Advice for Incoming 6th Graders – From Those Who Have Been There!
Hillsborough Co. Public Schools rising seventh and eighth graders are sharing practical (and adorable!) advice they have for incoming sixth graders.
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Moms to Know: Ambika Agrawal, Ambika Photography
In the wizarding world of Harry Potter, a wand is a conduit that brings out the energy of a magical person and manifests it in the physical world in the shape of what they may be casting or creating. This is also true for Ambika Agrawal and her camera, a tool that blends the creative…
The Clock Starts Yesterday: 8 tips to kick off the college application process for high schoolers (or middle schoolers)
I remember being at Gymboree with my oldest (many moons ago) when a mom asked me, “Where do you think your son will go to high school?” In the sleep-deprived era of toddlerhood, I wanted to say, “Lady, I am so tired and I don’t even know what we are having for dinner, much less…
Women’s Institute at Tampa General Hospital: The Gold Standard of Care
A wave of impressive honors underscores why the Women’s Institute at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) provides the gold standard of care for a full range of women’s health services. Consider that the institute recently received the highest honor from a national accrediting body, earning Level IV maternal care designation from The Joint Commission—literally the gold…
Turning the Paige on Literacy in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Meet Paige. She’s fun, she’s engaging and she’s filled with books! She is Hillsborough County Public Schools’ newest literacy resource—Paige the Literacy Bus! Paige’s mission is to provide early access to resources and promote literacy beyond the classroom. She is geared toward our younger learners up to age 5. When children step onto the bus,…
5 Reasons It’s Good to Go Global
We love to ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up. But the truth is that the world is changing so quickly that students today will enter a future filled with jobs, challenges and opportunities we are yet to imagine. As adults, we have witnessed the transformative power of technology from…
Preparing to Pump? Here are 5 Common Breastfeeding Questions Answered by a Pro
Breastfeeding provides many bonding and health benefits for both mom and baby, and many moms may choose to pump, whether it be exclusively or times when they are away from the baby. August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month which aims at educating and celebrating breastfeeding moms. Lactation consultants are a great resource and can help…
A Bus with a Purpose: BayCare’s Mobile Medical Clinic celebrates 20 years of serving area children and families
In the early 2000s, there was a national push to increase immunization rates for children. In 2004 in Tampa, Florida, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital responded to the call by putting together the Mobile Medical Clinic (MMC)—a bus with a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner and a program coordinator that drove around to underserved areas. That…
Backpack Safety Tips: How to Choose, Load and Wear a Backpack
Carrying too much weight in a backpack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to unnecessary pain and strain for your child. When shopping for your child’s school backpack this month and helping them load it for school, take these steps to avoid potential health problems. Choosing a Backpack Choose a backpack with…
Calling all pint-sized Bucs Fans: You can join the Jr. Bucs Fan Club today!
Kids can join the Jr Bucs Fan Club today and receive a super cool welcome kit, member perks, special event invites, and more!
Where to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Tampa Bay!
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 21 and what sounds better on a hot summer day? See where you can celebrate and score some sweet deals around Tampa Bay.
FIRST LOOK: The ALL-NEW Phoenix Rising Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
Take a sneak peek at the ALL NEW Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
5 Things Disney Fans LOVE About the NEW Country Bear Musical Jamboree
We’re sharing what makes the Country Bear Musical Jamboree so special, plus the Disney details that fans already love.
NEW Tampa YMCA Preschool Program Set to Launch this August!
July means summer is in full swing, but it also means back to school. Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is delighted to launch our Licensed Preschool Program* at the Central City YMCA in the Tampa Heights and YMCA Camp Sierra in Carrollwood. Coming this August, both Y locations, which are geared at 2 to 4-year- olds…
Everything You Need to Know About Brick Fan Expo – A LEGO Fan Event in Tampa
Brick Fan Expo is returning to Tampa August 10-11 at The Florida State Fairgrounds. Check out what you can expect at this brick-tastic LEGO fan event!
The BEST Ice-Cream Shops in Tampa Bay!
There’s no better way to cool off than a big scoop of ice-cream! We’re sharing some of the best ice-cream shops in 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.
A Parent’s Review: The Foot-Stomping Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Check out why the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is one of our favorite handclapping, foot-stopping Disney dining experiences to do with kids!
The 5 Layers of Water Safety: Tips from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Florida unfortunately leads the nation in child drownings under the age of 5, most of which happen in a residential pool, but there are steps parents can take to avoid a drowning tragedy.
