Super Fun Things to Do in Tampa Bay with Kids
The Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay with Kids - Updated December 2023
If you're looking for fun things to do with the whole family in Tampa, you're in the right place! With theme parks, an incredible zoo, and plenty of great beaches nearby, you'll never run out of fun things to do here with kids.
I really didn't expect to like Tampa Bay as much as I did. Not that I was expecting to dislike it. But sometimes coastal cities in Florida can all start to feel alike.
There's something different about Tampa Bay, though. It's cultured, yet relaxed, and I noticed that while the city seemed to draw young professionals, you could still find plenty of young families and well-dressed retirees all coexisting.
I also love that you can do museums and aquariums and educational activities, or you can choose to be a laid-back beach bum family with water activities everywhere. There truly is something for everyone in this city. Because of the endless opportunities for fun, I think it's a great place for a family vacation!
Here are the best things to do in Tampa Bay with kids!
This post was written in collaboration with Visit Tampa Bay, who provided a CityPass to facilitate my research. This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase from one of my links, I will make a small profit at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I use and love...and I think you will, too! Thanks for supporting this blog.
What to Do in Tampa Bay
Before I get into specific activities, I would highly recommend getting a CityPASS if you plan to do many of the things listed below. You can save up to 50% by using CityPASS since the top attractions are all included. You'll have 9 days to use the tickets.
Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.5-mile path along the Hillsborough River. I found it to be one of the easiest and quickest ways to get acquainted with the city. As a bonus, many of Tampa Bay's attractions and restaurants are situated along the Riverwalk, so you will find plenty to do other than just walking.
We parked at the Tampa Convention Center and began our trek there. We brought the sit & stand stroller since it was quite the long walk, and at one point all three kids were piled on. The sidewalk was nice and wide, and the views of the city and river were beautiful. It's one of my favorite memories of our time in Tampa: a light breeze from the river cooling us off as we took in the sights and sounds.
For families with young children, like ours, there are several playgrounds, restaurants, and children's attractions along the Riverwalk, so you can always stop and take a break if little legs are tired.
This is one of the few free things to do in the area, and I found it to be a great way to see the city from a different perspective!
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Zoos aren't normally my thing. I take the kids because they love to see the animals, but I'm usually counting down the minutes until we can leave. Bearing that in mind, I will make a bold statement: ZooTampa at Lowry Park was one of the *coolest* zoos I've ever been to. And I grew up near the Milwaukee County Zoo (which is amazing).
Here's what's so special about Zoo Tampa. Not only is there an entire area sectioned off for young children called the Wallaroo Station, but they have free rides specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Trains, mini roller coasters, flying bananas - they've got it all! In addition, there's a splash pad, petting zoo, and cafe.
We also loved the Wallaby Walkabout. It's a fenced-in exhibit where kids can enter with a parent and stroll along a pathway while looking for the wallaby. When we went, she was relaxing in the shade under a rock, and the kids couldn't believe how close we were to her!
Outside of the Wallaroo Station, there are tons of cool animal exhibits and you can pay a little extra for animal encounters, such as feeding giraffes. I would highly recommend ZooTampa at Lowry Park to anyone with kids visiting the Tampa Bay area. It was the perfect place to spend the day with our toddlers!
[Included on the Tampa Bay CityPASS]
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
What would a Florida city be without a theme park to visit? Tampa is home to Busch Gardens, an African-inspired theme park with rides and games for all ages. We spent a lot of our time in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun, an area dedicated to the toddler and preschooler set.
There are tons of slow and safe rides for little ones, a canopy walk with climbing and rope bridges, a bounce house, a splash pad, and characters walking around. Our kids' favorite was the Elmo show - they couldn't believe they were seeing him in real life!
To be 100% honest, our kids were 5, 2, and 1 when we visited, and there wasn't a ton we were able to do outside of the Sesame Street Safari of Fun. There are a few animals exhibits to see, and a few carnival-type games and rides, but most of the rest of the park is geared toward older kids and adults.
You can also add on a day in Adventure Island, the water park at Busch Gardens.
[Included on the Tampa Bay CityPASS]
The Florida Aquarium and The Clearwater Aquarium
We didn't actually make it to The Florida Aquarium since we only had 3 days in Tampa Bay. We did check out the nearby Clearwater Aquarium [Included on the Tampa Bay CityPASS], home of Winter the Dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale. If you have time, though, try to fit this one in. There's an entire section dedicated to Florida wildlife, several touch tanks, and an entire water park out back.
