Are There Any Indoor Playgrounds in the South Tampa Area?

Updated on August 16, 2006
C.J. asks from Tampa, FL
7 answers

I've lived in S. Tampa now for about six months and it seems that this city has more facilities for pets than it does for kids. Yes, there are parks and playgrounds scattered all over the city, but most of the playgrounds are unshaded so who really wants to sweat it out in the mugginess and bugginess of the summer months? The only alternatives are the city pools, which have to close when the afternoon storms roll in. The Westshore and International Plaza Malls have decent-sized indoor playgrounds, but now my kids want something more interesting and interactive. By the way, Chuckie Cheese is way too crazy for toddlers. When we were living in Hawaii, there was a facility called The Discovery Zone, which was a massive inter-active play area for kids of all ages. It cost a little money to get in, but if you got an annual pass, it was a great deal. Is there anything like that in the S. Tampa area or even in St. Pete or Brandon? If not, I'll have to think about opening one up...

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for the great response. It seems like there are many moms out there who are stumped for indoor things to do in the S. Tampa area. With gas prices as high as they are (it takes almost $50 a week to fill up my mini-van), I'm really looking at staying in the general vicinity of S. Tampa. I've taken my kids to MOSI and the FL Aquarium, but they're both too expensive to go there with any regularity. My son actually goes to Friendship Camp for pre-school, so we're very familiar with this great park. Watch out for the squirrels though...they're pretty aggressive if you have any food. Other than driving out to Brandon, St. Pete, and/or Clearwater, there doesn't seem to be much available in the S. Tampa area except for the mall playgrounds and the Chick-Fil-A indoor playground on S. Dale Mabry. For now, I would be very interested in joining a S. Tampa Mom's group...meaning Westshore, Interbay, Bay-to-Bay, Manhatten, and the S. Dale Mabry areas. I'm also really going to research what it would take to open up a modest indoor play area here in S. Tampa. Sounds like there would be a great market for it. I'll keep you posted.

More Answers

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J.R.

answers from Tampa on

C., I just want to add my support to what you're saying and would also be interested in knowing if there are some more interesting playgrounds. If I had the money to invest I would most definitely open one up. Not only would it provide a valuable service to the community but it would make a fortune!

I am a 40 year old mother of an almost 4 year old boy, almost 2 year old boy and another baby due in December. I'm Australian but have been living in the States for just over 3 1/2 years

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D.

answers from Tampa on

Dear C.,

for clearwater there is a website www.myclearwater.com and under parks and recreation I found places for clearwater. There has to be a similar website for the parks and recreation department for Tampa. I know the YMCA locally has a great play area inside. Look into the YMCA by you.

There is also a magazine that comes out quarterly "Sports News" that has all the stuff for kids. The local library should be able to help you find stuff and they also have free activities for kids; story time, arts & crafts, etc.

Good Luck.
D.

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C.P.

answers from Tampa on

The spray ground in Hyde Park isn't too bad during the hot summer heat. Other then that I don't know of anything better then the malls.

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R.H.

answers from Tampa on

Hi there!

I have a year & half old daughter, and I've been curious about the same thing! I try to take her to the park's playgroung every once in awhile, but it's just too hot! So, would you please let me know if you find a nice indoor playground suitable for toddlers? I don't mind if they charge a fee.

We live in Tampa, a few minutes away from the international mall.

Good luck :-)
R..

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E.G.

answers from Tampa on

hi C., Here are some other things to do w/ your kids: Great Explorations, a hands on children's museum at Sunken Gardens on 4th St in St Pete, Kids in Charge @ MOSI which is similar and if you've never been to Friendship Park on Bay to Bay Blvd, I reccomend that over most of the others. It's completely fenced and gated, covered tables to sit at for lunch, plenty of shade to sit under and at least the toddler play ground is mostly shaded. The large one is not. There's green space to run around and it's rarely crowded. Enjoy

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C.C.

answers from Tampa on

Hello C.,
I'm a working mom of two girls-an 8 month old and 2 year old. I ran into the same problem and decided to start a playgroup. you are welcome to visit us anytime by going to our group website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StPeteWorkingMoms
There are a lot of indoor play areas that I've found after starting our group a few weeks ago. We have about 15 members and still counting. Our members live and work all over the Tampa Bay too. Some places you may want to check out is Gymboree (located on North Dale Mabry and South Dale Mabry); Ultimate Party and Play Zone in St. Petersburg (www.uppz.com), and A Play Patch in Tampa, and there are a few others that I can't think of the names yet. Visit our group page and join if you'd like to get to know more mothers out there and little friends for your children. Hope to meet you soon.

C.
St. Pete Working Moms, Group Leader
Mother of Emily (2 yrs) and Hailey (8 mo)

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J.

answers from Tampa on

Try Pump it Up in Brandon, Lumsdon Rd. I believe. It's an indoor play area with all the the inflatible jumping things for kids- three diff rooms if I remember right.

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