The Zest Podcast: We asked to share a Tasty Year in Review
Whether you’re wrapping gifts, road-tripping or running off the holiday stress, let The Zest Podcast keep you company this season!
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Winter Reads for the Whole Family!
Just because it doesn’t snow in Florida, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a snowy read! Check out these titles to get you in the winter spirit.
Making Waves with Watermelon Swim this Holiday Season
Watermelon Swim is making a big splash by giving back to the community this holiday season with their annual holiday Giving Tree.
The Gift of Giving: How IB Students Spread Holiday Cheer All Year Long
Learn how IB students at Walker Middle Magnet School and Adum K-8 plan to spread holiday cheer this season.
Kids to Know: Kids 4 A Cause
Get to know Dominic Fouché, Sheldon Fouché, and cousins Michael Kuhn, and Christian Kuhn – the four boys behind Kids 4 A Cause.
Moms to Know: Malissa Spencer
Get to know mom and businesswoman, Malissa Spencer, senior entertainment manager for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Teacher to Know: Micaela Spatola, Tampa Bay Technical High School
Get to know Micaela Spatola, Tampa Bay Technical High School’s Agriculture and Veterinary Assisting Instructor, and her hands-on learning method.
The Power of Connection: How Moms of South Tampa Are Redefining Networking
Discover how networking for Moms of South Tampa is being redefined by the ‘MOST’ Business Networking group and how you can get involved.
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!
Where to Eat Breakfast With Santa In Tampa Bay
Breakfast with Santa is a great way to let your kids see the big guy up close and personal. Fill the season with holiday cheer with one of these great breakfast with Santa options! Bookmark this page and check back in at a later date, as we will continue to update this post as announcements…
Where to See Santa at Walt Disney World
Our complete guide on Where to See Santa at Walt Disney World will make it easy for your family to see Santa Claus at Disney.
15 Awesome Holiday Parades and Lighted Boat Parades in Tampa Bay
Parades are such a fun way to celebrate the holidays with the family and the best part is, it’s free to attend!
Holiday Break Camps in Tampa Bay 2025
School might be out, but there are still plenty of awesome camps around town to keep the kids busy! Check out these cool camps for kids during Thanksgiving and Winter breaks.
Where to find the most DAZZLING Christmas lights in Tampa Bay
Christmas Lights are starting to Sparkle in Tampa Bay! Get into the Holiday Spirit with a stroll or drive by these beautiful Christmas lights!
Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay in 2025
We’re sharing some of our favorite spots to take pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay.
- Elementary School Years | Family Fun | Featured | Food + Drink | High School Years & Beyond | Middle School Years | Parenting | Pregnancy to Preschool Years | Spring Break | Things to Do
The BEST Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa Bay!
We’re sharing some of our favorite spots to go out to eat with the kids in Tampa Bay!
Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa is bigger and brighter in 2025!
One of our favorite holiday events in Tampa Bay, Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa, returns for 17 select nights beginning November 28!
INSIDE LOOK: “Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop” at FloridaRAMA in St. Pete
World-renowned felt artist Lucy Sparrow is bringing her whimsical creations back to Tampa Bay, this time at FloridaRAMA in St. Pete beginning November 21, 2025.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals at Theme Parks for Florida Residents
The gift of experience is coming with some savings if you shop Black Friday Deals and Cyber Monday deals at Florida attractions.
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.
The Most Adorable Places to Celebrate Christmas on the Farm in Tampa Bay
From single-day special events to family-friendly holiday events on the farms on weekends, there will be so much to explore and experience this year! Since we are still awaiting details for many of the holiday events this year, be sure to bookmark this page and revisit us. We will continue to update this post as…
The Burton Family of ABC’s The Great Christmas Lights Fight Talks Twinkling Lights, Faith, and Holiday Fun
The Burton Family Light Show, featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Lights Fight, is a must-see family event in Tampa Bay this holiday season!
A Legacy of Giving: A conversation with Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-owner, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
You have to wonder, what would Tampa Bay look like if the Glazer family had not become the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995? We would have a very different community, and not just because of football.
