The BEST Things to Do this Spring Break in Tampa Bay with the Kids
We live where the world comes to play, so you don’t have to go too far to find an epic family adventure in Tampa Bay!
If you’re sticking around town for spring break, or maybe just looking for something new to do around town this spring, we’re sharing some our favorite things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids.
We've divided up our list into sections to help you find the best fit for your family!
Go See What's NEW This Spring Break in Tampa Bay
Go for a ride on Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND just launched a brand-new, out-of-this-world roller coaster for the first time since 2011, and it’s galactic! Not only is the Galacticoaster indoors (yay!), but you can expect to be immersed in a LEGO® galaxy in a way that’s never been done before. We're giving you all the details about what to expect when you ride Galacticoaster and going one-on-one with one of the people who built the ride!
Explore the ALL-NEW Florida Waters at ZooTampa
Florida Waters is expected to debut this March, ZooTampa's largest expansion to date. There are three habitats, including the crown jewel, the Straz Family Manatee Rescue, along with Otter Oasis and Reptiles and Amphibians Discovery. You can read all about Florida Waters here!
It's a SEAL-abration at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium recently welcomed three new Harbor Seals to their family, and they are so much fun to watch! We met up with Cammie Zodrow, CMA’s Animal Care Program Manager, to learn more about these incredible animals, as we got to meet the seals for the first time. CMA is also hosting a Spring SEAL-abration with new activities for families over spring break
Celebrate a WILD Spring Break at Glazer Children's Museum
Glazer Children's Museum is hosting animal encounters during spring break from local farms, sanctuaries, and therapy organizations through special daily guest appearances and hands-on experiences.
Explore Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Wild Oasis Realm opened in the last year at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, making it a must-visit if you haven't been in a while! There's a new ride, a splash pad, and so many ways to climb and play! The Meerkats exhibit also recently made its debut.
Spring into STEAM at Bonnet Springs Park
Fun and curiosity are on the agenda at Bonnet Springs Park this March as the park hosts its Spring Break 2026 lineup, featuring five packed days of live performances, hands-on STEAM activities and interactive experiences designed to spark imagination in guests of all ages. The Spring Break series blends learning with play, giving families opportunities to explore science, storytelling, technology and the arts in an outdoor setting. Each day features live shows, roaming performers, music and dozens of activity stations led by regional museums, science organizations and creative partners.
Go see what’s on exhibit in Tampa Bay this spring break:
It’s a great time to check out some really cool exhibits, some of which are only here for a limited time!
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion at MOSI
Step back into time and explore full-scale machines created from da Vinci's drawings. Ultimately, Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion invites you to explore the mind of one of history’s greatest thinkers. Discover his ideas. Experience his creativity. And feel the impact of his genius. On display through May 26.
Celebrate Busch Gardens' Food, Wine & Garden Festival
Go on a culinary adventure around the world on Fridays through Sundays at Busch Gardens, and don't miss the live concerts! This is a great way to taste something new in a park that offers something for everyone, from the animal lover to the thrill seeker! Don't forget–you have until March 31 to register for the FREE Busch Gardens Preschool Card that also includes entry at Adventure Island.
FloridaRAMA in St. Pete
This whimsical wonderland is a collection of artistic works by more than 60 artists. An immersive art exhibit like you’ve never seen, heard or even smelled before, Fairgrounds St Pete celebrates all that is weird and wacky about Florida. Choose your own adventure experience: You can simply walk through and enjoy the scenery or try to solve the mystery laid out before you. They will also offer putt-putt golf during spring break to add to the fun! You can also explore Lucy Sparrow's Quick Shop and buy your own piece of felt artwork from this unique art collection!
Related: Our Favorite Museums for Kids in Tampa Bay
Go for a ride on a pirate ship
Set sail from downtown Tampa on a real pirate ship, The Lost Pearl! They offer 1.5-hour cruises where kids will be entertained with fun activities, including the popular water cannons, and adults can enjoy the complimentary house wines and spirits and domestic beers from the Grog Bar!
You can also explore Tampa by hopping on board the Pirate Water Taxi! There are so many awesome attractions at the stops along the river.
Head to the farm for a day of play
If you haven't had the chance to visit Ananda Farm in Terra Ceia (pictured at the top of this story), this is the time to go! It's one of those places you have to go see to truly get it. The farm was created by a group of friends who wanted to build a place where their kids could run free and play while they had a chance to sit back and enjoy Michelin-level farm to table food and live music. There are so many awesome things for kids to do, including the tree house, bounce pillow, go karts, a giant corn pit, and more! They also offer u-pick events as their organic field is ready.
Speaking of u-pick, there are several farms offering strawberry u-pick and veggie u-picks this spring break. We're sharing or favorite farms to go pick strawberries and more in Tampa Bay here.
