December 2025 Magazine

TAMPA BAY

BayCare Kid For Life

BayCare treats more children in West Central Florida than any other health care system. Whether it’s a routine exam or critical heart, cancer or brain care, our teams use innovative treatment options and give every child personalized support and compassionate care. With three dedicated pediatric emergency centers, you can rely on our pediatric ER experts to provide specialized care, 24/7. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, BayCare Medical Group Pediatrics and the entire BayCare Kids network help children start strong and stay strong.

To learn more, go to BayCare.org/JustForKids or scan this code:

DECEMBER 2025

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER

Laura Byrne

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Anu Varma Panchal

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Zoë Joiner

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Laura Byrne

Brie Gorecki

Erica Edwards

Zoë Joiner

Tara Payor, PhD

Hailea Boykin

Dalia Colón

Andrea Colby

Janet White

Lauren Bergold

Laura Cross

Maggie Rodriguez

Julia Stewart

Eileen McVay

Anu Varma Panchal

Alexandra Graham

Marsha Strickhouser

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Ralf Gonzalez

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Jennifer Dufek

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laura Byrne

LEGOLAND Florida

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Straz Center

Zoë Joiner

Dani Meyering

Ringling/Feld Entertainment

ZooTampa

Soho Images

The Relayer Group Burton family

BOOKKEEPING

James Anderson

DISTRIBUTION

TGS Media Distribution, tgsmedia.com

TAMPA BAY

PARENTING MAGAZINE

320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606

Phone 813-949-4400

Fax 813-315-6688

info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com

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Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.

Articles

9 // Healing Waters: Clearwater Marine Aquarium reopens Manatee Rehabilitation Center in honor of Dr. James "Buddy" Powell

13 // The Best Holiday Events in Tampa Bay: We’re sharing our picks of holiday lights, holiday shows, special events, and more!

18 // COVER STORY: The magic of Next Generation Ballet returns to the Straz Center with a new vision for the future

21 // Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Get a peek at what to expect at this year’s bricktastic celebration!

26 // Christmas at Gaylord Palms: An INSIDE LOOK at Florida’s coolest holiday celebration… literally!

29 // Ring in 2026: Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Noon Year’s Eve in Tampa Bay

33 // Making a Difference: Learn what it’s like to volunteer as a family at Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent

35 // The Zest Podcast: Podcast host and writer Dalia Colón shares her favorite episodes from 2025

37 // The Gift of Time: Making the holidays happier with Kroger Delivery

38 // Get Ready to Party! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is launching a NEW show in January in Tampa

41 // Set Your Imagination in Motion: MOSI debuts a NEW Leonardo DaVinci exhibit

42 // SNEAK PEEK: Join us as we take you for a first look at Florida Waters, ZooTampa’s largest expansion to date

51 // The Gift of Giving: How IB students in Hillsborough County Public Schools are spreading holiday cheer all year long

55 // Connection Over Perfection: Local mom writes instruction manual for teaching kids life skills

ABOUT THE COVER:

Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to the stage Dec. 19-23 at the Straz Center in Tampa. We sat down with NGB’s new artistic director to talk about his vision for the program and what to expect at this year’s show. Flip to page 18 for the interview.

58 // Winter Reads for the Whole Family: Librarians from Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library share their picks for all ages

63 // Making Waves with Watermelon Swim this Holiday Season: How Watermelon Swim is changing lives in and out of the pool

65 // AI Support: Pediatric psychologist Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D., at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, explains hidden dangers and what to do about them

67 // Play it Safe: BayCare Kids experts share common toy hazards and how to avoid them

69 // The Power of Connection: How Moms of South Tampa are redefining networking

Every Issue:

6 // Noteworthy: What’s NEW and GOOD in Tampa Bay

11 // Top Picks: Our favorite things to do in Tampa Bay with the kids

23 // The Play List: We’re sharing why families love to play at The Pier this time of year

25 // Moms to Know: Meet Malissa Spencer, Senior Manager of Entertainment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

31 // Kids to Know: Meet the kids of Kids 4 a Cause who are making a difference in our community

47 // Teacher to Know: Meet Micaela Spatola, Agriculture and Veterinary Assisting Instructor at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa

70 // What’s Trending on TampaBayParenting.com: What’s clicking and expanded coverage online

tampabayparenting.com

MUMA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT TGH: PEDIATRIC CARE POWERED BY THE REGION’S ONLY ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM*

The newly renovated Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH specializes in pediatric care in a family-friendly environment.

The experts at the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH are specially trained to deliver the highest level of care to the youngest patients and their families — the kind of care you can get only at an academic health system. Pediatric specialists and surgeons, pediatric-certified nurses, psychologists, certified child life specialists, and pediatric therapists all work together to ensure that children get the best care and families get the support they need.

*University-based program

NOTEWORTHY december WHAT'S NEW

Busch Gardens Roars into 2026 with ALL-NEW Lion and Hyena Ridge

Coming Spring 2026, this reimagined area of the park will expand the existing space to more than double its previous size, creating nearly 35,000 square feet of dynamic savanna terrain where two of Africa’s most iconic species will thrive — a pride of five young male lions and a pair of playful hyenas. Highlights include an immersive new viewing area, innovative habitat design, roaring stories and more!

