Finding a spot to go enjoy a full day at with kids in South Tampa just got a whole lot simpler with our guide to the best family-friendly places! Raising children in the sunshine state is an adventure in itself with beautiful beaches and incredible museums at our fingertips in Tampa, but don’t overlook the amazing parks, craft shops, and playgrounds!
Whether you’re looking for a park to hang out all day or a playground to burn some energy, here are the 8 best places to go with kids in South Tampa.
Picnic Island Park
Picnic Island Park is an ideal spot for the entire family, and yes, that includes your furry, four-legged puppy too! Picnic Island Park in South Tampa is a true hidden gem. You can easily spend all day here with their playground, tons of space for a picnic, a boat launch and more!
Plus, there’s a dog beach to run off some energy and watch your dog live his best life! Picnic Island Park offers a sand volleyball court and disc golf course if you’re looking to play some sports with the fam too!
Gadsden Park
Gadsden Park in South Tampa is a perfect place to visit with your family for a day outdoors. With a beautiful lake, sports fields, picnicking, dog park, and a playground, the amenities are endless! The trail that wraps around the lake is a truly lovely stroll if you’re looking for a leisure walk or bike ride, or if you want to challenge your kids to a race! There’s also an open space that is awesome for setting up a picnic setting with blankets and lawn chairs!
Ballast Point Park
Not only is Ballast Point Park known for its incredible views of Davis Island, but they also have a ton of great things for your little ones. This park is well maintained with a clean and fun playground and splash pad, which is so nice for those super hot summer days. The long pier, cafe, and restrooms are also great additions to Ballast Point Park. This park is great for fishing and having some fun with the whole family!
Palma Ceia Lions Park
For a more secluded park in South Tampa, head to Palma Ceia Lions Park. This hidden gem has a nice playground for kids of all ages. The trees help bring is a good amount of shade to escape the beaming sunlight in the afternoon. They have a basketball court too if you’re the sporty family type and want to challenge each other to a game of horse or just play for fun!
📍4525 W Pearl Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Color Me Mine
Express your artistic side at Color Me Mine. This creative outlet is a great shop to join your kids with a craft. Color Me Mine has a handful of pottery to choose from to paint and all of the utensils you’ll need. The staff is very friendly and they’ll make you feel like family! Color Me Mine is a lovely spot to relax and spend some quality time with your kids in South Tampa!
AR Workshop
Take your home decor to the next level at AR Workshop. This DIY studio offers classes for creating all things for all ages. They have kid-friendly workshops, birthday parties, DIY camps and more! With their expertise, teaching, and guidance, you and the whole family will leave with an amazing new art piece!
📍 2414 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629
Playgrounds of Tampa
Playgrounds of Tampa is a dream come true for kids of all ages. They provide a safe and fun environment with 7,500 sq feet of bounce houses and play spaces. You’ll want to book your child’s next birthday party here ASAP! They even host events and camps too, be sure to check out their website for more details!
Henry B. Plant Museum
Step into a time machine of Tampa Bay’s history at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Look no further for an afternoon experiencing a Victorian lifestyle. Housed in the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, the Henry B. Plant Museum has the actual furnishings from back in the day. A visit here is a great way to learn more about Tampa and its history with the beautiful architecture, astonishing furniture and European art that paint the walls. After you’re done soaking up Tampa’s historical culture, take a stroll around the University of Tampa or walk along the Hillsborough River!