tampa bay kids triathlon

20+ FUN Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

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It's another busy weekend with tons of awesome things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids!

This Sunday is Mother's Day,, and if you're still looking for some fun ways to spoil mom, we've got some ideas for awesome things to do with mom on Mother's Day weekend!

There are so many fun things going on around Tampa Bay this time of year, and it's the perfect time of year to check out places to pick fruit, vegetables, flowers, and more!

But, before we dive into our list of Weekend Top Picks of Things to Do in Tampa Bay This Weekend– here's how we've set it up to make it easier for you to find an event on a day that works best for your family: Featured Events that make this page possible, More Awesome Things to Do, What's on Exhibit, Save the Date, and more.

Happy weekend exploring!

A few new stories we think you'll LOVE:

Featured Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend 

We're giving the following partners' events an extra shout-out since their support helps us provide this amazing weekend guide to you for free!

MOSI Minecract Mania

  • Dates: Saturday, May 9 from 1 pm-3 pm
  • Location: Tampa

Got a Minecraft master at home? Minecraft Mania at MOSI takes their favorite game to the next level with hands-on challenges designed for ages 7–12.  During this drop-off program, participants will take on individual and team-based challenges, build computer and problem-solving skills, learn basic coding concepts, strategize and collaborate, and work together to defend their city from an alien invasion!

Tampa Bay Sun's FC Fan Appreciation Night 

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, at 5:30 pm
  • Location: Tampa

This women's professional soccer match offers more than just exciting on-field action. Kids can find special prizes and activities at the sparkle station, meet players and collect autographs, and even try sit-down soccer for a unique way to play. With the fans in mind, this game also features $1 hot dogs during the pre-match happy hour from 5:30-6:30 and a special Tampa Bay Sun beach towel giveaway to the first 750 fans. 

Rooted in Play at Glazer Children's Museum

  • Dates: Saturday, May 9 from 10 am-11 am
  • Location: Tampa

Spring into creativity this season by exploring colorful art created by Black artists, female artists, and inspired by the beauty of our planet. Through hands-on craft projects, families will express themselves creatively, celebrate diversity, and care for our Earth! In May, explore eco-friendly art by transforming recycled materials into masterpieces that celebrate our planet. 

K-Pop Trio Music Performance at Glazer Children's Museum

  • Dates: Saturday, May 9 and 16
  • Location: Tampa

Join GCM for an epic performance from your favorite K-Pop Trio! The day will be filled with dance parties, games, and a meet and greet with the performers. Plus, over in the MakerSpace exhibit, they’re making custom light sticks and microphones so you can rock out in style!
Grab your crew and get ready to learn the moves, play some games, and hang out with your K-Pop trio friends at GCM!

WORTH THE DRIVE: Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life

  • Location: Disney Springs, Orlando
  • Showtimes: Wed-Sat. at 5:30 pm and 8 pm, and on Sundays at 1:30 pm and 4 pm

Set your imagination in motion with Drawn to Life, a love letter to the art of Disney animation. In this first-ever creative collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney, journey into a whimsical world of animation where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. It’s the magic of Walt Disney Animation interpreted through dazzling performances and the acrobatic mastery of Cirque du Soleil. Live on stage, only at Disney Springs.

boy looking on in awe at Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life at Disney Springs

MORE Awesome Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Weekend

Magic Grasshopper at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete
Magic Grasshopper at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete. Photo by Laura Byrne.

Go check out the NEW Magic Grasshopper at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Pete

  • Date: on display now
  • Location: St. Pete

The MFA just unveiled Magic Grasshopper, a pink-hued fantastical art sculpture by a renowned artist, Yvette Mayorga. It's the first in a series of public art displays the museum will showcase outside of its gallery walls for all to enjoy. No admission is required to experience it!

Empower Adventures Sunset Zip Line Adventures and Moonlight Canopy Tours

  • Dates: Friday, May 8-Sunday, May 10
  • Location: Oldsmar
Gain a new perspective on fun, beginning with a 60-foot-tall start tower, 5 zip lines varying in length and totaling over 3,000′, a 200-foot suspension bridge, and an adventure course with log bridges, cable traverses, and poles! Thrills and unrivaled sunset views await!

Mother and Son Game Night at Land O Lakes Recreation Complex

  • Date: Friday, May 8 from 6 pm-8 pm
  • Location: Land O Lakes

Moms, are you ready for a fun night of gaming? Bring your sons on Friday, May 8th starting at 6 pm, for a wonderful night of bounce houses, carnival games, board games, archery, and so much more! Refreshments will be provided, and food trucks will be on site.

AMC Sensory Friendly Films

  • Dates: Saturday, May 9
  • Location: Various Locations

AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where they turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! AMC's Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly. This week, catch showings of The Sheep Detectives. 

