Things to do with kids in Tampa: city playgrounds and 10 free splash pads, MOSI, the aquarium and ZooTampa for rainy days, library programs and day camps.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: City of Tampa Parks and Recreation’s featured parks and splash pads pages, MOSI, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa and the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. Park administration: 813-274-8615.
Tampa’s city parks give kids free playgrounds and splash pads all year, and three big museum and animal attractions cover rainy and hot days: MOSI, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa. Every address, hour and age range below comes from the operator’s own page.
Who to call
- City park administration: 813-274-8615
- The Florida Aquarium: 813-273-4000
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park: 813-935-8552
- City Aquatics (pools and splash pads): 813-274-5161
Playgrounds
| Park | Address | What’s there |
|---|---|---|
| Al Lopez Park | 4810 N. Himes Ave. | Several shaded playground areas on 132 acres, ponds, a nature trail and a fishing dock |
| Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park | 1001 N. Boulevard | A fenced play cove for ages 2 to 12, a splash pad and a NEOS playground |
| Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | 600 N. Ashley Drive | Playground for ages 2 to 12 and two splash pads, on the Riverwalk |
| Water Works Park | 1710 N. Highland Ave. | Playground with a wheelchair-friendly We-Go-Round, a pirate tower and a splash pad |
| Cypress Point Park | 5620 W. Cypress St. | Playground, a small bay beach, a trail and disc golf |
| Ballast Point Park | 5300 Interbay Blvd. | Splash pad and picnic areas on Hillsborough Bay; open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
From the city’s featured parks pages: Al Lopez, Julian B. Lane, Curtis Hixon, Water Works, Cypress Point and Ballast Point. Ballast Point’s pier has been closed since spring 2025 after hurricane damage.
Splash pads
The city’s 10 splash pads are free. Most run 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to March, and all shut off when it drops below 40 degrees. Curtis Hixon stays on until 10 p.m.; Julian B. Lane and Water Works until 9 p.m. in season. The full list with addresses is in our summer camps and pools guide.
Rainy-day and indoor picks
- MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., the science museum in north Tampa, is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and runs the Saunders Planetarium, hands-on exhibits and seasonal nights like Spooktacular Science (MOSI).
- The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, downtown, with the Coral Reef habitat, animal encounters and costumed divers. It runs Guppyween each October, with free entry for children in costume with a paying adult (aquarium).
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. when we checked, with seasonal evenings like Creatures of the Night and Christmas in the Wild that are included with a membership or Zoo Fun ticket (ZooTampa).
- Libraries: the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, which runs Tampa’s public libraries, posts children’s programs and events on its website.
Camps on school days off
- The Florida Aquarium School-Year AquaCamps follow Hillsborough County school holidays and teacher workdays, for ages 5 to 11 in kindergarten to fifth grade, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free care from 8 a.m. and until 5 p.m. The next ones are Monday, Oct. 12, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 (AquaCamps).
- MOSI School Break Camps, grades K-8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on select dates (MOSI camps).
- City of Tampa summer camps open registration each spring; see our summer camps and pools guide.
Free and nearly free
- Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, Saturday, Oct. 24, 4 to 9 p.m., Cotanchobee Park, free; see our Halloween events guide.
- The Tampa Riverwalk, 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River downtown, is free to walk; see our Riverwalk guide.
- More in our free things to do guide.
What this means for you
- On a hot day, pick a park with both a playground and a splash pad: Julian B. Lane, Curtis Hixon or Water Works.
- On a rainy day, MOSI is open daily from 10 a.m.
- Book AquaCamp early for Oct. 12 and Nov. 11, the next two school days off.
More: dog-friendly Tampa, walking and biking trails and spring break in Tampa.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Tampa on a rainy day?
MOSI, the science museum at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, and ZooTampa post their hours on their own sites.
Where are the best playgrounds in Tampa?
City parks with playgrounds include Al Lopez Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Water Works Park and Cypress Point Park. Julian B. Lane has a fenced play cove for ages 2 to 12.
Are Tampa splash pads free?
Yes. The city runs 10 free splash pads. Most are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to March.
Where can I find day camps on school holidays in Tampa?
The Florida Aquarium runs AquaCamps on Hillsborough County school holidays for ages 5 to 11, and MOSI runs School Break Camps for grades K-8, both 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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