# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Tampa: the parent guide

> Tampa is easy with little kids: a top children’s museum on the river, a big zoo, the Riverwalk and free storytimes at libraries across Hillsborough County.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 15 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### Ulele (Tampa Heights, 1810 N. Highland Ave.)

- A Riverwalk restaurant inspired by Florida’s waters and land, right next to the Water Works Park playground and splash pad.
- Price level: $$$
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri–Sat 11am–11pm
- Good for: Lunch by the river, then the playground next door.
- Skip if: you need a quick bite; it’s a sit-down restaurant and gets busy.
- Website: https://www.ulele.com/

### Willa’s (Tampa)

- An all-day breakfast-and-lunch spot with a real kids’ menu: rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, burgers and grilled cheese with fries or fruit.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $9–$12 (with fries or fruit); kids’ breakfast items $6
- Hours: Daily 8am–3pm
- Good for: A family brunch any day of the week.
- Skip if: you want dinner; it closes at 3pm.
- Price source: https://www.willastampa.com/menus/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.willastampa.com/

## Indoor play and rainy days

### Glazer Children’s Museum (Downtown, by Curtis Hixon Park)

- Ranked among the country’s top children’s museums, with room to climb, build and imagine.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $27.95; adults $27.95; Babies under 1 free. Florida residents: $22.95 with a Florida ID · General admission, same price for kids and adults
- Hours: Tue–Sun 9:30am–5pm
- Good for: A full morning of hands-on play; babies under 1 are free.
- Skip if: it’s a regular Monday during the school year; check the open-Monday list.
- Price source: https://glazermuseum.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://glazermuseum.org/

### John F. Germany Public Library (Downtown, 900 N. Ashley Dr.)

- The main library, with baby times and Saturday science programs.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Free storytimes downtown.
- Skip if: you need weekend storytimes; most run on weekdays.
- Website: https://hcplc.org/locations/john-f-germany

### Playgrounds of Tampa (South Tampa, 4535 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.)

- A family-owned indoor playground with a reserved 0–3 area and a café for parents.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $14.95 (0–2); $17.95 (3–12); adults $2
- Hours: Generally weekdays 9:30am–6:30pm, weekends 9am–5pm; closed Wednesdays during the school year
- Good for: A rainy morning; Toddler Tuesday class is at 10:30.
- Skip if: it’s a Wednesday during the school year; it’s closed for cleaning.
- Price source: https://www.playgroundsoftampa.com/open-play/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.playgroundsoftampa.com/

### Kids Empire Tampa Citrus Park (Citrus Park mall, 8021 Citrus Park Dr.)

- A big indoor playground open every day, including holidays, with a toddler zone of mini slides, soft blocks and a small ball pit for ages 1–3.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $19.90 all day; 2 adults free per child; Under 1 free with a paying sibling
- Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri–Sun 10am–10pm
- Good for: A long rainy or too-hot day, open late on weekends.
- Skip if: you forgot socks; everyone needs them.
- Price source: https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-tampa-citrus-park (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-tampa-citrus-park

## Parks and outdoor play

### ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Lowry Park)

- A big zoo with Florida wildlife and manatees.
- Price level: $$$
- Hours: 9:30am–5pm
- Good for: A full morning of animals.
- Skip if: it’s a blockout date for discount tickets; check first.
- Website: https://zootampa.org/

### Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Downtown)

- The downtown riverfront park with a playground and the Riverwalk.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Free riverfront play next to the children’s museum.
- Skip if: it’s midday in summer.
- Website: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/curtis-hixon

### Water Works Park (Tampa Heights, 1710 N. Highland Ave.)

- A free riverfront park with a playground, a splash pad with a giant bucket drop, and shaded picnic tables.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 7am–10pm
- Good for: Splash pad and playground on the Riverwalk.
- Skip if: it’s a hot afternoon; go early or bring a hat.
- Price source: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/waterworks (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/waterworks