12th Annual Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon

  • Date: Saturday, May 9 at 7:15 am
  • Location: Tampa

This is your child's chance to race through one of the world's best water parks! The TBKT offers kids ages 6-14, eperienced and first timers alike, the unique opportunity to swim, bike, and run in and around Adventure Island. The triathlon includes a 200 meter swim, 1.5 mile bike, and half mile run. All registrants will also receive a complimentary “stay and play” ticket!

Weekend Workshop at Bricks 4 Kidz

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, from 10 am-1 pm
  • Location: Tampa

Take part in this 3-hour LEGO workshop full of LEGO robots, LEGO mosaic art, LEGO 3D art, and much more! Each week is a different theme, and at the end of each workshop, every child will get to take home their very own Bricks 4 Kidz minifigure! All children ages 4.5 to 12 are welcome! Spots are limited to just 20 builders per workshop! This Saturday, participate in a LEGO City: Summer Vacay Workshop!

Cyber Bowling Kids Matinee at Pin Chasers

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10
  • Location: Tampa, Zephyrhills

Cyber Bowling is the fusion of high-energy entertainment and bowling, where anything is possible! Bowling with kids? Enjoy special family matinees with family-appropriate music so families can enjoy the fun together at an earlier time.

Esports Open Play at Northdale Rec Center

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, from 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
  • Location: Tampa

Esports lounges are staffed with Esports specialists who inspire and encourage new social skills, help develop gaming fundamentals, and set a safe, inclusive, and positive social environment. Coaches are Esports competitors who have the skills and experience to help any player develop and grow their skills to perform better in competitions. In addition to developing Esports skills, participants socialize with like-minded competitors and make new friends in a high-energy environment.

Don't forget to check out: Awesome Things to Do on Mother's Day Weekend in Tampa Bay 2024

Sunday Breakfast Bowl at Pin Chasers

  • Date: Sunday, May 10, from 9 am-11 am
  • Location: Tampa, Zephyrhills

Bring the whole family to Pin Chasers for unlimited bowling plus breakfast! You get two hours of bowling, two eggs (your way), bacon, and toast.

Art Attack at Shanna and Bryan Glazer Family JCC

  • Date: Sunday, May 3 from 12 pm-4 pm
  • Location: Tampa

Calling all budding artist ages 4-12 for a fun, colorful Sunday! Paint your own pottery piece at this Kids Day Out while enjoying arts and crafts, games, swimming, pizza and more!

Upstairs/Downstairs at Henry B. Plant Museum

  • Date: Sunday, May 10, from 2 pm-2:30 pm
  • Location: Tampa

Step back in time and enjoy the single-character performances that bring turn-of–the-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests to life. Each character is based wholly or in part on actual hotel staff and guests. Based on original research conducted by the Henry Plant Museum, these characters recreate the attitudes and mores of a bygone time, along with the sorrows and joys of their existence. From the reminiscences of Henry Plant himself on what led him to build such a palace, to the letters home written by a Spanish-American War soldier, you will learn more about the time period through each character’s particular vantage point. Performances are 30 minutes and are included with admission to the Museum. Arrive early as limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This week's character spotlight: Edith Roosevelt. 

Sphere's Bubble Show at New Tampa Performing Arts Center

  • Date: Sunday, May 10 from 3 pm-5 pm
  • Location: New Tampa

As seen on America’s Got Talent, Spheres Bubble Show’s comedic and mysterious fusion of art, science, and magic returns to NTPAC after wowing a sold-out crowd last season.

Dueling Pianos for Kids at Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant

  • Date: Sunday, May 10, from 4 pm-6 pm
  • Location: Wesley Chapel

Fun for the whole family! Bring the kids out to dance, sing, and request all their favorite tunes! Movie songs, TV shows, and pop music are all on the table! This event is free but reservations are encouraged!

Save the Date for these Awesome Events in Tampa Bay:

Entertainment Revue Auditions!

  • Date: Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Location: Britton Plaza: 3802 B-1 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

Step into the Spotlight with The Entertainment Revue! Tampa’s premier song-and-dance ensemble, featuring an all-female cast of young talent. Auditions for girls ages 5-15 will be held on May 30 at the South Tampa studio. Kids will be split up into three groups so they can audition with kids in their age range (based on the grade they will be entering next school year). Known for Broadway-caliber performances, this dynamic troupe electrifies audiences with high-energy productions spanning multiple genres. Performing at major events like conferences, galas, The Today Show, professional sporting events, and for U.S. Presidents, they have captivated crowds throughout Florida. Founded in 1989, this nonprofit organization empowers young women to become confident, driven leaders, and launch successful careers in entertainment.

19th Annual Back to School Fair – NEW LOCATION!

Hillsborough County Public Schools presents: The 19th Annual Back to School Fair is headed back to an ALL-NEW location in 2026! Head to Tampa Bay's ultimate back-to-school bash inside the air-conditioned comfort of Citrus Park Town Center during the Sales Tax Holiday, meaning you won’t have to pay sales tax on your school-related purchases. Take pictures with ThunderBug, sing with Princesses, get your face painted, enjoy performances, games and contests, plus, we’re giving away FREE backpacks for the first 1,000 kids in line!

