Fun things to do with kids in Tampa
There are so many fun things to do with kids in Tampa, Florida. Whether planning a weekend escape or a whole week, Tampa has something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
From Busch Gardens Tampa for thrills to leisurely strolls on the Tampa Riverwalk, there’s loads of family fun in Tampa.
Family things to do in Tampa: Preschoolers
When considering Tampa attractions for families with a toddler, consider indoor activities like the Florida Aquarium or other places that don’t take all day to visit. Considering the needs of the youngest family member makes vacation more enjoyable for the whole family.
RECOMMENDED READING: Tips for Travel with Baby
Start at the Florida Aquarium, located in the Channelside District at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa.
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Toddlers are mesmerized by fish tanks, and here they can both look and touch! Pack their swimsuits, because they’ll want to jump into the The Splashpad, an interactive fountain playground with special space just for little ones.
Allow four hours to visit the Florida Aquarium.
After a fun morning at the Florida Aquarium, enjoy lunch nearby at Columbia Café, located at the Tampa Bay History Center.
Columbia Restaurant, dubbed Florida’s Oldest Restaurant, opened in 1905 in Ybor City. It offers Cuban coffee, the best Cuban sandwich I’ve ever had, and the original “1905” salad. The Café menu is a pared down version of the full restaurant menu.
Families can dine indoors or out — we prefer the view and relaxed space of the waterfront outside. A kids menu is also available.
After lunch, take a stroll along the stroller friendly Tampa Riverwalk, which connects the Channelside District to Downtown Tampa. Along the Riverwalk, enjoy playgrounds, wide open spaces for kids to run, art installations, and great views. The Tampa Riverwalk connects many of Tampa’s family friendly attractions, so explore the website and pick something fun!
Other family things to do in Tampa with Toddlers:
- Glazer Children’s Museum, at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, inspires kids up to age 8 and toddlers to explore the world through creative play. Closed Mondays and most holidays. Allow three hours.
- Ben T. Davis Beach, located along the Courtney Campbell Causeway between Tampa and Clearwater, this public beach is nicely landscaped, with lifeguard stations and lots of soft, white sand.
- Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water Street, Tampa, Tampa Bay shares the history of the region’s first native inhabitants, the age of the Spanish conquistadors, and others who shaped the area’s history. Cigars play a key role in Tampa’s development, and the reproduction 1920s cigar store shares its importance in an engaging way. Allow 2-3 hours.
- Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave, Tampa, offers a full day of fun for the whole family. With exhibits featuring kid favorites like manatees and a bird aviary, there’s lots for toddlers to enjoy. Theme park play areas add to the fun with water rides, carousels and more. Everyone in the family will enjoy learning about animals native to Florida or seeing animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia. Allow a full day. This zoo offers discounted admission to families with reciprocal zoo memberships.
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Family things to do in Tampa: Elementary age kids
There are so many fun things to do with kids in Tampa for the elementary aged set. Their inquisitive minds and excitement make everything fun. So, pick a few of these great Tampa attractions for families and make memories!
One of the best Tampa attractions for families with elementary aged kids is Dinosaur World, located at 5145 Harvey Tew Road in Plant City, Florida, just outside of Tampa.
Dubbed “Jurassic Park without the Scare,” Dinosaur World features 150 life-size dinosaur replicas and a Fossil Dig, where kids can dig for fossils just like real paleontologists.
The Fossil Dig is designed for kids age 3-12 and included in the price of admission, so each young scientist can take home fossil souvenirs. Other family members can join the dig at a cost of $2/each.
Other interactive experiences include the Dino Gem Excavation area and the Bone Yard, where kids can help uncover a 27 foot long dinosaur skeleton.
Dinosaur World is handicap accessible. A military discount is available.
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Spend the afternoon at MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry, at 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa.
Offering more than 100 hands-on exhibits, MOSI’s purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives by making science exciting for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Some of the exhibits at MOSI include “I Wonder,” an area to explore physics, math, optics and geology, “A Look Inside” to learn about the wonder of the human body, “Mind Mysteries” to discover the fascinating world of illusions and mind tricks, and “Geolab” to learn about hurricanes and other weather phenomena.
The Saunders Planetarium (separate admission fee) and Mission Moonbase round out the indoor activities.
Outdoors, kids can explore on the Science Park playground. The whole family can soar through the trees at the Sky Trail Ropes Course (separate admission fee).
With so much to see and do, plan a half day here. MOSI is one of the attractions included on the Tampa CityPASS discount program.
Other family things to do in Tampa for elementary aged kids include:
- TECO Manatee Viewing Center (winter months) — Open November through February, the Manatee Viewing Center is a great place to see manatees in their natural habitat. Additionally, the MVC’s environmental education building offers a place to learn about the fascinating world of the manatee. Outside, a viewing platform, with several flights of stairs, provides a bird’s eye view of this wildlife habitat area. Admission is free. Allow two hours to visit.
- Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave, Tampa, provides a full day of family fun in Tampa. Besides the many wildlife exhibits, there are thrill rides and relaxed activities for every member of the family. Allow a full day to visit.
- Tour of the Tampa Theatre, 711 North Franklin St, Tampa, provides an unusual and memorable experience for everyone. Touted as one of the ten most beautiful theaters in the world, a backstage tour of this historic theater provides a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes. Ghost tours are also available. **Temporarily suspended due to COVID.**
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Family things to do in Tampa with Teens
One of the best things to do in Tampa with teens is probably a day at Busch Gardens, which offers thrill rides, animal adventures and the Adventure Island water park.
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Of course, there are lots more things to do in Tampa with teens. Consider these:
Spend the day at the beach. Tampa’s beaches offer traditional sun and surf fun, but consider waterskiing, jet-skiing or parasailing to take your teen’s beach vacation to the next level.
Canoe or Kayak on the Hillsborough River for wildlife viewing and family fun. Book ahead with Canoe Escape for easy planning.
Play bowling or billiards. Get in some old fashioned fun at Splitsville for bowling and billiards. With an upscale food menu and handcrafted cocktails, the whole family will enjoy it.
With so many fun things to do with kids in Tampa, this is a great destination for your family vacation.
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