Tampa Bay Spring Break Guide
Kid-Friendly Things to do for Spring Break
Spring break starts next week for students in Hillsborough County. This means your kids have a whole week away from school (Yikes!). If you’re worried about how to keep your kids occupied during the entire break, check out these activities below. Keep in mind that every activity-provider has its own approach to COVID safety, and it’s always best to review what precautions are in place before making plans to ensure they meet your family’s safety needs.
Free Swim Lessons:
Tampa Bay area YMCA’s are offering free swim lessons through their “Safety All Around Program”. The program is free and open to all 3-12-year-old beginners and non-swimmers in the Tampa Bay community. This 4-day course, taught by certified instructors, teaches children a sequenced set of skills that will reduce the risk of drowning and give them confidence in and around water. The program is offered Monday – Thursday for one week, each class is 40 minutes in length. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Tampa Bay Area YMCA’s are following the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines. Face masks are required for all staff and members ages 5+. Before children and staff are checked in, their temperatures are taken. For the safety and well-being of others in the camp, those running a temperature of 100.4+ degrees cannot attend. To see all of the precautions the Y is following, click here.
Kids-Friendly Places in Tampa Bay:
Want to get out during the pandemic while social distancing? Check out this article from Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. This article lists some of the most kid-friendly spots to social distance in the Tampa Bay area. From site seeing at local nature preserves to drive-thru wildlife experiences, there are so many activities for you and your family to enjoy during spring break.
Spring Break Camps:
Unfortunately, not all parents are able to stay at home with their children during spring break. If you are worried about leaving your children at home during the entire break, you may want to look into some fun spring break camps.
The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County summer passport program is back! Based on availability, children in Hillsborough County can enjoy one or two weeks of full-day camps provided by one of the following organizations: Glazer’s Children’s Museum, Straz Center, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Museum of Art, ZooTampa at Lowry Park Zoo, MOSI, and The Florida Aquarium. Registration dates and times are below. For more information, visit https://www.childrensboard.org/
Each camp is following the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 safety. Here are direct links to their COVID-19 precautions: Glazer’s Children’s Museum, Straz Center, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Museum of Art, ZooTampa at Lowry Park Zoo, and MOSI.
Free Meals:
With the financial strain COVID-19 has placed on many families, a week off from school can be financially devastating. Local food banks, schools, and community organizations are here to help families by offering meals free of charge to all children. To find a meal site near you, text “Food” or “Comida” to 877-877. You can also visit No Kid Hungry’s Meal Finder Map online to find out when and where meals are being served.
Even though COVID-19 is prevalent, we hope you take the time to enjoy your family and continue to build strong bonds that create a strong family dynamic. And remember, always follow all COVID-19 restrictions, rules, and safety regulations both at your destination and upon returning home. We encourage you to call each location you plan on visiting and talk to them about their safety precautions to make sure they meet your family’s safety needs.
Links to Resources:
Kids-Friendly Places in Tampa Bay
Children’s Board of Hillsborough County’s Summer Passport Program