Rainy Day Activities in Tampa: 30+ Indoor Fun Ideas for Kids
Florida weather can be unpredictable, but rainy day activities in Tampa are plentiful! This comprehensive guide covers indoor activities for kids in Tampa so you're never stuck wondering what to do when afternoon thunderstorms or rainy days strike.
Why Tampa Needs Great Indoor Activities
Tampa's summer brings daily afternoon thunderstorms, and winter occasionally brings rainy days. Having a list of indoor things to do in Tampa with kids ensures you're always prepared for weather changes.
Top Indoor Play Centers
1. Urban Air Adventure Park
Locations: Wesley Chapel, Brandon
Best For: Ages 5-14, burning energy
Cost: $20-$35 per person
Activities:
- Trampoline courts
- Warrior course
- Climbing walls
- Sky rider coaster
- Dodgeball
- Foam pits
Rainy Day Bonus: Completely climate-controlled, never crowded on rainy weekdays.
Pro Tip: Check for rainy day specials on their website.
2. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Best For: Ages 4-12
Cost: $15-$25 per hour
Features:
- Open jump areas
- Foam zone
- Dodgeball courts
- Toddler time (specific hours)
Why It's Great: Kids get exercise indoors, parents can watch from seating area.
3. Pump It Up
Locations: Tampa, Brandon
Best For: Ages 2-10
Cost: $12-$15 per child
Highlights:
- Private inflatable arenas
- Age-appropriate sessions
- Climate-controlled
- Socks required
Perfect For: Younger children and toddlers.
4. Monkey Joe's
Locations: Brandon, Carrollwood
Best For: Ages 1-8
Cost: $10-$13 per child
Features:
- Inflatable play structures
- Toddler-specific areas
- Arcade games
- Snack bar
Rainy Day Advantage: Dedicated toddler area keeps little ones safe.
Museums & Educational Fun
5. Glazer Children's Museum
Location: Downtown Tampa
Cost: $17.50 per person
Best For: Ages 0-10
Interactive Exhibits:
- Water play area
- Pretend grocery store
- Fire station
- Veterinary clinic
- Art studio
- Engineering zone
Plan For: 2-3 hours of exploration
Free Day: Third Thursday evening 5-8 PM (gets crowded!)
6. Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
Location: North Tampa
Cost: $26.95 adults, $22.95 kids
Best For: Ages 5-14
Rainy Day Perfect:
- Completely indoors
- Planetarium shows
- Interactive science exhibits
- Kids in Charge play area
- Hands-on experiments
Plan For: 3-4 hours
7. Tampa Bay History Center
Location: Downtown Tampa
Cost: $14.95 adults, $9.95 kids
Best For: Ages 8+
Features:
- Florida history exhibits
- Interactive displays
- Scavenger hunts for kids
- Pirate and treasure exhibits
Combine With: Riverwalk walk if rain stops
Free Day: First Saturday of month
8. Tampa Museum of Art
Location: Downtown Tampa
Cost: $15 adults, free for kids 6 and under
Best For: Ages 6+
Family Programs:
- Art carts with activities
- Family days (monthly)
- Gallery guides for kids
- Hands-on art making
Rainy Day Bonus: Quiet, calm atmosphere
Creative & Artistic Activities
9. The Pottery Patch
Location: South Tampa
Cost: $10-$30 per person (pottery piece cost)
Best For: Ages 5+
Activity:
- Paint ceramic pieces
- All supplies included
- Pieces fired and ready in a week
- Take-home art
Perfect For: Calm, creative rainy day activity
10. Color Me Mine
Locations: Multiple Tampa Bay locations
Cost: Pottery cost + $8 studio fee
Best For: Ages 4+
Why Kids Love It:
- Choose from hundreds of pieces
- Paint at your own pace
- No artistic skill needed
- Permanent keepsake
11. Painting with a Twist
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Cost: $30-$40 per person
Best For: Ages 7+ (family sessions)
Experience:
- Guided painting class
- All supplies provided
- Take home canvas
- 2-hour session
Book Ahead: Family sessions fill up
12. Michaels/AC Moore Craft Classes
Locations: Throughout Tampa
Cost: $3-$15 per project
Best For: All ages
Activities:
- Kids craft classes
- Seasonal projects
- Drop-in crafting
- Take-home projects
Check: Store websites for class schedules
Entertainment Venues
13. Main Event
Locations: Brandon, Wesley Chapel
Cost: $25-$35 per person
Best For: Ages 8+
Activities:
- Bowling
- Laser tag
- Arcade games
- Gravity ropes course
- Billiards
All-Inclusive: Packages include multiple activities
14. Pinstripes
Location: South Tampa (Westshore)
Cost: $30-$40 per person
Best For: Ages 6+
Features:
- Bowling
- Bocce
- Italian bistro
- Upscale atmosphere
Perfect For: Families wanting nicer experience
15. iT'Z Family Food & Fun
Location: Brandon
Cost: $20-$25 per person
Best For: Ages 5-12
Includes:
- Unlimited arcade
- Bumper cars
- Bowling
- Buffet
Rainy Day Deal: Check for specials
16. Dave & Buster's
Location: Tampa (Westshore)
Cost: $20-$35 per person
Best For: Ages 10+
Activities:
- Arcade games
- Virtual reality
- Sports viewing
- Full restaurant
Teens Love: Modern games and VR experiences
Movie Theaters
17. AMC Theaters
Locations: Multiple Tampa locations
Cost: $8-$15 per ticket
Best For: All ages
Rainy Day Classic:
- Latest family movies
- Comfortable seating
- Concessions
- Matinee pricing
Tip: Check for discount days (often Tuesdays)
18. Tampa Theatre
