Whether hitting the slopes or the beach is your idea of a perfect family adventure, you can enjoy your dream vacation in spring. We asked writer Terry Ward, an expert on family travel who’s visited 14 countries with her two children (ages 6 and 7), to share her top domestic and international picks for the…
Looking for some fun free things to do with your little one? Look no further than your local library! Check out some of our favorite library resources for toddlers: Early Learning Hives Located at Riverview Public Library, New Tampa Regional Library and Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, our early learning hives are designated spaces for…
Meet Emaline, my friend who attended the Wee Macree Giveback Spectacular last fall. As she learned about different local youth populations in need and participated in activities to serve on the spot, she felt like something was missing. At 5 years old, with a heart bigger than her whole self, she looked lovingly at her…
Strawberry picking season is here and we’re showing you where to pick strawberries in Tampa Bay! It’s one of our favorite things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids!
Looking for non-candy Easter basket ideas? Here are some of our favorite giftable items, just right to tuck inside your Easter baskets this year!
Mononucleosis, often known as ‘mono,’ is a contagious disease primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Commonly affecting teenagers and young adults, mono is notorious for its fatigue-inducing capabilities, alongside other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and occasionally, an enlarged spleen. Understanding mono’s transmission methods, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures…
Learn more about all of the different swim programs available at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA for everyone in the family to have fun and learn to stay safe in the water.
It seems that each year as students return from spring break, there is a sense of anticipation in the air. Summer is nearly upon us, and families are penciling summer camps and family vacations into their calendars. (Or, if your family is anything like mine, you are just beginning to plan your child’s summer activities. No…
As we dive into March, we embark on a journey of awareness and understanding, shining a light on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It’s a time when we come together to celebrate every child’s unique abilities and talents and to ensure that families have the support they need to navigate any challenges along the way. At…
Your kids want summer camps where they can battle robots, decorate cupcakes, design video games and play with American Girl dolls and Legos. Your goals for them are academic practice, exercise, time away from screens and maybe an opportunity to try a new activity. Can one Tampa summer camp accomplish all that before school is…
When Ashlyn Strathman had surgery as a high schooler, it was a member of the hospital’s Child Life team who eased her nerves by giving the teen a hospital tour and teaching her relaxation techniques. Today, with a master’s degree in Child Life Studies, Strathman works at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in a role that…
Join us for a sneak peek of the new in-water stingray encounter debuting at ZooTampa!
There’s a new way to get your steps in at ZooTampa and it’s wild!
Cirque du Soliel returns to Tampa Bay with BAZZAR from February 22-March 24! See what goes into making this dazzling show come to life under the Big Top.
At Glazer Children’s Museum, we’re in the business of teaching through play, so when we decided to celebrate Pi Day we knew it had to be fun.
Snorkeling is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. And what better place to learn all about sea critters than to snorkel the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…and the most wonderful time to save with new awesome LEGOLAND Florida deals!
Check out some of Tampa’s most talented artists at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts March 2-3, 2024 at Julaine B. Lane Waterfront Park.
Did you know February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month? In fact, Plant City is recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and is the dominant supplier of strawberries in the United States from November through March. Pretty sweet, right? Here’s another fun fact: Most of our Florida strawberries are grown within a 20-mile…
Alright mamas, hold onto your heartstrings … especially if you have a preschooler! It’s time… To register them… For KINDERGARTEN! (And the sobs were heard round the bay.) Don’t worry; Hillsborough County Public Schools makes getting ready for kindergarten easy for you and fun for them! Schools across the district will hold Kindergarten Ready Open…
Hello friends! It’s Jenny from @Lunchboxmafia sharing some easy Valentine’s ideas to make your kiddo’s lunch box extra special—and delicious. Check out these ways to bring hearts, pink and red, and everything sweet into your little one’s Valentine’s Day breakfast and lunch. Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Ideas: A Pop of Flavor These mini pop tarts taste…
When Gorrie Elementary School mother Haylie Katz discovered Bess the Book Bus, she immediately thought of her children’s school community. With a committed PTA team that partners with nonprofits monthly to teachers who encourage students’ kindness potential, this neighborhood school has nurtured many standout kids to know. How did collecting for Bess the Book…
Our local youth are at the very core of all we do, of how and why we make decisions, and why we give back and serve. Yet, there is a population of children among us that we do not speak nearly enough about. We notice them, but we do not see them. We hear them,…
Tori Penso, the first American to referee a FIFA Women’s World Cup final, has much to celebrate. The St. Petersburg-based mom of three, believes soccer has been a unifying gift for her family.
