We've compiled all the info you need to know for summer fun in one place! Know of something we left off? Comment below or email the details to catherinef@macaronikid.com. Have a GREAT summer!
First Things First
Summer Reading
Activities & Games for kids, most are recommended for K-5
Teen and Tween Shows & activities
FREE & Cheap Summer Movies ~ see complete schedule and details here
Places to Cool Off ~ see article for more details
Beaches
Smaller Local Beaches
Head to the Park
Check out an Indoor Playplace
Enjoy Local Museums & Attractions
Take a Day Trip
Give Back
MORE Summer Fun!
Look for even MORE ideas in next week's edition of Macaroni Kid Brandon!
- Subscribe for FREE to Macaroni Kid Brandon for up-to-date-events, giveaways and lots of family fun in our weekly newsletter!
- See what's going on today on our calendar of family-friendly events
Summer Reading
- Summer Reading Programs ~ LOTS of ways to have fun, earn prizes and prevent "summer slide"
- Check out library books a local library
- Story Times. Baby Times, Toddler Times, Family Times, etc ~ see our calendar for more info
- Visit Brandon's only Little Free Library (listed under 33510)
- Start your own Little Free Library
- Hillsborough County Summer Reading Programs & Shows NOTE: These are the days and times these events are generally scheduled. Some weeks this may change. There are also MANY other programs occurring at the libraries this summer. Check our calendar or the HCPLC website for more info.
Activities & Games for kids, most are recommended for K-5
Teen and Tween Shows & activities
FREE & Cheap Summer Movies ~ see complete schedule and details here
- Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village Summer Fun Flicks: Tuesdays at 10am
- Summer Movie Kid Series at Centro Ybor 20: Thursdays at 10am
- Cobb FREE Summer Kids Shows: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 10am
- FREE Summer Movies at Local Libraries: movies for kids, tweens & teens hosted by local libraries, more info on our summer calendar
- Outdoor movies at Ciccio Cali
- See a Drive in Movie at Ruskin Drive In
Places to Cool Off ~ see article for more details
- Free community hours at the Campo YMCA's splash park: Wednesdays and Fridays from 5-7pm
- Park Square Fountains
- Lithia Springs Regional Park
- Rotary's All Person's Playground ~ Splash Pad Coming Soon!
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Downtown Tampa)
- Water Works Park (Downtown Tampa)
Beaches
Smaller Local Beaches
- Little Harbor
- EG Simmons Park
- Clearwater Pier 60
- St Pete Beach
- Anna Maria Island
- Ft. DeSoto
- Siesta Key
- Venice
Head to the Park
- Rotary's All Person's Playground
- Paul Sanders Park
- Davis Park
- Alderman's Ford
- Medard Park
- Saladino Park
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Downtown Tampa)
- Commom Ground ~ a little further away, but worth the drive
Check out an Indoor Playplace
- Playtime
- Pump It Up
- Boing
Enjoy Local Museums & Attractions
- Glazer Children’s Museum
- Lowry Park Zoo
- Busch Gardens
- The Florida Aquarium
- MOSI
- Dinosaur World
- Explorations V
- Tampa Museum of Art
- Tampa Bay History Center
- The Dali Museum (St Petersburg)
- The Clearwater Marine Aquarium ~ Visit Winter the dolphin!
Take a Day Trip
- LEGOLAND
- Walt Disney World
- Universal Studios
- Kennedy Space Center
- Gatorland
- Sea World
Give Back
- Make Blessings Bags
- Host an Alex's Lemonade Stand
- Host a Cookies for Cancer Bake Sale
- Practice Random Acts of Kindness
- Bloomingdale Giveback Program
MORE Summer Fun!
- Go to Vacation Bible School ~ see a list of local programs here. Most are free!
- Celebrate the 4th of July
- Pick up some Report Card Freebies
- Summer Play Days at The Disney Store
- Kids Free Summer Bucket Program at Ace Golf
- Give the kids a few dollars and let them pick something out at the dollar store, or have your kids hide a few dollars in the dollar store as a random act of kindness
- Check out some Garage and Yard sales ~$1 goes a long way!
- Participate in Florida State Parks Junior Ranger Program
- Go Fishing
- Bowling
- Make something at Lowes Build and Grow Clinic
- Build at a Home Depot Kids Workshop
- Visit a pet store
- Host a movie night with friends
- Host a toy swap or book swap with friend
- Host a sleepover or a backyard camp-out
- Go to a Rays game
- Go to a Tampa Yankees game ~ FREE parking and FREE kids admission to Sunday home games
- Make Homemade Ice Cream in a Baggie
- Have an Ice Block Treasure Hunt
- Make Your Own Slime Putty
- Take A Colorful Nature Walk
- Make Some Fruit Water
- Recycle some old crayons
- Have a fun Flower & Bug Lunch
- Make your own Sidewalk Chalk
- Play in the Rain! (unless there's thunder & lightning)
- Make a Bird Feeder
- Make some Newspaper Seed Planters
- Make some Snow Dough
- Family Night Fun! Stories by the Candle-fire
- Build a Fairy Gnome House
- Create a Straw Painting
- Grill up some S'mores Cones
- Go Summer Exploring with Homemade Binoculars!
- Make Your Own Patriotic Ice Pops!
- Create a DIY Sprinkler
- Taking a vacation? Use your destination's local mac kid site to help plan your trip!
Look for even MORE ideas in next week's edition of Macaroni Kid Brandon!
Like this article? Macaroni Kid Brandon is full of useful local information like this PLUS find great family-friendly events on our event calendar.
Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter to receive updates on all of the BEST events & activities for families in the Brandon area!
Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter to receive updates on all of the BEST events & activities for families in the Brandon area!