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January 21, 2020
We say it every week and we’ll say it again… the forecast for FUN is 100% with this list of our favorite family-friendly Tampa bay things to do this weekend with the kids! Let’s get to it!
Don’t Miss It: The Busch Gardens + Adventure Island FREE Preschool Pass is Back!
Go see Brick History at the Tampa Bay History Center!
This special exhibit will only be on display through February 16, 2020, so time is running out! You and the kids can see 18 LEGO creations depicting a pivotal moment in history. Stay and play in the kids area where they can build their own creations with LEGO and DUPLO bricks. tampabayhistorycenter.org
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum | Through Jan. 31 (The museum will be closed on Sat, Jan 25 for Gasparilla)
Make your way to Glazer Children’s Museum for their Gingerbread village running now through the end of January. Build your own gingerbread house, ice skate in your socks, snap a family picture and more! This exhibit is back by popular demand and fun for all! glazermuseum.org
Volunteer at Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding Tampa Bay needs volunteers to help with food sorting throughout the year. There is no official age limit for this, but it is best for kids ages 5 and older. Learn more and sign up by visiting here. This is a great way to teach kids about giving back and helping others!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare | Jan. 15 – Feb. 9, various times
Watch four young couples wander through an enchanted wood and suffer numerous (and humorous!) misadventures at the The Straz Center. strazcenter.org
Pop Up Adventure Playground at Foster Park in Tampa | Jan 24, 3pm-5pm
Rooted in Play is hosting a pop-up adventure playground at Foster Park in South Tampa, located at 4700 S Clark Avenue. Your kids will put their imagination to use during this free open play event featuring cardboard boxes, fabric, crates and more! Learn more rootedinplay.org
Lliza Shelsinger | Jan 24, 7 p.m.
Don’t miss out on this on this night full of laughs from Lliza Shelsinger. This top sold out comedian is making her way to Tampa! With five specials on Netflix and another one on its way Lliza Shelsinger is climbing the charts! Come out for a night full of laughs and jokes that everyone can relate to. Tickets starting at $35. strazcenter.org
Ninjago Days at LEGOLAND Florida | Select weekends in January and February
On select dates in January and February, we will transform our resort with ninja-themed activities, new LEGO character meet-and-greets, delicious, kid-friendly treats and new ninja shows. Learn more at legoland.com
Kumquat Festival in Dade City | Jan. 25 from 9am-5pm
Taking place in the heart of Dade City, Fla. — a community known for its quaint “Old Florida” charm, historic homes and rich antiquing — a bizarre annual tradition, the Kumquat Festival, takes place every year on the last Saturday in January. Kumquats, often referred to as “little gold gems of the citrus industry” are the star of the show in this one-of-a-kind festival with hundreds of vendors showcasing everything from kumquat pie to kumquat cookies, smoothies, ice cream, kumquat-infused craft beers, kumquat marmalade, salsa, sangria and everything in between. Learn more here.
St. Pete STEAMfest 2020 at Shorecrest Preparatory School | Jan 25, 10am-2pm
You’re invited to a family-friendly, community-wide celebration of all things creative, inventive, imaginative and fun! STEAMfest is an annual event geared toward children in preschool through middle school. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or hygiene supplies to benefit the St. Petersburg Free Clinic Food Bank. Your kids can get hands on with robots, LEGOS, see science in action and MORE! shorecrest.org
Keel Farms U-Pick in Plant City | Jan 25, 10 am-12 pm
Let the kids see where their food is grown and even pick it themselves! Keel Farms has a u-pcik this Saturday for organically grown veggies, greens and strawberries! Admission and parking are free, but you’ll have to pay for the produce. Buckets and clippers are provided. Be sure to look out for Farmer Kyle who can help you pick the best produce! Learn more here.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete | Jan 25, 10 am-4:30 pm
Celebrate the Lunar New Year! 2020 is the Year of the Rat and Great Explorations has an entire day packed with kid-friendly fun! The event is included with museum admission. greatex.org
-10:15am — Red Envelopes (Year of the Rat + Asian New Year Traditions), Buddha Boards (Calligraphy)
-11am — Shine Your Pennies (Chemistry)
-11:45am — Fortune Tellers (New Year’s Origami)
-12:15pm — Underwater Fireworks (Science Demonstration)
-1pm — Mini Paper Dragons (Origami Dragon Bookmarks)
-1:45pm — Stage Show
Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Jan. 25
Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, an expanded Pirate Fest will feature stages along the Riverwalk in Tampa with live entertainment before and after the parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, The Sail Pavilion and Ferg’s Tampa. An Invasion Brunch at the Convention Center provides the best views of the Invasion with a full buffet brunch and cash bar. Following the invasion, enjoy the victory parade on Bayshore Boulevard and South Ashley Drive at 2 p.m. gasparillapiratefest.com
Starlite Puppet Show at Community Roots Collective in Tampa | Jan 25, 3pm-5pm
If your children have never experienced a puppet show, this is the weekend to make the magic happen! A $10 donation is requested for each child, but parents and adults are free. You can pay in advance or at the door. Learn more here.
