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

Did you know your child can get a letter from Santa with a return address from the North Pole? You DO NOT want to miss out on this opportunity from the the United States Postal Service’s “Letters from Santa” program now called Greetings from the North Pole. It will require some work on your part since…

Watermelon Seeds exhibit at Florida Children's Museum
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INSIDE LOOK: The NEW Florida Children’s Museum in Lakeland

Check out the NEW Florida Children’s Museum at Lakeland’s Bonnet Springs Park! The Florida Children’s Museum is fun for the whole family!

RSV, Flu and COVID Tripledemic
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Ask the Doctor: The “Tripledemic” Collision of Flu, RSV, and Covid

We recently sat down with two local doctors to get expert advice on how parents can better protect our children against RSV, flu and Covid.

Halloween snack ideas
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7+ Spooky Kid-Friendly Halloween Party Snack Ideas

Jenny P. of @lunchboxmafia is dishing on some spooktacular Halloween party snack ideas that double as lunchbox goodies!

Dexter Jackson community garden in Tampa
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Growing a Garden of Impact with Former Bucs Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson

Dexter Jackson’s passion for plants and people collide to help make a positive and healthy impact on children’s lives in Tampa Bay.

Stephani Shepard Great Life is a Must alopecia awareness
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Ask the Doctor: Raising awareness about alopecia

Many women struggle with alopecia, but don’t often talk about it, since many don’t know much about alopecia.

Social Emotional Learning Books for Kids
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Social Emotional Development with Early Learners: A librarian’s favorite SEL books for kids

Librarian shares her favorite social emotional learning books for kids to address 5 areas of SEL available from your local public library.

Corbett Prep

Corbett Prep: Setting the Stage for Lifelong Success

For the Butts Family, Corbett Prep is more than just a school. It helped set their children on a path of success they may have never realized.

Proper House Group owners

A Recipe for Success: We’re talking family, business and relationships with the Proper House Group

Chef Farrell Alvarez, Ty Rodriguez and Chon Nguyen of the Proper House Group dish on success, parenting, and what’s on the menu in the future.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day | 12+ local museums participating!
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Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day | 12+ local museums participating!

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day is Saturday, Sept 17, 2022! We’re sharing which Tampa Bay area museums are taking part to open their doors for FREE.

scalloping in tampa bay
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Pasco County’s Scalloping Season Extended to 37 Days in 2023!

Scalloping season in Pasco County returns in 2022 for 10 days of harvesting!

Universal Resort Yes Day
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A YES DAY with the Kids at Universal Orlando Resort

Natajassa Prose of @proseandcompany is sharing how she planned a YES DAY at Universal Studios for her kids.

young children and the covid vaccine
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Ask the Doctor: Should My Young Child Get the COVID Vaccine?

The COVID vaccine is now available for kids ages 6 months and older. Dr. Allison Messina, the chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, answers common questions.

esports players club in tampa gaming for kids

Esports CAN be a career and Esports Players Club in Tampa is here for it

There’s a lot more to esports than just gaming: it’s a growing industry with lucrative career and scholarship opportunities for kids!

Florida scalloping
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A Florida Scalloping Adventure: Dive in with us to see what it’s like!

If you’ve been wondering what it’s like to go scalloping in Florida, come along with us as we take the dive with Plantation on Crystal River!

Little kids and the covid vaccine
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Ask the Doctor: The COVID vaccine and your 5 to 11 year-old child

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine has been approved for kids ages 5-11. As the rollout begins, Dr Christina Canody with BayCare answers common questions.

Paws-for-Literacy-Humane-Society-of-Tampa-Bay
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Kids can read to puppies at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Paw for Literacy program!

There are some amazing ways kids can help the animals at the Humane Society, including reading to puppies with the Paws for Literacy program.

John Graydon Smith CEO of MOSI
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NEW ADVENTURES AT MOSI! Get to know MOSI’s New President & CEO: John Graydon Smith

As MOSI looks to the future, a new leader is helping to pave the way. Meet MOSI’s new President and CEO, John Graydon Smith.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Scary Things Like the School Shooting

How to Talk to Your Kids About Scary Things Like the School Shooting

Johns Hopkins All Childrens expert Dr explains best ways to talk to your kids about scary stuff in the news like school shootings and hurricanes.

Datz Dough Donut Shops in Tampa Bay

The Sweetest Donut Shops in Tampa Bay Your Family Has to Try!

We set out to find the best donut shops in Tampa Bay. And boy, did we! But something else happened, too. With every sweet bite, stories began to emerge.

Honeymoon Island State Park Real Florida Reader
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How to Get FREE Admission to Florida State Parks with your Library Card

The Real Florida Reader Day Pass will get you free admission to one of Florida’s 175 state parks through September 12, 2022.

How YOU can get involved with Moms Demand Action in Tampa Bay

How YOU can get involved with Moms Demand Action in Tampa Bay

Families can join Moms Demand Action in Tampa Bay to fight for change so no family has to endure the unimaginable heartbreak of losing a child to gun violence.