Explore one of our favorite family-friendly beaches in Tampa Bay:
Some of the world’s top beaches are right here in Tampa Bay, and we can officially say a majority of our local beaches are OPEN after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As Visit St. Pete/Clearwater puts it…we're Still Shining!
Here are our favorite family-friendly ones where you can soak up the sun—with plenty of sunscreen, of course:
Fort DeSoto North Beach
If you’re looking for more beach and less touristy stuff, Fort De Soto’s North Beach is your best bet and it has plenty of parking and bathroom facilities. We also love walking the area of the Fort before heading to the beach area of the state park, and we like that we can find plenty of parking and bathroom facilities as well. You can access Egmont Key via a ferry ride from the Fishing Pier at Fort De Soto Park and enjoy walking or biking along the seven miles of paved trails.
Caladesi Island via Honeymoon Island:
The easiest way to access Caladesi Island via a 10-minute ride on the Caladesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon Island, but it’s worth it! The beaches are pristine, and while Caladesi seems remote, there are beach chairs and umbrellas to rent as well as bathroom and shower facilities and a snack bar.
St Pete Beach
St Pete Beach was rated #1 in the United States by Trip Advisor in 2021, and it’s easy to see why! It’s not only home to the picturesque Pink Palace, The Don Cesar, but also beautiful white sandy beaches like Pass-a-Grille, which is super family-friendly. If you want something even more rustic and less traveled, consider a ferry ride from the Merry Pier on the Shell Key shuttle to Shell Key. You can also get to the beaches from downtown St Pete on the new SunRunner.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is the obvious choice because there are so many things to do while enjoying the beautiful white sand beach! Pier 60 always has something going on, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby to explore, like one of our favorites, Frenchy’s Rockaway Grille. Stop by Clearwater Marine Aquarium or explore the area on the Jolley Trolley with multiple stops around Clearwater Beach. Look for the Park & Ride Marquee on the Jolley Trolley. Check out clearwaterjolleytrolley.com to learn more and see the route maps!
Venice Beach
Further south of Tampa Bay is Venice Beach—the Shark Tooth Capital of the World! A perfect day trip from Tampa Bay, you can rent shark tooth hunting gear at shops on the beach, like Sharky’s at the Pier. According to the Fossil Guy, the best spots here to find shark teeth are between Casey Key to the north and Manasota Key to the south.
Want to explore MORE Florida beaches? We’re sharing some top picks of family-friendly beaches in Florida HERE.
Head to a water park!
We've got so many awesome water parks in Tampa Bay, including two of our favorites: Adventure Island in Tampa and LEGOLAND Florida's Water Park.
We also love visiting the manmade lagoons in our area, like Southshore Bay Lagoon in Wimauma.
Visit Florida's Natural Water Park
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
When it comes to old Florida attractions, one of our favorites is Weeki Wachee Springs State Park to the north because they have ‘real’ mermaids and a super cool natural springs water park called Buccaneer Bay with water slides and even tubing. Don’t miss the famous mermaids in the underwater theater! If you want to explore the area a bit more, consider booking a kayak ahead of time.
Related: Florida Natural Springs to Experience with the Kids Within a Short Drive from Tampa Bay
Visit a park or playground around town. We, of course, have a few favorites to share:
Our new favorite park is also one of the newest! Bonnet Springs Park opened in Lakeland a couple years ago, and it's definitely worth the drive over from Tampa and is also home to the new Florida Children's Museum.
One of our favorite parks in Hillsborough County is Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City due to a unique area near the playground where you can walk among otherworldly tree roots exposed by erosion at an old phosphate mine over the last several decades. There are also hills to hike to make you feel as if you’re anywhere other than Tampa Bay!
Another super kid-friendly and even stroller-friendly hiking spot is Weedon Island Preserve in St. Pete. The boardwalk winds you through the mangroves to a tower for a bird’s eye view of the natural park. You can also stop by the Cultural and Natural History Center to learn about the history of the park.
Hillsborough River State Park is another place we've visited recently and really enjoyed hiking with the kids. We parked in lot 3 and hiked the Baynard Trail (1.1 miles) which features a cool suspension bridge and the Rapids Trail (1.2 miles) with has rapids. There is also a playground near the parking lot that has climbing structures and swings.
If you are looking for a playground to get the wiggles out, our favorites are Julian B Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa and Glazer Family Playground at the St. Pete Pier. There's a lot more to do too at the Pier–there are not only awesome restaurants, but you can explore the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, ride your bikes or scooters along the Pier or go for a skate the Rockin' Roller Rink which is open March 14-April 13, 2025!
Both parks have a splash pad nearby, so don’t forget to pack the swimsuits, towels and sunscreen!
We also love the play spaces at the revamped Coachman Park in Clearwater!