February is the month of love and a time to celebrate and honor Black History Month. It’s an opportunity for families to come together and explore the richness of African American history, culture and contributions. Families that foster an inclusive understanding of different heritages can empower our children to appreciate diversity and promote a more harmonious society….
No visit to ZooTampa at Lowry Park is ever the same, and in 2024 (the year of more), we have some very fun and exciting things to amaze, educate and entertain the whole family in unique ways. Related: ZooTampa Debuts NEW Walking Trail in partnership with Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH Prehistoric Predators Don’t miss…
In partnership with tampabaydatenightguide.com Though we love our kids, sometimes it’s nice (and important) to have some one-on-one time with your significant other. We know it may not always be so easy to up and leave the house for a date night or day, so making plans can be a big deal. We’ve rounded up…
Fun Fact: America’s first known summer camp was opened in 1885 by the YMCA, Camp Dudley in Orange Lake, New York. It has been a mainstay of Y programming since then. Thanks to the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and YMCA of the Suncoast – from Citrus to Pinellas County – there is a Summer Camp…
Dubbed “the mayor” for his outgoing personality and winning ways, Levi, 7, has spent more time in the hospital than many people do in a lifetime. While you might think that experience would lead to a dislike of medical facilities, in Levi’s case it’s just the opposite. “He loves Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,” says his…
Patricia and Chris were ecstatic to tell family and friends that they were expecting. What they did not expect however, were concerns after their baby’s 18-week anatomy scan. “When they came in and told us something was wrong with his heart, we were just completely shocked,” Patricia recalls. Doctors referred Patricia to Courtney Wein, D.O., a pediatric…
We’re sharing everything you need to know about this year’s Gasparilla Music Festival in downtown Tampa February 16-18, 2024!
Join us we explore the incredible life journey of the butterfly in the NEW ‘a-MAZING Butterflies’ exhibit at MOSI!
Get a taste of the Big Easy right here in Tampa Bay with Busch Gardens Mardi Gras! Enjoy live music, parades, Cajun-inspired food and more!
Plunge into Florida’s whimsical weirdness at Fairgrounds St Pete’s celebration of all things that make Florida weird, wacky, and wonderful.
Tampa is home to some amazing parks and playgrounds to help get some fresh air and get the wiggles out. Check out our favorite parks and playgrounds in and around Tampa Bay!
Swimming with manatees is a magical and unique experience you can only do in Crystal River. We’re sharing everything you need to know.
YMKG’s captain, Truett Gardner, will lead the legendary invasion. Truett shares treasured Gasparilla memories, extending from his childhood to ones made with his children, along with what he’s looking forward to for the 2024 Gasparilla season.
We’re dishing on our favorite farmers markets in Tampa Bay for farm fresh, locally grown produce, local honey, and more!
