Summer of Play at Glazer Children’s Museum
When the Florida heat rises and school lets out, there’s one place in Tampa Bay where kids can stay cool, stay active, and keep learning: Glazer Children’s Museum invites families to join the Summer of Play, a season-long celebration of creativity, movement and discovery.
From the two-story climber and thrilling fire pole to hands-on exhibits that challenge minds and muscles alike, the museum is full of opportunities for kids to stay active while escaping the heat. But this isn’t just about keeping kids busy. It’s about helping them grow — physically, socially and cognitively — in a space that is designed to create powerful play experiences.
Summer break can lead to a measurable loss in academic skills, especially in math and reading, a phenomenon known as the summer slide. But play-based learning, like what happens every day at Glazer Children’s Museum, can help prevent it. When children are invited to explore, solve problems, communicate and test new ideas, they’re not just having fun, they’re strengthening neural pathways and building essential life skills.
And nowhere is that more evident this summer than in the museum’s newest creative hub: Make Space.
At first glance, Make Space looks like a dream craft room with shelves full of recycled materials and possibilities. Look closer, and you’ll see something even more powerful: children leading their own learning. Make Space is rooted in process art, an approach where the focus is on the act of creating, not the final product. Unlike many crafts that come with instructions and expectations, process art gives children the freedom to explore their creativity and problem solving skills. They choose the materials, the methods and the meaning.
Make Space is designed for collaboration. Grownups are encouraged to sit, build and create right alongside their kids. It’s not about guiding or correcting — it’s about playing with them. This kind of open-ended, child-led play fosters independence, creativity and emotional expression.
Character Visits Throughout the Summer!
To add to the summer magic, special guests will stop by the museum throughout the season. Characters like Llama Llama, from the beloved children’s book “Llama Llama Red Pajama,” will pop in for meet-and-greets, story times and photo ops that are sure to make memories. Visit GlazerMuseum.org/summerofplay for more details.
Meet the Makers:
Real kids, real creations from the Make Space studio.
Ezra, 2, and his nana, Kathy
Ezra, a curious toddler, is all about shapes. With Nana’s help, he cut stars, triangles, circles and hearts from recycled felt. His favorite? “The star!” he beams, proudly holding it up.
Charlie, 7, and Jamison, 3
After learning about Florida native flowers, Jamison was inspired to make a bright red and yellow bloom. His big sister Charlie crafted a butterfly, one of her favorite creatures to watch in nature.