### Lettuce Lake Conservation Park (6920 E. Fletcher Ave.)

- A county nature park with a 1.25-mile paved trail, a boardwalk and two playgrounds built in 2024 with adaptive and sensory equipment and an animal medallion scavenger hunt.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids $2 per vehicle, cash (up to 8 people)
- Hours: Daily 8am–6pm (fall and winter)
- Good for: A nature-and-playground morning for $2 a car.
- Skip if: you want the full boardwalk or the tower; parts are closed for repair.
- Price source: https://hcfl.gov/locations/lettuce-lake-conservation-park (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://hcfl.gov/locations/lettuce-lake-conservation-park

### Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park (Downtown)

- A riverfront park with a fenced play cove for ages 2–12 and a splash pad.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 7am–10pm
- Good for: A free fenced playground with a toddler who bolts.
- Skip if: you need shade at midday in summer; go early.
- Price source: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/riverfrontpark (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/riverfrontpark

## Museums, zoos and big outings

### The Florida Aquarium (Channel District, downtown)

- Tampa’s big aquarium in the Channel District; kids 2 and under are free (add them to online orders), and prices vary by date.
- Price level: $$$
- Tickets: Children 2 and under free
- Hours: Daily 9am–5pm (Aug–Dec)
- Good for: A cool indoor morning with a baby or preschooler.
- Skip if: it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://www.flaquarium.org/visit/visitor-information/faqs/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.flaquarium.org/

### MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) (Tampa)

- A hands-on science museum open every day, with a Saunders Planetarium show included in admission and free parking.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: Free parking
- Hours: Daily 10am–5pm
- Good for: A rainy-day science morning with preschoolers and up.
- Skip if: it’s Nov 2 and you want the planetarium; it’s closed for maintenance that day.
- Price source: https://mosi.org/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://mosi.org/

### Tampa Museum of Art (Downtown)

- The city’s art museum, free for kids 6 and under every day, with pay-as-you-will admission Thursdays 4–8pm.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $5 (K–12 students); adults $25; Children 6 and under free
- Hours: Mon–Wed and Fri–Sun 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm
- Good for: A free-for-little-ones museum hour.
- Skip if: your budget is tight on a weekend; Thursday evenings are pay-as-you-will.
- Price source: https://tampamuseum.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://tampamuseum.org/

### Henry B. Plant Museum (University of Tampa)

- A historic museum at the University of Tampa; babies are free and kids 4–12 are $7.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids 4–12 $7; adults $12; Infants free
- Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon
- Good for: A short look with a baby in a carrier.
- Skip if: you’re bringing a stroller; strollers aren’t allowed inside.
- Price source: https://www.plantmuseum.com/discover/visit-accessibility (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.plantmuseum.com/

## Free things to do

- John F. Germany Public Library
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
- Water Works Park
- Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park

## Best for under 3s

- **Glazer Children’s Museum**: Under 1 free.
- **John F. Germany Public Library**: Baby Time.
- **Water Works Park**: A playground and splash pad for little ones.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Baby Time** (Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library): Thursdays at 2pm · 78th Street Community Library. Bond with your baby through books, bouncy rhymes, and songs in this lapsit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development. https://hcplc.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Time** (Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library): Tuesdays at 2pm · Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library. Bond with your baby through books, bouncy rhymes, and songs in this lapsit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development. https://hcplc.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Time** (Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library): Tuesdays at 10:15am and 11am · Austin Davis Public Library. Bond with your baby through books, bouncy rhymes, and songs in this lapsit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development. https://hcplc.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Time** (Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library): Mondays at 10:15am and 11am · Brandon Regional Library. Bond with your baby through books, bouncy rhymes, and songs in this lapsit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development. https://hcplc.libnet.info/events
- **American Sign Language Classes for Babies (Infants up to 36 Months)** (St. Petersburg Library System): Tuesdays at 5:30pm · President Barack Obama Main Library - 3745 9th Ave. N. T his program is limited to 50 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. https://splibraries.libcal.com/calendar/events?cid=2830&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=2830&ct=26217&inc=0

