What it’s like to ride the NEW Serengeti Flyer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The newest ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Serengeti Flyer, is the world’s tallest and fastest of its kind and we’ve got the details!
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TECO Line Streetcar: Exploring a modern city the old-fashioned way
Amidst the construction cranes dotting the landscape, you will see the electric wires that power the TECO Line Streetcar.
From New York to Plant City: The Story of a Wish Farms Strawberry
We’re getting to know Gary Wishnatzki, of Wish Farms, to learn more about the history of his family’s farming business in Tampa Bay and where they’re heading in the future.
10+ Florida Springs Your Family Needs to Explore
Looking for a day trip to get out of the house for a bit or to maybe take a weekend family “drivecation”? Look no further than the Florida natural springs!
7+ Tampa Bay Museums Your Kids Will Love
We’re sharing our favorite museums for kids in Tampa Bay that your kiddos are sure to love! From children’s musuems to history museums, there’s something for every family on our list.
High Blood Pressure, Salt Intake and Your Child’s Heart
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is usually seen in adults, but pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists are seeing this more often in children. Higher blood pressure means the pressure in the blood vessels is increased, causing the heart and other organs to work harder. This can put people at a higher risk for chronic illnesses…
Fun, Friends and Adventure at Camp Cristina!
Most parents do their best to avoid the famous phrase, “I’m bored,” yet many hear it all summer long! Jen Gordon, a mother to eight-year-old Emily and seven-year-old Kenneth, empathizes with parents around the nation. Yet, she shares that her kids rarely complain about summer boredom. Jen attributes her children’s positive attitudes to their love…
Zubrick Magic in St. Pete is a Must-See Magic Show in Tampa Bay!
It’s incredible how a magic show can bring out the kid in all of us. Visit Zubrick Magic Theatre for a night your family will never forget!
NEW Bay Rocket Jet Boat Ready to Thrill in Downtown Tampa!
There’s a new thrill ride in Tampa Bay! We’re sharing all you need to know about the Bay Rocket jet boat in Tampa.
Say I Love You with Valentine’s Themed Lunches and Snacks!
My daughter’s love language is quality time. Mine is acts of service. These days, I love hanging out in her room listening to her tell stories about school and how her day went. She LOVES when I tell stories about when I was her age and what I went through in middle school. Times have…
Flamenco & Freedom: A Renowned Cuban Dancer now Lives the American Dream in Tampa
One year ago, flamenco dancer Irene Rodriguez took the biggest leap of her life, not on the dance floor—in real life. She left her home country of Cuba, where she was the principal dancer and director of the country’s most recognized flamenco company, and moved to Tampa with nothing more than the desire and drive…
Comedy Monster Jim Gaffigan Heads to Tampa
America’s funniest dad, Jim Gaffigan, heads to Tampa. We got the chance to chat with him about his show, his family, and his ties to Tampa.
New Device is Narrowing the Gap in Heart Valve Repair at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Learn how a cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital helped a local teen avoid another open-heart surgery using brand new technology!
The Amazing Benefits of Reading Out Loud to Children, Audiobooks Included!
Reading aloud anything—a picture book, a comic book, a fairy tale, books about insects, anything your child is interested in—will yield benefits, including for our neurodiverse and non-English speaking listeners.
Black History Takes Center Stage in Hillsborough Schools
Teams from each Hillsborough Co. public school are buffing up on their trivia to compete in the Black History Brain Bowl on Feb. 11th.
Kids to Know: Jordan Parramore, Jordan’s Juice Bar & Delights
Meet Jordan Parramore, kid on a mission: gamer, foodie, autism advocate, and founder of Jordan’s Juice Bar when he was only 8 years old.
Shorecrest Preparatory School: A World-Class Education Right Here in Tampa Bay
Learn how an education from Shorecrest Prep can ensure your child is ready to thrive in university life and beyond as a self-directed learner.
Seven is Special: Maya’s Journey to a Healthy Heart
After two heart transplants by the age of 7, Maya is like Night and Day, thanks to her doctors at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
Things to Do | Family Fun | Parks + Attractions | Pregnancy to Preschool Years | Spring Break | Spring Family Fun | Travel | Videos
Your Ultimate Guide to the WORLD’S FIRST Peppa Pig Theme Park
We’re sharing our favorite things about the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park to help you plan your best day ever!
