Christmas is over but school hasn’t started back up yet. No need to go stir-crazy at home. There are still lots of things to do to get out of the house. We’re here to help!
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Kids … Dillydally with Dali
Time: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 11:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Sat.); 12:30-4 p.m. (Sun.)
Date: Daily
Location: The Dali Museum
Cost: FREE for these activities in the classroom; Regular admission applies if you want to explore the museum
Info: The Dali Museum Website
What’s Doing?
Children can discover the creative world of Dali every day in the Education Classroom through stories, puzzles and activities that educate and encourage family interaction. There will be a story hour every Tuesday through Thursday at 11:15 a.m., featuring selected books from the Dali Museum Library and Store. Activities and puzzles are available through 5:30 p.m. weekdays. And on Saturdays, Dillydally with Dali features fun games, puzzles and unique arts and crafts activities.
Address:
The Dali Museum
One Dali Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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Ruskin Family Drive-In
Time: Box Office will open at 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) and 7:30 p.m. (Sun.-Thurs.)
Date: Nightly
Location: Ruskin Family Drive-In
Cost: $6/person, $1/child (age 5-8), FREE for children 4 years old and younger (CASH ONLY; admission includes BOTH movies); Food and drinks available for purchase at the concession stand
Info: Ruskin Family Drive-In Website
What’s Doing?
Bring the kids out to experience a bit of yesteryear at Hillsborough County’s only digital drive-in theatre. Visit the Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre website to find out movies are being shown this month.
Address:
Ruskin Family Drive-In
5011 US Highway 41 North
Ruskin, FL 33572
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Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
Time: Box Office will open at 7 p.m. (Closed Mon. & Tues.)
Date: Wednesday through Sunday nights
Location: Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
Cost: $4/adult, $1/child (age 4-9); Food and drinks available for purchase at the snack bar
Info: (352) 567-5085; Joy-Lan Drive-In Website
What’s Doing?
Enjoy a family evening at the drive-in! Contact the theater for movies coming in December.
Address:
Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
On US Highway 301 near Jordan Road
North of Dade City, FL 33523
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Wander the Holiday Card Trail at Al Lopez Park
Time: Park hours are from sunrise to 9 p.m.
Date: Through January 1, 2013, closed Christmas Day
Location: Al Lopez Park (Main Loop Trail)
Cost: FREE
Info: Contact the Hunt Community Center at (813) 348-1172
What’s Doing?
Brighten your holidays and enjoy some family time together outdoors … take a stroll along the main trail loop of Al Lopez Park and experience the Holiday Card Trail created by the Parks and Recreation after school program participants. Giant greeting cards painted and decorated by students and staff from the City of Tampa’s 25 facilities offer warm holiday wishes to everyone who passes by.
Address:
Al Lopez Park
4810 North Himes Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
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IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy
Time: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Date: December 26, 27 & 28, 2012
Location: IKEA Tampa Store
Cost: FREE
Info: IKEA list in .pdf form
What’s Doing:
IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy offers a FREE meal and a craft for kids on their days off from school during the 2012-2013 school year. All activities take place in the Exit Lobby. The Kids’ Academy is FREE for children under 12, and all participants enjoy a FREE activity, FREE IKEA Tampa Kids’ Academy T-shirt, and a FREE kids meal in the Restaurant.
Wednesday, December 26: Pajama story time in the mattress studio
Thursday, December 27: Make a snowflake
Friday, December 28: Ring in the New Year with your own party favor
Address:
Ikea Tampa Store
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605
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Time: 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 through Sunday, December 30, 2012
Location: The Florida Aquarium
Cost: FREE for members or included with regular admission; Cafe Ray will be open late with special holiday treats and beverages available for purchase (Holiday FantaSea Kids Special: Aquarium lunch box, 12 oz. souvenir cup and crazy straw for just $5 with purchase of any Kids Meal)
Info: (813) 273-4000; Florida Aquarium Website; Aquarium Holiday Festivites
What’s Doing?
