Tampa, Florida · Family Activities

Tampa With Kids: Five Days Out They Will Talk About All Year

From theme parks to marine rescues and world-class zoos, Tampa's family scene is packed with adventure. Bookmark this guide so you don't miss the best family activities in Tampa, Florida on your next visit!

See Our Tampa Homes Check Dates

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 884-4386

Tampa's crown jewel of family entertainment blends heart-pounding roller coasters with authentic African wildlife, all in the same park. Ride the Serengeti Flyer, brave SheiKra's 200-foot drop, or let the kids loose in Sesame Street Safari of Fun while you kick back with a cold drink in the shade. The 65-acre Serengeti Plain is home to giraffes, zebras, and elephants roaming freely, and you can tour it by skyride, train, or open-air truck. The newest addition, Iron Gwazi, is one of the tallest and fastest hybrid coasters in the world. Plan for a full day, there's no way to fit it all into just a few hours.

Visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

The Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 273-4000

Right on Tampa's Channelside waterfront, The Florida Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 aquatic animals, from sand tiger sharks and sea turtles to jellyfish, stingrays, and colorful coral reef fish. The immersive galleries walk you through Florida's full aquatic ecosystem, from freshwater springs all the way to the open ocean. Kids go absolutely wild for the outdoor Splash Pad water play area, and the dive shows let you watch scuba divers hand-feed the animals up close. It's an easy walk from the Tampa Riverwalk for a post-visit stroll along the waterfront.

Visit the Florida Aquarium

Where You'll Sleep

Two Big Homes Minutes From All of It

Sixteen real beds, a heated pool steaming at sunrise and a pickleball court out back, 12 minutes from TPA.

Twilight from above: court, pool, hot tub and fire pit inside one fenced yard

Tampa Bae at twilight from above: the pickleball court, heated pool, hot tub and the 16-chair fire pit, all inside one fenced backyard

Twilight at Tampa Bae: the pool glowing, umbrellas up, the mural lit, and the whole house waiting for your crew

The whole backyard from above: private pickleball and basketball court, pool deck with umbrellas, hot tub, play set and fire pit

Loved by Big Families

Tampa, FL92 reviews

Tampa Bae

Everyone under one roof, everyone happy, and you finally get to relax

16 guests · 6 bedrooms · 10 beds · 3 baths

Heated Pool
Sleeps 16
Pickleball Court
Movie Theater

See Dates & Prices

Also onAirbnb VRBO

The backyard: pool, hot tub, pickleball court, swings and games in every corner

Twilight with string lights, the fire pit and the glowing pool

Airbnb Guest Favorite · Top 10%

Tampa, FL173 reviews

Rustic Retreat

The one where nobody wanted to leave the house

16 guests · 5 bedrooms · 13 beds · 3 baths

Guest Favorite
Heated Pool
Pickleball Court
Sleeps 16

See Dates & Prices

Also onAirbnb VRBO

Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted

Happening Near Tampa Right Now

Happening NowSelect nights through October 31, from 7pm

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay · About 25 minutes from both Tampa homes · Teens and adults

Haunted houses, scare zones and the coasters running in the dark. This one is for the teens and the grown-ups, so plan a movie night at the house for the little ones.

Details

Happening NowFriday to Sunday nights through October 31, 4pm to 10pm

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa

ZooTampa at Lowry Park · About 20 minutes from Tampa Bae · All ages

The zoo after dark with trick-or-treat trails, glowing lanterns and a family-friendly haunted neighborhood. Costumes welcome, strollers fine, nobody jumps out at the kids on the family trail.

Details

From Oct 30October 30 to November 1 (moved from early October because of weather)

Oktoberfest Tampa

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, downtown · About 20 minutes from both Tampa homes · All ages by day

Steins, bratwurst, oompah bands and the river right there. Saturday runs all day, so the kids can come for the pretzels and the games before the evening crowd arrives.

Details

See everything on around Tampa this season

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604 (813) 935-8552

Repeatedly voted one of America's top zoos, ZooTampa spans 63 acres and is home to more than 1,000 animals, including Florida manatees, African elephants, giraffes, Komodo dragons, and Malay tigers. The zoo's Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center is one of the few places in the world you can see rescued manatees up close in their rehabilitation habitat. Kids love the hands-on Wallaroo Station petting area and the Maharaja Boat Adventure. Pair it with a picnic and make a full day of it, there's something new around every corner.

Visit ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Adventure Island Water Park

10001 Malcolm McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 884-4386

Right next door to Busch Gardens sits Tampa's premier outdoor water park, 30 acres of slides, pools, and splash zones designed to keep the whole family cool under the Florida sun. From the towering Wahoo Run tube slide to the 17,000 sq ft wave pool, there's a thrill level for every member of the crew. Younger kids have their own dedicated Fabian's Funport play area complete with tipping buckets and mini slides, while the adults stake out chairs by the lazy river. Bundle tickets with Busch Gardens for the ultimate Tampa combo at a discount.

Visit Adventure Island Water Park

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 (727) 441-1790

About 35 minutes from Tampa, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of the most heartwarming family stops in all of Florida. Made famous by the movie Dolphin Tale, the aquarium is a working marine rescue and rehabilitation center, meaning every animal you see has a real rescue story. Meet dolphins, sea otters, sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays while learning about conservation efforts that directly protect Florida's coastlines. Combine your visit with a stroll across Clearwater Beach, one of America's most consistently top-rated beaches, just minutes away.

Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Want the full write-up with more photos? Read it on visittampafl.com.

More Tampa Guides