Star Wars Live in Concert: Empire Strikes Back | Jan. 25, 8 p.m.
Join Ruth Eckerd Hall for the very first performance of “Star Wars Live in Concert: Return of the Jedi.” This show will experience the full-length film on the big screen accompanied by The Florida Orchestra performing the music of John Williams. rutheckerdhall.com
Nuclear Science Merit Badge Workshop | Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit MOSI to learn all about nuclear reactors and how they work, as well as how we create and use nuclear energy. Those in attendance will have the chance to build tools that measure and track radiation. mosi.org
Sunshine Sunday at Glazer Children’s Museum | Jan 25, 10 am
Join Glazer Children’s Museum for this special monthly event for children with special needs and their caregivers. Kids can explore the museum with the lights and sounds turned down and sensory adapted tools, special programs, and community resources at your fingertips. It’s during this time that children and their families can experience the Museum and unite with others on a similar journey. $5 General Admission | Free for Members glazermuseum.org
Fourth Friday in Downtown Tampa | Jan 31
Celebrate art and culture in Downtown Tampa during this monthly event! A free wristband that you can pick up at any of the participating venues will get you free admission to participating museums, discounts and more! fourthfridaytpa.com
STOMP | Jan. 31, 8 p.m.
Join Ruth Eckerd Hall as STOMP takes over! Come out for a night full of rhythm, beats and ruckus! STOMP takes its audience on an adventure full of music and beats all while using household and other everyday tools like supermarket carts or plumbing fixtures to create some wicked beats. rutheckerdhall.com
Busch Garden’s Real Music Real Masters | Through March 15
Check out Busch Gardens online for exclusive live music and all new entertainment throughout the coming months. This month, check out Classics Stones Live, Simply Queen, The Diamonds, Let’s Hang On: America’s #1 Frankie Valli Tribute Show and Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band! All events are listed on their website with dates, times and further ticketing info. buschgardens.com
Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends *photo in folder | Feb. 1-16, weekends at 11:30 a.m.
Join the Sesame Street krewe for a pirate filled party! Families can enjoy special character interaction, themed story time, treasure scavenger hunts, and dance parties for pirate-inspired fun. NEW this year (Feb. 1-2), families can meet Snuffy during the first ever Snuffy Weekend! Located in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park. buschgardens.com
Monster Jam at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa | Feb. 1, 7 p.m.
Don’t miss February’s Monster Jam at Raymond James Stadium. Monster Jammers can expect to see Brodozer, Earthshaker, El Toro Loco, Grave Digger and so much more. The gates open at 5 p.m. There’s also an extended option (accompanied by a same-day ticket) for a Pit Party that begins at 2:30 p.m. and gives Pit Party-goers access to Monster Jam trucks and drivers with an opportunity for autographs. monsterjam.com
Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Free Tuesday | Feb. 4, Noon to 6 p.m.
Enjoy free admission to Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa as part of its partnership with the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and its mission to promote the well-being of children and families. glazermuseum.org
Toddler Tuesdays at ZooTampa | Feb. 4, 10-10:45 a.m.
Tuesdays are for toddlers! Join ZooTampa once a month as a Zoo Member and bring your tiny tot(s) for a morning full of stories, games, sing-a-longs, arts, crafts and even an animal mingle! *Toddler Tuesdays occur once a month and is a members-only event. zootampa.org
Be Mine 2020: Believe in the Impossible | Feb. 6, 6-9 p.m.
The Heart Gallery of Tampa’s signature event benefiting local foster children is BACK at Palma Ceia Country Club. Show up in your best costume for a silent auction, Mad Tea Party and inspiring program about adoption and more! Tickets are on sale and start at $125. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets please visit heartgallerytampa.org/bemine.
2020 Florida State Fair | Feb. 6-17
Enjoy 12 days of non-stop fun with rides, games, live music, agricultural exhibits and, of course, food! Hillsborough County students get in free on Family Day – Friday, February 7. To enter, students must show a student ticket or student I.D. at the gate. All students must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 with a government–issued ID after 6:00 p.m. floridastatefair.com
Rock the Park in Tampa | Feb. 6, 6:30-9:45 p.m.
Rock the Park is a free monthly outdoor music series. This month’s rock the park will feature The Urbane Cowboys, Riley Moore, and Redlight Stare. Admission is free. rocktheparktampa.com
*Our partners at Tampa Bay Date Night Guide are sharing some of their favorite things to do around Tampa Bay too!
Check out our INSIDE LOOK of the expanded Gingerbread Village located on the second floor of Glazer Children’s Museum! It features a sock ice-skating rink, a play area for little ones and a cardboard gingerbread village where you can create your very own house to add to the village!
If the temps are a bit too cold for outdoor fun, why not go and play at one of our favorite 7 museums for kiddos in Tampa Bay!
Why not discover a new park or playground in the Tampa Bay Area? There are so many great parks for families which is why we’ve put together a list of our favorites with the help of our Family Fun contributor Heather DeManche! Check it out here!
