Our Favorite Things to Do at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for All Ages and Stages
Busch Gardens may be known for its record-breaking coasters, but did you know it is also one of the largest zoos in North America? There is pretty much something for everyone in the family to enjoy here.
We've put together a list of some of our team's favorite things to do with our kiddos at all ages and stages.
One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit, consider investing in an annual pass so you can take advantage of perks like free parking and discounts on upgrades, food, and merchandise. As you can see from the image above, our Constance from our team's kiddos LOVE the bubble maker merch!
NEW Experience for All Ages: Lion & Hyena Ridge
Very soon, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will unveil its largest expansion to date, Lion & Hyena Ridge, introducing families to a coalition of five lion brothers and two hyenas. It's going to give you and the kids a 270-degree view of these incredible animals as they explore their new habitat. And yes, there will be plenty of shade for you as you peer through the new expansive glass viewing windows.
The lions are still young, so it's also a really unique opportunity for your kids to grow up with them. We can't wait!
The Baby and Preschool Years
STROLLER TIME! Did you know there are two walking trails you can explore with your tiny tot? And there are plenty of nooks and crannies in the shade as you visit with the animals along the way. The short route covers 1.24 miles, and the longer route covers 1.7 miles. Both start between Zagora Cafe and Alligators with stops by toddler-friendly Sesame Street® Safari of Fun and Wild Oasis.
PLAY AT WILD OASIS! There is an adorable toddler playground here, and we love that parents can also explore the larger Canopy Climb with their kids. Climb the stairs to see the playful squirrel monkeys or explore below to spot the capybaras in their habitat. The splash pad here is a favorite for all ages.
EXPLORE SESAME STREET SAFARI OF FUN! Kids can experience rides built just for them, cool off in the splash pad, explore Elmo’s Treehouse Trek, and bounce on Cookie Monster’s Cloud Bounce.
BOOK AN ANIMAL AMBASSADOR TOUR. Kids ages 3 and older can participate in this tour, where they can meet some of the flock at Animal Connections, and if they are at least 5 years old, they may participate in animal interactions.
SEEK SHADE WHILE VISITING THE ANIMALS. Some of our favorite animals happen to be in areas with plenty of shade, which is a win when you’re visiting with little kids! The hippos in Edge of Africa are always a hit and might swim by the window if you get lucky! The meerkats near here are also fun to watch. Another great spot to relax in the shade is by the gorillas in Myombe Reserve, between Nairobi and Morocco.
RELAX AND RIDE. See the animals and rest little feet, by stepping on board the Serengeti Express for a trek through the Serengeti Plain, which has stops in Nairobi and Stanleyville.
The Elementary Years
LET’S RIDE! Kiddos in elementary school can step up their ride game by checking out the new family coaster, Phoenix Rising in Pantopia, or Treetop Drop in Wild Oasis which have shorter height requirements compared to the big coasters.
REACH NEW HEIGHTS AT WILD OASIS. Let the kids explore the climbing trails that span over 200 feet and reach as high as 45 feet. It doesn’t hurt that Chick-fil-A is right next door!
GO NOSE TO SNOUT WITH SOME INCREDIBLE ANIMALS: More animal encounters open up to this age group as well. Some of our favorites are:
- Serengeti Safari, where you explore the Serengeti Plain in an open-air truck and even feed a giraffe as it walks right up to you. Kids must be ages 5 and older.
- Kangaloom, where you get up close with the kangaroos. It’s free to walk through, but you can purchase treats for a small fee to feed the ‘roos. Due to the nature of the habitat, kids must be 5 years old or older for this one, too. There is a big observation window for little ones who can’t go in.
- The Sloth Encounter, where you can learn about how animal keepers care for the sloths and even take unique, up-close pictures with the animals.
For Tweens and Teens
GO BIG WITH THE COASTERS! As kids get older, more adventurous — and taller — they are finally ready to do almost everything, like going for a thrill ride on coasters like Iron Gwazi or SheiKra. Take it a step further and upgrade to a behind-the-scenes Roller Coaster Insider Tour. Kids must be at least 3 to participate, so younger siblings can take part while the big kids get all of those BIG questions answered about Cheetah Hunt, Cobra’s Curse and Montu. The tour also includes front-of-line access to each ride.
PLAY ZOOKEEPER FOR THE DAY. Age also has its perks when it comes to animal encounters! Another awesome upgrade is Keeper for the Day, but kids must be at least 13 years old to participate.
DON’T MISS SPOOKY SEASON. When it comes time for Howl-O-Scream, another upgrade to consider is a behind-the-scenes look at a haunted house with a Lights on Tour to see how event planners do it!
BOOK A SLEEPAWAY CAMP AT BUSCH GARDENS. Did you know Busch Gardens offers an all-inclusive Summer Resident Camp for rising seventh-to 12th-graders? They’ll get to stay in the on-site dormitory, Mzinga Lodge, as they experience a combination of nature and thrills throughout the week!
Don't Miss These Kid-Friendly Events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:
Summer Nights: Now through Aug. 9
Celebrate the season with extended hours at Busch Gardens! Dance the conga line at the Beach Bash near Iron Gwazi and groove to the music near Sheikra at the Boom Box Dance Party! Then cool off indoors with awe-inspiring shows like Cirque Electric at Stanleyville Theater, Rhythm of Nature Ice Show at the Moroccan Palace Theater and Busch Gardens Animal Tales at Pantopia Theater.
End your Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at Gwazi Field with the all-new Wild Skies Drone and Fireworks Spectacular Show. After Independence Day weekend and beginning July 13, the show flips from the America250 theme to a new show featuring the animals of Busch Gardens.
Save the Date for these awesome events:
- Howl-O-Scream: Sept. 4-Nov. 1, 2026
- Halloween Spooktacular Sept. 5-Nov. 1, 2026
- Christmas Town: Nov. 13, 2026-Jan. 5, 2027
A Celebration for All Ages: Host a Birthday Party at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
Busch Gardens has some pretty wild birthday party packages, whether you are looking for a day trip for at least 15 of your favorite pals or even an overnight party with a Jungala Jubilee!
The party includes a themed birthday cake and gift for the birthday child, a photo opportunity with an animal ambassador and morning interaction with zookeepers and Jungala animals. It’s recommended for ages 7-12 and costs $1,500 for up to 20 participants.
It sounds steep, but anyone who has hosted a birthday party with lots of kids at any location in Tampa Bay knows that costs add up, making this party package look reasonable, especially considering it’s overnight.
Inspiring the Future
Your visit today with your kids just might spark their career in the future!
Just ask Christine Morgan, the VP of Entertainment at Busch Gardens, who helps make events like Summer Nights, Howl-O-Scream, and Christmas Town come to life.
“I'm actually from the Midwest. And I remember my first time coming to Busch Gardens when I was 12 years old. I remember the time with my mom and dad. I remember riding the Skyride. And now, I'mmuch, much older and ironically working in this place where I had so much fun when I came as a preteen.”
We asked her what her advice is to kids who want to do what she does when they grow up.
“My advice really is to stay open,” Morgan says. “There are a lot of opportunities that I've had because I said, ‘Sure, I'll try.’ Have the courage to try something new and take a bit of a risk. I think the thing that's really wonderful here at Busch Gardens is that there are so many different careers, so even if you might start in one department here in the park, you may find you have another skill that you can bridge into another job and still be at Busch Gardens. I'm going on 33 years at the park, and I feel like it has been a great adventure.”
*Originally published in the July 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.