Blog

90s Con Logo
|

90s Con 2023 is Bringing Retro Fun to Tampa!

Get ready for a radical time because 90s Con is heading to Tampa! Relive your past with nostalgic TV stars, musicians, and Disney princesses while creating awesome memories for you and your kids.

Original Disney Princesses, Paige O’Hara and Linda Larkin, Share their Experiences Ahead of 90s Con
|

Original Disney Princesses, Paige O’Hara and Linda Larkin, Share their Experiences Ahead of 90s Con

Original Disney princesses, Paige O’Hara and Linda Larkin talk to us about their experiences and princesses-turned-role models as they prepare to meet fans at 90s Con Tampa from September 15-17.

Kandy the Witch at Busch Gardens Spooktacular
| |

Spooktacular returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with NEW characters and treats!

We’re showing you what it’s like to experience Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to help you plan a ghoulishly good day!

Uber for Teens Comes to Tampa Bay
| | | |

Uber for Teens Comes to Tampa Bay

Uber for Teens has officially launched in Tampa Bay. Read on for all the info on what it is, how it works, and what safety measures are in place.

Disney Treasure cruise ship
|

Uncovering the Disney Treasure Cruise Ship – The Newest in the Fleet!

We’re giving you a sneak peek inside the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet…the Disney Treasure!

Spectrum Rebate Disney

You can get a $15 credit from Spectrum due to Disney dispute, but you have to call first

If you’re one of the many Spectrum customers no longer receiving Disney-owned channels, here’s how you can get a monthly credit on your bill.

Hispanic Heritage in Tampa Bay
| |

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Two local moms share their deep roots in Tampa Bay

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Tampa is rich with Hispanic Heritage. Two Tampa moms, originally from Puerto Rico, share details about their roots and raising their own children with Hispanic heritage in Tampa Bay.

Dominique Richardson
|

Moms to Know: Dominique Richardson

Meet Dominique Richardson, local author and founder of Tampa Bay’s first book festival, YA By the Bay, which aims to promote a love for literacy and leadership among local students.

Evermom
| |

St. Pete Based Mom Group, EverMom, is For Every Mom

Feeling the lack of community in this new season of motherhood, the more they talked with other moms, the more they realized they were not alone. That’s when two St. Pete moms hatched an idea that is now a reality: The EverMom Collective.

Student Resources at Your Local Library

Engage Your Child with Resources from Your Local Library

We want to welcome you and your children back to school for the 2023-2024 school year! The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is always available online as a resource for students throughout the year. Here are some of our favorite resources to share for the new school year: Student Resources at Your Local Library eBooks eBooks…

storage solutions for kids art

5 Storage Solutions for Adorable Artwork

Whether it’s adorable art projects from school or crafts you make together at home, Karimah Henry of @craftingafunlife is sharing five ways to organize or display your child’s artwork.

Emersyn Southwick
|

Kids to Know: Emersyn Southwick

Meet 7-year-old Emersyn, a remarkable little girl who bravely confronts medulloblastoma with her family, the community, and the Children’s Cancer Center by her side.

Keeping cool in school

Keeping Cool in School

Hot, humid and muggy! Those are just a few of the words to describe the intense heat the Tampa Bay area has been experiencing this summer. It’s probably tough for the air conditioning in your house to keep up! Now imagine how hard it is on the air conditioning in our schools. Hillsborough County Public…

Tampa Bay Fashion Experience

A Fashionable Way to Give Back: The Tampa Bay Fashion Experience debuts this month

The Tampa Bay Fashion Experience is a three-day event that showcases Tampa’s most unique and luxurious styles, highlighting the work of local designers, with appearances by Tampa Bay Buccaneer players and celebrities, all while supporting local organizations.

Tampa General is ranked top 10

The ‘Top 10’ Difference at Tampa General Hospital

Tampa General is ranked top 10 in the nation for Obstetrics and Gynecology by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-2024

Tampa YMCA Membership
|

Fall into Healthy Habits with a Tampa YMCA Membership

The Tampa YMCA is so much more than the gym and swim you know us for; it’s where you find a deeper sense of belonging. Each of our locations across Tampa Bay offers activities and programs based on local community needs, like art classes, initiatives for seniors and one of the most popular sports, pickleball!…

