to remember.
Where to see The Nutcracker in Tampa Bay
The beloved holiday performance is returning to the stage in 2024! We’re sharing our favorite places to see The Nutcracker in Tampa Bay.
The Most Adorable Places to Celebrate Christmas on the Farm in Tampa Bay
There are several events happening this year at local farms from single-day special events to family-friendly holiday events on the farms on weekends. There is so much to explore and experience! Check out our list of the best farms to celebrate a festive country-style Christmas! Related stories you may LOVE: Yes, you CAN cut down…
A Conversation for Moms: The conversation continues in the Maggie and the Moms Podcast!
Join Maggie and the Moms in their relatable new podcast for open and honest conversations about parenting and life’s challenges.
Finding Light After Dark at Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Resilience After the Hurricanes
After 3 weeks of being closed after flooding from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is sharing their story of resilience.
Don’t miss out on the USPS letters from Santa program!
The United States Postal Service is giving your child the opportunity to participate in the “Greetings from the North Pole” program for the cost of a postage stamp!
Awesome Ways to Donate Halloween Candy or PLAY with Candy!
Did your little ghosts and goblins come home with a huge haul of Halloween candy? We’re sharing some of our favorite ways to donate Halloween candy and even use the candy in fun science experiments!
INSIDE LOOK: Why we love HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort return in November and we’re taking you inside the fun to help you build your most awesome day ever!
Awesome Places to Go Trick-or-Treating this Halloween in Tampa Bay
If you’re not up for trick-or-treating in your neighborhood…or even want to snag some treats before Halloween, there are some SPOOKtacular events happening throughout October, including some huge outdoor trick-or-treating events on Halloween weekend!
Scary Good: Our Team Shares Their Favorite DIY Halloween Costumes
Our team here at Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine share their favorite DIY Halloween costumes to spark some ghoulishly good ideas this Halloween!
The sweetest way to see Manatees: The TECO Manatee Viewing Center
The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is back open for the season! This is one of our favorite free things to do with the kids in Tampa Bay!
Our Favorite Things to Do Thanksgiving Break in Tampa Bay
Lucky you for calling Tampa Bay home. There are so many things to do in Tampa Bay. From day camps to events and activities, we’ve got it all on our top picks list.
20+ Adorable Fall Festivals in Tampa Bay for Kids
These adorable Tampa Bay fall festivals will make you want to inhale the pumpkin spice! Fun for the whole family…and the pictures!
Hurricane Relief: How to volunteer and where to donate
The Tampa Bay area has experienced back-to-back natural disasters with Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented storm surge and then the winds and floods from the most powerful storm to hit our area in a century, Hurricane Milton. This means many of our neighbors are in need of your support.
INSIDE LOOK: Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa returns with NEW thrills in 2024!
ZooTampa’s Creatures of the Night family-friendly Halloween party is returning in 2024 for 13 select nights with NEW thrills and returning favorites!
9+ Not-to-Miss Corn Mazes in Tampa Bay and Beyond
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure !We’re sharing our favorite corn mazes in Tampa to explore this fall with the kids!
Ghoulishly Good: Our Favorite Halloween Jokes for Kids
Who doesn’t love a good Halloween joke?? And since it’s been a chaotic couple of years, we could all use a good laugh.
The BEST Halloween Events for Kids in Tampa Bay + MORE Fun!
We’re sharing the best Halloween events for kids in Tampa Bay, along with trick-or-treating events, costume ideas, spooky snacks, and MORE!
How to Keep Bedtime Safe for Babies
In Hillsborough County and around the country, babies continue to die in unsafe sleeping environments. These tragedies are preventable, and Rebecca Bacon, executive director of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, wants parents and caregivers to know the rights and wrongs of safe sleep.
Hurricane Related School Closures in Tampa Bay
As we keep an eye on Helene, some Tampa Bay Area schools are announcing school closures in preparation for the storm’s potential impacts and so designated schools can serve as storm shelters.
A Parent’s Guide to Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida 2024
We’re dishing on all the details about Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida to help you map out your family’s adventure this Halloween season!
INSIDE LOOK: The ALL-NEW Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Join us as we take you for a look at what to expect at this brand-new event for families that includes trick-or-treating, fun activities, and more!
Middle School at Corbett Prep: Building Strong Foundations for Emotional and Academic Success
The middle school years can be…awkward. But, as the Runyan family of Tampa discovered, it’s actually quite the oppositive after sending their kids to middle school at Corbett Prep.
Kids Get in Free this Month at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering FREE, one-day admission to kids ages 3 – 11 during the month of September in celebration of “Future Voyagers Month”.