Arrrgh you looking for a free adventure to enjoy with your bitty buccaneer this Gasparilla season? Aye know just the place. Point your sails in the direction of your local library and sally forth! With five types of early literacy programs being offered in-person, you’re sure to find a story time that fits your needs. We can’t…
Have you seen the commercial where employees keep calling each other rock stars, and then actual rock stars show up and shut them down?! Well, we challenge Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol or Joan Jett to step in one of our schools and shut US down – because our employees are as close to rock stars as you…
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is once again transporting you back into prehistoric times so you and the kids can go nose to snout with some of the world’s most ferocious prehistoric predators. Prehistoric Predators is a limited-time exhibit and the final day to experience it is Sunday, April 28, 2024. The best part — it’s…
Long before Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt were hosts of the popular HGTV series “100 Day Dream Home,” they were classmates at Riverview High School. Now married for eight years, living in their own dream home in Ruskin, and raising Mika’s 14-year-old daughter, Jade, together, they’re reflecting on their journey and looking ahead to an exciting new year.
Every fall at Bayshore Christian School, the fourth grade classes gather to plan for a market. The products, packaging and prices are determined individually by each nine and ten year old student. However, they decide collectively how the profits from the project will be used. While they learned how to execute a successful business, they…
Dining out is fun but it can also add up! Check out our list of restaurants where kids eat free in Tampa Bay!
Have you ever heard the saying “in a world full of Kardashians, be an Audrey (Hepburn)?” When it comes to raising girls in today’s world, I am reassured that there are women in the aesthetics field that promote a graceful approach to aging that enhances natural inner and outer beauty—much like the iconic faces before…
Yamel Belen shows us how to create a vision board as a tangible representation of our dreams and aspirations.
As we get ready to step into a new year, a time when many of us look to reset, we’re introducing you to a local mom who has been right where you are—smack dab in the middle of burnout. Jess Massey not only found her way out, but she developed a planner and system to help other women find their path to a more “peacefully productive” life.
Find out how to host a birthday party at Walt Disney World and other special events like baby showers and more!
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is roaring back to life in an ALL-NEW reimagined show and we’re chatting with Juliette Feld Grossman, who teamed up with her father to produce The Greatest Show on Earth, to talk about the evolution of the show.
Get ready to celebrate! We’re sharing the BEST birthday party venues and businesses in Tampa Bay to elevate your next party.
How about a New Year’s resolution you can actually keep? How about the first step to leading a healthy life as a habit? As we approach the new year, the Tampa YMCA is excited to announce the introduction of our state-of-the-art InBody machines. The InBody Fitness Test: A Complete Body Composition Analysis The InBody test…
It’s elective day in fifth grade, and the Forensic Science class is seated in Corbett Prep’s Middle School lab with mysterious red vials and tiny plastic trays for a lesson on blood type analysis. The synthetic blood will react differently depending on the blood type when mixed with an antiserum, so the fifth graders carefully…
As we welcome 2024, many of us are filled with exciting new resolutions: To eat healthy, to save money, to exercise. BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Specialist Michelle Sterling has one other resolution that each one of us can make. The good news is that it’s quick, inexpensive, and can potentially save your life: to change the…
Pediatric surgeon Paul Danielson, M.D., at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, has often been called in the middle of the night to perform lifesaving surgery. But when Andres was born in 2022, it was a surgical scenario that Danielson had never experienced in his medical career. Andres had gastroschisis, a birth defect that occurs when…
2024 is going to be huge in Tampa Bay with NEW rides, attractions, and experiences for families—and we are loving it!
Did you know the Florida Grapefruit League has called our beautiful Sunshine State home for 130+ years? We’re showing you where you can catch a spring training game in Tampa Bay.
If the weather outside is not so ideal, don’t fret! There are tons of awesome indoor things to do with kids around Tampa Bay including trampoline parks, arcades, museums, and more!
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…
Alex Kulzer stacks hundreds of toys in bins and pushes them proudly through the entrance of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “I’m giving back to my community in a place that I grew up in,” says lifelong patient, 18-year-old Alex. “You never want to say, ‘I grew up in a hospital getting tests done,’ but…
Through the Children’s Dream Fund, I have had the incredible honor of connecting with a family that has endured so much. When the chances of survival were statistically low, where the critical number of perfectly matched stem cells were extraordinarily high, Sadie can say today that her battle is won. Because of the grace of…