The Clearwater Aquarium was one of my kids' favorite things to do while we were in the area, and it was so cool to see the dolphins and learn so much about marine life!
The Clearwater Aquarium is Included on the Tampa Bay CityPASS
Pirate Water Taxi
The Pirate Water Taxi pulls triple duty as a fun activity with kids, a form of transportation, and a way to learn more about Tampa Bay. You buy tickets online or at the Tampa Convention Center stop, then board the next Pirate Water Taxi that pulls up. They come every 20-30 minutes, so make sure you check the schedule and show up at the right time.
This is a hop-on-hop-off water taxi, so you can scout out your stops along the River Walk, or just ride it all the way through for a relaxing tour of the city. We got off at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park to let the kids run and stretch their legs. The Children's Museum is also near that stop.
Another great stop is Water Works Park, a large splash pad area. It also has two of the best restaurants, so we got back on the Pirate Water Taxi in the late afternoon so we could end up at this stop for dinner.
Visit St. Pete Pier
The new St. Pete Pier is incredible, and super family-friendly with a play area for kids, a splash pad, and several great restaurants including Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille. We enjoyed some refreshing lemonade from the Spa Beach Bistro, a grab-and-go cafe near the playground and splash pad.
When your kids are done exploring the giant playground, you can stroll one of the shaded walkways and enjoy the atmosphere, or head to the pier for views of the ocean. There are also lots of public art displays around the Pier district that are super unique and fun places to take a photo with kids.
Check to see if there will be any special events during your visit to the Pier that might offer live entertainment!
Water Works Park
As I mentioned above, Water Works Park was one of our stops on the Pirate Water Taxi, but we didn't actually play at the splash pad. From what we saw, though, it looked perfect for a hot day! There's a giant bucket that spills water on the kids intermittently and plenty of shady spots where parents and babies can sit.
I did read other parents recommending that you buy an adult beverage in a to-go cup at nearby Armature Works so that you can enjoy it while your kids play at the park, and there are plenty of picnic areas where you can relax in the shade and enjoy your food!
Fort De Soto State Park
Fort De Soto is consistently rated one of the most family-friendly beaches in the United States and is located near the Tampa area. We love the pirate ship playground there, which is absolutely perfect for toddlers. The playground is close to North Beach which is a particularly nice beach for toddlers and little kids with its soft white sand, tide pools, and gentle surf.
My oldest daughter really enjoyed exploring the fort and learning about some of the history behind it! We had so much fun wandering out onto the pier and looking for dolphins, too.
There are also hiking and biking trails around the park, so if you have older kids that like to be active you can find something fun to do here, too!
Ybor City
Ybor City was one area of Tampa we didn't end up having time to visit, but I'm keeping it on the list because it's actually a National Historic Landmark District! Ybor City is also known as the Cigar Capital of the World due to its tradition of making hand-rolled cigars. Many shops still carry on this tradition, and in some, you can even stop in to watch.
There's also a cultural element to Ybor City, as it is home to many Cuban immigrants. In fact, José Martí Park is technically owned by the Cuban people!
Ride an old-fashioned street car, take a cigar tour, or stop at the Tampa Baseball Museum!
Head to St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach is a popular beach, so if you plan to spend the day there, arrive early so you can find parking! This bustling beach town has public beaches along with hotel-owned beaches, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from when the kids need a break from the sun and sand.
Be sure to check out the Don Cesar, which is the giant pink hotel on the beach. You can't miss it!
Glazer Children's Museum
If you happen to visit during one of the rare rainy days in the Tampa area, spend the day at Glazer Children's Museum which has tons of interactive exhibits for kids to enjoy.
Kids can try out different jobs at the firehouse, the pizza place, Publix, or the children's hospital. They can discover the Art Smart area or the Engineer's Workshop. Toddlers can play in the Tugboat Tots area, too!
Entrance to the Children's Museum is $16 per person.
... And More! (that we didn't get to)
Glazer Children's Museum
Ybor City
Hyde Park Village
Tampa Bay Bucs Stadium
See a Stingrays Game
Tampa Streetcar
Where to Eat in Tampa Bay
Armature Works
Armature Works is a giant marketplace with eateries for every taste. You'll find everything from burgers to vegan to green juice. We ate at Empamama's and were not disappointed by the street tacos we tried. The kids ate chicken tenders from the kids' menu. It was honestly delicious, and we loved the communal seating and vibrant atmosphere because it meant our crazy kids wouldn't be disturbing other diners.
