TampaFamilyGuide.com

   Over 150 life-sized dinosaurs in lush natural surroundings, Museum, playground & picnic area, Unique Gift Shop Items - to wear, study or play with, Family fun & educational experiences, Kid & "dog friendly" environment, Open every day of the year!, Open every day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (December & January open until 5 p.m.) (less) ... (more)

Experience the Fun and Adventure of Flight   The Fantasy of Flight museum is located midway between Tampa and Orlando in Polk City, just off the I-4 interstate at Exit 44, about 30 minutes drive from the Walt Disney World Resort. As you approach the exit on I-4, just look out for the Douglas DC-3 "taking off" by the side of the road and then the distinctive red and white checkerboard water tower by the airfield. (less) ... (more)

Find the Magic Contained in Water   Discover over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals which represents over 600 different species while at this aquarium that is among the top aquariums in the world. Visitors will see animals such as sharks, otters, gators, birds, and exotic sea dragons plus enjoy daily dive shows and animal encounters while visiting this aquarium.

   LEGOLAND Florida will be the biggest LEGOLAND Park ever at opening and will offer a unique mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including spectacular LEGO models and other interactive elements for the whole family to enjoy together.

City of Mermaids   Visit Weeki Wachee Springs, the only home of the live mermaids! This attraction caters to families, and offers a daily Little Mermaid show as well as a bird show. In addition, a boat takes people down the river, while a sandy beach area is available for those who simply want to relax in the sun. Five water slides offer splashin' good times at the Buccaneer Bay Waterpark. There's also a kiddie pool and a small playground for the little ones. When lunchtime rolls around, guests can grab a burger fresh off the grill and order an ice-cold soda from the little refreshment nook onsite. (less) ... (more)

Florida State Fairgrounds, Saturday, March 10, 2012   BRING YOUR PET to the Tampa Bay Pet Expo and meet Shorty Rossi, star of "Pit Boss" on Animal Planet! This event takes place Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 10AM to 6PM, INDOORS at The Florida State Fairgrounds with FREE admission. You're welcome to BRING YOUR DOG or your bird or even your lizard -- just make sure that you have proof of current age-appropriate immunizations (if applicable) and that your canine companion is on a non-retractable lead. Check out a special appearance by SHORTY ROSSI (and his pit bull, Hercules), star of 'PIT BOSS' on Animal Planet, 125 + PET-FRIENDLY EXHIBITORS and RESCUE GROUPS, see live demonstrations in AGILITY, OBEDIENCE TRAINING, PET CARE & ACTIVISM, great giveaways and PRIZES, amazing DISCOUNTS on your favorite pet products, talent contest and COSTUME CONTEST, fabulous RETAILERS and much more FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! And if you're looking to add a new pet to your family, a MEGA-ADOPTION event sponsored by Banfield Pet Hospitals will have more than 300 pets available for adoption. Plus we will be offering LOW-COST IMMUNIZATIONS and MICROCHIPPING for the furry friends that need them! If you're a pet owner -- or want to be one -- you'll find everything you need under one roof, so that you can PLAY, SHOP, LEARN OR ADOPT in AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT. For more information, visit us at TampaBayPetExpo.com or join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/tampabaypetexpo), shoot us an email at expo@tampabaypetexpo.com or give us a call at 800-977-3609. View our website for directions, vaccination pricing, exhibitor list, entertainment schedules and more. Admission is FREE. See you there! (less) ... (more)

Family, Food, and Fun!   Celebration Stations game room features over one hundred video and redemption games. Our game selection offers something for everyone including air hockey, pool tables, driving games,alley rollers,interactive games,prize cranes and more.

Find the Magic Contained in Water   Discover over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals which represents over 600 different species while at this aquarium that is among the top aquariums in the world. Visitors will see animals such as sharks, otters, gators, birds, and exotic sea dragons plus enjoy daily dive shows and animal encounters while visiting this aquarium.

   Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry, affectionately known as MOSI, is the largest science center in the south at over 300,000 square feet. In addition to being home to Florida's only IMAX Dome Theatre, MOSI also boasts Kids in Charge!, the newest and largest children's science center in the United States. Situated on a 74-acre plot of land across the street from the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida, MOSI's permanent exhibits include Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest; The Amazing You, a presentation on medical health sponsored by Metropolitan Life Foundation, and Our Place in the Universe. (less) ... (more)

   Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is today ranked the number-one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Parents Magazine) and recognized by the State of Florida as a center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB 457). The region's only dedicated zoological garden, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo was designed to enhance quality of life in greater Tampa Bay as an affordable leisure destination and center for education and endangered species conservation. Natural outdoor exhibits for more than 1,700 animals from Florida and similar habitats include a Native Florida Wildlife Center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa. The Zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits designed to give you a WILD experience. The Florida Environmental Education Center ( Zoo School) serves more than 147,000 children annually. Programs offered are summer and holiday camps, daycare, preschool, and kindergarten . Zoo Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Subject to close for special events or inclement weather. (less) ... (more)

Outdoor Laser Tag   Games 2U is a state-of-the art Mobile Video Game Theater with Outdoor Laser Tag THAT COMES TO YOU! From birthday parties to community and corporate events to fund raisers, Games 2U brings people together like never before. Its an exciting, innovative, and unique way to entertain and engage people of All AGES, kids and adults alike.Games 2U delivers the ULTIMATE Video Game & Outdoor Laser Tag Adventure to Your Doorstep!! We cover the Greater Lakeland area, Greater Brandon area and properties East of I-75. (less) ... (more)

School of Dance and Performing Arts   Our mission is to ensure a proper, fulfilling performing arts educational experience for all ages. All students will be respected & empowered to be the best performer they can be. We offer tap, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, acting, stretch/strengthen & conditioning, violin, piano & singing classes for ages 3 through adults. Our teachers are here for you: our student. We guarantee you will flourish as a performer and enjoy every step of the way to that stage. Our 800 sq ft dance studio features NEW professional sprung floors to ensure your safety and agility throughout your learning experience. (less) ... (more)

Let's Get Creative!   Kelly Kits are all inclusive art curriculum kits designed for children 18 months to 10 yrs old. They are art-play experiences in painting, drawing, sculpting, print-making, and collage. Kelly Kits strengthen fine motor skills, develop pre-writing skills, focus on the experience - not the "result", develop language, color recognition, math concepts, provide a unique bonding experience for caregiver and child, build confidence and self-esteem, encourage creative "color-outside-of-the-lines" thinking, cause & effect logic, and educate parents about how children learn through explorative play with an emphasis that there is no "right way" to do something. "Make yours like mine" is highly discouraged. Most of all Kelly Kits are fun! Kelly Kits encourage art play using a wide variety of creative tools & materials beyond what coloring books can offer. The Original Kelly Kit comes complete with one set of five unique activities that cover the five art disciplines: painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking, & collage. Each kit contains all of the tools & materials needed for the activities, the user just needs access to a kitchen! To increase functionality for homeschooling parents, each activity includes an instruction card with an enrichment idea to adapt the art activity to a school lesson. Kelly Kits are designed to encourage creativity & teach! (less) ... (more)