Searching for Playgroup in Tampa/ Carrolwood Area!

Hi, I have a 5 year old daughter and a 2 yr old daughter as well. We just bought a house in the carrolwood area, and built a nice playground in the back yard. If you are interested in bringing the girls to meet mine, they could play, and socialize together. My older one is also starting kindergarten in the fall, not sure if they are attending the same one, but it's possible. If interested, send me a message and let's get together!!!

Hi,

I have 5 1/2 year old b/g twins who are currently in VPK until 12:45 M-F, but it ends at the end of May. My daughter is very girly and would love to meet up with another little girl who might like to do girly things. There are some nice parks around (Lake Park off of Dale Mabry is nice) and other fun places to meet other children such as the library's story time, Wiregrass Wednesday's, and play areas at the mall. In the summer, Regal movie theater usually has free movies in the morning and tons of kids attend. They usually pack the mall play area afterward. Email me if you want to meet up sometime ____@____.com

If the older girl is starting kindergarten this year it is not too late for the free VPK, they have a summer program for the children who did not do the school year program (you can only do the free VPK once so if she is not enrolled in the program right now she can enroll in the summer program). Search for Florida VPK for more information, but some of the elementary schools in the area do participate the summer program (maybe the school she will be attending is one of them), I think the summer program is about 6 weeks. Call Lake Magdalene Elementary or Carrollwood Elementary (or the school in your area) they should be able to help or point you in the right direction. Also you might not be too late for the kindergarten round up at the school she will be attending. Registration for kindergarten has already started, you will need to register now, rather than over the summer or right before school starts. I just registered by daughter this week for the VPK it took 10 minutes at the office on Florida Ave (old Floridaland Mall), the office faces the interstate (on the back side of the building). You will need her birth certificate and proof of address for registration. Also the City has a program for "day camp" at some of the rec centers, or classes for dance, gym, etc. Call the Wayne Pappy Center on Florida & Sligh, they started a 3 day program this year and maybe there is a spot available, if not they have art classes that you can take during the week for a small fee. Lake Park on Dale Mabry is a great park and there are lots of children to play with.

Why not look into Moms Club? They are usually $20 for the year to join and will benefit both children. Also the parks and recreation offer Tiny Tot classes free for 2-3 days a week. The summer VPK which is free would be helpful. What about local parks, I think Northdale has a park and there's another park on Dale Mabry (I forget it, used to go there when I lived in Lutz). There has to be a few summer programs that are cheap or free in the area. Good luck!

Hi there! Check out http://tampabay.momslikeme.com...there are different playgroups throughout the Tampa Bay area. I have a 4 1/2-year-old & an 9-month-old and we're in a similar situation where we moved the end of last year from KS where my daughter went to preschool, but here we are not going to pay $450 for her to go to a preschool...she'll be able to do VPK next year. We try to hit some of the playgroups, but it's hard finding someone her age because most of them are in VPK. We live close to Brandon, but could maybe meet up sometime. :)
M.

Hi: you know it is so funny how children are and evey one is diffrent so I would suggest having a kitty greeting party at your home have some of your friend or people that you associate with and have children around this age, bring the children together have games, activities, snacks and so on and allow these little girls to first learn how to socialize in their own home and once they see how much fun they can have with other children they should begin to come out of their shell. but make sure you talk with these other parents to find out if their child has a problem with fighting because that will not be good for these girls first time in this type of setting at this time I know they may face it one day but do your best at this time to provide a friendly enviroment. I really hope this will work God bless and my best wishes for you.