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Baby Loves Disco
They really do!
Disco is back in a big, little way. Little, because this Donna Summers party is revved up for kids. An idea born from Philadelphia mom Heather Murphy, disco parties are hosted at nightclubs that are child-proofed and then transformed into hip, hot spots for tots including healthy snacks, bubble machines, “chill out” rooms with puzzles and books and music---lots and lots of music. Spun by a real DJ, these foot-thumping hits from the 70’s and 80’s are sure to get your little one’s rump shaking. The closest Baby Loves Disco to us is in Orlando, but if the idea intrigues you as much as it does us, check out their website www.babylovesdisco.com for information on how to organize a local, monthly party.
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Whether your baby is gifting you with social smiles for the first time, discovering what she can make happen with water, or trying out her first distinct strides, experiencing your baby in new surroundings makes for fun outings and unique memories. You may just discover new parts of your baby’s personality and even new ways of having fun together. In the Tampa area, there are many backdrops to choose as your destination for a new adventure with your baby. Below are brief descriptions of destinations, web-links, and tips to help you have an optimal fun time.
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The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Dr
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 273-4000
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The Florida Aquarium’s design is equally friendly to newborns, stroller-goers, and walkers. Many of the exhibits are on eye-level for your stroller-goer so do not be surprised if you catch a new expression or two as she notices the acrobatic antics of a sea otter or the iridescent wonder of jelly fish. As a parent who may be carrying a newborn in a sling or carrier, there are many benches along the way for rest and feeding opportunities. If your little one has begun to toddle along, the gradual inclines and declines of the floor are sure to delight the thrill-seeker. To create an optimal pre-nap activity with your walking toddler during the warm months, Explore A Shore offers the kind of stimulation, physical play, and hands-on learning that will likely exhaust your little one into what could be the longest standing nap on record. (No guarantees, but it is worth the experiment). Explore a Shore includes a pirate ship with water cannons, ground level water jets and cascade fountains.
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TIPS
● Mondays and Tuesdays are the least busy days inside the Aquarium and at Explore A Shore
● Consider a couples membership because even if you go only a couple times a year, you save money. Because the under 3 age grp has free admission, the couple’s membership offers opportunities to take your significant other, family member, out-of-town guest, or fellow mother and baby.
● Membership buys you opportunities to attend Lowry Park Zoo, MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) for free in August and September.
● The Café is a great opportunity to enjoy the company of a friend and not have to make a meal for your solid food eating little one (at 20% discount with membership).
● Bring swim diaper and change of clothes even if you are convinced your little one would not want to get wet (because if you are caught without those items, you will discover what a water baby you have!)


The Lowry Park Zoo
1101 W Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 935-8552
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When you step foot on the park’s grounds, you will quickly experience the reasons it has been named such a family-friendly zoo. With rampant family-conscious restrooms, water fountain features, stroller-friendly exhibits, and interactive opportunities even for the youngest ones, you will likely feel welcomed as a family in a new way. A favorite area for the smallest set is the Walloroo section of the park, which includes a water park with ground level fountains and animal statues to climb, a petting zoo in a Goat Yard and in the Kangaroo Walkabout. The Jungle Carousel will likely appeal to the venturesome toddler and certainly to you as an opportunity to take a picture. Whether you have a chance to watch the playfulness of the baby elephant, be mesmerized by the tongue (better known as an appendage) of a giraffe eating a wafer, laugh at your toddler mimicking the cackles of a arrangatang, or sit peacefully watching the lumbering manatees, you will likely experience your own child-like wonder too.
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TIPS
● Mondays and Tuesdays are the least busy days
● During the hot months, the manatee encounter offers just the air-conditioned relief you and your family need
● Bring lots of your own water because it is expensive to buy
● Morning hours are ripe for giraffe feeding time
● Africa is the hottest, least shaded part so best to experience that in the early morning during hot months
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Busch Gardens
3000 East Busch Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612
(888) 800-5447
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Busch Gardens is Tampa’s area theme park and it is packed with thrilling opportunities for the young and adults in touch with their inner childhood. Essentially a zoo built inside of an amusement park, Bush Gardens guarantees to entertain all age groups in one location. The Land of Dragons is a treat for younger children with a three-story treehouse, bouncing house, shows, little rides and a carousel. Older kids will find plenty of heart-stopping thrills on one of the parks four massive roller coasters or water rides. Busch Gardens is truly the gem of our area and a must-experience for any Tampa resident.
