7 Places to Take the Kids Besides the Beach
Sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate. What can you do with the kids on a cold or cloudy day?
*NOTE* This list is does not include current Covid-19 rules or restrictions. Please contact the establishment for current information on protocols and safety.
1. Strike it Up
When's the last time you went bowling?! Made popular in the 1930's, this old past time is still very much alive. Face it, when mom throws a gutter ball, it's always funny! The whole family can enjoy bowling on a rainy day.
Lucky us we have 2 bowling centers right here in Southwest Pinellas!
Seminole Lanes
8668 Park Blvd. N.
Seminole, FL
Ph. (727) 392-2271
Ten Pin Lanes
1453 Pasadena Ave. S.
South Pasadena, FL
Ph. (727) 381-1010
2. Get Hi-Tech
Check out some social gaming! Right now most adults reading this are going "What's Social Gaming?" emiright? Well, we all know how popular online gaming has become. Many kids (and adults - don't get me started) are seen tethered to their computers for hours in game rooms where players can "meet", play and chat. For many parents, this can be a scary idea - who is Timmy really talking to?
Play Live Nation at the Tyrone Mall is trying to change all that. They've taken the idea of online gaming and combined it with real life social activities. Instead of playing alone in a room at home, players can actually see and meet other gamers IN PERSON! This might be the perfect place for parents to learn and play along with their kids to see just why kids think it's so fun. C'mon, I know some of you remember how exciting it was to go to the arcade and whoop some Donkey Kong butt!
Play Live Nation
Tyrone Square Mall
6901 22nd Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL
Ph. (727) 302-9688
3. Take a Hike
If the weather is a bit cold or overcast, get your walking shoes on and take a hike through Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg. The preserve is over 3,000 acres including almost two miles of handicap-accessible boardwalks and pavement. The best part of the hike is the 45-foot observation tower to get a great bird's eye view of the park. Dogs are not allowed. Be sure to check their website on the latest hours and restrictions due to Covid-19.
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL
Ph. (727) 453-6500
4. Kiss an Alligator
A family can easily spend a few hours together at John's Pass on Madeira Beach. Plan on lunch, a little shopping and getting up close to some alligators!
The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center provides humane, professional care for a variety of animals that are often pet surrenders or orphaned wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about and get up close and personal to many of these animals including kissing an alligator!
Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center
John's Pass Village
12973 Village Blvd. A-D
Madeira Beach, FL
Ph. (727) 329-8751
5. Escape
Ready to find out who has the real brains in the family? Try your luck at an escape room! For an hour you and your family will look for clues to solve puzzles, crack code combinations and more to find your way out of a locked room. Rooms vary in themes so you can play again with a different theme each time!
We have two escape rooms here in Southwest Pinellas to choose from:
Beach Escape Game
7340 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, FL
Ph. (727) 800-6900
Locked Up
162 129th Ave. W. 2nd Floor
Madeira Beach, FL
Ph. (727) 209-7240
Photo credit: Sky Zone Tampa
6. Take a Leap
Face it, kids seem to have boundless energy! What better place to let that energy out than Sky Zone Trampoline Park located just a bit north of our area in Largo. The great thing about Sky Zone is that they not only offer an area for teens and adults, but they also have a safe toddler-friendly zone for the little ones. The whole family can enjoy time here!
Besides the trampoline areas, there are also climbing walls, obstacle paths, free-jumping and more.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
13000 66th Street
Largo, FL
Ph. (727) 900-5867
7. Keep Things Rolling
Well, we've already taken you back with bowling (and a little Donkey Kong reference), so let's keep the trend going with roller skating! Astro Skate of Pinellas Park is open and has great fun for all ages. Fridays are teen night and Wednesdays are adult skate night! (Although to be clear, that just means 18+)
Follow their Facebook page and you'll see all sorts of events and specials happening every week.
Astro Skate
10001 66th Street N.
Pinellas Park, FL
Ph. (727) 546-0018
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