### Babies get in free

- **Glazer Children’s Museum**: Babies under 1 free. https://glazermuseum.org/visit/
- **Kids Empire Tampa Citrus Park**: Under 1 free with a paying sibling. https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-tampa-citrus-park
- **The Florida Aquarium**: Children 2 and under free. https://www.flaquarium.org/visit/visitor-information/faqs/

## Library storytimes

- **Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library**: Weekday mornings at most branches. Free Baby Time, Toddler Time and Family Story Time at libraries across Hillsborough County. https://hcplc.org/
- **St. Petersburg Library System**: Weekly at 6 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include American Sign Language Classes for Babies (Infants up to 36 Months) (Tuesdays 5:30pm, President Barack Obama Main Library - 3745 9th Ave. N) and Little Learners - Early Literacy Program (Ages 1 - 3 with Caregiver) (Mondays 9:30am, West Community Library - 6700 8th Ave. N), with more at James Weldon Johnson Community Library - 1059 18th Ave. S, Mirror Lake Library - 280 5th St. N, North Community Library - 861 70th Ave. N and South Community Library - 2300 Roy Hanna Dr. S. https://splibraries.libcal.com/calendar/events?cid=2830&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=2830&ct=26217&inc=0


## Happening this week

- **Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat** (Sat 4–8:30pm) at Cotanchobee Park, Tampa Riverwalk. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/#e-riverwalk_trick_or_treat
- **Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium** (9am–5pm) at The Florida Aquarium. Aquarium admission; kids in costume get in free with a paid parent or guardian (ticket window only); 2 and under always free. https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/#e-guppyween_florida_aquarium
- **Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa** (4–10pm) at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Included for everyone with a Zoo Fun ticket or zoo membership; Zoo Fun tickets are blocked out Oct 24 (upgrade tickets sold). https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/#e-creatures_of_the_night_zootampa
- **A Night at the Museum at the Tampa Bay History Center** (Sat 2–6:30pm) at Tampa Bay History Center. $20 per person, timed entry 2–5pm; members save 15%. https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/#e-night_at_the_museum_tampa_bay_history_center
- **Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa** (Sun 5–6:30pm) at First Presbyterian Church of Tampa. Free; optional dinner pre-order by Oct 21. https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/#e-trunk_or_treat_first_pres_tampa

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in Tampa: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Tampa for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is the Glazer Children’s Museum good for toddlers?
Yes. It’s built for hands-on play, and babies under 1 are free.

### Are there free things to do with little kids in Tampa?
Yes. John F. Germany Public Library, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Water Works Park and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park are free or have a free entry. See [the free list](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/guide/#free).

### What can we do in Tampa on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Glazer Children’s Museum, John F. Germany Public Library, Playgrounds of Tampa and Kids Empire Tampa Citrus Park. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.

### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Tampa?
Glazer Children’s Museum: Under 1 free. John F. Germany Public Library: Baby Time. Water Works Park is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Kids Empire Tampa Citrus Park (Under 1 free with a paying sibling), The Florida Aquarium (Children 2 and under free), Tampa Museum of Art (Children 6 and under free) and Henry B. Plant Museum (Infants free). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/guide/#under3).

### Where are the free storytimes in Tampa?
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library: Weekday mornings at most branches. St. Petersburg Library System: Weekly at 6 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Tampa weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/).

### How do you choose the places in the Tampa guide?
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 11 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).

### How much is the Glazer Children’s Museum for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Babies under 1 free; kids: $27.95; adults: $27.95 (general admission, same price for kids and adults). Deals: Florida residents: $22.95 with a Florida ID. We checked this on [its official site](https://glazermuseum.org/visit/) on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.