Moms to Know: Kiva Williams
Meet Kiva Williams, the @thefunfoodiemama and founder of Mahogany Kids Fine Arts Foundation benefitting children in Tampa Bay.
Meet Monster Jam’s Father and Son Duo – Matt and Nick Pagliarulo
Before Monster Jam heads to Raymond James Stadium February 4-5, we got the chance to talk to father and son drivers, Matt and Nick Pagliarulo
What’s NEW at MOSI: Putt Putt, Toothpick Wonders + MORE!
The Museum of Science and Industry, MOSI, is offering even MORE fun things to do with the family and more is on the horizon.
5 Reasons We LOVE Tusker House Restaurant for Disney Character Dining
When it comes to Walt Disney World Character Dining you have lots of choices. Here are five reasons we LOVE Tusker House Restaurant
Everything You Need to Know About the NEW Pirate River Quest Ride at LEGOLAND Florida
Pirates are heading to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven! Pirate River Quest is now open and we’re sharing all the details.
Redefining Refuge on Human Trafficking Prevention: What parents should know
Here’s the hard truth: human trafficking is happening in our community. Redefining Refuge is working to change that and you can help.
1,000 Books to a Love of Reading
The Library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program proves that creating a lifelong love of reading can be as easy as 4 books per week.
Meet the family behind Tampa vegan restaurant, Florish
Keith and Jill Sedita, of Florish Pizza in South Tampa, set out to recreate the pizza they grew up eating—with one distinction—it’s vegan.
Kids to Know: Lexline Johnson
Winner of Apple’s prestigious Swift Student Challenge, Lexline taught herself coding, and then created her own app on quantum physics.
Moms to Know: Dr. Amy Patenaude, ED.D., NCSP, A Child’s Path
What if we approached the “tough” seasons of parenting differently? Dr. Amy Patenaude is helping families make lasting positive changes.
Gasparilla Party Snack Ideas for Pirates of All Ages
From your Gasparilla galley straight to your little pirate’s lunch box, here are some fun ways to “piratize” lunches and party snacks.
Krewe Life: Trey Kohrn of YMKG
For Trey Korhn, Gasparilla is a way of life. Here he shares some treasured memories he’s made as a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
How to Achieve Whole Family Health with the YMCA
For many, the Y represents positive childhood memories. For the Tichenor family, it represents generational support and holistic wellness.
Liliana CHARGEs Forward During National Birth Defects Awareness Month
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital helps an adorable local toddler with a rare condition, CHAREGE Syndrome. Her Mother shares their story.
Corbett Prep Shares 3 Ways Your Family Benefits When Giving Back
If you resolved to do more for your community in 2023, here’s how including the kids in your commitment benefits the whole family.
Building a Love of Learning Through STEAM at Shorecrest
STEAMfest returns this January to Shorecrest Prep, where families can enjoy a variety of fun activities centered on STEAM subjects.
A New Year Welcomes a New Journey: Preparing your Child for Kindergarten
Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain is developed by age 5? The Florida VPK Program can help prepare your child for Kindergarten.
Expert tips on how to get your kids to communicate in 2023
Hillsborough Co. Public Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists offer questions for parents to ask their kids to encourage opening up.
How to Celebrate Kwanzaa AND Support Small Biz in Tampa Bay
Kiva Williams and Karimah Henry, creators of the Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge and regular Tampa Bay Parenting contributors, invite you to join in on their weeklong Kwanzaa celebration this year with a game of community Bingo. “I wanted to find a creative way to get people to support local small businesses,” Henry says. “Sharing this…
Local meteorologist Denis Phillips celebrates the holiday season with Christmas cheer and cocoa for a cause
It might not snow in Tampa, but local weatherman Denis Phillips certainly knows how to create a whimsical winter wonderland. The local ABC Action News meteorologist is known for his cheery persona, signature suspenders, and love of Diet Dr. Pepper. During hurricane season, his famous slogan “Rule #7” can be heard on repeat from residents…
How to Handle the Pre-Teen Years: Tips from a Middle School Mama
I am a new middle school mom. Yes, I teared up as he got out of the car for his first day of this new adventure, but I did try to play it cool. I am still in shock that we arrived at this milestone so quickly, but here we are. Ready or not… middle…
Moms to Know: Karrie Mueller, Webhead Interactive, Parties With Character, Cheap Cookie Cutters, Dairy Joy
Karrie Mueller has successful businesses, three happy children and a soulmate husband. Beyond Super Mom, she’s a Mom to KNOW!