FIRST LOOK: All-New Cabins at Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney Vacation Club’s newest property is now open! Come along as we share all the details of The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
Summer Camp Lunches and Small Meals
If you pack a school lunch every day like me, you may be ready for a break, but I wouldn’t put away those lunchboxes just yet. Whether your kids are attending summer camp part-time, all day or not at all, they still need to eat. And to help you keep your sanity, keep your budget…
The Power of Sleep: Why sleep is important and how to make sure your children get enough
Your children may fight bedtime as strenuously as they can, but here’s the real truth from the mouth of babes: Sixty percent of middle schoolers and 70 percent of high schoolers admit that they do not get adequate sleep. And that’s just awful, according to Dr. Luis Ortiz, a physician at the Sleep Center of…
STAYcation in Tampa Bay: All That’s NEW to Explore!
If you’re sticking around town and need some fun ideas of things to do during these final weeks of summer break, we’ve got you covered! Let’s explore all of the NEW ways to connect and play in Tampa Bay! What’s NEW: ZooTampa Clouded Leopard Encounter This experience returned last month to the zoo, giving you…
Moms to Know: Jenna Cibran
In the five years that we have featured mothers in this special space, I have yet to focus on a part of motherhood that is just as important as all of the others that have been highlighted before. The role of the woman in the home to be there for every member of the family,…
Library Discovery Pass is Your Ticket to FREE Summer Fun at Local Attractions
Did you know that with the Library Discovery Pass program included with your library card you get access to FREE experiences? Learn how!
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!
Running for a Purpose! Steinbrenner High runners help adoptable dogs
Get to know the Steinbrenner High Boss Cross runners who take dogs from the Humane Society on runs in order to help them get adopted!
Dakayla Wilson: Letting Kids Pave their Own Paths
Parenting is challenging, embodied work. Amidst society’s current culture of achievement, parenting’s challenges expand. Concurrently, kids’ autonomy and free time contract (to almost negligible levels). Of course parents want children to succeed. Within achievement culture, however, efforts are misguided and counterproductive. The mother of a competitive dancer and soccer player, I also am in achievement…
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.
Dive into Fun this Summer at Adventure Island!
It’s summer in Florida, which means the heat is ON! What better way to cool off than by splashing around at a water park? One of our favorite ways to keep cool when the weather is hot is to spend the day at Adventure Island, Tampa’s island paradise. The park is chock full of thrilling…
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!
Kids to Know: St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School Grades 3 & 4
In collaboration with Rise Against Hunger and St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School, the Taylor Koulouris Foundation made it possible for students to pack 12,500 meals that will feed 347 children in Haiti each for an entire school year. As third and fourth graders at the school, our Kids to Know share their experience. …
Celebrate July 4th at Busch Gardens with Family-Friendly Fun, Food, Fireworks, and More!
Looking for something fun and festive for Fourth of July? Check out why Busch Gardens is one of our favorite family-friendly ways to celebrate!
How to Avoid Common Summer Injuries: Top Tips from Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH
From swim safety to beach hazards and travel reminders, Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH has a few reminders to keep kids safe this summer.
Summer Fun at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort: Activities, Water Park, and Limited-Time Circus Event!
Orlando is a hop skip and a jump away, with tons of ways to play. It’s hard to resist all the awesome family-friendly resorts around Orlando and Kissimmee. A favorite of ours is Westgate Vacation Villas Resort just outside Walt Disney World Resort’s borders. With an on-site water park, villas with lots of room to…
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!
Spend a Summer Day at Sand Key Park
Sand Key Park is one of our top picks for beaches we love taking kids to! Check out why we love spending salty summer days here.
JUST ANNOUNCED! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Party “Jollywood Nights” Returns
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.
The BEST Things to Do with Kids at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays
From the best eats to the best storytellers, here are the best things to do with kids at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays 2023.
A Parent’s Guide to the BEST Rides at SeaWorld Orlando
Our ultimate parent’s guide to the best rides at SeaWorld Orlando includes height requirements and ways to skip long lines.
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!
Our Favorite Things: Summer Edition
Having kids requires an obscene amount of stuff and parenting is hard. We’ve rounded up our favorite things that help make the going easier – or at least more FUN – to help you get through the doldrums of summer. Our Favorite: Timeless Gift Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just want to make the…
New Portraits of Courage Exhibit at EPCOT – A Touching Showcase from George W. Bush Institute
“Portraits of Courage: A Commander’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,” a special exhibit from the George W. Bush Institute, opened June 9, 2024 for a 12-month exhibition inside The American Adventure pavilion in EPCOT.