Merlin Entertainments Launches a Search for Junior Galaxy Explorers

LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California are celebrating the $90 million launch of LEGO Galaxy at each park by inviting kids ages 6-12 to join the first-ever team of Junior Galaxy Explorers. Young builders can showcase their creativity by designing and showing their own LEGO spacecraft, either in person at select children’s museums or through a digital contest from home. Winners will earn the ultimate reward – being the first to ride the all-new Galacticoaster on opening day in early 2026. legoland.com/juniorexplorers

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving Team Up with JA BizTown to Build the Next Generation of Leaders

Tampa-based company College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving officially combined forces with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, offering a new College HUNKS storefront at JA BizTown, a simulated city where 5th graders gain experience with real-world careers. The organizations, which are both celebrating their 20th anniversaries this year, are teaming up to help students pursue AI-proof careers grounded in teamwork, entrepreneurship and problem-solving.

On Oct. 25, Cambridge Christian School hosted its annual Legacy Gala: Making a Way — a stunning white-out event at Armature Works that raised a record-breaking $1 million for tuition assistance and campus-wide initiatives. The evening featured an anonymous matching gift donor inspired to help CCS soar past the $1 million mark and invest in the school’s mission.

the good stuff

Children’s Network of Hillsborough Celebrates National Adoption Day at Busch Gardens

Adoptive families celebrated “Passport to Adoption: The Adventure Continues,” an event which celebrated finalization of over 40 adoptions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Nov. 14 – National Adoption Day. Judges from Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit legally united children who found their forever homes with their adoptive parents. After the formal festivities, families were treated to a day of fun throughout the park.

LEGOLAND Florida Hosts National Adoption Day Celebration with Heartland for Children

On Nov. 11, LEGOLAND Florida Resort hosted a heartfelt National Adoption Day Celebration in partnership with Heartland for Children, where local judges officially joined children to their forever families. The event included adoption ceremonies, family portraits, celebratory cake, LEGO gifts and special appearances by LEGO characters.

Healing Waters

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Reopens Manatee Rehabilitation Center, honoring the legacy of conservation leader Dr. James “Buddy” Powell

by Marsha Strickhouser

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) has officially reopened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center and welcomed its first new patients of the year — three juvenile manatees named Sabal, Orchid and Vora. The reopening marks a major milestone for CMA after more than a year of closure due to extensive hurricane damage, sustaining over $2.5 million in damages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton during the 2024 season.

CMA’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center, part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), received the trio after their transport from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where they were previously being rehabilitated.

CMA marine mammal experts will monitor the three patients as they acclimate to their new habitat, which is open for guests’ viewing. It is anticipated that these patients will be released in early 2026 back to the wild, where they will be monitored by CMA Research Institute (CMARI) scientists for the MRP.

“CMA has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of manatees for over two decades,” says Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “Rehabilitation is a crucial part of our mission, and we are proud to welcome manatee patients here and be part of the solution alongside our partners at the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. We are the first responders of the ocean — from research to monitoring — and we are committed to protecting this keystone species.”

MEET THE MANATEES:

Sabal - Rescued on Sept. 1, 2023, as an orphan in Boggy Bayou, Palm Harbor. Planned Release: Crystal River, Florida — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI

Orchid - Rescued on March 13, 2024, as an orphan in Kings Bay, Crystal River. Planned Release: Crystal River, Florida — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI

Vora - Rescued on Oct. 2, 2023, as an orphan in Lake Santa Barbara, Pompano Beach. Planned Release: Blue Spring, Florida — to be tagged and monitored by CMARI Orchid

IN DEDICATION TO A CONSERVATION HERO

The new manatee rehabilitation facility has been named the Dr. James “Buddy” Powell Manatee Rehabilitation Center in honor of the CMA’s former chief zoological officer and executive director of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI). Dr. Powell devoted more than five decades to the study and protection of manatees worldwide and was a visionary leader whose passion and perseverance transformed the field of marine conservation. His legacy lives on in every rescued, rehabilitated and released manatee — and in the hearts of those inspired by his work.

“This facility stands as a testament to Dr. Powell’s enduring impact and CMA’s unwavering commitment to marine life,” Handy says. “It is more than a building — it is a promise to continue the work he began, ensuring manatees receive the care and protection they deserve.”

CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF CONSERVATION

The Manatee Rehabilitation Center, which first opened in July 2024, has provided “second stage” care for manatees who are no longer in need of critical care, but have not yet met the milestones needed for release. They are also designed to relieve capacity at critical care facilities at ZooTampa and SeaWorld Orlando, which often care for more than 20 manatees each at a time.

The first manatee patients welcomed to CMA were Yeti and Zamboni. Unfortunately, their stays were cut short due to Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26, and they were safely transported to ZooTampa the next day. The two manatees were both eventually released back to the wild in early 2025.