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TIPS
● Valet parking is a must for those of you visiting on a busy weekend. With double strollers, diaper bags and the kiddies in tow, catching the tram from the parking lot is frustrating and labor intensive. It’s pricey at $20.00 a car, but well worth it, especially at the end of the day when everyone is over-stimulated and overtired. Valet car drop-off open from 9-3. Car retrieval operates all day.
● If you think you will go back, even just once more, definitely buy the fun card. It lets you back into the park for free from date of purchase until the end of the year (for Florida residents only).
● Check out the log flume ride in Stanleyville. Unlike the other “big kid” rides, this one is still exciting, but can be rode by children as young as two. A great opportunity for younger and older siblings to enjoy an activity together.
● The Crown Colony House is a good place for indoor, seated dining. They serve a wide variety of lunch and dinner meals, including of course a good children’s menu. On a hot Florida day, this may be your only air-conditioned reprieve from the heat.
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Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
4801 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 987-6100
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MOSI is a hands-on science museum that guarantees to entrall toddlers to grown-ups. Between the regular museum fare on display and the special, traveling exhibits, adults and children alike can be entertained for hours on end. Kids in Charge, a special wing, that opened a few years ago, is a great place for those five and under to explore the world around them. This is a great environment for kids to touch and feel what’s around them without constantly hearing the words, “Be Careful!”
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TIPS
● During the warm summer months, MOSI provides a great indoor reprieve from the heat.
● Again, similar to the aquarium and the zoo, the annual pass is usually more affordable if you plan on going more than once.
● Make a day of it and feed the kiddies in the cafeteria located on the premises.
● Check their website for special exhibits traveling to the museum. Recently, they hosted the popular BODIES exhibit which was fun for the adults and also a Sesame Street exhibit for the kiddies.
● They can host your child’s birthday party or special event and they also run a gamete of children’s camps during the summer months.
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Parks
Kate Jackson Park
821 South Rome Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 259-1608
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Kate Jackson has features that are hard to surpass in the park world. With ample shade protecting the playground equipment, no hassle parking, a tree canopied, brick path for nature enthusiasts, and ground level water fountains for splashers, Kate Jackson creates ready-made comfort and entertainment. So as not to learn the hard way about how long it takes for your toddlers’ shoes to dry, it is worth bringing water-friendly footwear not to mention a swim diaper and change of clothes. The law at Kate Jackson Park is if you are caught without a swim diaper and towel, you WILL have a soggy kitten to put back in the car. The indoor recreation center offers playgroup opportunities for parents and babies, which is a welcome option for pre-walkers and their parents striving to find stimulating, age-friendly activities.
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TIPS
● During school calendar months, the park is friendliest to the young ones during the morning hours. If you are curious how your infant might react to watching his first game of basketball or tetherball, then the afternoon might be just your speed.
● Remember the swim diaper, towel, water-friendly shoes, and change of clothes if you have a walker soon-to-turn splasher
● Consider combining a park outing with a lunch date with friend or family since restaurants are a short stroll away
● The neighborhoods surrounding the park are ideal for strolling. Meandering through the quaint historic neighborhood named Bungalow Park will have you daydreaming of drinking lemonade on a cool, welcoming front porch.
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Palma Ceia Playground
2200 Marti St
Tampa, FL 33629
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Palma Ceia Playground, nestled in the crux of a charm-filled neighborhood, is a best kept park secret. The park attracts many Palma Ceia natives and a steady flow of enthusiastic four legged friends. A gated dog park which has been recently re-sodded provides entertainment for the little ones on swings facing the dog haven. While the playground equipment lacks shade for relief, a covered picnic patio offers a cooler get-away from the sun. A spacious basketball court invites free play with balls. The neighborly feel of the park invites meeting other parents and even some four-legged friends.
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TIPS
● Parking can occasionally be challenging along the street. The morning hours tend to be the least traffic time of day.
● If you have an escape artist, keep an especially close eye on your explorer as the gates are easy to open without latches
● Consider a picnic playdate with friend or family to enjoy covered patio area
● Consider a joint playdate with your own four-legged friend and another willing to tag-team the supervision
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Other Notable Parks
Friendship Park
4124 Bay to Bay
Tampa, FL 33629.
(813) 931-2121
Playground for toddlers and older children/shaded picnic area.
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Corona Park
3702 W Corona
Tampa, FL
(813) 832-1233
Recently renovated, playground for toddlers & older children. Shaded picnic area.
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For a complete listing of local parks and additional information on local activities, recreations, and programs go to:
Tampa’s Park & Recreation Department
Pinellas County Park & Recreation

Other Attractions
Disney World, Amusement Park
Sea World, Orlando, Amusement Park
Universal Studios, Amusement Park
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Share your favorite tot Hot Spots!