TAMPA WITH KIDS by PJ Goetz

The Ultimate Mom's Guide to Tampa Bay and Beyond.

Tampa with Kids

Calendar of Events!

Things to do in Tampa....

In the Press!

Fun with Dad

5 days of Fun with Kids

Setting the Easter Table

Orlando Fun

Halloween 08

Manatee & Sarasota

New York City

Daytona Beach

Geocaching

Tubing Down the River

Fun Around Town

Houseboat on the Suwannee

Swim with the Fishes

Snowflakes & Helping Hand

Last Minute Halloween

Not into Soccer?

School Lunch

Scalloping

Family Fun Night

Road Trip

Hunting for Fossils in Fla.

Sand Castle Building

Beaches

Eating Out with Jr.

To Do by Area

About Us

pj

 

Make your Momma Heart Smile! 

Spend the day just south of the Bay

Discover Manatee & Sarasota Counties

 
Great Places to go to get the fun started

Island Scooter Rental
 
One of the best days of my life was spend with my son on a scooter exploring Anna Maria Island.  The day was perfect and our future seemed bright.  We were beyond happy;  our souls were happy.  If you need to get back in touch with your child, put them on the back of the scooter and you’ll be amazed.  
 www.islandscooters.com
Anna Maria Island Family Fun
Island Scooter Rental
South Florida Museum
South Florida Museum  & Bishop Planetarium
If you have not been here in a while place this high on your list of places to go. It has totally transformed it’s self.  Upon arrival you’ll be greeted by fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest inhabitants.  While you are there make sure to say “Hi” to Snooty the oldest manatee in captivity.
 www.southfloridamuseum.org
Around the Bend Nature Tours:   Let Karen Fraley take you on a walk in the woods you will never forget.  Discover how early Florida residents lived through hands on activities.  Dip net and see what life the grasses of the estuaries hold.  Educational and fun!    www.aroundbend.com
Family Fun in Manatee County
Around the Bend Nature Tours
Desoto National Memorial:  Did you know that in May 1539 Spaniard Hernando de Soto came ashore in the Tampa Bay Area and began a campaign to capture the riches of La Florida.  A living history Camp opens on December 13 and runs until April 25 to demonstrate life at that time. Learn how the diseases brought by the Spaniards wiped out the entire population of native Americans in Florida.    www.nps.gov/deso/

Emmerson Point Preserve: 
365 acres of nature surround you and kids with lots of room to explore. One best parks in Manatee county    www.co.manatee.fl.us/conservation.html

Coquina Beach:   Dig up coquinas with your toes in the sand.  I love watching them dig themselves back down.  Full concessions- Picture Perfect    2603 Gulf Dr. Brandenton Beach FL 34217 
Sarasota Jungle Gardens:    Have you ever fed a flamingo?  One of the oldest road side attraction in Florida and still one of best.  Let the kids explore the gardens pretending to be Indiana Jones or Diego (depending on the their age)  
www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
Family Fun in Sarasota
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Family Fun
Mote Marine
Mote Marine Aquarium:   I love this place.  Learn all about the life in the waters that surround us.   Visit a working dolphin and whale hospital.  Become part of the movie in the Immersion Theater, learn about sharks and visit the touch tank to meet sting rays and shells. One of my favorite places.     
www.mote.org
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art:
For some reason I always thought that my kids would not enjoy the Ringling Museum of Art.  I was very wrong.  We love it and can’t wait to go back.   A miniature circus and doors made of 24 karat gold.  My son stood looking up at a painting by Rubens and all he could say was “wow”  It made momma heart smile.  We are very  lucky to have this amazing place so close.  
www.ringling.org

Sarasota Family Fun
John and Mable Ringling Museum
Sarasota Family Fun
G.WIZ
GWIZ  Best hands on fun in Sarasota.  Your kids will stay busy for hours as they explore and learn.  Let them come up with answers to "why" for themselves.  Gulf Coast Wonder & Imagination Zone is 33,000 square feet of indoor fun.

www.gwiz.org


Salty Dog Ever had a Salty dog? 

Well I can tell you first hand that is worth the tummy ache afterwards!  Even if you are not that brave they have a full menu.  Right on the water across the street from The Mote Marine, The Salty Dog has been a local favorite for years. 
www.theoldsaltydog.com



Salty Dogs