Weekends with kids can feel like a high-stakes blend of cruise director, camp counselor, and hostage negotiator. But good news: Tampa has a surprising number of events this weekend where your children can burn energy, learn something, and maybe (just maybe) not smear yogurt into your car upholstery. Here’s a round-up of what’s happening that might just save your sanity.
Check back each Wednesday for updates, and be sure to submit your events to our calendar. Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup.
Kid-Friendly events this weekend in Tampa: May 22-24
Spider-Man Brand New Skate
Friday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
United Skates Tampa, 5121 N. Armenia Ave
United Skates is kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a Spider-Man themed skate night featuring a character meet and greet, trivia, contests, and a Top 40 and K-pop mix, because apparently your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has traded web-slinging for roller skates and honestly the transition makes complete sense. It is a brand new day for Peter Parker and a brand new reason to lace up on a Friday night, so bring the kids and let someone else worry about saving the city for once.
Florida Seafood & Caribbean Music Festival
Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr
The Florida Seafood & Caribbean Music Festival is bringing eight hours of seafood, Caribbean rhythms, free crawfish, and free rum punch (for you while your kids run around) to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for an expected crowd of 10,000 people, which is the kind of Saturday afternoon that requires absolutely zero convincing to attend. Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, the waterfront views are free, and the only real decision you have to make is how many plates of seafood constitutes a reasonable afternoon.
The Great American Block Party
Saturday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Dr
Wiregrass Mall is throwing a free six-hour block party to mark America’s 250th birthday with live entertainment, family activities, games, an antique and vintage car show, and an evening concert, because apparently Wesley Chapel decided the country’s quarter-millennium deserved more than a backyard cookout. It runs from mid-afternoon straight through the evening, which means you can show up for the car show, stay for the concert, and still get the kids home at a reasonable hour feeling somewhat patriotic about the whole thing.
Tampa Car Show
Saturday, May 23, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Chick-fil-A West Hillsborough, 8465 W. Hillsborough Ave
Chick-fil-A West is turning its parking lot into an exotic and high-end car showcase for two hours on a Saturday evening, which is the most Florida sentence possible and also a completely valid reason to go get a milkshake. It is free to attend, dinner is right there, and your kids get to stare at cars that cost more than your house while eating waffle fries, so really everyone wins.
Akeelah and the Bee
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24, Various Times
Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd
In partnership with Academy Prep students, Stageworks is bringing Akeelah and the Bee to life which means the story of an 11-year-old from South LA finding her way to the National Spelling Bee is being told by actual young people who bring their own version of that same ambition to the stage. It is heartfelt, funny, and the kind of production that reminds kids in the audience that brilliance genuinely can come from anywhere, including the seat they are sitting in right now.
The Royal Treatment with Rapunzel
Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Party N Style, 3724 Land O Lakes Blvd
Party N Style is rolling out the full royal treatment for little princesses, complete with a gown fitting, regal hairstyle, nail polish, makeup, and a visit from Rapunzel herself who arrives an hour in to host a sing and dance along and meet every royal guest individually. Tickets are limited, RSVP is required, and Rapunzel’s schedule is apparently non-negotiable, so if your household has a princess who has been waiting for exactly this kind of afternoon, the time to act is now.
