22 listings in Tampa, FL: free days out with kids: museums, workshops, storytimes and more.
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Daily, 7am to sunset (closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Florida Botanical GardensLargo
Pinellas County's botanical garden in Largo covers 150 acres of formal gardens, scenic landscapes and native habitats. Admission is free and it's open daily from 7am to sunset. Leashed pets are welcome. Entrances on Ulmerton Road and Walsingham Road.
Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov
No catch
Mon & Fri 8:30am–5pm; Tue–Thu 8:30am–6pm
Feeding Tampa Bay Causeway Center
Feeding Tampa Bay navigators help you apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits, free and confidential, walk-in or by appointment, at the Causeway Center in Tampa. They also connect people to food assistance, family services and financial assistance, and can help by phone in any language.
Verified Oct 27 · ftb.org
No catch
Preserve daily 7am–sunset; center Thu–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm
Weedon Island PreserveSt. Petersburg
A 3,195-acre coastal preserve on Tampa Bay with boardwalks and trails, well known for birding and fishing, and a Cultural & Natural History Center with hands-on exhibits about the area's ecosystems and the Indigenous peoples who lived here for thousands of years. The preserve is open daily from 7am to sunset; the center is open Thursday to Saturday 9am–4pm and Sunday 11am–4pm. Guided hikes and birding tours run too.
Verified Oct 27 · weedonislandpreserve.org
No catch
Preserve daily 7am–sunset; center Thu–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education CenterTampa
Pinellas County's largest natural area, about 8,700 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods near Tarpon Springs, with boardwalks, hiking and horse trails and an Environmental Education Center with exhibits. Free admission (donations welcome). The preserve is open daily 7am to sunset; the center is open Thursday to Sunday.
Verified Oct 27 · brookercreekpreserve.org
No catch
Daily 10am–5pm; Thursdays until 8pm
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art on the Riverwalk is free for college students with ID, SNAP EBT participants and kids 6 and under (adults otherwise pay $25). Open daily 10am–5pm, until 8pm on Thursdays; closed Gasparilla, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Verified Oct 27 · tampamuseum.org
Catch: Only for: college students with ID, SNAP EBT participants and kids 6 and under
Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
The MFA's global collection spans 5,000 years, from ancient Greek and Roman art to Monet, O'Keeffe and Kehinde Wiley, plus one of the Southeast's biggest photography collections. Admission is free with a SNAP EBT card (Museums for All) and always free for kids 6 and under. Docent tours run Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
Verified Oct 27 · mfastpete.org
Catch: Only for: SNAP EBT cardholders (show card) and children 6 and under
Wed–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 1–4pm
Heritage VillageLargo
Pinellas County's history park in Largo, with historic houses, a boat shop and exhibits you can explore on your own or with a guide. Free admission (donations welcome). Volunteers often demonstrate crafts on weekends, like blacksmithing at the old Homestead Forge.
Verified Oct 27 · heritagevillagefl.org
No catch
Select Saturdays, 10am–2pm
Heritage Village, Homestead ForgeLargo
Volunteer blacksmiths fire up the old Homestead Forge at Heritage Village on select Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, hand-forging traditional goods. The volunteer schedule can change, so call (727) 582-2123 to confirm a date. Admission to the village is free.
Verified Oct 27 · heritagevillagefl.org
No catch
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8
Largo Central Park
The Largo Central Railroad club runs free miniature train rides through Largo Central Park on the first full weekend of the month, 10am to 2pm. Kids must ride with an adult and everyone needs shoes; no pets. Fill out the waiver before you arrive to save time. Donations to the club are appreciated.
Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com
Catch: Riders sign a waiver · Not for pregnant riders; kids ride with an adult
Fri, Nov 20, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Pinellas County Solid Waste, Tour ClassroomSt. Petersburg
See where your trash goes: a free tour of about 90 minutes at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, with a classroom session and a driving tour (you stay in the tour vehicle) past the Waste-to-Energy Facility, the landfill and the yard-waste-to-mulch area. For ages 8 and up; reserve a spot on the county page. More dates: Dec. 11 and Jan. 29.