40+ BEST Free Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa Bay
You don’t have to be a penny pincher to want to take advantage of a free or cheap deal every now and then. This is the full guide to the most awesome free and cheap things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids!
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.
Local Bricks 4 Kidz owner launches new non-profit, Kids Love Bricks
Learn all about Bricks 4 Kidz owner and local dad, John Fontana’s new charity Kids Love Bricks, and how you can give back with LEGO!
Tampa mom expands podcast network to include meditations just for kids
Tampa Mom and Women’s Meditation Network founder, Katie Krimitsos, is sharing her new podcasts supporting meditation for kids!
Kids to Know: Omar Germany
Cancer. It was a word the Germanys never expected to hear when they brought their 12-year-old son to a medical professional for answers about a mass growing in his cheek. In 2020, Omar Jr. was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. With great fortitude and unwavering faith, Omar began a lengthy fight with his…
Moms to Know Jessica Payne: Sweatology Studio, Undressed Tans
Every child is truly a treasure, and for most, pregnancy is a gift. However, after navigating a journey through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy to welcome her two children, Lenny (6) and Bowie (3), Jessica Payne could have never predicted the miracle waiting to unfold years later. As this local mom announces the arrival…
Stopping the Summer Slide with Just 2 Books!
What do you think of when you hear “summer slide”? Is it a super cool water slide at Adventure Island? Or how about sliding into home plate during a summer Rays game? Actually, the summer slide has to deal with learning loss over the summer. Research suggests students lose about a month’s worth of learning,…
Growing Sweet Potatoes in Florida: A Summer Delight for Families
Florida’s warm, sunny climate offers the perfect conditions for growing sweet potatoes, a versatile and nutritious vegetable that thrives during the summer months. Gardening can be a wonderful family activity, and growing sweet potatoes in Florida is a simple and rewarding project that even young children can participate in. I’m so excited to share a…
Fast, Fun, Affordable Smiles at Imagine Orthodontic Studio
Led by an elite team of board-certified orthodontists, Imagine Orthodontic Studio strives to provide our patients with a fast, fun and affordable experience in an energetic, boutique-style environment. Imagine serves patients in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Lakeland and Orlando, and we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care and beautiful results. We cater to each patient’s unique…
The YMCA’s Multigenerational Approach to Family Membership
Known for its community-centric approach, the YMCA provides numerous membership and program options to fit each member’s unique needs. Matt Lewis, vice president of operations and membership at the Tampa YMCA, says, “At the Tampa YMCA, we believe that wellness is a journey best shared with the entire family. Our programs offer more than fitness;…
A+ for Mama and Baby at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
St Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Proves its Commitment to Top-Notch Care for Mothers-to-Be For the expert doctors, nurses, technicians and all the other unsung heroes who deliver babies at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, this news did not come as a surprise: The facility just attained the highest level of certification in Maternal Care by The Joint…
Adventure Begins at Your Public Library: Sign Up for Summer Reading Program Today!
This summer, start your reading adventures at your local public library. From June 1 – July 31, readers of all ages can participate in the library summer reading challenge and attend informative and entertaining programs. Register for Summer Reading this year by signing up in Beanstack starting May 20. Readers will earn a badge just…
Meet Dr. Decker: Father of 5 and Cardiologist
Dr. Jamie Decker is a dedicated father of five who juggles the demands of his medical career with the joys of fatherhood. Decker is passionate about both of the hats that he wears as a dad and a cardiologist in the Heart Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, where he specializes in electrophysiology. “It’s…
North Brandon Family YMCA’s Coding Programmers Create Their Own Game
There is a good chance most of us were not Coding in third grade or creating computer games in the fifth grade. Not so now. Welcome to the North Brandon Family YMCA Coding and Game Design for Kids & Teens program, where our junior developers recently created their own game and shared it with their…
INSIDE LOOK: New Stingray Feeding Experience at The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium just debuted a new Stingray Feeding Experience at its Stingray Beach touch tank, giving you a chance to see what it’s like to be a biologist who cares for these majestic creatures.
Celebrate LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Summer Brick Party EVERY DAY!
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is kicking off its annual Summer Brick Party this June with returning favorites, exciting new characters, food, and MORE!
INSIDE LOOK: Very Eric Carle exhibit at Glazer Children’s Museum
Your child’s favorite book series is coming to life in a colorful and immersive way at Glazer Children’s Museum this summer!