MOSI: A Fresh Experience for Tampa Bay Parents

MOSI: A Fresh Experience for Tampa Bay Parents

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) has always been a family favorite for its interactive exhibits and kid-friendly atmosphere. But now, MOSI is stepping up its game to cater to an equally important audience—parents and adults. With a focus on offering more diverse experiences, MOSI has introduced exciting activities and dining options for its…

Corbett Prep Christoff family on school boardwalk

A Place to Call Home: Corbett Prep Helps Tampa Transplants Find their Village

Over the past few years, we have welcomed numerous new families to the Tampa Bay area who were seeking the warmth of not just the sun, but of our community too. Diving into a new city can be a tad overwhelming when your quest is not only to find a house, but a home; not…

Pediatric Cancer

Friends Forever: Pediatric Cancer Diagnoses Lead to a Special Childhood Friendship

This is the story of two friends who found each other. Four-year-old Bjorn and 5-year-old Ryan had never met. But in August of 2021, both were taken to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital with troubling symptoms. Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis Within the same week, both received the same devastating diagnosis: acute myeloid leukemia. “The moment I was told…

Childhood Injury Prevention

Safe September: BayCare Kids safety expert shares tips to prevent injury

September is all about back-to-school, but it’s also the month set aside for a more sobering “b” word—boo boos. National Childhood Injury Prevention Month is underway No one sees more injuries than the people who work at hospitals. BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Specialist Michelle Sterling shares the four top injuries health care workers see…

Baby Registry Top Picks
|

Baby Registry Top Picks: Strollers, Bottles and High Chairs, oh my! 

There are endless things to consider when you are expecting, and putting together a baby registry may take the cake as one of the most overwhelming. With all the products on the market, and new ones coming out every day, it is no wonder we look to experts and friends when trying to make the best decisions for our little one. Let us take off a little of the pressure and give some of our top picks to get you started!

SNEAK PEEK: 5 Things We LOVE About Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
|

SNEAK PEEK: 5 Things We LOVE About Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

Walt Disney World just shared a FIRST LOOK at the newest experience coming to EPCOT. And we’ve already got our list of things we love about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

LEGOLAND Florida resident deals hurricane evacuees discounts

LEGOLAND Florida and Disney Offering Hurricane Evacuees Discounts on Hotels

If you were ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Idalia, LEGOLAND Florida and Walt Disney World Resort are offering you and other Hurricane Idalia evacuees discounts on their resort hotels.

Denis Phillips ABC Action News
|

ABC Action News Meteorologist Denis Phillips Talks Hurricane Prep and Rule #7

Denis talks to us about hurricane season, how you can prepare and ease your kids’ minds, and his famous catchphrase, “Rule #7.”

What We LOVE About Villain-Con Minion Blast at Universal Orlando Resort
| |

What We LOVE About Villain-Con Minion Blast at Universal Orlando Resort

“Villain-Con Minion Blast”, a brand-new interactive attraction, inspired by the beloved “Minions” movie franchise, is all set to offer a one-of-a-kind, game-based adventure to visitors.

back to school lunch
|

Easy Back to School Lunch Ideas and Best Lunch Boxes for Kids

Jenny P of @lunchboxmafia shares easy school lunch ideas, including her favorite lunch boxes for kids.

Breakfast with Peppa at Peppa Pig Theme Park

‘Breakfast with Peppa’ at Peppa Pig Theme Park extended! We’ve got top tips for you!

It’s going to be an OINKtastic summer with the debut of Breakfast with Peppa at Peppa Pig Theme Park.

Clothes to Kids
| |

Clothes to Kids Helps School-Age Children Build Confidence and Gain Self-Esteem

Learn more about the non-profit Clothes to Kids that helps provide clothing for children in the Tampa Bay area and find out how you can help.

homeschooling in Tampa Bay

Local mom shares expert tips on how to homeschool your child in Tampa Bay

Local mom Denise Taylor shares expert tips on how Tampa Bay area families can find abundant local resources to kick off their homeschool journey.

kids and sleep
| |

Ask the Doctor: How much sleep does your child need, is melatonin safe, and more common questions

How much sleep do your kids actually need? Bobbi Hopkins, MD, a sleep expert and medical director of the Sleep Center at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital answers.