Where to Go Zip Lining in Tampa Bay with the Kids
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Where to Go Zip Lining in Tampa Bay with the Kids

See Tampa Bay in a while new away as you soar through the treetops. We’re sharing our top picks of places to zip lining in Tampa Bay.

How to play like Blippi in Tampa Bay
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How to play like Blippi in Tampa Bay

Preschool sensation Blippi has made several field trips to Florida, so we’re sharing all of the ways you can PLAY like Blippi in Tampa Bay!

car-seat-safety

Ask the Car Seat Expert: 7 Tips to Avoid Leaving Kids in Hot Car

Michelle Pratt, a certified car seat safety tech and founder of Safe in the Seat, is sharing easy ways to avoid the tragic mistake of leaving kids in hot cars.

Drive-In Movie Theaters in Tampa Bay
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Drive-In Movie Theaters in Tampa Bay

Our media partners at Tampa Bay Date Night Guide are sharing some awesome local drive-in movie theaters to experience with the family!

free breastfeeding consultations in Tampa Bay

Where to go for FREE breastfeeding consultations in Tampa

Champions for Children and BayCare Health have teamed up to open two new clinics to provide free breastfeeding consultations.

Mary Lee’s House: Child Advocacy and Protection Center Takes on a Role in an Alliance to Protect Families and Children in our Community

Mary Lee’s House: Child Advocacy and Protection Center Takes on a Role in an Alliance to Protect Families and Children in our Community

Mary Lee’s House: Child Advocacy and Protection Center Takes on a Role in an Alliance to Protect Families and Children in our Community

u-pick peaches Tampa Bay U-pick farms in Tampa
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Spring U-Pick Farms in Tampa Bay: Blueberries, Peaches and Flowers MORE!

We’re sharing some of our favorite u-pick farms in Tampa Bay! They’re offering a variety of fruits from peaches, blueberries and more!

The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is BACK in 2022
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The Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is BACK in 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival presented by Visit St Pete Clearwater returns April 8-24.

Blueberry-recipe-Tampa-bay-parenting

For the love of BLUEBERRIES! Blueberry bread you’ll love!

The blueberry is the perfect berry to incorporate into your summer menu and lucky you—this favorite fruit is in season in Tampa Bay! Related: Where to pick peaches, blueberries, sunflowers and more in Tampa Bay We went straight to the berry experts, our friends Carley and Brooks Boyette of Boyette Family Farms (Carley is also the former co-host…

Camp Bayshore in Tampa Best Faith Based Summer Camps in Tampa

The Best Faith Based Summer Camps in Tampa Bay

We’re sharing a list of our favorite faith based summer camps in Tampa Bay from our 2022 Summer Camp Guide.

winter u-pick farms in Tampa Bay Dooley Groves
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Where to Pick Strawberries, Blueberries, Citrus, and MORE!

*Check out our favorite springtime u-pick events in Tampa Bay offering peaches, blueberries, sunflowers and more! March and April are prime time for u-pick around Tampa! From sweet strawberries to fresh veggies, there are plenty of places where you can take advantage of Florida’s early growing season. U-pick can be a fun outing with family…

Valley View Ranch Best Sleep away summer camps
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The Coolest Sleep Away Summer Camp Programs for Tampa Bay Kids

We’re sharing our favorite sleep away summer camps for Tampa Bay kids from our 2022 Summer Camp Guide.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
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What Parents Need to Know About Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World

We got a sneak peek of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser and we’re going over how much it costs, is it worth it and what it’s like.

Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens
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Here’s what it’s like to ride Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Iron Gwazi officially opens on March 11, but we’re getting a sneak peek of this coaster that’s the world’s TALLEST and STEEPEST hybrid coaster.

Dino Don’s DinoVenture Invades The Bishop in Bradenton
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Dino Don’s DinoVenture Invades The Bishop in Bradenton

Dino Don’s DinoVenture is a new exhibit on display at The Bishop and we’re getting a peek with the creator, dinosaur expert Don Lessem!

On Exhibit: “Picasso and the Allure of the South” at The Dali in St. Pete
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On Exhibit: “Picasso and the Allure of the South” at The Dali in St. Pete

“Picasso and the Allure of the South” features 79 pieces of art by Pablo Picasso, half of which have never been on display in the United States.

EventFest Maiken Stefany and family
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Gasparilla: It’s a Family Affair for Maiken Stefany of EventFest

The Gasparilla parades are deeply engrained traditions for many local families dating back generations. We recently spoke with Maiken Stefany of EventFest whose family has helped put on the parades each year since 1985.

Julie Tingley, Wee Macree.