After Christmas, the Florida Aquarium will welcome winter with a play area featuring real snow for the kids to play in (Age 8 and younger; begins at 2 p.m.), holiday light shows (6 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.), mermaids at 5:30 p.m. nightly, and a model train display.
All aquarium exhibits will be open, and extended hours (open until 6:30 p.m.) will give you and your kids even more time to enjoy the exhibits and winter-themed festivities.
Address:
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
Image courtesy of The Florida Aquarium
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Tampa’s Downtown on ICE 2012
Time: Varies by day; see hours of operation below
Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2012-Saturday, January 5, 2013
Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Cost: Tickets for ice skating are $10/person for 90 minutes (includes skate rental); The movies are FREE
Info: E-mail J.R. Malone at icerinkeventstampa@yahoo.com for general rink information;
Tampa’s Downtown on Ice Website
What’s Doing?
It’s not every day we Floridians get to enjoy such northern delights, so make a date to head Downtown for some outdoor ice skating this holiday season!
Hours of Operation:
— Monday-Thursday: 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
— Friday: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
— Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
— Sunday: 12-9 p.m.
NOTE: You can reserve the rink for private parties Monday-Thursday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. On nights that private events are scheduled, the rink will be closed from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Address:
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
600 North Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
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Sunsets at Pier 60 Sunset Theatre
Time: Movies begin at dusk (Approx. 5:45 p.m.)
Date: Friday, December 28; Saturday, December 29; Sunday, December 30; Monday, December 31 (weather permitting each day)
Location: Pier 60
Cost: FREE; Popcorn and soft drinks are available for sale
Info: (727) 449-1036; Pier 60 Website
What’s Doing?
Sunsets at Pier 60 is a daily FREE family festival that includes artisans and crafters, street performers, musical entertainment and, of course, a beautiful sunset every night! Every Friday and Saturday night, you can also enjoy a FREE film screening. Bring a blanket or low chair, and watch a movie on the jumbo screen.
— Friday, December 28: Madagascar 3/PG
— Saturday, December 29: Men in Black 3/PG-13
— Sunday, December 30: Finding Neverland/PG
— Monday, December 31: New Years Eve/PG-13
Address:
Sunsets at Pier 60
10 Pier 60 Drive
Clearwater, FL 33767
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Screen on the Green
Time: Movie begins at 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, December 28, 2012
Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE; Popcorn and candy will be on sale
Info: (813) 966-5505; Tampa’s Downtown on Ice Website
What’s Doing?
Screen on the Green will take place at Curtis Hixon Park. Enjoy some family skate time at Tampa’s Downtown on Ice, then enjoy a family movie under the stars. Here’s what will be playing:
— Friday, December 28: Puss in Boots/PG
Address:
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
600 North Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
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FREE Holiday Film Series at Muvico
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Saturday, December 29, 2012 &
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Location: Muvico Theaters
Cost: FREE
Info: Muvico Theaters Website
What’s Doing?
FREE holiday movies at area Muvico Theaters. To make this experience even sweeter, Muvico is offering their Kid’s Tray for only $3.50 when you attend these special holiday movies, with $0.50 of each purchase going to support the Will Rogers Institute. Here’s what’s playing:
— Saturday, December 29: Elf/PG
— Sunday, December 30: Elf/PG
NOTE: This is a FREE event and seating is limited, so plan to arrive early.
Address:
Find a Muvico Theatre locator near you.
CherryBerry Loves “What’s Doing? Tampa Bay” Readers!
Bring your ticket stub to CherryBerry New Tampa following the FREE December movies at Muvico Theaters (NOTE: The Muvico Starlight 20 Theater is right across the street from CherryBerry New Tampa), and they will give all kids age 6 and younger 50% off with an adult purchase!
Address:
CherryBerry New Tampa
18091 Highwoods Preserve Parkway
Tampa, FL 33647
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Saturdays @ the Morean
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Date: Saturday, December 29, 2012
Location: Morean Arts Center
Cost: FREE
Info: Morean Arts Center Website
What’s Doing?