Manatees are a keystone species and vital indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. CMA’s rehabilitation center allows guests to observe manatees under care while learning about the threats they face — such as habitat loss, boat strikes, entanglement and pollution — and how individuals can contribute to their protection.

more and plan your visit to see the manatees and other animals at CMA: cmaquarium.org.

DECEMBER Top Picks

Our favorite family-friendly events in Tampa Bay

ANNUAL YULE CACTUS LIGHTING AT THE JAMES MUSEUM

TUESDAY, DEC. 2 FROM 6-8 P.M.

ST. PETERSBURG

Kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of The James Museum’s 10-foot Yule Cactus! Free events throughout the evening include family-friendly art making and photos with Cowboy Santa. The event takes place on the museum’s first floor, and it is free to attend. Museum admission is needed for gallery access upstairs. Advance online registration is highly recommended! thejamesmuseum.org

A NOSTALGIC EVENING WITH MACAULAY CULKIN

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 AT 7:30 P.M. STRAZ CENTER

Join Kevin McCallister himself, Macaulay Culkin, as he heads to the Straz Center to celebrate the 35th anniversary of “Home Alone.” The former child star will take questions from the audience and share memories and anecdotes from the classic holiday film before a showing of the 1990 Christmas classic. strazcenter.org

SESAME STREET LIVE! ELMO & FRIENDS SAY HELLO

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 AT 2 P.M.

MAHAFFEY THEATRE IN ST. PETERSBURG

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to St. Petersburg to say hello! Sing, dance and play alongside your favorite furry friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide and seek. themahaffey.com

SANTA’S SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, DEC. 13 FROM 6-9 P.M.

MOSI IN TAMPA

Get ready to celebrate hands-on fun with the whole family at MOSI! Write letters to Santa and send it to the North Pole using MOSI’s Magical Mailbox and then meet and take pics with the big guy himself! Explore festive science experiments that bring holiday magic to life, check out a dazzling planetarium show and enjoy sweet holiday treats. mosi.org

POUCH PALS BABY ROO ENCOUNTER AT CMA

DEC. 20-23 AND 26-31, 2025 AND JAN. 1-4, 2026 AT VARIOUS TIMES CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM

The baby kangaroos are back at CMA! Get up close and meet a kangaroo joey during Pouch Pals Baby Roo Encounter presented by Amazing Animals. Learn about vital kangaroo conservation efforts to help protect these incredible marsupials and experience the unique opportunity to have a kangaroo snuggle into your lap. A separate fee is required to participate in the interactive session. cmaquarium.org

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS

GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH® JAN. 2-4, 2026, VARIOUS SHOWTIMES BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Step inside The Greatest Party On Earth! The 150+ year-old beloved circus is back and reimagined for a new generation. This larger-than-life production bursts back into Tampa for the launch of the national tour. Get tickets now for the Circus Party of the Year, featuring two hours of high-energy, family fun with over 65 world-class performers and beats that get you out of your seat! ticketmaster.com

Flip the page for our favorite holiday events in Tampa Bay!

The Greatest Party On Earth!

Sesame Street Live!

Yule Cactus Lighting

Pouch Pals Baby Roo Encounter

Tampa Bay's BEST Holiday Events!

by Brie Gorecki

The smell of pine trees and sugar cookies is in the air, and sparkling lights are everywhere! While Santa gets ready to pack up his sleigh, there are so many ways to celebrate the magic of the season in Tampa Bay!

We think the following events deserve a spot on Santa’s “nice” list. Whether it’s breakfast with Santa, a seasonal show or an enchanting stroll through twinkling lights, here are our top picks of places around town that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE ATTRACTIONS

Flip to Moms to Know on page 25 to read more with Malissa Spencer, who helps create the magic of this event!

CHRISTMAS TOWN AT BUSCH GARDENS

TAMPA BAY

DAILY THROUGH JAN. 5, 2026

Enjoy park-wide festive fun at this award-winning holiday event. The park becomes filled with holiday cheer and guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist. Ride the Holly Jolly Express train, view millions of twinkling lights from the top of a roller coaster, visit Santa in his workshop and spend time with Rudolph and his friends from the classic holiday movie, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Guests can also enjoy festive live shows and take part in special holiday dining and shopping. Christmas Town is included with admission. Don't forget — you can upgrade your day by adding an Animal Tour or Safari! buschgardens.com/tampa

ZOOTAMPA CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD

SELECT NIGHTS THROUGH DEC. 31

This year’s Christmas in the Wild promises to be the biggest and brightest yet! They’re not only adding new animal light sculptures, but you’ll still get to enjoy returning favorites like the illuminated Ice Cavern. Kids will also love exploring Gingerbread Jubilee, meeting Rudolph in person at Rudolph’s Reindeer Games, getting silly in the land of Ticky Tacky Christmas and more! You can also book a Holiday Signature Encounter during Christmas in the Wild to upgrade your experience. zootampa.org

HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT

SELECT DATES DEC. 6 – DEC. 31

Get ready to celebrate an awesome holiday season at LEGOLAND Florida Resort! This bricktacular event features unforgettable seasonal shows, LEGO holiday character experiences, sweet treats and special activities. Light displays will twinkle throughout the park, and a giant LEGO Christmas tree is sure to mesmerize guests with its 360-degree light show. From Dec. 24-31, you can also join in their Kids' New Year's Eve festivities. Holidays at LEGOLAND is included with admission. legoland.com/florida

BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS

TAMPA BAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & SANTA’S VILLAGE THROUGH DEC. 28

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, DOVER

Don’t miss this EXPANDED holiday light spectacular that will envelop you and your family in an enchanting environment blanketed in more than a million lights from entrance to exit. Young and young at heart will enjoy the nearly 2-mile drive-through immersive experience of continuous light features followed by a festive walking visit to Santa’s Village, full of attractions, holiday goodies and visits with Santa. hillsboroughcountyfair.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR PRESENTED BY MANTHEY HOSPITALITY THROUGH JAN. 2, 2026

TAMPA RIVERWALK

Take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk among the festive holiday lights as the area transforms into a winter wonderland. Highlights of the Holiday Spectacular include a 35-foot-tall LED-lighted Christmas tree that floats in the harbor along with more floating light displays, including a gingerbread lighted display near the Laurel Street Bridge and a lighted private ship near Water Works Park. The grand oaks at Water Works Park are also wrapped in twinkling lights. And don’t miss the River of Lights Boat Parade on Dec. 20.

*BEST WAY TO VIEW THE LIGHTS RIVER OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN TAMPA WITH PIRATE WATER TAXI IN TAMPA

The Christmas Light cruise departs from Winter Village and includes Christmas carols and visits with pirate elves! Write a letter to Santa and pop it in the North Pole buoy. There is also a special Christmas light cruise for the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 20. piratewatertaxi.com

WINTER VILLAGE IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA THROUGH JAN. 4, 2026

CURTIS HIXON WATERFRONT PARK

Skate along downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink and even try a game of street curling at Winter Village. But that's not all. Not only will they be hosting fun, themed nights and Santa on select days, but you can also get some holiday shopping done at The Shops of Winter Village and try some seasonal holiday sips and treats from The Cafe. wintervillagetampa.com

HOLIDAY LIGHTS ALONG THE ST. PETE WATERFRONT

THROUGH JAN. 1, 2026

NORTH STRAUB PARK, SOUTH STRAUB PARK, PIONEER PARK AND ST. PETE PIER

Soak in the thousands of gorgeous lights as you stroll along the waterfront in downtown St. Pete. There are special events on schedule throughout the month including Snow Fest on Dec. 6 where the kids can sled on real snow, and Holiday Movies in the Park.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH AN ARTSY TWIST

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE AT GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM THROUGH JAN. 5, 2026

GLAZER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN TAMPA

Step into Gingerbread Village in GCM's MakeSpace exhibit, where creativity, collaboration and winter wonders come to life. In Gingerbread Village, you can tinker away at creating imaginative gingerbread-inspired houses and structures to add to their growing village. Work together as a family to design and build miniature creations using recyclable materials like cardboard, pipe cleaners, bottle caps and more everyday items. glazermuseum.org

HAPPY HOLIDAZE: CHRISTMAS WITH A FLORIDA TWIST AT FLORIDARAMA THROUGH JAN. 12, 2026

ST. PETE

Get swept up in the HoliDAZE at FloridaRAMA, a holiday celebration with a Florida twist! Explore a playful art paradise featuring a portal-trapped Christmas tree, gravity-defying ice rink, mischievous panther elves, flamingos in Santa hats and 15+ Florida-themed trees. Shop Florida-inspired treats in Lucy Sparrow’s Quick Shop and add Neon Minigolf Dec. 18–Jan. 5 for extra glow and festive fun! floridarama.org

WATCH THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS UNFOLD ON STAGE

STRAZ NEXT GENERATION BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

DEC. 19-23

STRAZ CENTER, TAMPA

Enter Clara and Drosselmeyer’s fantastical world of dancing sweets, sword-fighting rodents and some of ballet’s most famous music. Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker features award-winning young dancers from NGB alongside guest star dancers from New York City Ballet. Don’t miss this glittering Tampa holiday tradition! strazcenter.org

*FLIP TO PAGE 18 to learn more about this year’s performance!

ZUBRICK MAGIC THEATRE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

THROUGH JAN. 4, 2026

ZUBRICK MAGIC THEATRE, ST. PETE

Experience the magic of the season at the Zubrick Magic Theatre's “Holiday Spectacular.” This award-winning performance blends grand illusion, festive surprises and heartwarming holiday cheer into one unforgettable evening for the entire family. Seating is limited and performances will sell out fast — so don’t wait! Visit zubrickmagic.com to secure your tickets and make this holiday truly magical!