Enjoy the great outdoors in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay may be known for its beaches, but it has so much more to offer families! We've already talked about some awesome parks, so now we're going to share a few other ways to enjoy the great outdoors!
Go Kayaking with the Kids
Kayaking with the kids sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually a lot of fun! There are so many awesome spots around the area whether you want to go kayaking in the springs, beaches or rivers, there is probably a spot near you. We're sharing our favorite 10+ places to go kayaking with the kids here.
Explore the TECO Manatee Viewing Center
If you go on a cooler day, you'll have better luck spotting manatees as they seek the warmer waters from the TECO energy plant in Apollo Beach–don't worry, the water is clean. In fact, it's a state and national sanctuary for manatees. But., that's not the only thing to do. You can also tour the revamped Manatee Education Center, go hiking on the boardwalk, explore the TECO Clean Energy Center, and see the Florida Aquarium's sea turtle rehabilitation center where they are also growing coral and sea urchins. It's a pretty spectacular place and will close for the season in mid-April.
Go Zip Lining in Tampa Bay
There are several places around the area where you can zip line with the kids in the great outdoors! We're sharing some of our favorite spots to go zip lining here.
Go to a spring training game
Did you know there are several teams that practice and play during the spring training season right here in Tampa Bay? In fact, the Tampa Bay Rays are playing at home at the Trop this season since the Port Charlotte stadium is undergoing repairs due to Hurricane Ian. We're sharing all the details about spring training in Tampa Bay and where.
There are plenty of ways to SAVE in Tampa Bay this spring break, too!
We all like to save a bit of cash, right? One of the best ways to save at local attractions for locals is to consider annual passes that often give members additional perks like free parking and discounts. Other ways to save include:
Tampa Bay CityPASS
Save as much as 55% at five local attractions with this pass, which costs $149.95 for an adult and $139.95 for kids ages 3-9. This includes admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and MOSI or Tropical Boat Tours, Dolphin or Sunset Cruise. The pass is only valid for nine consecutive days from the first day you use it. citypass.com
Tampa Riverwalk Attractions Pass
Pick up a One-Day pass for $65 for adults and $49 for kids ages 3-11 or a Three-Day pass for $80 for adults and $60 for kids ages 3-11. The pass gets you admission to seven attractions: Florida Aquarium, Pirate Water Taxi, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children’s Museum, H.B, Plant Museum and Florida Museum of the Photographic Arts. visittampabay.com
Library passes
Did you know your county library offers a special pass for families to check out for free admission to select local museums and attractions? They are only available on a first-come, first-served basis, so visit your neighborhood public library to learn more.
- Hillsborough Library Discovery Pass: hcplc.org/services/discoverypass
- Pinellas County Museum Pass: pplc.us/museum-pass/
- Pasco County Discovery Pass: pascolibraries.org/services/discovery-pass/
Since we're only just scratching the surface…here are MORE FUN ways to explore Tampa Bay with the kids:
- Our 10+ Favorite Things to Do This Weekend in Tampa Bay
- The BEST Spring Break Camps in Tampa Bay
- The Best Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa Bay
- 40+ Awesome FREE and Cheap Things to Do with the Kids in Tampa Bay
Fun Day Trips from Tampa Bay:
Since we live in such a central location in Florida, a day trip is totally possible to places like Walt Disney World! In fact, we're even sharing some of our favorite things to do at Disney World that are not at the parks! Here are a few ideas to add to your spring break bucket list!
Zip the Canyons: Idea from our contributor, Tara Payor:
Staycations don’t mean our feet have to stay planted on the ground. Recently, my daughter and I didn’t fly to our destination, but we did fly through Ocala’s clear skies and above its pristine water at Zip the Canyons.
Located at 8045 NW Gainesville Road in Ocala, Zip the Canyons offers an exciting array of adventures by air, land and water. Kayaking and horseback riding in canyons doesn’t necessitate a flight to Colorado this spring break. Both are available at Zip the Canyons, which has options for staying and playing all day.
We harnessed up, completed a brief practice zip and took the Big Cliff Canyon Tour. With nine zip lines, including an 1,100-foot-long zip across Lost Spring Lake, the tour lasts about three hours. I packed small snacks and tour guides provided water. Cell phones are discouraged but, like a mom, I placed mine in a crossbody pouch. Zip the Canyons takes photos and videos, available for purchase at tour’s end, but guides graciously used my phone. Guides were great with kids—full of energy and age-appropriate-jokes. Participants should be about 10 years old and 70 pounds. Fearless: another requirement. Briefer ziplining tours are offered, though they don’t include zipping above the canyon’s lake. Online reservations are strongly encouraged. Save a few dollars on tours by visiting this amazing adventure park on a weekday. Consult their website, ZipTheCanyons.com, for additional information on tours and participant requirements.
*Originally published in the March 2022 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, updated in January 2025.