Kids Activities in Tampa FL: The Complete Age-by-Age Guide
Looking for the perfect activity for your kids in Tampa? Whether you have an energetic toddler, curious school-ager, or hard-to-impress tween, this guide organizes Tampa's best kids activities by type and age so you can find exactly what you need.
Outdoor Activities for Kids
Parks & Playgrounds
Tampa has incredible parks with playgrounds for every age:
Best for Toddlers:
- Al Lopez Park - Shaded playground, StoryWalk around the lake
- Ballast Point Park - Bay views, gentle playground equipment
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park - Downtown, splash pad combo
Best for Big Kids:
- Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park - Adventure playground with climbing structures
- Water Works Park - Massive play area plus best splash pad in Tampa
- Rivercrest Park - Hidden gem with excellent play structures
For more playground details, see our outdoor playgrounds guide.
Nature Trails & Wildlife
Get kids outdoors exploring Tampa's natural side:
Lettuce Lake Park
Elevated boardwalk through cypress swamps—perfect for spotting alligators, birds, and turtles. Kayak and canoe rentals available.
- Ages: All ages (stroller-friendly boardwalk)
- Cost: $2 per vehicle
Hillsborough River State Park
Camping, rapids, swimming, and hiking. A true outdoor adventure!
- Ages: 3+
- Cost: $6 per vehicle
Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Paved 7+ mile trail perfect for family biking. Connects multiple parks.
- Ages: Biking 4+, stroller any age
- Cost: Free
Beaches Near Tampa
| Beach | Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ben T. Davis | 15 min | Quick beach visits, downtown views |
| Clearwater Beach | 35 min | Calm water, white sand (touristy) |
| Fort De Soto | 40 min | Nature, shelling, kayaking |
| Honeymoon Island | 45 min | Nature trails, quiet beaches |
For beach details, see our family beaches guide.
Splash Pads
All Tampa city splash pads are FREE:
- Water Works Park (largest, best features)
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (downtown)
- Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park (playground combo)
- Ballast Point Park (bay views)
See our complete water parks and splash pads guide.
Indoor Activities for Kids
Indoor Playgrounds
For Toddlers (Ages 0-5):
- Playgrounds of Tampa - Clean, coffee for parents
- Little Play Place - Sensory-friendly
- K Peas Place - Educational focus
For Big Kids (Ages 5-12):
- Kids Empire Citrus Park - Massive climbing structure
- Urban Air Adventure Park - Trampolines, ninja courses
- Sky Zone Tampa - Wall-to-wall trampolines
See our complete indoor playgrounds guide.
Museums
Glazer Children's Museum
Hands-on exploration for ages 0-10. Free first Tuesdays!
- Cost: $17.50 | Location: Downtown Tampa
MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
Interactive science exhibits, IMAX, and Kids in Charge! toddler area.
- Cost: $24.95 adults, $20.95 kids | Location: USF area
Tampa Bay History Center
Pirate ships, Florida history, and interactive exhibits.
- Cost: $16.95 adults, $12.95 kids | Location: Downtown/Riverwalk
For more museum details, see our Tampa museums guide.
Trampoline Parks
Burn energy at Tampa's trampoline parks:
- Sky Zone - $18-28 for 60-120 min
- Altitude Trampoline Park - $16-24/hour
- Flying Squirrel - $15-22/hour
- Urban Air - $20-35 (includes more than just trampolines)
Educational Activities
STEM & Science
MOSI - Science center with hands-on experiments and planetarium shows.
Glazer Children's Museum - Play-based learning through interactive exhibits.
The Florida Aquarium - Marine biology comes alive with touch tanks and animal encounters.
Libraries & Story Times
Tampa-Hillsborough County Library System offers FREE programs:
- Weekly story times for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
- STEAM activities and maker programs
- Summer reading programs with prizes
- Teen programs and homework help
Popular locations: John F. Germany Library (downtown), Jimmie B. Keel (North Tampa)
Activities by Age Group
Toddler Activities (Ages 1-3)
The best Tampa activities for your littlest ones:
Indoor Play:
- Playgrounds of Tampa - Safe, clean, coffee for parents
- Little Play Place - Sensory-friendly
- Glazer Children's Museum - Hands-on exploration
Outdoor Play:
- City splash pads (with swim diapers!)
- Al Lopez Park playground
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Classes & Programs:
- Library story times (free!)
- Mommy and me gymnastics
- Music Together classes
- Swim lessons
For more, see our toddler activities guide.
Activities for Big Kids (Ages 8-12)
For the harder-to-impress crowd:
Adventure Activities:
- Sky Zone/Urban Air trampoline parks
- Laser tag at Laser Ops
- Go-karts at K1 Speed
- Escape rooms (check age requirements)
STEM & Learning:
- MOSI exhibits and programs
- Coding camps and classes
- Robotics clubs
Sports & Active:
- Competitive sports leagues
- Martial arts classes
- Skateparks (multiple city parks)
Free Kids Activities in Tampa
Budget-friendly doesn't mean boring! Free activities include:
Always Free:
- Parks and playgrounds
- All city splash pads
- Library story times and programs
- Riverwalk walking and biking
- Nature trails and parks
Free Days:
- Glazer Children's Museum - First Tuesday 3-7 PM
- MOSI - Free for Bank of America cardholders (first weekend)
See our complete free activities guide.
Tampa is an incredible place to raise active, curious kids. With so many activities available, the hardest part is choosing what to do first! Bookmark this guide and explore something new each weekend.