Moms to Know: Julie Tingley, founder of Wee Macree

Julie Tingley’s latest venture, Wee Macree, continues uplifting others by donating 40% of the sales of each child’s shirt to a nonprofit

Bryce Alley of KQAR and L.B. Sierra of YMKG
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Krewe Life: Meet Bryce Alley of KQAR and L.B. Sierra of YMKG

Gasparilla’s roots run deep in Tampa dating back generations to 1904 when the very first ‘invasion’ was concocted as a way to promote the city

omicron Can I get covid twice plus more questions answered
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Yes, you can get COVID twice + more Omicron questions answered

*Story UPDATED on January 4, 2022 to include and append additional interview with Dr. Christina Canody, BayCare Pediatric Service Line Medical Director. The highly contagious Omicron variant is spreading in ways doctors tell us they never expected, fueled by holiday gatherings and travel…and then there’s back-to-school. Doctors are urging people to get their COVID-19 vaccine…

Us-Cryotherapy-Red-Light-Therapy-Tampa
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Red Light Therapy? It’s trending in Tampa Bay!

You may have been offered red light therapy as an option during a facial treatment, but how about red light therapy for your whole body? It’s a thing!

Easy and festive holiday cocktails with Ginain Grayes of @cookprayslay
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Easy and festive holiday cocktails with Ginain Grayes of @cookprayslay

Blogger Ginain Grayes is dishing on her favorite festive holiday cocktail recipes which can also be transformed into mocktails.

CALM
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Find a sense of CALM: How to teach social-emotional intelligence in the home

CALM is part of the Quality Early Education System-QEES that takes a holistic approach to early childhood education.

Doublemint Sitting Toy Drive

Babysitters with BIG hearts hosting toy drive for foster kids

The powerhouse team behind the babysitting service Doublemint Sitting are growing their annual toy drive for foster kids and they need your help.

jordanna barrett shaq barrett tampa bay bucs

Perseverance, Character and Teamwork: Life Lessons with Shaquil Barrett

Shaq Barrett Tampa Bay Bucs’ linebacker and his wife Jordanna Barrett – share life lessons on perseverance, character, family & teamwork.

INSIDE LOOK: LEGOLAND Florida Beach Retreat
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INSIDE LOOK: LEGOLAND Florida Beach Retreat

Experience a family-friendly vacation at LEGOLAND Florida Beach Retreat with LEGO-themed bungalows and park excitement.

ZooTampa Wildlife Explorer Quest
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NEW at ZooTampa! Wildlife Explorer Quest

ZooTampa Wildlife Explorer Quest is an exciting new way to interact with the Zoo! Kids go on a quest to find and learn about animals!

LEGOLAND Florida celebrates 10th birthday with NEW experiences

LEGOLAND Florida celebrates 10th birthday with NEW experiences

LEGOLAND Florida debuted several NEW things to do with the kids and even announced a new ride coming in 2022!

BOGO is BACK! A conversation with Zach Bogosian of the Tampa Bay Lightning
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BOGO is BACK! A conversation with Zach Bogosian of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Zach Bogosian is BACK and we’re sitting down with the Tampa Bay Lightning player to learn more about life off the ice as a parent and his return to the team.

Tampa Bay social media influencers Diana Blinkhorn

MAMA Social Media Influencers to Follow in Tampa Bay!

  If you asked someone what the heck a social media influencer was 10 years ago, they’d probably think you were crazy. (Remember those old school Facebook status updates…or worse…MySpace?) My oh my how time has changed! Social media influencers play a big role in many of our lives. Maybe their posts will inspire a…

lunch box ideas with lunchboxmafia
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School Lunch Box Ideas with Jenny P of @lunchboxmafia

Stumped on what to include in your child’s school lunch box? Jenny P of @lunchboxmafia is sharing her top tips and cool ideas!

Get Up and Go Kayaking at Shell Key Preserve #1 for a Reason
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Get Up and Go Kayaking at Shell Key Preserve #1 for a Reason

Get Up and Go Kayaking’s Paddle Pals adventure for kids and their parents is a must experience! We’re giving all of the you the fun details!

Maggie and the Moms on Daytime

Maggie and the Moms: Watch the Full Episodes

Don’t miss a minute! We’re sharing all of the recent episodes of Maggie and the Moms. You can also watch Mondays on Daytime at 10 am.

Reunion Resort Florida
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Florida Summer Getaway: A Long Weekend at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee

We’re giving you a peek at all of the family fun at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, a perfect summer getaway in Florida!

Rebuilding Together, RTTB
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Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay: Healthier Homes, Happier Families

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay’s goal is to make homes safer/healthier through residential repairs/rehab services to low-income homeowners.

Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Tampa best playgrounds in Tampa bay
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10 Things We LOVE About Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa

To say we LOVE Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park near downtown Tampa is an understatement. It is absolutely stunning! We highly encourage you to take the kids and go discover the 25-acre park. We promise you…there is truly something for everyone here. Related: Looking for a fun trip to the Tampa Riverwalk by downtown Tampa?…

Day trip to Anna Maria Island'
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Back in Time: A Day Trip to Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is only 55 miles from downtown Tampa, but it feels like a world away. Maggie Rodriguez takes you on a tour for a perfect day trip.

Busch Gardens free military waves of honor
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Busch Gardens Offers FREE Admission to Active Duty Military and Veterans

Through June 27, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is offering free admission for U.S. military veterans and their families.