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.
Blog
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.
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…
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.
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.
Moms to Know: A nonprofit leader’s mission inspires meaningful holiday family traditions
Mother of three boys, Tampa Bay realtor, and founder of the Christian Michael Hernandez Foundation (CMHF), Lindsay Hernandez lives by the mission of her nonprofit in every way possible: to be a light in this world through the provision of unconditional kindness. In a month that focuses on giving and gratitude, we are thankful for…
The Positive Power of Youth Sports
Mental health took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns, quarantines and distancing meant that outside activities like youth sports were put on hold. For some kids, sports were their outlet, their stress release and their social circle. Taking all of that away at once can certainly have a huge impact—especially at such a young…
Great Places to Experience Art with Kids: St. Pete Edition
With its beautiful art district and tons of artist spaces, St. Pete is the perfect place to explore Fine Arts with your kids.
Stronger than the Storm: Hillsborough County Public Schools
Transforming schools into Hurricane Ian evacuation shelters is no easy task, but one that staff and community partners took in stride.
AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections
The newest, fully bilingual exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum, AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain, teaches brain development through play.
Kids to Know: Victoria Reyes
A gifted creator at 13 years old, Victoria Reyes has already shown her work at an art show and started her own clothing and accessories line.
Moms to Know: Amy Dascola
A psychic medium since she was six years old, Amy Dascola experiences life, people and energy on a different level than you and I.
The Ultimate Soccer Mom: Soccer veteran Kiley Williams is grateful for a second chance after motherhood
As the oldest on her team, Kiley Williams is grateful for the second chance to pursue the passion she put on hold while having children.
Logan Ryan: Gratitude for Family & Football
Logan Ryan, two-time Super Bowl champ and safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is grounded in gratitude, firm in family, and focused on football.
Sneaky Sugars: What is Diabetes and Are My Kids at Risk?
November is American Diabetes Month, a time for families to learn about childhood diabetes and ways to prevent it.
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!
The Elixir of Life: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital administers miracle drug that saves babies from progressive neuromuscular degeneration
Thanks to a recently approved gene therapy named Zolgensma, the outlook for babies born with SMA has suddenly brightened.
Teachers Work on the “Hope” Team Every Day
When educators focus on Kindness, Information Literacy, Problem-Solving Mind-Sets and Optimism we are answering the needs of society.
New Technology at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Helping Kids Battle Epilepsy
As a 15-year epilepsy patient, Ethan’s family recently elected a new, less-invasive surgery which has lessened the frequency of his seizures.
Fantasmic is BACK – Here’s What Parents Need to Know About This Nighttime Show
Fantasmic is back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here is everything parents need to know include showtimes, packages, and more.
It’s School Tour Season! Here’s what you need to ask yourself as you decide
Background research combined with on-campus visits will help you narrow down your school options and identify a good match.
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.
John Doe Graduate research assistant 20341 Whitworth Institute Seattle WA (425) 123-4567 jdoe@example.com www.johndoe.com
Family Crafting Ideas to Express Gratitude this Thanksgiving
Try out one -or all- of these Thanksgiving craft ideas that focus on gratitude to start a discussion on thankfulness and gratitude this holiday season.
October is Fire Safety Month: A Tampa Bay mom shares her escape from fire story; and fire safety tips we can all follow
A fluke accident on Gasparilla eve caused a fire under the Sanchez family home, which they evacuated with the help of their 7 year old son.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Trusting Things Are As They Should Be
Melissa Thomas, a pediatric critical care physician, shares her story, and realization, after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Should Your Child Miss School for a Mental Health Day?
Making the case for school-aged mental health days: 50 percent of all lifetime mental health illnesses start by the adolescent years.
Moms to Know: Chief Barbara Tripp, Tampa Fire Rescue
Chief Barbara Tripp made history in Tampa when she was sworn in as the first-ever female fire chief for Tampa Fire Rescue.
Library Resources for Academic Success
Get homework help with these resources from the library including live interactive tutoring, virtual science experiments, and more.
Kids to Know: Elaine Feaster, ScoutingForBooks.com
Elaine Feaster completed the Girl Scouts Gold Award to land amongst other role-models who are making the world a better place.