HOLIDAY SPARKLE

DEC. 19-21

PALLADIUM THEATRE, ST. PETE

Get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a festive evening of music and merriment! Holiday Sparkle brings together dazzling vocalists, spirited dancers and 40-piece orchestra for a heartwarming celebration of the season. From beloved carols and timeless classics to showstopping dance performances that light up the stage, you’ll be swept away by the spirit of the season. It’s an unforgettable evening that captures the sparkle and warmth of the holiday season. stpeteopera.com

TAMPA THEATRE HOLIDAY CLASSICS THROUGH DEC. 28

DOWNTOWN TAMPA

The iconic Tampa Theatre brings back its holiday classic films! Sit back, relax, and feel all the warm holiday fuzzies as you watch some of your favorite movies on the big screen. tampatheatre.org

Nov. 30: “Miracle on 34th Street” (stop by and see Santa in the lobby before the show starts!)

Dec. 7: “White Christmas Sing-A-Long”

Dec. 14: “Elf”

Dec. 19, 20, 22 and 23: “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Dec. 28: “Love Actually”

SPEND TIME WITH SANTA

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT CLEARWATER MARINE

AQUARIUM

DEC. 20 CLEARWATER

Enjoy a memorable morning filled with holiday spirit, delicious food, festive crafts and a chance to meet Santa himself! Whether you’re crafting ornaments, sipping hot cocoa, or taking photos with Santa, there’s holiday cheer for everyone. Make lasting memories in this enchanting holiday setting at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. cmaquarium.org

BRUNCH WITH SANTA ON YACHT STARSHIP

DEC. 14 & 21, FROM 12:30-2:30 P.M. TAMPA

This 2-hour holiday cruise includes a brunch buffet, a special photo opportunity with Santa and a DJ spinning holiday classics on the top deck while you enjoy spectacular views of Tampa. yachtstarship.com

MEET SANTA AT BRANDON EXCHANGE

DAILY THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE (HE HAS A BIG NIGHT, AFTER ALL!) BRANDON

Santa is making a stop at the Center Court at Brandon Exchange for adorable photos with the kids and to find out what everyone wants for Christmas! The sensory-friendly experience, Santa Cares, will be hosted on Dec. 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. While you’re at the Brandon Exchange, be on the lookout for the Sincerely Santa Toy Drive near Dillard’s to donate a toy to a local child in need. brandonexchange.com

ENJOY FESTIVE FARM FUN

CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT ANANDA FARM’S 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY FESTIVAL IN TERRA CEIA THROUGH DEC. 21

Enjoy a classic Christmas experience on this exotic fruit farm complete with festive lights, holiday décor, daily live music, seasonal food and drinks, arts and crafts, and Santa meet-and-greets on select days. Discover holiday magic for all ages and save 15% on admission with code HOLIDAY at checkout. anandafarm.com

EXPERIENCE

A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS IN TAMPA!

HOLIDAY CRUISES ON THE LOST PEARL

SELECT DATES: NOV. 29-30 DOWNTOWN TAMPA

Step aboard White Beard’s most merry vessel where you’ll embark on a one-hour cruise filled with holidaythemed games with the crew, snow flurries and Christmas sing-a-longs. Drop off a letter to Santa at the Holiday and each kid will even get a gift from the treasure chest.

Holly, Jolly Christmas Cruise on Dec. 7: Santa will make an appearance with complimentary preboarding photos!

Lighted Boat Cruise on Dec. 20: Experience the Holiday Boat Parade on Tampa’s only pirate ship for this two-hour special event cruise! Tickets include a free bar at sea. tampapirateship.com

HOP ABOARD A HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDE

NORTH POLE EXPRESS AT THE FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM IN PARRISH THROUGH DEC. 22, SELECT DAYS/NIGHTS FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM IN PARRISH

The North Pole Express is a family favorite in Tampa Bay. You and the kids can board the open-air train for a 35-minute ride to the North Pole, where there are themed activities and a visit with Santa. Tickets tend to sell out fast, so be sure to buy yours early!

THE RUDOLPH LIMITED MINI TRAIN RIDES WITH LARGO CENTRAL RAILROAD

DEC. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 AND 21 LARGO CENTRAL PARK

Largo Central Railroad is offering its themed “The Rudolph Limited” mini-train rides that take you and the kids on a beautiful ride through the park that’s lit and decorated for the holidays! Tickets are $10 each if paid in cash.

TAKE A HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP

GAYLORD PALMS ICE! FEATURING RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER THROUGH JAN. 7, 2026

GAYLORD PALMS RESORT IN ORLANDO

For the very first time, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will be featured at Gaylord Palms Resort in 2 million pounds of intricately carved ice sculptures in ICE!, the resort's signature holiday attraction. Strike a pose with Santa and Rudolph in one of the longest ice carvings measuring over 32 feet long, crawl into whimsical photo setups or become one of the misfit toys in this winter wonderland made for memory-making.

*Flip to page 26 for an INSIDE LOOK at this year’s ICE!

Scan the QR code for even MORE exciting holiday events around Tampa Bay!