Mason Hawk:
|

Kids to Know: Mason Hawk

Mason Hawk may be a great student, a strong athlete and a gifted pianist, but his passion and advocacy for children battling life-threatening illnesses is what truly makes him stand out. Inspired by his brother’s liver transplant journey, Mason found purpose through volunteering with Children’s Dream Fund at the age of 13. This past spring,…

Eileen Esposito The Sunflower Patch
|

Moms to Know: Eileen Esposito, The Sunflower Patch

At The Sunflower Patch, Eileen Esposito combines her talents as a music therapist, recording artist and songwriter to create enchanting experiences for children. With a deep-rooted passion for music ingrained in her DNA (her great-great-uncle composed “Silent Night”), Esposito’s own musical journey began at a young age. Today, with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy…

friends and feelings
|

Friends and Feelings: Expert Tips to Help Your Children

Friendships come with feelings that children don’t always know how to handle. It’s tempting to lash out when we’re angry, but there’s zero possibility that someone will respond to nastiness by being nice.

advocating for your child

Advocating for your Child: Tips from Hillsborough County Public Schools

As parents, we are the number one advocate for our children when it comes to their educational journey. Ensuring that your child has all the resources and support they need to be successful is our top priority as well in Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS).

award-winning students

Hillsborough Strong: Trailblazing Students Doing Incredible Things in Music, Media and Technology

These four award-winning students from Hillsborough County Public Schools are sharing their successes and advice for doing the things they love. Justice Jones Rising fifth-grader, Hunters Green Elementary, Tampa Award: Hillsborough County Elementary Fine Arts Festival, All County Modern Band Drummer On his passion for music: “I love to do what I do because I…

Isabella’s Tale: How TGH’s Pediatric GI Program Came to the Rescue

Isabella’s Tale: How TGH’s Pediatric GI Program Came to the Rescue

The nightmare began with a simple shopping-mall pretzel. But thankfully for a Tampa Bay middle-schooler named Isabella, a scary and painful ordeal ended with the help of the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Children’s Hospital’s acclaimed pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) program in collaboration with the sole academic GI program in Tampa Bay, USF Health Pediatric Gastroenterology. Tampa…

Tampa YMCA Garden Club

Sulphur Springs Garden Club Helps the Community Bloom

Start counting: there’s collard greens, squash, kale, Jamaican callaloo, sugar cane, onions, tomatoes, bananas, edible marigolds (yes, really!), blueberries, peanuts, lettuce, oregano, mint, sage and so much more. This is the beautiful Garden Club at the Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School, an estimated 800 square feet of space in Sulphur Springs, where students learn…

Free resources from hillsborough county public library
|

How to get free eBooks and admission to museums, tutoring help, and more through your local library

We want to welcome you and your children back to school for the 2023-2024 school year! The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is always available online as a resource for students throughout the year. Here are some of our favorite resources to share for the new school year: eBooks at the Library eBooks are accessible through…

let's get organized for back to school memory box
|

Simple ways to organize your house now for stress-free mornings with the kids

We’re turning to local home organization expert Anyely Difato of The Neat Technique for her top tips to get organized for back-to-school.

How to Pick and Wear a Backpack
|

How to Pick and Wear a Backpack

Backpacks are a back-to-school staple and necessity, but they tend to get heavier each year as students get older, which can be concerning for parents. Ryan Fitzgerald, M.D., a fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeon with Children’s Orthopaedic and Scoliosis Surgery Associates (COSSA), treats patients at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. He shares backpack safety tips to…

EPCOT Pickle Milkshake
|

Pickle Milkshakes and more tasty fun at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

Take the kids on a culinary adventure around the world at EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival where you can taste and play all day!

Prep young learners for a successful school year
|

Getting Young Learners Ready for a Successful School Year: 7 Tips to Prepare

Corbett Prep shares pro tips on how to prepare your young kids for the first day of school.

free car seat inspections in Tampa Bay
|

How to book a free or low cost car seat inspection in Tampa Bay

Safe Kids provides free and low-cost car seat inspections in the Tampa Bay area. You might want to book one because most parents are doing it wrong.

kids and social media addiction
| | |

Is your child addicted to social media? Here’s what you need to know.

Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D, talks about how to teach kids smart social media behavior and how to find a healthy balance.

Shaka-Lake Shores at Adventure Island waterpark in Tampa
| | | |

Splash Pads in Tampa Bay to Keep Your Cool

Splash pads are a great way for kids of any age to have fun and cool off. Check out our picks for some of the best splash pads in Tampa Bay!

Worldschooling
| |

Worldschooling: A Family Summer Sabbatical Abroad

Tampa mom Michelle Schomp is sharing her family’s journey with worldschooling and is showing you how you can do it too!

