27 Things To Do With Your Kids This Fall In Tampa That Don't Include A Pumpkin Patch
Looking to shake things up this Halloween season? We have the perfect activities for you to enjoy right here in the Tampa Bay area!
Don't have kids? No worries! These exciting activities are as much fun for the kids-at-heart as they are for the actual children! Come on, what better way to embrace your inner child than with an amped-up game of laser tag or a fast and furious dirt bike race?!
So what are you waiting for?! Ditch the jack-o-lanterns, grab the kids, and have an awesome adventure!
Dakin Dairy Farms
Where: 30771 Betts Rd, Myakka City
Get out of the city for the day and explore the joys of farm life at Dakin Dairy Farms! Whether you choose to learn how to milk a cow, pet a baby goat, or take a selfie with your favorite furry farm celebrity, we promise both you and the kids will have a blast!
Gametime
Where: 1600 E 8th Ave
The Florida sun is great, but sometimes you need to beat the heat with a day indoors. Whether you're looking for a rainy day activity or just want to shake things up, venture over to Gametime for a plethora of arcade games and neon excitement! Challenge your LO to a game of Tampa Lightning-themed foosball, or take a spin on a video game motorcycle!
Glazer Children’s Museum
Where: 110 W Gasparilla Plaza
Situated in the heart of downtown next to Curtis Hixon Park, the Glazer Children's Museum steals the show with its creative activities and events for both kids and adults alike! With an array of tactile and sensory activities for the little ones and adult-only theme nights (think Harry Potter!), each time you go is sure to offer a brand new adventure!
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Where: 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg
On the other side of the bay? We've got you covered with the Great Explorations Children's Museum! Climb, build, and create as you and your little ones bring your imaginations to life! You may even spot a celebrity or two, like sisters Anna and Elsa!
Sunken Gardens
Where: 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg
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Next door to Great Explorations is another awesome spot awaiting great explorers! Sunken Gardens is St. Petersburg's premier botanical garden, complete with an educational curriculum designed to teach youth about the local flora and fauna. It's also the perfect spot for your next Insta pic!
Big Cat Rescue
Where: 12802 Easy St
Has LO been begging you for a cat? Take it to the next level at Big Cat Rescue, where you can get up close and personal with the feline leaders of the jungle! Lions and tigers and cheetahs, oh my!
Q-Zar Laser Tag Center
Where: 7807 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Feeling competitive? Q-Zar Laser Tag Center is your go-to for the battle of the ages! Challenge LO to see who can score the most points, then head to the arcade to win even more!
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise
Where: 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach
It's no secret that Tampa residents love all things pirate! And now you don't have to wait until the annual Gasparilla festival comes around because Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise offers the pirate experience year-round!
Largo Central Railroad
Where: 225 Central Park Dr, Largo
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This miniature train is as fun as it is adorable! Take LO for a ride-a-long and spend the day exploring the natural sights throughout the park! Choo choo!
Bits-n-Pieces Puppet Theatre
Where: 12904 Tom Gallagher Rd, Dover
You're never too young to up your culture game! Enjoy showtime at Bits-n-Pieces Puppet Theatre, where the puppets themselves are as artistic as the performance themselves! It's perfect for a field trip, group outing, or parent-child day! There's something for all ages!
Airheads Trampoline Arena
Where: 5072 W Linebaugh Ave
Whether young or old, is there anymore more fun than a trampoline?! Make it a challenge to see who can jump the highest, then amp up the competition with a game of dodgeball.
Tampa Bay Grand Prix
Where: 3404 Cragmont Drive
At Tampa Bay Grand Prix, it's pedal to the metal! This indoor karting track is the perfect choice for your next raindy day activity. Plan accordingly and you may even have the privilege of seeing a professional race!
Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Where: 389 5th Ave SE, St. Petersburg
If you're in St. Pete, you can fulfill your need for speed at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg! Professional cars, goofy mascots, and adrenaline will have the whole family smiling all day long! Read, set, go!
Color Me Mine
Where: 1609 W Snow Circle
Bring out both your inner child and your inner artist at Color Me Mine in Hyde Park Village! Fun for all ages, this make-your-own-pottery studio is a great way to be creative and artsy without having to clean up the mess at home! After having your piece professionally fired in the kiln, it will be ready to grace your shelf. It sounds like a win-win for us!
