Top 9 Outdoor Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Tampa

A recent study showed that Tampa is in the top 20 best big cities to live in the United States. 

But is it a great city to live in if you have children? The answer is a resounding, yes!

This is not only because there are plenty of safe and affordable neighborhoods to move to, but because there is a ton of family-friendly things to do in the area. 

Thinking of moving to Tampa but want to know if your kids will enjoy it? Keep reading for the top outdoor, kid-friendly things to do in Tampa.

1. Busch Gardens

You don’t have to travel to Orlando to enjoy a thrill-filled theme park. Busch Gardens, located in North Tampa, offers some of the best roller coasters and other attractions in the country.

There are six roller coasters for you and your kids to enjoy (if they’re tall enough). There’s also plenty of wildlife exhibits and play areas/rides for younger children who can’t enjoy the big coasters yet.

If you have teens who enjoy a good scare, you can take them to the annual Howl-o-Scream, which offers multiple haunted houses and scare zones. 

2. Adventure Island

Let’s stay on the topic of theme parks and talk about the underrated Adventure Island, which is located near Busch Gardens. Adventure Island is a water park full of thrilling water rides, a tide pool, and a lazy river. 

There are plenty of great ticket deals, including the Fun Card, which costs about as much as a single-day ticket. This will give you access to both Adventure Island and Busch Gardens for the year.

3. ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Looking for outdoor fun that the whole family can enjoy? Take your kids to ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Here, you can experience up-close encounters with all types of animals, including elephants, penguins, and rhinos!

And of course, you can have a meet and greet with a giraffe where you and your kids will get to feed them.

If you have toddlers, be sure to bring them to Toddler Tuesday, where your kids can enjoy storytime, animal encounters, and fun games!

4. Topgolf

If you’re looking for a unique outdoor experience to last you a few hours, Topgolf is the place to be. You can enjoy delicious food, drinks, and of course swing golf clubs to your heart’s content.

Topgolf is the perfect destination for an affordable day or nighttime activity and is an excellent spot for you or your kids to have a family-friendly birthday celebration.

5. Visit the Beach

Outdoor fun can be free in Tampa.

There are plenty of world-renowned beaches for you and your family to enjoy, including St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach, which is consistently ranked number one in the country.

Try These Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Tampa!

When you move to Tampa, you can rest assured that there will be plenty of kid-friendly things to do. There’s no shortage of fun activities in Tampa!

If you’re planning a move to Tampa, make sure you give us a call, so we can help your move be as smooth as possible. 

How to Move Out of State: 3 Tips For A Simple Move

Moving is stressful, but the anxiety of it shouldn’t ruin the exciting adventure ahead of you. Here are three tips on how to move out of state as smooth as possible.

1. Start Early to Give Yourself Breathing Room

To say that moving is a time-consuming endeavor is underselling the experience. Getting ready for a move can take months in some cases.

To keep your upcoming move as stress-free as possible, start early. In fact, start earlier than you think is necessary.

Start by creating a moving schedule. What needs to be packed first? What can wait?

You’ll need to give yourself about six to eight weeks. More if you’re working full-time.

The more breathing room you have, the better. Packing in a panic guarantees that you’ll forget or damage something in the move.

2. Don’t Forget to File the Necessary Paperwork

The previous section might have sent your head spinning. There’s so much to do!

Well, buckle up, because that’s not even the half of it.

Aside from packing and hiring a moving company, you’ll need to make sure you’ve filled out and submitted a few critical pieces of paperwork. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need to do:

  • Submit a change of address to the post office
  • Notify companies and people about your new address
  • Update medical records
  • Submit school information for your children
  • Register your new address with your insurance company
  • Apply for new tags for your car

It’s a whole lot of paperwork. Don’t let it add to your stress. Chip away at these forms a little at a time.

3. Take This Opportunity to Downsize

People love to say that you can’t take it with you. And while they have a point, we like to think of it differently.

You don’t have to take it with you.

As difficult as preparing for an out of state move can be, it’s an excellent opportunity to sell or donate some of the old belongings that you never use.

When you begin to pack, set aside three boxes: one box for things you want to sell, one for stuff you want to donate, and one for things you can discard.

Downsizing can be hard, especially if you’re sentimental. It can also be a cathartic and freeing experience. Plus, getting rid of your old stuff means less stuff to haul!

Get a Move On: How to Move out of State

Figuring out how to move out of state can be a chore. But these tips should help you prepare for your move in no time!

And don’t forget, we’re here to help.

We’d love to take some of the burden off your shoulders. Get in touch today for a free quote and see how we can make moving out of state easy and affordable.

Moving and Changing Schools? Here’s How to Help Your Child Adjust

The first day of school can be hard enough as it is. But the first day of school in a brand new environment? Well, that’s a recipe for a stressed-out, anxious child.

Yes, studies show that you’re not the only one nervous about the upcoming move. Moving schools can be tough on kids, too.

Make the process easier for yourself and your kids by following our quick, easy to read guide on changing schools!

Listen to Your Child’s Feelings

Moving is never easy, but it’s especially difficult for children.

In some cases, your current home may be the only home your child has ever known. It’s where their entire life is, and now that comfort and security is about to get upended by a move as they say goodbye.

While you can’t take away all of your kids’ frustrations and anguishes, you can help them work through their feelings by opening a dialogue.

As you pack together and get ready for the move, ask your little ones how they’re feeling. Here are a few conversation starters to help:

  • What are you most nervous about?
  • Are you excited to explore a whole new area?
  • What are you most looking forward to?
  • How can I make this move easier for you?

These ice breakers not only serve as a great jumping-off point but help paint the move in a positive light while still acknowledging your child’s feelings.

Research the School Together

Treating the transition to a new school as an adventure may not make the adjustment painless, but it can take away some of the sting all the same.

Before their first day, spend an afternoon learning about the school. You can research it online, or if you are close to the school, have a picnic at the school’s playground.

Encourage Social Activities

School is a great place to learn — but not all of that learning comes from books or classwork. Socialization plays a significant role in childhood development.

Making friends gives kids an increased sense of self-confidence, helps them feel safe, and serves as an excellent way for them to learn about the world around them.

Talk to your children about how exciting it is that they’ll get to make all sorts of new friends and encourage playdates and extracurricular activities.

Be Patient

Finally, don’t expect an overnight change in behavior. The frustration and nervousness that comes with a move won’t necessarily disappear quickly.

It’s going to take time for your children to adjust to their new environment.

Be patient with them and let them know that you’re there for them through thick and thin. Your love is the most essential part of the adjustment process.

How to Help Your Child Adjust When Moving Schools

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already stressed about an upcoming move. That stress is likely even greater if you’re worried about your child moving schools and adjusting.

The best thing you can do is to give your child time, attention, and love.

Are you moving sometime soon? Get in touch today for a quote and let us, one of the top Florida moving companies, do the heavy lifting so you can spend more time with your kids.