Divine Mom’s Guide to Tampa

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THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER!

CLICK HERE FOR A LOCAL GUIDE TO SUMMER FUN!

Parks

Kate Jackson Park is located in Hyde Park. Take a stroll through Hyde Park, shop and play in Pottery Barn Kids, grab a treat from City Street Sweets, and head over to the park. Watch out for the friendly squirrels… we’ve seen them eat a family’s entire picnic! Make sure to bring a bathing suit for the Florida heat because there’s a water fountain area for children to cool off!

The Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is the crown jewel of the city’s urban parks and will ultimately be the centerpiece of the Tampa Riverwalk. Designed by the New York-based landscape architect Thomas Balsley, the park integrates the River walk with the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art and downtown.Overlooking the Hillsborough River, the park with its sloping great lawn features two fountains, a children’s playground, public boat docks, a dog park, seat terraces, a pavilion and café.

Friendship Park is located on Bay to Bay near Manhattan. It looks great after its recent renovation and provides tons of shade for a picnic!

Ballast Point Park is located right off of Bayshore Boulevard. Enjoy a view of the open Bay, take a walk on the pier, and grab some ice-cream. Unfortunately, if your wee one is under five, you’ll have to hang out near the swings. The playground equipment has a sign that reads “Children over the age of 5.”

Palma Ceia Park, hidden in the middle of beautiful brick road neighborhoods, is extremely well-kept and clean. There are quite a few activities to choose from and it is never too crowded.

Freedom Park is situated near the Hillsborough River, Taylor Art Studio and Taylor Park. Freedom Park provides a safe, structured and fun environment.

Weedon Island Preserve offers plenty of outdoor activities, from bird and wildlife viewing to hiking trails and canoe trails.Click here for more!

For a complete listing of the 145 parks and playgrounds in the Tampa Bay area please click here.

Worthwhile Passes

*Prices subject to change

Bush Gardens- Rrrroooaarrr! Thrill Seekers get ready for major roller coasters. They also have PLENTY of activities and shows for the wee ones like Jungala and Dragon Land! Coming to Busch Gardens in spring 2010 is Sesame Street Safari of Fun. A kid-friendly coaster and sunny, funny water play are just some of the adventures at this new attraction. Families can even share an unforgettable meal with Big Bird, Elmo and their friends.It’s a Florida resident offer too good to pass up: Buying a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens 2010 Fun Card online means an entire year’s worth of fun and thrills for less than the cost of a single day’s admission! Click Here to learn more.

Zoo Pass- For $125 a year, you can purchase a family pass at Lowry Park Zoo. This pass is for 2 adults and up to 4 children ages 3-17. There are many other pass options and kids under 3 are free! Some benefits include: discounted admission to special events (such as ZooBoo and Wild Wonderland), discounts on River Odyssey Eco-Cruise, a boat ride on the Hillsborough River, free or discounted admission into over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide, free admission to MOSI and the Florida Aquarium through their “Swaptember” program during the month of September, a subscription to “Zoo Chatter,” their award-winning quarterly publication and events guide, special Zoo Pass holder events (such as Summer Safari Nights), discounts on unlimited ride wristbands, gift shop discounts, discounts on education programs, birthday parties and camps and much more! Visit Lowry Park Zoo’s website for more information.

Aquarium Pass- The Florida Aquarium is a magical place for kids and adults alike. For $140 a year, you can purchase an aquarium pass for a family of four. This pass has a number of benefits including discounts on food and drinks at their restaurants, gift shop, and free parking, just to name a few. Visit the Florida Aquarium website to learn more.

MOSI Pass- There are various levels of membership available at MOSI. Plan to spend a minimum of 4 hours in MOSI’s exhibit galleries, Kids In Charge!, Children’s Science Center and IMAX® Dome Theatre. You can also take a tour of Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest (sponsored by Bay News 9), and see a Science Works Theater presentation! Click Here to learn more.

Other Divine Activitesto Fill Your Days With Fun!

Tampa Kids Gym-Tampa Kids Gym is a 5,200 sq. ft. space for children between the ages of 4 months to 10 years to take part in age appropriate activities in gymnastics, tumbling, art, music and dance. Opening Jan 4th! Click here to check it out.

Art Explorers- Art Explorers is an Art Studio for Children. They have structured classes and open studio time. Let your children Discover, Create and Enjoy. Click here to learn more!

TBPAC-Check out the latest shows for Kids and join us for Mom’s Night out as well! Click here to see the latest shows.

Bits N Pieces Puppet Theater- Where else can you find traditional puppet shows based on classic children’s stories?! This lost art form is brought back to life at Puppet World. Go online to see the latest happenings.

Yoga- Yogani has classes for mom and baby as well as Yoga for Children! View the latest schedules online.

Learn a Foreign Language- The Language Workshop for Children at The Little Chatterbox is an exciting way for your infant, toddler or child to learn Spanish. Utilizing the Thibaut Technique®, a fun and effective method of teaching foreign languages to children for over 36 years, children will learn Spanish through play time, songs and activities. Class sessions are 8-10 weeks. Call us at 813.944.2240 to learn more about this unique opportunity and to check class schedules and availability click here.

Parachute Time- Gymboree Play and Learn on S. Dale Mabry Hwy.

Divine Dance Time- Karl and Dimarco-Aly took dance here as a small girl and it is still Divine as ever!

Swimming Classes- Seal Swim School’s goal is to produce safer, skilled and happy swimmers while building self-esteem and a love for the water.

Every Mom Loves Free Activities Around Town!

Free Crafts for Kids- Lakeshore Learning store on Kennedy Blvd. EVERY Saturday from 11am-3pm. Ages 3 and up welcome!

Community Events at Whole Foods – Check their online calendar for upcoming events.

Pottery Barn Kids Story-time- Tuesdays, 11am-11:30am at their location in Hyde Park Village.

Barnes and Noble Story-time- Click here to view their calendar.

Inside Playground at International Plaza- Crazy crowded on weekends, but nice during the week.

Hyde Park Events – check their calendar online for list of events.

Free Play Time at Baby Bungalow- Birth to 4-year-olds welcome. Their Fun Friday Playgroup is a free, unstructured time that encourages children to develop social skills, engage in developmental play, and build vocabulary.

Story-time at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library on Manhattan. Check the most recent schedule of events

Free Wiregrass Wednesdays- Livechildren’s entertainment, from live music and storytelling to face painting, balloons and arts and crafts. The Shops at Wiregrass at Bruce B. Downs and S.R. 56, Wesley Chapel. 813-994-4010. theshopsatwiregrass.com. Great for Everyone.

Tampa Bay MomsTown is your one stop guide to living and raising your family in Tampa Bay! Stay connected and inspired to enjoy all that Tampa Bay has to offer.