Toddler Life in Tampa

It has been a while since I have done a post on how to keep a toddler entertained on the weekends so I thought I would round up some of the fun things we do with Blake on the weekends.

Breakfast Spots

The key to a good day is a not hangry toddler. So we usually start out by going to one of our favorite breakfast spots. The below are our tried and true, where they have good (and quick) service and delicious food.

Goody Goody- A south Tampa staple. This place is very family friendly and is always super loud (no need to worry about how loud your toddler is). Blake’s favorite menu items are the cheese grits and cheesy scrambled eggs.

Oxford Exchange– Slightly more upscale than the diner experience of Goody Goody. I feel like we go to OE more for ourselves than for Blake. However, the cheesy eggs and homemade potato chips fill Blake right up. Also, there is a store attached so when Blake is done we can run around the store and look at all sorts of things. (Reservations Recommended)

Metro Diner– This is a new one on our rotation but the food is delicious, the staff is friendly and everything comes out quick (which is great for impatient toddlers).

Places To Go & Things to See

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo– Blake has loved the zoo and the older she gets the more she loves to see all the of the animals. I would recommend going in the morning because when the sun comes out, you will want to leave ASAP. It takes us under 2 hours to make it through all of the exhibits. You can also buy a pass called “Pay for a Day” and you will get to go all year except blackout dates (which is what we do).

The Florida Aquarium – The aquarium is great (and conditioned). There are a lot of fun exhibits and an outdoor splashpad. If you go in the afternoons you may even get to see the penguins.

Glazer Children’s Museum – This place is awesome. I would say you wouldn’t want to go unless you have a 2 year old and up. There are two floors of awesome interactive learning stations. Blake had an absolute blast (and got out a ton of energy). Mike and I also had a blast ( very adult friendly as well). I can’t wait for her to get older and keep taking her back.

Hyde Park Village– This is a great little area. There are shops, a park and a Buddy Brew Coffee (much needed on the weekends). Usually we will take Blake let her run around and look in the shop windows, and then head over the park that has three different jungle gyms (easy, medium and hard). We let her rip around for an hour or so to get out some energy. There is also a little splash pad connected to the park if you are brave enough to let your child get completely soaked then try and take them home.

Ballast Point Park– I love Ballast Point Park. However, I will only take Blake if Mike is with me because it is surrounded by the water and Blake is fast. This park is huge, their is a pier and a little restaurant and ice cream shop.

Armature Works– This is a fun one, but be ready for lots of people. There are a ton of individual restaurants inside (so basically something for everyone). There are also life size checkers, chess and connect four outside. Plenty of things for kids and plenty of drinks for adults (for those of us that like a cocktail on the weekends).

Blake is definitely a high-energy child. So we have to take her out to do things on the weekends (she is like having a great dane that you have to “run” after work). The above places are our “go to’s”. If anyone else has places to go, drop me a note.

Good Luck!