Gratitude & Giving: Families and Metropolitan Ministries Inspire Hope in Tampa Bay
Metropolitan Ministries offers year-round opportunities for kids to grow in gratefulness and giving, and especially this holiday season.
Ask the Expert: How to help kids handle holiday stress and sensory overload
The holiday season isn’t always merry for kids so we’re turning to a local expert for advice and top tips.
Great Books to Gift
When it comes to gift-buying, think of books! They can be read again and again and offer plenty of opportunities for family time. Here are suggestions for great books to gift to the young readers in your life: Birth – Preschool “Luli and the Language of Tea” by Andrea Wang – Five-Year-Old Chinese immigrant Luli…
Looking to Give Back? 3 Ways Your Family Can Serve This Holiday Season
The holidays spark a desire to give back — and teach our children the importance of serving others. Here’s how you can help NOW.
Kids to Know: Noah Cheong
At a time of year when so much is celebrated with the holidays, it’s important to remember that so much can change in a short time…and honoring and cherishing the people- every person- around us is what makes December truly special. This is precisely why we get to know Noah Cheong, someone who has always put others first.
Q&A with Alice Santana, Straz Center for the Performing Arts Vice President of Education and Community Engagement
Alice Santana talks about the transformational power of the performing arts and how she balances parenting with her rewarding career.
Put those Gasparilla beads to use: Our favorite DIY crafts
The annual Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza and Gasparilla Pirate Fest are spectacular events that leave you with buckets full BEADS if you are a lucky!!! We scoured Pinterest to find some amazing DIY craft projects to finally put all of those Gasparilla beads to use! All you need is a glue gun or glue, an imagination…
Giving Back to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital During the Holidays
Giving Back and Spreading cheer while supporting patients and families with hospitalization at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
May Your Holidays be Merry and Safe!
The holidays can be chaotic. Check out these tips to stay safe and healthy this season, when ordinary rules can fall through the cracks.
The Best Life for Logan: Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
With a bilateral cleft lip and palate diagnoses at birth, Logan’s parents knew they needed the best team of doctors in their corner.
Logan’s Life Changing Surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to Repair a Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
When Logan was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate, they sought help from Alex Rottgers, MD, a highly skilled pediatric plastic surgeon at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
We’re Building a Future Without Hunger: Can you imagine that?
Hunger is a solvable problem – Feeding Tampa Bay has the solutions to provide greater access to food and eliminate this need.
Feeding Tampa Bay is Building a Future Without Hunger: Can you imagine that?
Of all the powerful things in this world, few move me more than a child’s imagination. From play-fighting dragons in the backyard to building a Lego empire, kids have a way of seeing life with wonder. They can be anything they want to be, building a whole world within their imagination. Every child should have…
A Parent’s Review of Camp Margaritaville Auburndale
What do you think is the best part of living in Central Florida? If your family is like mine, we cherish the fact that we can get away to so many spectacular destinations all around Florida. Tucked almost halfway between Tampa and Orlando is Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, formerly named Cabana Club RV Resort and Cottages….
Elementary School Years | Family Fun | Featured | Food + Drink | High School Years & Beyond | Middle School Years | Parenting | Pregnancy to Preschool Years | Spring Break
The BEST Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa Bay!
Don’t be afraid to take the kids out to dinner! We get it and we’ve totally been there–some restaurants just aren’t the best place for restless kids and toddlers which is why we put together this list of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Tampa Bay. Related: Our 50+ Favorite Things to Do in Tampa Bay…
Gallagher’s Christmas Trees: A Tradition of Making Forever Memories
From the picture-perfect pumpkins and Christmas trees to magical moments with Santa, Gallagher’s is more than a pumpkin patch or tree lot.
Give the Gift of Home this Holiday Season by Becoming a Foster Parent
Like gifts, gatherings, and good tidings, family is central to the holiday season. Many of us have treasured holiday family memories from childhood, or from watching the faces of our own children light up with holiday joy. But for hundreds of children in our community, the holidays can serve as a painful reminder of the…
Tips for Using an Express Pass at Universal Orlando
Love theme parks but hate the lines? We used the Universal Express Pass at Universal Orlando Resort and here’s what you need to know.