children in inner tubes
- ADVENTURE ISLAND
- 10001 N. McKinley Drive; Tampa, FL 33612
- https://adventureisland.com
Adventure Island is part of the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Company that also owns Busch Gardens. The park opens for the season on March 12 and is open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends and 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. The park offers 10 water slides ranging from the Wahoo Run featuring group tubes to the Riptide with a 55-foot drop. There is a 17,000 gallon wave pool, a meandering lazy river, a maze with water toys, a tropical lagoon, and a sand volleyball court. Three are three themed areas just for kids.
Currently, Florida residents can purchase a Busch Gardens Fun Card for $99 and get an Adventure Island Fun Card free. You can also purchase an unlimited admission to Adventure Island for one year that includes free parking for $120 per person.
- BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY
- 10165 N McKinley Dr., Tampa, FL 33612
- 888-800-5447
- seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-tampa/
Busch Gardens covers 335 acres and offers a unique combination of up-close animal encounters, live entertainment and thrilling roller coasters. The park has an African theme and is divided into eight different areas with exotic and endangered animals living in natural environments. Busch Gardens is actually one of the largest zoos in America with more than 12,000 animals. You can view much of the wildlife from the Skyride cable car that crosses above the park.
Younger kids (toddler through about eight years old) will really enjoy Sesame Street Safari of Fun. This colorful section of the park has kid-friendly rides, a treehouse obstacle course, a giant sandbox, and a water play area. You also won’t want to miss Treetop Trails. It’s a great spot to burn off energy and give mom and dad a chance to rest. The three-story play area has climbing nets, bridges, crawl tubes, and a multi-level maze for bigger kids, plus a water-play area for younger children.
For a special treat for a child’s birthday or other group, check out Busch Gardens sleepovers. The group minimum is 20 paid participants. The nighttime adventure begins at 6:00 PM. and ends the next morning at 9:00 AM. Participants sleep in a variety of venues based on the theme of the sleepover and the size of the group. The fee for students is $46 (plus tax if not exempt), chaperones $54 (plus tax if not exempt).
- DINOSAUR WORLD
- 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, 33565
- http://dinosaurworld.com
Dinosaur World is technically not in Tampa. It’s located in Plant City. But if you have a dinosaur loving child, it’s definitely worth a visit. With more than 200 life-size dinosaurs and a variety of interactive exhibits on more than 20 acres to explore, Dinosaur World is also an affordable outing. Adult admission is $16.95 and children aged 3 to 12 years are $11.95, and children under three are free.
Children will enjoy the fossil dig, a 15-minute guided activity that’s included free with admission. Kids can dig through the exhibit and are allowed to take home three fossils home.
The Dino Gem Excavation lets you experience using a mining sluice. You purchase a bag of minerals and gemstones covered up with dirt and use the sluice to uncover the gems and minerals in the water. Plus, you get to keep your finds.
There are two interactive shows: the Exploration Cave Show and the Triviasaurus Rex Game Show.
- FLORIDA AQUARIUM
- 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
- (813) 273-4000. www.flaquarium.org
As a result of careful long-term planning, the Florida Aquarium continues to improve and expand. Exhibits include a wetlands exhibit, simulated beach, and coral reef community housed in a 500,000-gallon tank with viewing windows that include a 43-foot wide panoramic view. The Aquarium boasts more than 20,000 plants and animals from both fresh and saltwater environments.
Your family can participate in interactive programs like Dive with the Sharks or take the Wild Dolphin Tour on the Bay Spirit II catamaran.
Children 15 and older can participate in the Dive with the Sharks program while children 9 and older can swim with sharks. Those who are six and older can swim the fish. The Penguins Backstage Pass is an educational 30-minutes allowing guests to interact with penguins up close.
There is also an outdoor Explore-a-Shore exhibit, a playground with a waterslide, water jet sprays, and pirate ship.
There are a variety of special programs including sleepovers, birthday parties, and summer camps open to children and families.
Admission is $23.95 for adults and $18.95 for children three and older. Annual passes are available for $126 for a family of four when purchased online.
- LOWRY PARK ZOO
- 1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604,
- (813) 935-8552
- www.lowryparkzoo.org
Lowry Park is a 63-acre zoo that was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine. The zoo is open 9:30 AM to 5 PM, every day of the year except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
One of the unique aspects of Lowry Park are the number of interactive activities including touching and feeding stingrays, feeding Lorikeets, a petting zoo, Wallabee walks, giraffe feeding, and giant tortoise interactions. Two children’s water activity areas are perfect for cooling off. There are also a few rides including a family-friendly roller coaster.
The zoo offers a variety of special programs including school day off camps, parents’ night out, and drop and shop that would be worth investigating if you’ll be in Tampa overnight.