The city of Tampa is one of my favorite places in Florida. It’s perfectly situated on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and offers an abundance of things to do while visiting. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement, you’ll find it in Tampa!
The same is true when it comes to finding things to do with our favorite little people. There are so many beautiful places to play and things to do, so whether you call Tampa home or you’re just visiting for the weekend, I hope you find this list useful!
Visit with a furry friend.
At the Humane Society of Tampa, you and your little ones can enjoy story time and an activity during their Pets & Tots program. This special experience is an hour long and features some snuggle time with the puppies or kittens! Check the website for a new theme every month.
Have fun at the Children’s Museum.
The Glazer Children’s Museum is full of hands-on exhibits that are perfect for children 10 and under. The opportunities for playing and learning are endless here, with hands on crafts and interactive exhibits throughout! Before planning your trip, take a peek at the museum’s calendar for some extra special events they have planned throughout the year!
Explore aquatic life.
Visit one (or all!) of these acclaimed local aquariums to share a little bit of local, regional, and international aquatic life with your little one. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has a number of animal experiences and exhibits for children to explore, including Dino Rescue with life-size dinosaurs that will be roaring into town from October 15th through April 15th. Some other options are The Florida Aquarium, rated one of the best aquariums in the country, or the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, where gentle sea mammals gather for warmth from November 1st through April 15th.
Bounce around all day!
Need a way to help burn off some of that extra toddler energy?! Jump around at Playgrounds of Tampa, Tampa’s Premier Indoor Bounce House filled with lots of over-sized bounce houses and slides. Or head over to The Airosphere for slides, an obstacle course, and a toddler zone – perfect for little ones.
Go to the zoo.
“Lions and tigers and bears!” The Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the United States by Parents Magazine. The zoo also offers a monthly program called Toddler Tuesdays on select dates throughout the year with specialized experiences for kids ages 2 to 6.
Head to the botanical gardens.
Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation is a 100-acre botanical garden in Largo, Florida, with lots of colorful, tropical plants and a butterfly garden with fluttering friends that can be seen year-round. A children’s garden is also coming soon!
Go to the park.
Take in a bit of the scenery with your toddler by visiting one of the local parks in Tampa. There are a number of options in the Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete region, but my favorites are Water Works Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, since they each feature some beautiful spaces to play and explore along the water.
Go back in time and hang out with dinosaurs!
Dinosaur World is conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa and is perfect for the littlest dinosaur fans. With hundreds of life-size dinosaurs in a natural, garden setting, it’s an absolute must see while in the area!
Go to the beach!
Tampa has some of the most beautiful beaches and Florida, great for getting those little toes in the sand! Sand Key, Clearwater, Honeymoon State Island, and Indian Rocks are on my list of favorite spots, and they’re all equally scenic and beautiful with sandy beaches and sparkling water.
Tampa with toddlers is the best!
I hope you found this list of things to do useful! If you’d like to capture some photos while you play and explore in Tampa, I’d love to chat with you. I hope you’ll send me a message to connect and say hi or ask any questions you might have prior to your family session. I’m here to help every step of the way!