We chose to eat outdoors in the courtyard, but you could also find seats on the lawn with a beautiful view of the Hillsborough River and plenty of yard games to keep kids and adults entertained.
We weren't really thinking and ended up going on a Friday night, which means it was packed with young professionals grabbing happy hour and appetizers after work. I suspect if you picked a weeknight or went during the day it would be significantly less crowded. Despite the crowds, we absolutely loved the atmosphere and food!
The Sail
The Sail is a 360° waterfront restaurant outside the Tampa Convention Center. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a drink and a snack while we waited for the Pirate Water Taxi since we were about 30 minutes too early.
It looks like a bar (and does indeed serve alcohol), but it is absolutely family friendly. They serve food and even have a kids' menu. Also, it's the best view of the river and city to enjoy while kicking back with some food and a craft beer.
Ulele
We didn't actually eat at Ulele, but I've heard so many good things about it that I thought it deserves a mention here. It is literally right next to Armature Works and Water Works Park, and is known for its food cooked on a barbacoa grill.
Where to Stay in Tampa Bay
Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park
We actually stayed outside of Tampa Bay at the Hilton in St. Petersburg. This location actually served us really well, because it was a respite from the noise and bustle of the city at the end of long days of exploring. It's about a 20-minute drive from downtown Tampa Bay, but it is also a convenient location if you plan to add beach days or time exploring St. Petersburg and Clearwater to your trip.
I wrote an entire review of the hotel here complete with plenty of pictures and details. Check it out!
Read: Where to Stay in Tampa Bay: Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park Hotel Review
Don’t Forget to Pack…
swimsuits (Tampa's not too far from the beach)
sunscreen
stroller or double stroller for river walk if your kids are little
baby carrier (if you have a baby - I love the Lillebaby!)
cute/casual outfits (people were very well dressed in Tampa, but remember you'll be walking a lot! I love loose swing dresses - super comfy, but still polished)
umbrella or light rain jacket - it rains almost every afternoon in summer
Day Trips From Tampa Bay
Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto is touted as one of the most family-friendly beaches in Florida with its pirate ship playground and natural tidal pools for kids to splash in. Find pavilions, picnic tables, cafes, and more here. Don't forget to check out the historic fort, or even go camping!
St. Petersburg / Clearwater
Known for their incredible beaches, St. Pete and Clearwater are also fun getaways. The Clearwater Aquarium boasts the dolphin from Dolphin Tale and includes touch tanks, sharks, and otters. The Pier in St. Petersburg is awesome, too! Go to the sunset celebration at Pier 60 in Clearwater where you can shop for souvenirs along the pier, grab an ice cream at Beverly's Ice Cream shop, then enjoy nature's artistry as the sun drops below the horizon. Just a heads up: parking gets very expensive here, especially during popular times of the year. Try visiting on a weeknight.
LEGOLAND
If your kids are into LEGOs, make the drive to visit this theme park. Created just for kids, there is a water park, exciting rides, and entire detailed model cities built entirely from LEGOs! We loved staying at the LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel to really get immersed in the experience and enjoyed the free breakfast, the spacious pool, and the many free activities around the hotel, like a LEGO building class.
The park itself was very relaxed, and we found we didn't have to wait in many lines at all even during the height of summer.
Read Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND Theme Park with Kids and LEGOLAND Florida PIrate Island Hotel Review
Orlando
The theme park capital of the world is just an hour and a half drive from Tampa Bay. From Disney World to Universal Orlando to the Orlando Eye and countless museums, water parks, and zoos, Orlando has tons to do with kids. You can also check out Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort where you can swim with dolphins and snorkel!
Check out all of my Disney World Guides here, and How to Do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in One Day
Sarasota
Sarasota is bursting at the seams with kid-friendly attractions and activities. The Keys, tiki bars, an aquarium, and more make this city a great little beach getaway.
Read: Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids
>>> PIN THIS FOR LATER <<<
What did I miss? What's your favorite thing to do with kids in Tampa?
Emily Krause is a Wisconsin-based travel content creator who writes about exploring the world with kids.
On A Mom Explores you’ll find the best family travel destinations, vacation itineraries, Disney World and theme park tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
Read all About Me!
