🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in Tampa, FL

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Tampa — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🎡

The Florida Aquarium

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Stroller-friendly throughout; rent a stroller at the entrance for $6. Arrive early to beat crowds at the touch tanks. Th...

📌

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Full DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Purchase tickets online to save money and skip the ticket counter. Sesame Street Safari of Fun is perfect for little one...

🎡

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Stroller rentals available at the entrance. Arrive right at 9am to catch feeding times. The water play area is excellent...

🏛️

Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

The Kids in Charge! exhibit is tailor-made for ages 2-10. Stroller-friendly on all floors with elevators. IMAX films are...

🏛️

Glazer Children's Museum

Half DayAges 08+Stroller OK

Ideal for ages 0-7; exhibits include a water room, grocery store, and construction zone. Leave stroller at the entrance ...

📌

Adventure Island Water Park

Full DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Bring water shoes — surfaces get very hot in summer. The Fabian's Funport area is perfect for little ones with shallow s...

📌

Clearwater Beach

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

About 45 minutes from downtown Tampa. The water is calm and shallow — ideal for young children. Parking fills up fast; a...

📌

Tampa Riverwalk

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Completely flat and stroller-friendly along the Hillsborough River. The 2.6-mile path connects museums, parks, and resta...

🌳

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free splash pad open in summer months — bring towels and a change of clothes. Great playground equipment for ages 2-10. ...

🌳

Rivercrest Park

1–2 hoursAges 010+Stroller OK

A beloved neighborhood park along the Hillsborough River with a large playground. Plenty of shade trees for hot days. Fr...

🏛️

Tampa Museum of Art

2–4 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Free on Thursday evenings after 5pm — great for families. Stroller-friendly with elevators. The outdoor sculpture garden...

🏛️

Henry B. Plant Museum

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Located in the ornate Tampa Bay Hotel building on UT campus. Stroller accessible with ramps. The Victorian-era exhibits ...

📌

Ybor City Historic District

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Visit in the morning when it's quiet and family-friendly. The street chickens are a fun surprise for kids! Stroller-frie...

🏛️

Ybor City Museum State Park

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

A small but interesting museum about the cigar-making heritage of Tampa. Admission is very affordable. Stroller-friendly...

📌

Hillsborough River State Park

Half DayAges 312+

About 20 minutes north of Tampa. Canoe and kayak rentals available for families — guided tours are great for kids 5+. Th...

🌳

Philippe Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful waterfront park on Old Tampa Bay with a playground and picnic areas. Great for crabbing and fishing with older...

📌

De Soto National Memorial

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Free admission — great budget option. The beach trail is short and stroller-friendly. Living history demonstrations in w...

📌

Sunken Gardens

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

One of Florida's oldest roadside attractions in St. Petersburg (40 min from Tampa). Flamingos and lush gardens delight y...

📌

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

In St. Pete (~40 min from Tampa). Paved and unpaved trails; paved Boardwalk Loop is stroller-friendly. Look for bald eag...

📌

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

About 45 minutes from Tampa. Kids love the working sponge boats and the chance to buy sponges. Dolphin sightseeing cruis...

📌

Caladesi Island State Park

Half DayAges 012+

Accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island (~50 min from Tampa). One of Florida's most pristine beaches — calm, clear wat...

📌

Lettuce Lake Regional Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

A great budget nature outing — $2 vehicle entry fee. The elevated boardwalk over the cypress swamp is the highlight and ...

🥾

Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve

2–4 hoursAges 312+

Flat trail along the Hillsborough River — manageable for families. Look for river otters, osprey, and deer. Trail is mos...

🏛️

Tampa Bay History Center

2–4 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Stroller-friendly with elevators between all floors. The Exploring Florida room has interactive exhibits kids love. Loca...

📌

Magic Carpet Golf Clearwater

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Classic Florida mini-golf just a short walk from Clearwater Beach. Affordable and great for all ages including toddlers....

🍕

Sparkman Wharf

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Outdoor waterfront food hall with a wide variety of vendors — something for every picky eater. Kids love the open outdoo...

🍕

Columbia Restaurant

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Florida's oldest restaurant (est. 1905) — a true Tampa tradition. Tableside salad preparation fascinates kids. High chai...

🍕

Armature Works

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Trendy food hall in a historic building on the Riverwalk. Large, open space with diverse food options. Patio along the r...

🍕

Bern's Steak House

2–4 hoursAges 812+Stroller OK

Tampa icon for a special family dinner; not ideal for toddlers but great for kids 8+. The free kitchen and wine cellar t...

🍕

Ciccio's Water Street

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Casual, family-friendly lunch option in the Water Street Tampa district. Kids menu available. Easy parking in Water Stre...

🍕

Ulele Restaurant

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Charming restaurant in a renovated 1903 pumping station on the Riverwalk. Large outdoor patio by the river is perfect fo...

🍕

Taco Bus

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Tampa institution serving authentic Mexican street food 24/7. Kids love the casual bus-themed atmosphere. Budget-friendl...

🍕

Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Quirky, family-beloved brunch spot in Seminole Heights. The folk art decor fascinates children. Arrive early on weekends...

🌳

John Chestnut Sr. Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Excellent family park on Lake Tarpon (~35 min from Tampa). Large playground, fishing pier, and kayak launch. Paved trail...

🌳

Riviera Park and Beach

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

A hidden gem on Tampa Bay in Oldsmar (~20 min from Tampa). Small sandy beach with very calm shallow water — perfect for ...

📌

Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays Game)

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Indoor domed stadium is air-conditioned — perfect for hot Florida days. Kids under 2 free on a lap. The Touch Tank in ri...

📌

Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning Game)

Half DayAges 312+Stroller OK

World-class arena hosting NHL hockey and concerts. Kids under 3 free on a lap. Family sections available with purchase. ...

📌

TECO Line Streetcar System

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Free historic streetcar connecting downtown Tampa to Ybor City. Kids adore riding the vintage cars. Stroller accessible ...

📌

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Check the calendar for Broadway touring productions and family-friendly shows. Seats are comfortable and the venue is we...

📌

Florida Botanical Gardens

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free admission — one of the best deals in the area (~30 min from Tampa). Paved paths are completely stroller-friendly. T...

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Packing Tips for Tampa
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
📌
Tampa Riverwalk
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🎡
The Florida Aquarium
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
📌
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Tampa?

Top family activities include The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Glazer Children's Museum. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Tampa good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Tampa are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Tampa?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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