The Magic of Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker Returns to the Straz Center with a New Vision for the Future

by Laura Byrne

A new leader is taking center stage with the Next Generation Ballet, and his eyes are set on the future of dance. NGB’s new artistic director, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, who also serves as the chair of the dance department of the Patel Conservatory, joined the team in August from COCA (Center of Creative Arts) in St. Louis, where he got his start as a dancer. While he’s only been in the role for a few months, you can already catch a glimpse of his influence when you experience the Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Straz Center this month.

We recently sat down with Douthit-Boyd to learn more about his vision for the future, the importance of dance and the magic he has in store for us with this year’s NGB Nutcracker.

TBPM: First, let’s talk about how you’re adding your own spin to Nutcracker. You’ve only had a few months to work with a cast of 200 kids in all six of the shows!

ADB: I wanted to keep things neutral for our audience because it's a change. But I think you're going to see a huge difference in the physicality and the technique of the dancers this year.

I call myself the mutt of dance. I've danced as a soloist with the Dance Theater of Harlem, purely classical ballet, and for 12 years as a principal artist with Alvin Ailey. So my training and all my dancing has been “change this hat, put that hat on.” I'm trying to instill in the students here that we can't just call ourselves ballet dancers anymore because the world of ballet is changing rapidly. No ballet company is just doing the classics. You have to have the contemporary works. You have to have

the choreographers of the now in your repertoire and the mixed field program. So I'm challenging them to move quicker, move faster.

TBPM: Can you share a little peek at what your vision is for next year’s Nutcracker?

ADB: It's the Nutcracker, so the tradition and the storyline will never change, but I do have some more things up my sleeve for next season. Inside scoop: I'm thinking of bringing more central Tampa themes to our version. When I got here, the first thing people said was, "Gasparilla, oh my God, you're going to love Gasparilla." I was like, so why are our Russian dancers not pirates?

TBPM: You have guest dancers from the New York City Ballet who will be performing the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. How do you think it impacts young dancers when they get the chance to share the stage with these professional dancers?

ADB: It's another layer of the training, right? You have two principal artists from the New York City Ballet to inspire you, to uplift you, to show you that there is a pathway once you leave your training ground to become these people. We're very fortunate to be able to bring them in. You're in for a treat.

TBPM: The Next Generation Ballet’s Nutcracker is as close to professional as you can get.

ADB: We have some of the best top-tier pre-professional dancers in the country. Our dancers work so hard and so tirelessly. Some of them have five or six roles in the ballet. So, no, this is not a community art center or a regional production of Nutcracker. This is top tier, and the dancers are working so hard to keep it at that level.

TBPM: That level of professionalism is happening behind the scenes, too, right?

ADB: It's a professional production. We have a union house. What school of dance has a union house for all of its productions? It's unbelievable. And I think the kids realize the privilege that they have, and they live up to it, and they rise to the occasion.

TBPM: What inspired you to become a dancer?

ADB: I came from a single-parent home in St. Louis. Sports were not my thing. I was very big in high school and middle school. I was kind of an outcast, and then one day I found ballet. I just stumbled into a dance class — there is a long story that goes with that, but there was a woman named Indigo Sams who took me in because my mother was very against, like a Black boy doing ballet. In North St. Louis, it was very taboo, so she was like, “Tell people you tap dance; tell people you do anything but ballet.” She never came around to like, okay, this is your passion, you want to do this … but Indigo Sam took me in. I lived with her for years, and she took me to all my college auditions, and to this day, she's still my number one champion. So I feel like it's giving back to the community, whether it's in St. Louis or here in Tampa, bridging the gap between the two cities, it's my calling.

TBPM: Did you ever imagine you would one day become an artistic director of a dance department like the Patel Conservatory?

ADB: I don’t think I could have ever imagined being in this position right now. I dreamed big. I dreamed of being Alvin Ailey, I dreamed of being a huge ballet star, and those things came to pass. But when the opportunity came for me to take over the school in St. Louis with my husband in 2015, I was like, “Oh, do I want to be a director? I'm not done with the stage,” but there was a moment of like, “Oh my God, if you can make an impact on one kid's life, you have changed this person's life forever.”

I think being an artistic director is one of the hardest jobs. You're not only in charge of the programming — making sure the dancers look the way they look, making sure that physicality is where it needs to be, making sure the audience has a great experience —you’re curating an entire vibe for everyone. And so you're always on your toes as an artistic director, which I love.

TBPM: It has to be a pretty amazing experience for the young performers to experience the new challenges and become more well-rounded dancers.

ADB: There’s not one company that I can think of that has not moved into this next genre of where dance is going. Dance has evolved so much. You’re going to still see your Sleeping Beauties and your Swan Lakes, but you have choreographers like David Dawson reimagining what Sleeping Beauty looks like, what Swan Lake looks like, and it's a contemporary take on them. I'm just trying to make sure that our dancers are ready for whatever is out in the field, and they have been like sponges since August.

They have soaked it in, they believe in it, and that's the hardest part: to get kids to trust you. It's so hard, and I can feel the love there, so I

think that's the key thing that people are going to take away, like they're moving faster, they're turning more, they're thinking a little bit quicker.

