NEW and Tasty fun at the 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
Take the kids on a culinary adventure around the world at EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival where you can taste and play all day!
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.
Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: Know Before You Go!
Florida’s popular Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns in 2025 on Friday, August 1-Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Teacher to Know: Yung Romano, M.Ed., Strawberry Crest High School
Pre-IB Biology teacher at Strawberry Crest High, Yung Ramano, is sharing how STEM students are being prepared for world-changing careers.
Kids to Know: Samira Garcia, 9th Grade, Blake High School Dance Magnet Program
Read how Samira Garcia is embracing her passion for dance at Blake High School and inspiring others to follow their artistic dreams!
Kids to Know: Kniya Godfrey, 10th Grade, Bloomingdale High School
Learn how Kniya Godfrey helped Bloomingdale’s girls’ basketball team win its first state title and what inspires her on and off the court.
Kids to Know: Aahan Swain, 7th Grade, Walker Middle Magnet IB World School
Learn how Aahan Swain’s experience in robotics and coding is preparing him for a future in medicine and inspiring others to never give up!
Yes, YOU CAN become a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park!
The all-new Weeki Wachee Mermaid Experience is helping mermaid dreams come true -going on now until September 25, 2025!
Glazer Children’s Museum Launching Play for Everyone to replace Free Tuesday
This fall, the museum will be replacing its popular Free Tuesdays program with Play for Everyone initiative to give families in need more flexibility and access to the museum.
Celebrate All Things Outer Space at MOSI!
Celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with your kids at Space Exploration Day at MOSI. Read about all the fun things to do!
INSIDE LOOK: Wild Oasis Realm at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Wild Oasis Realm at Jungala, “North America’s most immersive kid-friendly adventure realm”, is now open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
- Christmas>Orlando | Central Florida | Christmas | Disney | Disney + Central Florida Fun | Holiday Family Fun
A Parent’s Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom 2025
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns in 2025 on select nights from November 7 through December 21. We’re sharing our favorite things about this magical event!
Let’s Explore Tampa’s Only Pirate Ship: The Lost Pearl
Join Captain Terrible T.J. on The Lost Pearl for a fun pirate cruise through Tampa Bay with great views and plenty to see along the way!
Moms to Know: Kate White, Glazer Children’s Museum
Learn how Kate White brings play into everyday life, from leading at Glazer Children’s Museum to making memories at home with her kids.
Kids Travel Talk: A Screen-Free way to Connect with your Kiids about Travel
Meet Anna De Jesus, the creator of Kids Travel Talk, a travel-inspired tool that helps kids and parents connect through conversation.
FIRST LOOK: Join us for an undersea adventure at SEA LIFE Florida!
Explore SEA LIFE Florida with us, the all-new aquarium for kids at LEGOLAND Florida Resort!
Straight Talk with Dr. Alissa Morris of Imagine Orthodontic Studio
Dr. Morris from Imagine Orthodontic Studio is sharing everything you need to know about braces – and why they’re not just for kids!
It’s going to be a WILD summer of ALL-NEW Fun at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island
Busch Gardens is going big in Tampa Bay, investing nearly $40 million into its local parks, including the water park Adventure Island. And this means even more family-friendly fun for you to experience!
EWG’s 2025 Guide to Sunscreens and Best Sunscreens for Kids
The Environmental Working Group has released its 2025 Guide to the best sunscreens. See if yours made the list!
Ronald McDonald House Charities debuts 5th house in Tampa Bay at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has partnered with St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital to open a new house in the hospital, expanding its ability to serve even more families in the Tampa Bay area.
When Accidents Happen, Preparedness is Key: A Tampa family learns about the importance of water safety
Learn about the importance of water safety through one family’s story and why being prepared makes all the difference around water.
Florida’s Largest Planetarium Now Open at MOSI
MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, is ready to blow your mind with Florida’s largest digital dome theater and planetarium!
INSIDE LOOK: The journey of the Tampa Bay Diaper Bank
Discover how the newly launched Tampa Bay Diaper Bank is making a difference for families facing diaper need in Hillsborough County.
You can finally watch the Rays play in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field
The Tampa Bay Rays will play this season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and we’re dishing on the details!
- Glazer Children's Museum | Museums | Museums + Aquariums + Zoo | Spring | Spring Break | Things to Do
Expanded FORTS exhibit now open at Glazer Children’s Museum and it’s awesome!
The Glazer Children’s Museum unveiled its expanded FORTS exhibit on the second floor, and it’s what every kid’s fort-building dreams are made of.
Our Favorite Spring Festivals in Tampa Bay
Springtime in Tampa Bay means a weekend schedule packed with festivals. A few of our favorites are back, and we have a NEW addition this year.
AWESOME Kid-Friendly Hotels: LEGOLAND® Florida Resort’s Hotels
When it comes to theming and things to do, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort’s hotels are easily a top pick for family travel.
Where to see dinosaurs in Tampa Bay
Have a kid who loves dinos? We’re sharing all of the places where you can see dinosaurs in Tampa Bay and even awesome exhibits that are worth the drive!
Happiness Grows Here: Finding Magic at Ananda Farm in Terra Ceia
Learn about Ananda Farm in Terra Ceia through a discussion with the owners, who share how they turned their dream into a farm-focused escape.
New at Clearwater Marine Aquarium: BayCare Kids Check-Up Exhibit
Discover how BayCare Kids partners with Clearwater Marine Aquarium to teach kids about wellness, with Dr. Christina Canody sharing health tips.
INSIDE LOOK: Dinos Unearthed invade ZooTampa!
Join us for a peek at what to expect at Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa!
- Things to Do | Disney + Central Florida Fun | Family Fun | Parks + Attractions | Summer Break Fun | Videos
The BEST places to watch a rocket launch in Florida
We can sometimes spot a rocket launch from here in Tampa, but why not experience one up close at least once before the kids grow up?
Florida State Parks You Must Visit with the Kids
We’re sharing some of our team’s favorite Florida state parks to visit with the kids near the Tampa Bay area and beyond!
Why Park City, Utah is a Perfect Getaway for Florida Families All Year Long
Read about the best things to do in Park City, from winter skiing to summer activities, and find top spots for dining, and family adventures.
Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends Return to Busch Gardens
Come on out to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to celebrate the pirate-themed Kids Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays from January 25 to February 9, 2025.
Rooted in History and Fun: The Florida State Fair and Gasparilla
Did you know that the Florida State Fair used to be celebrated with Gasparilla? We’re sharing the deets on these two beloved Tampa events.
Sustainable Seafood: PBS docuseries “Hope in the Water” highlights the possibilities in our world’s waters
Discover how the PBS series Hope in the Water highlights the importance of sustainable seafood and saving our oceans.
Reinventing Ringling: Creating an All-New Show for Generations of Families
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is returning with an ALL-NEW show in 2026. We caught up with Juliette Feld Grossman, who teamed up with her father to produce The Greatest Show on Earth, to talk about the evolution of the show.
What’s NEW in 2025: New Attractions, a Record-Breaking Planetarium, and MORE!
It’s going to be another exciting year with NEW ways to play in 2025 in Tampa Bay with new exhibits to experience, a record-breaking planetarium, and so much more!!
- 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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 Ooey Gooey Truth About Cavities!
It’s the season of candy, candy, and MORE candy, making it the perfect time to ask … what exactly is the science behind cavities? We’re turning to McIlwain Dental Specialists to learn 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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!
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.