Location: Downtown Tampa
Cost: $11-$13 per ticket
Best For: Ages 6+ (classic movies)
Unique Experience:
- Historic theater
- Classic films
- Special family showings
- Beautiful architecture
Special: Summer family film series
Shopping with Play
19. IKEA
Location: Ybor City
Cost: Free (Småland play area)
Best For: Ages 3-6
Features:
- Småland supervised play (60 min)
- Showroom exploration
- Affordable restaurant
- Kids furniture section to test
Parents Can: Shop or relax in café
20. Bass Pro Shops
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
Best For: All ages
Activities:
- Aquariums to view
- Wildlife displays
- Archery range
- Free kids workshops (weekends)
Rainy Day Bonus: Large indoor space to explore
21. Apple Store - Today at Apple
Location: International Plaza
Cost: Free
Best For: Ages 8+
Programs:
- Coding classes
- Photography workshops
- Creative sessions
- Tech learning
Book: Online in advance
Active Indoor Options
22. Sparkles Skating Center
Location: Tampa
Cost: $12-$18 per person
Best For: Ages 5-12
Features:
- Roller skating
- Skate rental included
- Music and lights
- Snack bar
Rainy Day Fun: Classic indoor activity
23. Laser Tag of Tampa
Location: Tampa
Cost: $20-$30 per person
Best For: Ages 7+
Activity:
- Multiple laser tag games
- Team competitions
- High-energy fun
- Climate-controlled
Perfect For: Burning energy indoors
24. Rock Climbing Gyms
Locations: Vertical Ventures, Aiguille Rock Climbing
Cost: $15-$25 per person
Best For: Ages 6+
Features:
- Indoor climbing walls
- Bouldering areas
- Instruction available
- Safety equipment provided
Great For: Adventurous families
Library Programs
25. Tampa-Hillsborough County Libraries
Locations: 26 branches
Cost: Free
Best For: All ages
Rainy Day Programs:
- Story time
- Craft sessions
- STEM activities
- Movie screenings
- Teen programs
Check: Individual library calendars for schedules
Bonus: Free books, movies, and games to borrow
Unique Indoor Experiences
26. The Florida Aquarium
Location: Downtown Tampa
Cost: $31.95 adults, $26.95 kids
Best For: Ages 3+
Highlights:
- Indoor marine exhibits
- Touch tanks
- Penguin encounters
- Coral reef tunnel
- Stingray feeding
Plan For: 2-3 hours
Rainy Day Perfect: Completely indoors
27. Escape Rooms
Locations: Various Tampa locations
Cost: $25-$35 per person
Best For: Ages 10+ (family-friendly rooms)
Experience:
- Puzzle-solving challenges
- Team building
- Themed rooms
- 60-minute adventures
Popular: Trending activity for tweens/teens
28. Cooking Classes
Locations: Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma
Cost: $30-$65 per person
Best For: Ages 8+
Activities:
- Hands-on cooking
- Learn new skills
- Eat what you make
- Take home recipes
Book Ahead: Classes fill quickly
Budget-Friendly Rainy Day Ideas
29. Mall Play Areas
Locations: International Plaza, Westshore Plaza
Cost: Free
Best For: Toddlers and preschoolers
Features:
- Soft play structures
- Climbing equipment
- Safe, enclosed areas
- Climate-controlled
Combine With: Window shopping, food court lunch
30. Home Activities
Cost: Free or minimal
Best For: All ages
Ideas:
- Build blanket forts
- Indoor scavenger hunt
- Baking projects
- Board games and puzzles
- Arts and crafts
- Movie marathon
- Dance party
- Science experiments
Rainy Day Planning Tips
Be Prepared
Keep a Rainy Day Kit:
- List of indoor activities
- Craft supplies at home
- Board games ready
- Movie list
- Snacks prepared
Check Weather:
- Morning forecast
- Radar apps
- Plan backup activities
Make It Special
Turn Rain into Fun:
- Call it an "adventure day"
- Let kids choose activity
- Make special treats
- Take photos
- Create rainy day traditions
Save Money
Budget Tips:
- Look for rainy day specials
- Use membership passes
- Visit free attractions
- Pack snacks and drinks
- Choose off-peak times
Age-Specific Recommendations
Toddlers (1-3)
- Monkey Joe's
- Glazer Children's Museum
- Mall play areas
- Library story time
- Home activities
Preschool (4-5)
- Pump It Up
- Glazer Children's Museum
- Pottery painting
- IKEA Småland
- Movies
Elementary (6-10)
- Urban Air
- MOSI
- Bowling
- Laser tag
- Escape rooms (easier ones)
Tweens/Teens (11+)
- Main Event
- Dave & Buster's
- Escape rooms
- Rock climbing
- Cooking classes
Related Guides
- Best Indoor Play in Tampa (Play Centers)
- Indoor Playgrounds for Rainy Days
- Free Things to Do in Tampa with Kids
- Tampa Museums & Zoos for Families
- Tampa Weekend Events for Families
- Tampa Activities Hub - Complete directory of family activities
Conclusion
Don't let rain dampen your Tampa family fun! With 30+ indoor activities ranging from museums and play centers to creative studios and entertainment venues, you'll never run out of rainy day ideas in Tampa.
Ready for your next rainy day? Save this list, bookmark your favorites, and turn those gray skies into opportunities for indoor adventures! Explore more year-round fun in our Tampa activities guide.
Pro Tip: Create a "Rainy Day Jar" with activity ideas written on popsicle sticks. Let kids draw one when rain arrives for instant decision-making!