And the team, I can't leave this interview without talking about my team here. Miss Yvonne, Ms. Claire, Ms. Giselle, Ms. Gabby — I have some of the best partnerships here at Next Generation and the Patel. So I'm super, super jazzed for years to come.

TBPM: Why would you encourage parents to sign their kids up for a dance class, or even themselves?

ADB: It is so transformative. I think for a young boy like me, ballet was such a pivotal turn in my adolescence. I think everyone should take a dance class, whether you're 3 years old, 8 years old, or 90 years old. It keeps the brain moving very fast. It keeps you thinking.

I think dance is healing. And right now, our world needs some healing. So even if dance is not your thing, just go watch a dance performance. See our Nutcracker, Dec. 19 through 23. It just takes you away from everyday struggles, worries and confusion for just 90 minutes. And it brings curiosity and wonder to your life. I think everyone should witness it at some point.

TBPM: There are so many other benefits of dancing, too.

ADB: I find that dancers are some of the brightest human beings on the planet. So, say dance was not for you and you became an open-heart surgeon. I would rather that former dancer work on me because they’re going to problem-solve. They’re critical thinkers and problem solvers, which is why I think everyone should try to take dance or some kind of art form so that they can start thinking critically.

At any age, the door is open for all to enjoy and to witness. You don't have to be a fantastic dancer; that's why we're here to make you a fantastic dancer. So you have to get in the door, and once they're in the door, I think they get hooked.

SEE THE NEXT GENERATION BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

WHEN: Dec. 19-23

TICKETS: Tickets start at $21.25, strazcenter.org.

Lap tickets for children 24 months and younger may be purchased for $10 by calling the Ticket Sales Office.

Holidays with a Bricktastic Twist at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

by Erica Edwards

There’s simply no better place to celebrate the holiday season than at LEGOLAND Florida Resort during Holidays at LEGOLAND®. Coming down the chimney along with the Minifigure in the bright red suit is a host of holly-jolly happenings, including festive LEGO® decor and sparkling lights, a GIGANTIC LEGO Christmas Tree and seasonal shows and activities full of holiday cheer! Bring your LEGO brick list, put on your jingle bells and get ready for the most bricktastic holiday season on select dates Dec. 6-31.

Rock Around a GIANT LEGO® Christmas Tree

Looking for the perfect picture spot for your holiday card? Well, you’re in luck. LEGOLAND Florida Resort has a LEGO Christmas Tree that is over 30 feet tall! Made up of more than 360,000 LEGO & LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, this amazingly festive LEGO model is sure to take your breath away. This massively merry build originally took a team of Master Model Builders over 2,800 hours to construct. WOW! Along with the LEGO Christmas Tree, there are many cheerful LEGO models spread across the Park for LEGO brick lovers to discover.

Get Wrapped up in Bricktastic Festivities!

Get swept away in the joy of the holiday season with tons of festive shows and activities, including the Festival of Flurries, a high energy, snow-filled celebration with the coolest guy in town, LEGO® Snowman. Still need to send your wish list to LEGO Santa? Stop by the Holiday Village Postal Service to send your special letters directly to the North Pole. Unwrap even more tree-rific shows and activities across the Park to get you in a jolly mood.

Take "Elfies" with a Cheerful LEGO® Minifigure Crew

LEGO® Santa is coming to Fun Town! Celebrate the season with LEGO® Santa and his cheery LEGO Holiday Minifigure crew, including LEGO® Holiday Elf Ivy, LEGO® Nutcracker and more throughout the Park.

#BuildToGive

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is inviting all guests to join a special holiday mission to bring the power of play to children in need. For each LEGO heart built in the Build to Give Workshop at the Park and shared on social media with a photo in front of the festive backdrop using #BuildToGive, a LEGO set will be donated to a child who could use a little extra joy this season. What a fun way to make the holidays brighter for kids who need it most!

New Year’s Eve for the Whole Family

On Dec. 31, experience a New Year’s celebration built specifically with your little ones in mind, Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Dance at a DJ dance party and enjoy a jaw-dropping fireworks display with special viewing glasses that transform fireworks into LEGO bricks! Celebrate the countdown to 2026 without missing bedtime.

A Sweet Stay

This event is included in general park admission and LEGOLAND Florida Resort Annual Passes. However, for the ultimate holiday experience, it is highly recommended to extend your visit by staying overnight in one of LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s themed hotels. LEGOLAND’s vacation packages are designed to ensure your family will have the best time ever!

Play at The Pier

by Zoë Joiner

Tampa Bay is fortunate to have two unique big and vibrant cities within a quick, 30-minute drive from each other. From playing at Glazer Family Playground and Spa Beach Park to exploring the Tampa Bay Watch and treats at Clementine’s nearby, we’re sharing why our family loves to play at The Pier this time of year when the Straub Park lights add to the Holiday cheer.