NEW Festive Fun Coming to Downtown Tampa at Winter Village
Curtis Hixon Park has transformed into a Winter Village once again filled with holiday lights, ice-skating, theme nights, curling, NEW ice-skating shows, and MORE!
How’d They Do That? A real ice rink in downtown Tampa at Winter Village
A real ice skating rink…outside…in the middle of downtown Tampa, Florida, where temps can easily peak in the mid-80s on any given afternoon in December? Yup! It’s totally possible, and it’s been happening every winter for the last ten years at Winter Village in Tampa!
SNEAK PEEK: Florida Waters at ZooTampa, the zoo’s largest expansion ever opens this spring!
ZooTampa’s largest expansion to date is under construction now, and while it’s not set to debut until spring 2026, we’re giving you a SNEAK PEEK from our recent hard hat tour because it’s too good not to share!
LEGOLAND Florida launches Junior Galaxy Explorers contest for young builders
LEGOLAND® Florida and LEGOLAND® California Resorts are teaming up for a nationwide search to form a team of creative Junior Galaxy Explorers who will be the first to ride the Galacticoaster on opening day on their designated coast!
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Welcomes Back Manatees to its Dr. James “Buddy” Powell Manatee Rehabilitation Center
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) has officially reopened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center and welcomed its first new patients of the year—three juvenile manatees named Sabal, Orchid, and Vora.
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around Tampa Bay
We’re sharing some of the Tampa Bay area’s most dazzling holiday tree lighting ceremonies!
INSIDE LOOK: ICE! at the Gaylord Palms featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Gaylord Palms will celebrate the holidays with ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends return this year for some magical holiday fun.
Where to get Thanksgiving Dinner in Tampa Bay: Dine in Restaurants and To-Go Options
Let someone else do the cooking! We’re sharing our top picks of Thanksgiving Dinner take-out and dining in options in Tampa Bay.
15+ Best Farmers Markets in Tampa Bay for Farm Fresh Produce
We’re dishing on our favorite farmers markets in Tampa Bay for farm fresh, locally grown produce, local honey, and more!
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.
The Toy Insider Reveals the Hottest Toys For 2025!
The Toy Insider is sharing the best toys for 2025 to plan your holiday shopping! From playroom favorites to Best in STEM, it’s time to make your list!
The Gift of Experience in Tampa Bay: A Holiday Gift List Must
Rather than overloading our kids with more toys and clutter, why not give the gift of experience in Tampa Bay? An annual pass or membership to a local attraction is not only cost-effective, it’s a gift that keeps on giving year–round to the entire family. Added bonus- many of the attractions that offer summer camps…
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.
12+ Places to Donate New Toys in Tampa Bay this Holiday Season
The high cost of living and inflation continue to make a significant impact on families and the non-profit organizations that support them. If you are financially able, donating a new toy and even food for a local family in need will make a big difference this holiday season.
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.
- Christmas | Christmas>Gifts>Metropolitan Ministries | Holiday Family Fun | Thanksgiving | Things to Do | Tweens and Teens | Volunteer
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.
Lion & Hyena Ridge to Open this Spring at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is roaring into 2026 with the ALL-NEW Lion & Hyena Ridge, an extraordinary new addition to the park’s award-winning animal care portfolio and the most ambitious new habitat in more than a decade.
Disney’s Zootopia Better Zoogether Brings Beloved Characters (and Big Lessons) to Families at Animal Kingdom
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the colorful world of Zootopia comes to life in a way families have never seen before. Zootopia Better Zoogether, debuting inside the park’s iconic Tree of Life, invites guests to celebrate Zoogether Day with familiar friends and new faces from the hit film and its upcoming sequel. It’s the latest attraction…
The Best Turkey Trots in Tampa Bay this Thanksgiving
We’ve got a list of great family-friendly Turkey Trots in Tampa this Thanksgiving that will help your family burn energy and have fun!
