What Is with This Area? There's Nothing Here to Do...

Hi T. - There is a great organization that you might be interested in...it's called Baby Bungalow (http://babybungalow.childabusecouncil.com/)...they have different playgroups, classes, workshops, etc. that are free or low cost. They also have a wonderful program called "Parents As Teachers" (http://www.parentsasteachers.org/site/pp.asp?c=ekIRLcMZJx...) where an educator will come to your home & do fun age-appropriate activities with your child once a month, for FREE! It's a fantastic program & I highly recommend it! Hope these suggestions help!

K.

PJ Goetz has a website designed for what you are looking for. She also has a book about things to do in the Tampa/FL area with children. Google her website. when you join (it is free) she will e-mail you all the kid happenings for the weekend also. Have fun!

Moms Club was the best when my girls were younger. We used to go to All Person's Park on Parson's. Then Campbells Ice Cream, cheap small cones and little play yard. Lithia Springs is fun for an afternoon. Fish Hawk fountains where the kids can run though the jumping water. Then get Westshore pizza. Play at the mall in the kids area. The mall used to have a nice kids event once a month but no longer do that :( We go to Lowes twice a month to build and grow clinics (FREE) and Home Depot once a month (FREE). There are a few things out there but I know it gets old always doing the same things. We have the zoo and aquarium pass to keep busy too. Good luck finding something cheap and fun to do. Hope I helped some.

I am struggling with a similar problem. I am in Riverview. I have a 20 month old and a 3 year old and I'm due with #3 in July. My kids are pretty easy to pacify with a walk around the block or trip to the park, but I am going to be babysitting my 6 year old neice for the first week of summer vacation. She requires actual entertainment. I can't afford to go to the zoo or aquarium or anything else like that. We are going to do pump it up. My 3 yo loves that, and my neice said she likes it too. We are going to try Playmania on Big Bend too. It sounds like it's kind of like Gymboree except much cheaper. Little Chef's Academy looks pretty cool too, but it's a little more expensive and my 20 month old can't participate or even come with us to do that. Okay, I'm rambling. Email me if you want to get together or try some stuff out with us during the second week in June. My email is ____@____.com

we are on a tight budget and have found the local YMCA on culbreath to be a great source of entertainment. there are a variety of things to do there and if you average out the cost, it is very cheap. also, if you have limited income, they offer assistance with the monthly cost. also, the membership is good for all locations, so if you get tired of one location, just go visit another one.
other than that, my kids like to play around the house as well. bikes, sidewalk chalk, bug chasing, frisbee, I find it amazing how resourceful they are when I turn off the tv and tell them to go play. since we've been out playing, some of our neighbors have started to come out too...kids are like magnets to eachother. great way to meet your neighbors is to just go out in your front yard and play with your kids or watch them play.
good luck! you have some great ideas here from everyone. i remember how isolating it feels to be your childs only play friend. it will pass and you will meet great people as he continues to get older.

The Library has a great summer reading program for children of all ages. They also have computers with educational games on them. It's free and will help him in the future. If possible get a sand box, wading pool, swing set and play in your own back yard. The girls and I had all kinds of adventures right in our own back yard. From butterfly catching, bug hunting, tea parties, picnics. Not everyone can afford to go all the time. Also we went to the duck pond a lot and fed the ducks. The Library programs are a great way for your son to meet kids his own age and for you to meet new parents.

Hi T.,

I recommend you check out MOMS Club (Mothers offering mothers support) if you are a SAHM or work part-time. Once you join, they connect you with a playgroup for your son's age. If you work full-time, you may enjoy Kate Jackson Center water fountains. It's a free water play area that's great for young ones. It's at the corner of S. Rome and Morrison in Hyde Park. Also, the Aquarium only costs $9.95 per adult (double check that). I'm not sure how much for children. If you haven't gone yet, Lowry Park Zoo is pretty affordable if you don't spend a lot on food and such inside the park. Picasso's Kiln and Kork is a pottery cafe to paint your own pottery. It's in South Tampa. I hope these ideas help. Take care!