Spring Break Activities in Tampa 2026
Spring break is here! Whether you're planning a Tampa Bay staycation or looking for activities to keep kids busy during the week off, this guide has you covered with the best spring break ideas for families.
Spring Break 2026 Dates
| School District | Spring Break Dates |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | March 16-20, 2026 |
| Pinellas County | March 23-27, 2026 |
| Pasco County | March 16-20, 2026 |
| Polk County | March 16-20, 2026 |
Private schools vary—check your school calendar!
Top Spring Break Activities by Category
🏖️ Beach Days
Spring is perfect beach weather! Hit these family-friendly beaches:
| Beach | Why Families Love It | Distance from Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Fort De Soto | Calm water, historic fort, camping | 35 min |
| Clearwater Beach | Classic beach experience, Pier 60 | 40 min |
| Honeymoon Island | Nature trails, shelling, less crowded | 50 min |
| Sand Key Park | Calm water, playground, less touristy | 45 min |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 AM to snag parking at popular beaches!
🎢 Theme Parks & Attractions
Spring break crowds are real—but manageable with planning:
| Attraction | Spring Break Crowd | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Busch Gardens | High | Go weekdays, arrive at opening |
| ZooTampa | Moderate | Mornings before 11 AM |
| Florida Aquarium | Moderate | Weekday afternoons |
| MOSI | Low-Moderate | Anytime |
| Glazer Children's Museum | Moderate | First thing or after 3 PM |
💦 Water Fun
Florida spring = splash pad season!
Free Splash Pads:
- Water Works Park - Riverwalk
- Curtis Hixon Park - Downtown
- Julian B. Lane Park - North Tampa
Water Parks:
- Adventure Island (opens mid-March for weekends)
- Legoland Water Park (Winter Haven)
- Rapids Water Park (day trip to West Palm)
🌲 Outdoor Adventures
Perfect weather for outdoor exploration:
| Activity | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking | Hillsborough River State Park | Rapids, trails, wildlife |
| Kayaking | Fort De Soto | Calm waters, dolphins |
| Biking | Pinellas Trail | 38-mile paved trail |
| Geocaching | Various parks | Free treasure hunting |
| Manatee viewing | Apollo Beach | Free at TECO Center |
🎨 Rainy Day Backups
Florida showers happen! Indoor alternatives:
- Indoor Playgrounds - Multiple locations
- Museums - MOSI, Glazer, Tampa Bay History
- Library Programs - Free activities
- Bowling - Splitsville, Bowlero
- Movies - AMC, Regal (discount matinees)
Spring Break Camps 2026
Don't want to take the whole week off work? Spring break camps to the rescue!
Museum & Educational Camps
| Camp | Ages | Cost | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glazer Children's Museum | 4-10 | $250-300/week | STEAM activities |
| MOSI | 5-12 | $200-275/week | Science experiments |
| Tampa Bay History Center | 6-12 | $200-250/week | History adventures |
| Florida Aquarium | 5-12 | $275-325/week | Marine science |
Sports & Recreation Camps
| Camp | Ages | Cost | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay YMCA | 5-14 | $150-200/week | General recreation |
| Hillsborough County Rec | 6-12 | $100-150/week | Sports, games, crafts |
| Elite Sports Factory | 6-14 | $200-275/week | Multi-sport |
| Local gymnastics gyms | 4-12 | $200-300/week | Gymnastics, tumbling |
Pro Tip: Register early! Spring break camps fill up by February.
Day Trip Ideas
Use spring break for a Tampa Bay adventure:
Under 1 Hour
| Destination | Drive Time | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| Weeki Wachee Springs | 1 hour | Mermaid shows, kayaking |
| Bok Tower Gardens | 1 hour | Gardens, singing tower |
| Crystal River | 1.5 hours | Swim with manatees |
1-2 Hours
| Destination | Drive Time | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Florida | 1 hour | Less crowded than Orlando |
| Orlando theme parks | 1.5 hours | Disney, Universal, SeaWorld |
| Sanibel Island | 2 hours | Shelling, nature |
Free Spring Break Activities
Keep kids busy without spending a fortune:
Completely Free
- Tampa Riverwalk - Walk, bike, splash pads
- Beach days - Fort De Soto, Honeymoon Island (just parking)
- Library programs - Story times, crafts, STEM
- Park exploration - Try a new park each day
- Geocaching - Free treasure hunting
- TECO Manatee Center - Free manatee viewing
- Lettuce Lake Park - Boardwalk, nature center
Budget-Friendly (Under $20/person)
- Movies - Matinee pricing
- Bowling - Early bird specials
- Mini golf - Multiple locations
- MOSI - Discount days available
- Ice cream tour - Visit different shops each day
Spring Break Survival Tips
Planning Tips
- ✅ Book camps/activities by February
- ✅ Make restaurant reservations for popular spots
- ✅ Check attraction hours (some extend for spring break)
- ✅ Pack sunscreen, hats, swimsuits daily
- ✅ Have indoor backup plans ready
Crowd Avoidance
- ✅ Arrive early at popular attractions (opening time)
- ✅ Visit beaches on weekdays, parks on weekends
- ✅ Use fast passes when available
- ✅ Consider less-popular alternatives
Budget Tips
- ✅ Pack lunches and snacks
- ✅ Check library for museum passes
- ✅ Look for spring break specials and coupons
- ✅ Mix paid activities with free days
Sample Spring Break Itineraries
Budget-Friendly Week
| Day | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Beach at Fort De Soto | $5 parking |
| Tuesday | Tampa Riverwalk + splash pads | Free |
| Wednesday | Library program + park | Free |
| Thursday | MOSI (library pass) | Free |
| Friday | Geocaching adventure | Free |
Total: ~$5 for parking!
Adventure Week
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Busch Gardens |
| Tuesday | Kayaking at Fort De Soto |
| Wednesday | Weeki Wachee day trip |
| Thursday | ZooTampa + Riverwalk |
| Friday | Beach day at Clearwater |
Mixed Activity Week
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Beach | Mini golf |
| Tuesday | Museum | Splash pad |
| Wednesday | Hiking | Library craft |
| Thursday | Aquarium | Riverwalk |
| Friday | Stay-at-home movie day | Ice cream tour |
Spring break in Tampa is amazing! With perfect weather, endless activities, and options for every budget, you can create lasting family memories. Start planning now to make the most of the week off!
🌴 Have a fantastic spring break, Tampa families! 🌴
Frequently Asked Questions
When is spring break 2026 in Tampa? ▾
Hillsborough County spring break 2026 is March 16-20. Pinellas County is March 23-27. Pasco County is March 16-20. Private schools vary, so check your school calendar.
What are free things to do in Tampa over spring break? ▾
Free spring break activities include Tampa Riverwalk, splash pads at Curtis Hixon and Water Works Park, library programs, beach days at Fort De Soto, and hiking at Hillsborough River State Park.
Are there spring break camps in Tampa? ▾
Yes! Museums, recreation centers, sports facilities, and private programs offer spring break camps. Popular options include Glazer Children's Museum, Tampa Bay YMCA, and local gymnastics/sports centers.