Blink gun violence film

Blink: A new, locally produced film puts the spotlight on gun violence in Tampa Bay

Gun violence is a problem among youth in America—and this is not an opinion. Centers for Disease Control data shows gun-related deaths surpassed car accidents as the number one killer of children in our country in 2020, and that data hasn’t changed today, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This is where a new locally…

Dr. Cynthia Stringfield
|

Moms to Know: Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, ZooTampa

Driven by a cross-country opportunity to combine her passions and make a difference, Dr. Cynthia Stringfield embarked on a new chapter in her life when she moved from California to Florida in 2019. Today at ZooTampa, driven by a deep-rooted belief in the power of education, Dr. Stringfield dedicates her work to instilling a sense…

Hillsborough County Public Schools Summer Projects

“Dear Community… Thank you. Sincerely, Hillsborough County Public Schools”

Thank you.  Sometimes, you just need to say thank you.  Especially when you receive $653,000,000.  That is how much money our school district has received, so far, from you, taxpayers, through the Education Referendum, which voters approved in November, 2018.  The money is earmarked specifically for improvements to our schools such as air conditioning renovations…

Alyson Hobbs
|

Kids to Know: Alyson Hobbs @aly_8_hockey

In a world where young dreams hold infinite possibilities, an 8-year-old girl who loved to skate found her way to the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls Hockey League to leave her mark on the ice. Alyson Hobbs, a focused and flourishing young player, is among other skillful teammates who showcase the boundless potential of girls in…

hospital facility dog program

Four Paws and a Heart of Gold: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital launches new facility dog program with its first four-legged employee

No one wants to find themselves in a situation where their child has to be admitted to a hospital. But if your family does have to do so, at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, you can rest easy knowing that your child is in the hands of some of the country’s most sought-after, highly trained professionals….

Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Month: One in a Million Bree

July is National Cleft Lip and Palate Craniofacial Awareness Month. Five-year-old Bree Brown is very special. So special, in fact, that she is literally one in a million. “Bree wasn’t breathing when she was born,” reflects an emotional Areen, Bree’s mom. During Areen’s pregnancy, Bree wasn’t measuring properly on sonograms. It was discovered that she…

MOSI

MOSI STEAMing Ahead into a Future of Growth and Innovation

A lot has changed in the world and in Tampa Bay in the 60-plus years since MOSI first opened its doors. Just as our community has grown and evolved, science and technology have too, taking us to frontiers we never could have imagined decades ago. The museum has also evolved, and while it’s not expanding…

The NEWLY Transformed Coachman Park in Clearwater is Now Open!
| | | |

The NEWLY Transformed Coachman Park in Clearwater is Now Open!

The ALL-NEW Coachman Park in Clearwater is now open featuring an awesome playground, splash pad, concert venue, and more! Check out their lineup of grand opening events now through July 4th.

Check Out the New Weird and Wonderful World of MORPH’D at The Florida Aquarium!
|

Check Out the New Weird and Wonderful World of MORPH’D at The Florida Aquarium!

Check out MORPH’D, the all-new exhibit from The Florida Aquarium where you can meet some weirdly wonderful, and unique creatures such as axolotls, chameleons, and even bird poop frogs!

Florida Junior Ranger Program
|

Go Outside with The Florida Junior Ranger and Every Kid Outdoors Programs

Take advantage of the Florida Junior Ranger Program and Every Kid Outdoors to get your child excited to explore our natural world (for free)!

Dinosaur World Florida
| | |

INSIDE LOOK: A Day at Dinosaur World Florida with the kids

Dinosaur World is a must-visit in Tampa Bay and they’ve added some pretty ROARsome additions recently including mini golf, a dino train, and more.

fourth of july food
| |

Red, White and Blue Inspired Lunchbox and Snack Ideas for July 4th

Jenny P with @lunchboxmafia is dishing on some yummy July 4th-inspired lunch box and snack ideas to celebrate Independence Day!

Disney-Cruise-Line-Disney-Wish
| |

What You Need to Know Before Getting on a Disney Cruise

The best way to enjoy a Disney cruise is to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know before you and your family get on a Disney cruise.

Make a Splash at Adventure Island’s Island Nights!
| | |

Make a Splash at Adventure Island’s Island Nights!

Get ready to make a splash at Adventure Island with Island Nights! Enjoy all your favorite water slides and attractions along with fun entertainment through July 7!