Back to School Fair prize winner with painted face
The 19th Annual Back to School Fair is returning to CITRUS PARK TOWN CENTER, Aug. 1!

MORE THINGS TO DO: See What’s on Exhibit in Tampa Bay

Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

  • NOW OPEN! 
  • Location: LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven

Be one of the first to experience LEGOLAND Florida Resort's awesome new indoor family coaster, Galacticoaster! You'll find it in the new LEGO Galaxy, where you can immerse yourself in 40+ years of LEGO space history. The ride is a first of its kind, and we're sharing all of the details about Galacticoaster here!

Lucy Sparrow's Quick Shop at FloridaRAMA

  • Dates: Now until the exhibit sells out of the felt art creations
  • Location: St. Pete

World-renowned artist Lucy Sparrow is bringing her incredible felt artwork back to Tampa Bay in a 700-square-foot exhibit at FloridaRAMA called Lucy Sparrow's Quick Shop. The whimsical exhibit is filled with thousands of handmade felt art creations inspired by the everyday items you would find at the market, including produce, seafood, laundry detergent, and more. And here's what's really cool–you can purchase the artwork, too. FloridaRAMA is also decorated for the holidays! They also just unveiled Lucy Sparrow's Sugar Rush, featuring favorite candies in felt form!

Science LIVE! All-New Science Demos at MOSI in Tampa | Daily at 2 p.m.

Watch a MOSI educator bring science to life with exciting, hands-on demos. Each show lasts about 15 minutes and features fun experiments in chemistry, physics, biology, and more. You’ll see colorful reactions, cool demos, and amazing science in action. MOSI makes science easy to understand, and even easier to get excited about!

Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

The Wild Oasis Realm is finally open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! There's a new ride, a splash pad, and so many ways to climb and play!

SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven

Get ready for this under-the-sea adventure at this all-new indoor attraction! You can expect to see more than 3,000 sea creatures and even walk through a 180-degree underwater tunnel! We'll be there for the official opening on Friday morning!

Forts Exhibit at Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa

The beloved FORTS exhibit returns to Glazer Children's Museum this weekend in its newly expanded and permanent home on the second floor, just in time for spring break! You'll find it on the second floor, where kids can use their imaginations to build an epic fort!

Let's See at Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa

This colorful, bilingual (English and Spanish) exhibit, created in partnership with the Glazer Vision Foundation, invites families to explore the science of vision through hands-on, mind-bending experiences. Discover how your eyes work with playful interactives that bring light, color, and perspective to life. Mix colors on spinning wheels, walk into a giant kaleidoscope, and cast dazzling colored shadows. Peer through a water sphere to see the world flipped upside down – just like your eyes do before your brain flips it back! Try on glasses, test for color blindness, and watch your pupils dilate as you explore how we see the world.

Wonders of Wetlands at Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Pete

This new permanent exhibit, created in partnership with Tampa Bay Water, was designed to engage young minds and spark environmental curiosity. The immersive experience brings one of Florida’s most vital ecosystems to life inside the museum, and kids can even go face-to-face with some of the creatures that call our wetlands home, like turtles, lizards, and a snake!

See the World’s Largest Triceratops at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa

Big John, the world’s largest fossil triceratops, is now on display at the Glazer Children’s Museum for a three-year exhibition. For the first time, the museum is waiving its requirement that adults attend the museum with a child, to ensure everyone has a chance to see Big John nose to snout for themselves. While you do not need a reservation to go to the museum, you will need to book a timeslot to see Big John. This will eliminate crowds so you can make the most out of the experience.  Learn more about how to plan your day to see Big John the Triceratops here.

Paws for Literacy at Humane Society of Tampa Bay in Tampa | Tuesdays and Thursdays

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay gives children who love animals a chance to spend time with them while catching up on their reading or improving their reading skills. Children are paired with homeless pets who love to hear the stories and look at the pictures. The program is offered for children ages 5 and up. They’ll provide reading stools, books, and treats (for the animals), but children are welcome to bring their own books if they wish. Books provided include animal tales, stories of the animal-human bond, and books that teach empathy to young readers. Supervised by a Florida state certified teacher.

Ruskin Family Drive-In in Ruskin | Wednesdays-Sundays

The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre has over 50 years of continuous service to the Ruskin and South Hillsborough County. It’s been a community gathering place since its first movie, “Singing in the Rain” played in 1952. They offer great movies, good food, and peace and quiet on a continuous basis with a 2000 square foot screen, clean restrooms, snack bar, and clean parking lot. Please note: you must bring a portable radio with you or use the radio in your car to hear the movie. There will be no showings on Monday and Tuesday.