Things to do with kids in Tampa, FL
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Tampa time)
Coming up in Tampa: Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run (Nov 26), Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum (from Nov 1), Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (from Nov 13) and 6 more events. 10 always-open places, led by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and The Florida Aquarium. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Tampa
Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Plaza opens 5:30am; 5K 7am; 1-mile 8:15am
- Cost
- 1-mile fun run $25; 5K $35 (5K price rises after Oct 31)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk and untimed 1-mile fun run from the plaza at Benchmark International Arena, with designated corrals for walkers and families with strollers.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Sun, Nov 1 – Thu, Dec 31 (Nov 1–Dec 31 during museum hours) · During museum hours
- Cost
- Included with museum admission
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Indoor
A seasonal gingerbread village display at the children’s museum through December.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Mon, Jan 4 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 4) · Select nights; check the park calendar
- Cost
- Included with Busch Gardens admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The park becomes a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, festive entertainment and family holiday traditions on select nights.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Winter Village Ice Rink at Curtis Hixon Park
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Daily Nov 20–Jan 3) · Check the Winter Village Facebook page for daily hours
- Cost
- Village free to attend; skating $17 per skater ($15 under 12), skates and 75 minutes included
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Outdoor holiday ice rink, shops and café on the riverfront downtown. Skating reservations are online (tickets go live Nov 6).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Meet & Greet at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 & Sat, Dec 19 & Mon, Dec 21 (Nov 28, Dec 19 and Dec 21) · Nov 28 & Dec 19 10:30am–1:30pm; Dec 21 noon–3pm
- Cost
- Museum admission applies (see site)
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Indoor
Meet Santa at the children’s museum on select dates: Nov 28 and Dec 19 (10:30am–1:30pm) and Dec 21 (noon–3pm).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Parade 1pm; park 1–5pm; tree lighting 6pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A full day downtown: the Santa Fest Parade at 1pm (Morgan & Madison streets to Ashley Dr & Cass St; Madison Street is a prime viewing spot), park festivities 1–5pm with holiday crafts, games and free photos with Santa, the 6pm lighting of seven Christmas trees, and a free outdoor holiday movie.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on the Hillsborough River
- When
- Sat, Dec 19 · Starts 6:15pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed (VIP ticket details to come)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade kicks off at 6:15pm near Sparkman Wharf, heads through the Convention Center Basin and finishes at Armature Works along the Riverwalk.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Tampa
Downtown Countdown (Kids’ New Year’s Eve) at Glazer Children’s Museum
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 · 9:30am–3pm
- Cost
- Included with museum admission
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Indoor
A daytime New Year’s Eve celebration for kids with a balloon drop every hour.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Story Time at John F. Germany Public Library
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 – Fri, Dec 18 (Fridays (no session Nov 27)) · 11–11:30am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Enjoy books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Price
- Date-based ticket prices (see site)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Animal-themed park with rides and family areas; hours vary by date
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Zoo in Lowry Park, north of downtown; open daily 9:30am–5pm
The Florida Aquarium
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown aquarium on the Channel District waterfront; open daily 9am–5pm
MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
- Price
- Adults (18+) $20, children (3–17) $15
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Science center with hands-on exhibits; open daily 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Glazer Children’s Museum
- Price
- General admission $27.95 (Florida residents $22.95); babies under 1 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hands-on children’s museum downtown; school-year hours Tue–Sun 9:30am–5pm (also open select Mondays)
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Tampa Museum of Art
- Price
- Adults $25, K–12 students $5, children 6 and under free; pay-as-you-will Thursdays 4–8pm
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Riverfront art museum; open daily 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Henry B. Plant Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Gilded Age hotel museum; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
- Price
- $2 per vehicle (cash only)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Boardwalk park on the Hillsborough River (some boardwalk sections are closed for repairs); open 8am–6pm/7pm seasonally
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Riverwalk park downtown that hosts Winter Village each holiday season; open 7am–10pm
John F. Germany Public Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown Tampa’s main library with a weekly family story time
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Tampa this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 2 family events in Tampa: Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum (Sun) and Family Story Time at John F. Germany Public Library (Fri).
What time is trick-or-treating in Tampa?
Sunset on Halloween in Tampa is at 6:46 p.m. Tampa doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Tampa?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 upcoming event in Tampa, including Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting (Sat, Dec 5).
Where can kids play indoors in Tampa when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 6 indoor places in Tampa: The Florida Aquarium, MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, kids 3–17 $15), Glazer Children’s Museum (General admission $27.95, Florida residents $22.95), Tampa Museum of Art (kids K–12 $5) and Henry B. Plant Museum. See all 6 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Tampa?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Tampa: Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Tampa?
We list 2 events with Santa in Tampa, 1 free: Santa Meet & Greet at Glazer Children’s Museum (Nov 28 – Dec 21) and Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 5). Our Santa guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Tampa?
We list 2 holiday light events in Tampa, 1 free: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Nov 13 – Jan 4) and Santa Fest Parade, Park Festivities & Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 5, free). Our holiday lights guide for the Tampa Bay area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Tampa?
We list 1 everyday program in Tampa: Family Story Time at John F. Germany Public Library (Fridays, no session Nov 27).
What is there to do with toddlers in Tampa?
We list 5 places and 1 event in Tampa that welcome kids under 2, including Family Story Time at John F. Germany Public Library (Oct 30 – Dec 18), ZooTampa at Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium and Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Tampa?
The best-known family attractions we list in Tampa are Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Date-based ticket prices, see site), ZooTampa at Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium and MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, kids 3–17 $15). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Tampa family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Tampa: MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, adult $20, kids 3–17 $15), Glazer Children’s Museum (General admission $27.95, Florida residents $22.95) and Tampa Museum of Art (adult $25, kids K–12 $5). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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