Things to do with kids during Spring Break in Tampa
Baseball – You can catch a Spring Training game locally at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa (Yankees), Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin (Blue Jays) or Bright House Field in Clearwater (Phillies), or take a trip to Port Charlotte to see the Rays. Tickets run $27 to $37. Or, for only $5, there’s also the sixth season of St. Petersburg International Baseball features Team Canada and the Puerto Rican National Team going to bat with MLB prospect teams from the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, all played at Walter Fuller Baseball Complex in St. Petersburg.
Jump Around – Who doesn’t like jumping on massive trampolines? AirHeads Trampoline Arena will allow you to or your kids burn some energy, and they’ve got locations in Carrollwood and Largo. It’s normally $19.99 for a one-day jump pass, but they also have a BOGO offer on Wednesdays and lots of other specials.
Skate Specials – United Skates of America in Tampa has all kinds of events and specials for Spring Break listed on their website including an ‘80s night and an all-you-can-eat pizza party.
Glazer Museum “make and take” art projects – The Glazer Children’s Museum is an excellent option for entertaining kids any day of the week, but through March 28, they’re hosting Make It Mondays. On March 14, attorney and artist Jamie Moore Marcario will lead an “Altered Book Art” project 10:30 am., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., teaching kids to transform a classic book into a three-dimensional a thing of beauty (books provided). On March 21, kids can cut, paste, and color their own cubist creation inspired by Picasso’s many portraits. It’s free with admission, which runs $15 for adults, $9.50 for kids.
MARCH 14 TO 18
Carnival by the Beach – The Gulf Beaches Rotary Spring Break Waterfront Festival brings carnival rides, games, food vendors as well as a battle of the bands to the Madeira Beach Recreation field at 200 Rex Place in Madeira Beach on March 17 to 20. It’s free to enter. All-day ride wristbands run $17 to $20.
Take a Train Ride – A Day Out With Thomas brings a full-size, 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine to numerous sites around the country, and it also just happens to be coming to the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish from March 11 to 20. Adults and children of every age group may take a 25-minute ride on the train and Sir Topham Hat will be there to meet and take photos with guests. Tickets are $19.
Dali Storytime – Every Wednesday morning at 11:15 and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg hosts a free Storytime for Families. Join museum staff in the Education Classroom for just a reading of a selected book from the museum’s library or store.
Country in the Park – The 26th annual free Country in the Park festival in Pinellas Park includes a long lineup of bands with headliner Crystal Gayle. There’s additionally a car show, arts and crafts displays, carnival rides and food vendors. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the tunes.
Cirque du Soleil meets “Avatar” – “Toruk the First Flight,” Cirque du Soleil’s multimedia stage spectacle based on the world of the smash hit film “Avatar,” comes to Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa from March 17 to 20. Tickets, which run $46 to $120, are slightly cheaper on Thursday night, and the kids don’t have school the next morning.
MARCH 21 TO 25
Peking Acrobats – Many of the most gifted gymnasts, tumblers, jugglers and contortionists in the world celebrate their 30th anniversary with a 1 p.m. performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall on March 21 that’s themed Year of the Monkey. Tickets run $18 to $35.
Superhero Festival – MOSI will celebrate superheroes daily from March 24 to April 17 with Science of Superheroes and Classic Superman exhibits, a comic book swap and Crime Fighters Weekends. The Superhero Festival is included with regular admittance to the museum, which runs $18.95 to $22.95.
Kite Day – Head over to ROC Park in Madeira Beach on March 24 for a day of kite flying and decorating, a butterfly release, food, vendors and police and fire department demonstrations. The first 300 kids to arrive starting at 11 a.m. get free kites.