The Morean Arts Center will have a FREE art experience specially geared for families with children ages 5–10. The center will be open for FREE art exploration with open art stations and take-home projects with instructors on hand to assist. The projects are held in the Bank of America Children’s Learning Center.
Address:
Morean Arts Center
719 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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Lakeshore Learning Center In-Store Crafts
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m
Date: Saturday, December 29, 2012
Location: Lakeshore Learning Store
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 207-0468; Lakeshore Learning Store Website
What’s Doing?
Lakeshore Learning Store has FREE crafts for kids to make that go along with the month or season. Every time you complete a craft, you receive a paper dollar. Once you collect 3, you can turn them in for a prize from the treasure chest! Here’s what’s planned for December:
— Saturday, December 29: New Year’s Party Mask
Address:
Lakeshore Learning Store
4501 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33609
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Christmas at the Movies
Time: 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Date: Sunday, December 30, 2012
Location: First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace
Cost: FREE
Info: (813) 988-1138; FBCTempleTerrace Website
What’s Doing?
Join other families for “Christmas at the Movies” the last Sunday in December.
Address:
First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace
10002 North 56th Street
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
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Snow Day Craft Workshops
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 (PLUS! January 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2013)
Location: Pottery Barn Kids
Cost: $5/kit
Info: (813) 253-0964; Pottery Barn Kids Website
What’s Doing?
Following their weekly FREE children’s story time, join staff for a deluxe hands-on craft project designed exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids by Kiwi Crate.
Even Better! If you can’t make it to the event, parents can inquire at the store about purchasing one of the Kiwi Crate’s educational projects to take home.
Address:
Pottery Barn Kids
Hyde Park Village
804 South Village Circle
Tampa, FL 33606
Image courtesy of Kiwi Crate
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Jungle Boogie
Time: 11 a.m.
Date: Every Wednesday (Wednesday, January 2, 2013)
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Cost: $3
Info: (727) 893-7326; Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Website
What’s Doing?
Children age 3 and 4 and their parent or caregiver are invited for a nature story, craft and outdoor exploration every Wednesday morning.
Address:
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
1101 Country Club Way South
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
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Read. Play. Shop Story Time
Time: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Date: Friday, January 4, 2013 (This event takes place every Friday morning.)
Location: Tyrone Square (Simon Kidgits Play Area near JCPenney)
Cost: FREE
Info: (727) 381-2066; Simon Kidgits Club Events; Chick-fil-A in Tyrone Mall Facebook Page
What’s Doing?
All children are invited to Tyrone Square for a special story time and visit from the Chick-fil-A Cow. This week celebrates National Bird Day with stories will be about birds, followed by a cool parrot craft in the Food Court. Plus, the Chick-fil-A Cow will be giving photo ops and hugs.
Address:
Tyrone Square
6901 Tyrone Square
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
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The air potato has no natural enemies, and nothing can eat it. This poses a threat to animals because it is killing off the plants they eat.
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: 1st Saturday of every month (Saturday, January 5, 2013)
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Cost: FREE
Info: (727) 893-7326; Boyd Hill Classes and Programs
What’s Doing?
I’ve had Moms ask where they and their children can volunteer together, to instill a tradition of service to their community. Okay, if you are looking for a truly unique volunteer opportunity families can participate in together, how about this … head over to Boyd Nature Center and volunteer to help remove invasive, fast-growing air potato plants and other exotic vegetation that crowds out native plants.
NOTE: Volunteers age 15 and younger must be accompanied by adult. Be sure to wear suitable clothing and closed toe shoes.
Address:
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
1101 Country Club Way South
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Hand Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Air Potato Image courtesy of Invasive Species of Easter USA Blog.
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RELATED LINKS:
1. Find more Holiday Events in 2012
2. Have fun with Online Winter Break Play Ideas
3. Check the WDTB calendar to find more kid-friendly events taking place around Tampa Bay in December and January.
Image: posterize / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
— An “Ugly Sweater” Contest: Unearth the hideous sweater your aunt purchased for you years ago. It might just win you a cash prize! (Sponsored by Dynamic Carpet Care)
Time: Store Hours
Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