Verified Oct 27 · pinellas.gov
Catch: Free reservation required: spaces are limited · Only for: ages 8 and up
Thu, Nov 26 – Sun, Jan 3
Largo Central Park
Largo's holiday tradition fills Largo Central Park with more than 2.5 million LED lights, nightly from 5 to 10pm. Parking and walking through the lights are free; the carousel and Ferris wheel cost extra ($6 a ride). Food and market vendors on site, and leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is paid only on Dec. 5, the tree lighting night.
Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com
No catch
Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3
Florida Botanical GardensLargo
The Florida Botanical Gardens turns into a walk-through winter wonderland with over a million lights, laser projections and live entertainment every night. No tickets needed: walk up any night from 5:30 to 9:30pm. A $10 donation per person over 12 is suggested at the gate; it's a suggestion, not an entry fee. Parking is free at two lots, and leashed pets are welcome.
Verified Oct 27 · flbgfoundation.org
No catch
Sat, Nov 28 – Fri, Jan 1 · check hours
North Straub, South Straub and Pioneer parks and the St. Pete PierSt. Petersburg
Thousands of holiday lights and decorations fill North Straub Park, South Straub Park, Pioneer Park and the St. Pete Pier from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's Day. Stroll the waterfront any evening.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Sat, Nov 28, 6:30 PM
Downtown St. Petersburg waterfront (Albert Whitted Park to North Straub Park)
St. Petersburg kicks off the holidays with its illuminated Santa Parade, which starts at Albert Whitted Park and rolls along the downtown waterfront, followed by the tree lighting in North Straub Park right after the parade. Free to watch from the curb.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Sun, Nov 29, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Coachman ParkClearwater
Clearwater's annual tree lighting kicks off the holidays at Coachman Park with carolers, a snow machine, inflatables, dance groups, food trucks and merchants, and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Free event.
Verified Oct 27 · myclearwater.com
No catch
Sat, Dec 5, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Largo Central Park
Largo lights its Christmas tree in Largo Central Park with an evening of entertainment, market and food vendors, and the park's holiday light display. Free to attend. On-site parking is $10 (cashless; proceeds go to local nonprofits); parking at Largo Middle School is free.
Verified Oct 27 · playlargo.com
No catch
Sat, Dec 5, 6:30 PM
Huggins-Stengel FieldSt. Petersburg
St. Pete Parks & Recreation screens Christmas with the Kranks outdoors at Huggins-Stengel Field. Festive activities start at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 7pm.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Sat, Dec 12, 6:30 PM
Vinoy ParkSt. Petersburg
An outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas in Vinoy Park on the downtown waterfront. Pre-movie activities start at 6:30pm and the film starts at 7pm.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Thu, Dec 17, 6:00 PM
President Barack Obama Main LibrarySt. Petersburg
Music, stories and a visit from Santa at the President Barack Obama Main Library, and every child who visits Santa gets a free book. Bring your camera. The city runs the same visit at four other libraries that week (West, North, South and Johnson); see the city page for times.
Verified Oct 27 · stpeteparksrec.org
No catch
Thu, Dec 31, 3:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Pier 60 Park, Clearwater Beach
An early, family-friendly New Year's Eve at Pier 60 Park from 3 to 9:30pm, with live entertainment, local artisans, street performers and festive activities, ending with a grand finale fireworks show over Clearwater Beach at 9pm so families can celebrate before midnight. The program also lists amusement attractions; the city page doesn't say whether those cost extra. More details are due closer to the date.
Verified Oct 27 · myclearwater.com
No catch
Any day
Pinellas Public Library Cooperative member librariesTampa
Adult cardholders at any Pinellas Public Library Cooperative library can borrow a pass for free family admission (up to 2 adults and 3 kids under 18 from the same household) to 15 museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Florida Holocaust Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Sunken Gardens, Imagine Museum and Great Explorations Children's Museum. Passes are checked out in person, first come, first served, and are good for one visit within 7 days. No overdue fines.
Verified Oct 27 · pplc.us
Catch: Adult PPLC library card in good standing required · Passes are first come, first served, checked out in person
Any day
Clearwater Countryside Library and East Community Library
Pick up free vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds with your library card at the Clearwater Countryside Library and the Clearwater East Community Library. Take up to three packs at a time and nine a month, and keep them: nothing has to be returned.
Verified Oct 27 · myclearwaterlibrary.com
Catch: Clearwater library card required · Up to 3 packs at a time, 9 per month