Giraffe Ranch
Where: 38650 Mickler Rd, Dade Cit
Giraffe Ranch is a next-level petting zoo! Enjoy the opportunity to feed animals of all shapes and sizes here, and don’t forget to bring your camera! Seriously, can you think of a better IG pic than feeding the tallest animal on the planet?!
Heritage Village
Where: 11909 125th St, Largo
Heritage Village is a true blast from the past! This preserved community gives you a look into how Florida's early residents lived before the age of technology. Learn to wash clothes by hand, explore the old grocery store, and take some awesome Insta pics! This outing is as fun as it is educational!
Adventure Family Motorsports
Where: Multiple Locations
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Bring the family together for a dirtbike race across wide open fields with Adventure Family Motorsports! Suit up and rev up the engine for family time that will have both kids and parents begging to go back a second time!
Museum of Science and Industry
Where: 4801 E Fowler Ave
Affectionately known as "MOSI", this mecca of fun is a hotspot among Tampa's residents, both young and old alike! Whether you're interested in Astronomy, Chemistry, Art, or Physics, you'll find yourself learning while having more fun than you could ever imagine!
Mini Doughnut Factory
Where: 2109 S Dale Mabry Hwy
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Take the kids for a sweet treat at the Mini Doughnut Factory, one of Tampa's hottest new snack spots! These tiny doughnuts are as adorable as they are delicious! Plus, they're mini so you can eat more of them ;)
Roger’s Christmas House
Where: 103 S Saxon Ave, Brooksville
Skip the jack-o-lanterns and head straight for the holiday season at Roger's Christmas House! Extravagant Christmas trees, comfy porch front rocking chairs, and decor galore will make you antsy to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Take a break from the Florida heat and dip into the festive atmosphere that will have you dreaming of white landscapes and jingle bells!
Old McMicky’s Farm
Where: 9612 Crescent Dr, Odessa
Old McMicky had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! Tractor rides, petting zoos, and learning how to milk a cow are just some of the fun activities available at this inviting and friendly farm!
Vertical Ventures
Where: 5402 Pioneer Park Blvd
Burn calories while having a blast at Vertical Ventures! Race LO up the climbing walls to see who can reach the top first, or plan a party complete with face painting! This indoor rock wall is a great activity to teach LO about trying new things, being courageous, and reaching new heights (literally!)
Croc Encounters
Where: 8703 Bowles Rd
Is there anything more Floridian than a gator? Seriously, this unofficial state mascot is iconic! At Croc Encounters, you'll have the opportunity to touch, pet, and even hold one of these awesome creatures! We're sensing some selfies coming on... (Fun fact: did you know that Florida is the only place in the entire world that is home to both alligators and crocodiles?!)
Empower Adventures
Where: 423 Lafayette Blvd, Oldsmar
Zip through local flora with an adrenaline-packed ride at Empower Adventures! It's fun for the whole family! And if you don't have kids (or you're lucky enough to have a babysitter for the day) it's a great date activity, too! In addition to ziplining, you can also conquer the high ropes course. Ready, set, go!
Adventure Island
Where: 10001 McKinley Dr
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Here in Florida, we’re blessed with year-round sunny days and warm weather. Which means that Adventure Island, Tampa’s premier waterpark, can be enjoyed long past the official end of summer! Snap a few awesome Insta pics to make your friends up north envious of Florida’s never-ending warmth and sun!
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Florida Aquarium
Where: 701 Channelside Dr
At the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, you can find Nemo and Dory IRL! Other aquatic friends include stingrays, penguins, and sharks. And if viewing these incredible sea creatures isn't enough fun to fill the day, the splash pad is a total win! The Florida Aquarium is an excellent educational outing that brings your favorite Pixar movies to life!
Lowry Park Zoo
Where: 1101 W Sligh Ave
After spending time with the aquatic creatures at The Florida Aquarium, head over to Lowry Park Zoo to spend time with land creatures such as elephants, lions, and monkeys! Keep an eye on the zoo's events calendar for special activities such as film screenings, yoga, and days specifically for the youngest among us (aka "Toddler Tuesdays".) Yoga with animals? We're in!