Veterans Day Deals and Parades Around Tampa Bay
Veterans Day is on Tuesday, November 11, and there are several places around Tampa Bay offering deals to veterans and their families this weekend.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Party “Jollywood Nights” Returns for 2025
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will offer an all-new festive after-hours Christmas party which will include exclusive access to attractions and unique entertainment for the holiday season.
Kids to Know: Jacob Pham, 8th grader at Corbett Prep Performed as Simba on Broadway in New York City
He’s only in 8th grade, and yet Corbett Prep 8th grader Jacob Pham has already lived a dream of so many: performing in one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, “The Lion King.” But landing the role of Young Simba was not overnight success, but the result of years of hard work, perseverance and the…
Future Career Academy Helps Seniors Plan What’s Next
“Come to us for the job … stay for the career.” Those were the words of Bill McDaniel, City Manager of Plant City, as he addressed a packed auditorium of seniors at Durant High School. McDaniel was one of several panelists representing the Future Career Academy (FCA), a program that partners with Hillsborough County Public…
Tampa mom gets new home for the holidays thanks to local HGTV stars and Habitat for Humanity
Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, a new Thanksgiving tradition is beginning at the Simmons family home this year. As usual, three generations of women — grandmother, mother and daughters — will prepare the meal together “from scratch and with love.” The menu will include all their favorite dishes: turkey, pot roast, honey ham, mashed potatoes,…
Kickoff to the Next Generation: The Gramatica Legacy Evolves
For the Gramatica family, hard work and athleticism are part of the DNA. In 2003, Martin Gramatica helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory. Today, Martin has traded his kicking tee for a whistle — coaching youth soccer, cheering from the sidelines and mentoring his athletic trio: Nico, a kicker…
Moms to Know: Molly Lippincott, Senior Curator of Florida & Marine Life at ZooTampa
Get to know Molly Lippincott, senior curator at ZooTampa at Lowry Park as the Zoo gets ready to debut all-new animal experiences in 2026!
TumbleBookLibrary – Digital Storytelling That Delivers
Being thankful in November holds special significance because it aligns with the spirit of Thanksgiving, a time dedicated to reflection, gratitude and connection. As the year comes to a close, November offers a natural pause to reflect on the people, experiences and lessons that have shaped our lives. Practicing gratitude not only strengthens relationships, but…
The Play List: Play Cafes in Tampa Bay, Wondergrounds and Little Play Place
Parents and kiddos say, “Hey! Tampa Bay has new indoor places to play!” After eyeing the play cafés in Orlando for some time, we’re thrilled to see that Tampa has added a few options of its own throughout the Bay for indoor play. With locations in Wesley Chapel, South Tampa and St. Petersburg, we’re sharing…
Power Up After School: Smart Snacks for Study Time or Game Time
After a long day of classes, teens need a serious refuel — but what they grab after school can make the difference between powering through practice or hitting a mid-afternoon slump. The goal? Smart snacks that deliver quick energy without the crash, help muscles recover and keep focus sharp for homework or the next big…
A Family Meant to Be: The Allen Family’s Journey to Teegan
Discover Teegan’s story of adoption via the Heart Gallery of Tampa, which advocates for foster children through photography and storytelling.
Make Your Miles Matter This Thanksgiving at the Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble Road Race
Before gathering around the table this Thanksgiving, hundreds of runners, walkers and families will lace up their sneakers for a Tampa Bay holiday tradition, the Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble Road Race.
Snoh’s Story at Johns Hopkins All Children’s: From One Pound to a Thriving NICU Graduate
Celebrating Snoh’s journey and happy graduation from the NICU after having spent nearly eight months there after being born premature.
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!
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.
Tampa Mom Launches Tampa Bay SNAP Gap Megalist to Help Local Families in Need
Tampa mom, Kas Miller, is hoping to help keep bellies full by bridging the gap with the launch of the Tampa Bay SNAP Gap Megalist.
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.
Academy at the Lakes: The Importance of Teaching Information Literacy and the Value of the Liberal Arts
In today’s media-saturated world, students are taught how to critically engage with the information that shapes their understanding of the world.