Let’s Play Ball: September Game Day Fun with the Kids in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay’s pro teams are back at it and we’re showing you how to experience all the game day fun with kids!
Tampa Bay Sun FC: Ready to Kick Off a History-Making Season
The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club is kicking off its inaugural season this Sunday, August 18, bringing the highest level of professional women’s sports ever to the Tampa Bay Area. We’re getting to know head coach Denise Schilte-Brown as we talk women’s sports, motherhood, and her love of Tampa Bay.
Calling all pint-sized Bucs Fans: You can join the Jr. Bucs Fan Club today!
Kids can join the Jr Bucs Fan Club today and receive a super cool welcome kit, member perks, special event invites, and more!
The BEST Ice-Cream Shops in Tampa Bay!Â
There’s no better way to cool off than a big scoop of ice-cream! We’re sharing some of the best ice-cream shops in Tampa Bay.
Take Me Out the the Ball Game: Join the Club with the Rays Rookies!
Calling all kiddos and Tampa Bay Rays fans! The Rays Rookies membership is open for all kids ages 14 and younger.
STAYcation in Tampa Bay: All That’s NEW to Explore!
If you’re sticking around town and need some fun ideas of things to do during these final weeks of summer break, we’ve got you covered! Let’s explore all of the NEW ways to connect and play in Tampa Bay! What’s NEW: ZooTampa Clouded Leopard Encounter This experience returned last month to the zoo, giving you…
Babies | Deals | Life + Home | Lil Kids
Florida’s Sales Tax Holidays: Freedom Month, Back-to-School + MORE
There are several sales tax holidays on schedule in 2024 including the popular Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday and Freedom Month!
On the Road Again… But are you using your child’s car seat correctly?
The research is out there, friends. Many parents and caregivers are not using their children’s car seats correctly. We’re turning to the experts to find out how to correct common mistakes.
What to Expect: Jurassic Quest ROARS Back into Tampa July 19-21!
Jurassic Quest is stomping back into the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa July 19-21, 2024 with an indoor prehistoric experience like no other!
FIRST LOOK: Indo-Pacific fish move into the Florida Aquarium’s Heart of the Sea habitat
The Florida Aquarium just unveiled the transformation of its second-largest exhibit, the Heart of the Sea habitat, welcoming thousands of new Indo-Pacific sea creatures!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is better than Splash Mountain. Here’s why…
Get a peek at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and see why we feel it is not only more memorable than its predecessor but also serves as an immersive sequel to the movie!
40+ BEST Free Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa Bay
You don’t have to be a penny pincher to want to take advantage of a free or cheap deal every now and then. This is the full guide to the most awesome free and cheap things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids!
INSIDE LOOK: Pirate Water Taxi’s Dolphin Cruise in Downtown Tampa
Pirate Water Taxi has a NEW dolphin cruise in downtown Tampa to give you landlubbers a chance to see dolphins up close in the wild in Tampa Bay.
INSIDE LOOK: New Stingray Feeding Experience at The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium just debuted a new Stingray Feeding Experience at its Stingray Beach touch tank, giving you a chance to see what it’s like to be a biologist who cares for these majestic creatures.
INSIDE LOOK: Very Eric Carle exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum
Your child’s favorite book series is coming to life in a colorful and immersive way at Glazer Children’s Museum this summer!
Fill Your CUP: The mission behind Tampa’s inclusive coffee shop
Maggie Rodriguez introduces us to the people behind CUP, one of the newest coffee shops in Tampa that is so much more than a cup of coffee, but a mission to make a difference.
FREE and CHEAP Movies All Summer Long in Tampa Bay
Keep your cool and head to the movies this summer and take advantage of these FREE and CHEAP deals offered at Tampa Bay area theaters!
INSIDE LOOK: A peek inside the LEGOLAND Florida Master Builder Workshop
Discover the magic behind LEGOLAND Florida’s iconic LEGO creations with a glimpse into the Master Builder Workshop. Led by enthusiasts turned professionals, we’re taking you where imagination meets reality, in a hyper-organized way!
Watermelon Swim and Shaq Barrett team up to offer swim lessons to more kids in Tampa Bay
In the wake of unimaginable loss, the Barrett family transforms their tragedy into a beacon of hope, partnering with Watermelon Swim to offer life-saving swim lessons to children in Tampa Bay.
The Future is WILD at ZooTampa: A Look Ahead at Future Expansions
From the new Australia Realm to future expansions, discover how each visit supports vital wildlife preservation efforts and educates the next generation.