WAYS TO PLAY

The main attraction at The Pier is the Glazer Family Playground – and for good reason! Arguably the best playground in the Bay, it pairs nostalgic wooden climbing structures with a whimsical giant octopus playscape that delights all ages. Kids can rock climb along its protruding tentacles, climb up a giant rope tower and then slide down two of the tallest and most fun slides around. Meanwhile, littles love the balancing structures and smaller climbing structures, as well as the big sunken pirate ship.

Bonus: Sledding in Florida! Kids have taken to “sledding” down the hill at the Glazer Family Playground on flattened cardboard and I can’t say I blame them!

When you need a break from playing, wander over to Spa Beach Park and get a snack at the Spa Beach Bistro. Spa Beach is fun to explore at low tide to see burrowing sea creatures in the sand.

Just a little bit farther down the Pier is the Tampa Bay Watch Center. Check out their calendar for events like their Bay Babies program for toddlers ages 3-6, which is held monthly on Saturdays and is tons of fun. But even without a planned activity, the Center is a really cool spot to explore, with touch tanks, demonstrations and tons of live sea creatures to observe.

If you make it all the way to the end of The Pier, kudos to you! It’s fun to see all the fisherman way out there, plus the views from Bar Teaki are top notch.

Pirate Ship at Glazer Family Playground

The cherry on top of a winter Pier play date is treats and hot chocolate at Café Clementine in the Museum of Fine Arts down the block (museum entrance is not required). Some other spots we love nearby are Kilwins for Ice Cream and chocolate and Paradeco Coffee Roasters if you need a pick-me-up before heading home.

PARKING + ACCESSIBILITY

If you’re lucky, you can find parking in the Dolphin or Pelican Lots located directly on the Pier on Second Avenue northeast. Otherwise, park on the street along Bayshore Drive or in one of the nearby lots (fees apply). Plan to walk, bring your wheels of choice or hop on the tram that comes every 10 minutes.

Glazer Family Playground

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. stpetepier.org

Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tbwdiscoverycenter.org

Café Clementine

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Mondays leclementinebakeshop.com

photos by Zoë Joiner Glazer Family Playground

Paradeco Coffee Roasters

at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Moms to Know

Malissa Spencer

by Tara Payor, Ph.D. Senior Manager of Entertainment

Step behind the magic of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with Malissa Spencer, the park’s senior manager of entertainment. From Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration to Christmas Town, Spencer helps shape the stories, music and moments that make for unforgettable seasons at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. A former professional dancer turned creative producer, Spencer finds inspiration from her own children as she pours her heart into designing experiences that delight guests of all ages.

TBPM: You’re the creative force behind many of Busch Gardens’ beloved experiences. What drew you to the world of live entertainment and storytelling?

MS: I’ve always loved being part of a creative team. After many years as a professional dancer — performing in theme parks, on tour and at corporate events — transitioning into a behind-the-scenes creative role felt like a natural next step. I discovered that I truly enjoy developing and supporting shows and events just as much, if not more, than performing live. Storytelling and creating experiences for guests, especially families, has grown into my passion.

TBPM: What project stands out as a career highlight?

MS: Definitely Kandy’s Sweetacular! The creative process was such a joy. It was like a real-life acting exercise — “yes, and!” The event artists were wonderfully collaborative and open. Together we spent months developing the storyline and details, pouring our hearts into something we’d be proud to share with our own families. The story of Kandy the Witch grew from watching my children play. I listened to their stories, their songs, and borrowed pieces from their imaginative world to bring Kandy and her friends to life. Every year, when the gates open and we see kids and adults experiencing the magic for the first time, we still tear up!

TBPM: How does the creative process work when transforming the park for a new season?

MS: The creative process is truly a team effort. Behind every event are developers, concept artists, scenic fabricators, build and install teams, music and lighting designers, choreographers, training teams, costume designers and seamstresses — it really takes a village to produce a live show. It’s not uncommon for us to plan and build events a year or two in advance. Christmas preparations are a year-round labor of love. Our warehouse is always buzzing with “elves” fluffing garland and decorating trees. Tree wrapping in the park starts as early as July, with overnight installation shifts to make sure everything sparkles on time. Fun fact: if you stretched all of Busch Gardens’ Christmas lights from end to end, they’d reach the other coast of Florida — and back!

TBPM: How does it feel to see guests — especially kids — experience something you helped create for the first time?

the

their Sesame Street friends — nothing compares. We’re even in the creative process for Icons 2 right now (a little secret we can share!). Knowing that what we create becomes part of people’s family memories is the greatest reward.

TBPM: How does being a mom influence your work?

MS: Every part of being a mom influences my work. I’m lucky to have wildly creative children who, without even realizing it, are my greatest muses and most honest audience. I play event soundtracks in the car to see what captures their attention. Their artwork and interests inspire me daily. Kandy’s art wall was inspired by the rotating display of my kids’ art at home, and Professor Pufflemintz’s Kooky Spooky Science Show grew from our kitchen-counter experiments. We loved bringing Lucy the Sleepy Dragon to life this year! My daughter, Lucy, and her dragon counterpart both love long naps, spicy ramen and hope to save the world through conservation.

This December, we premiere a Christmas experience inspired entirely by my youngest daughter making gingerbread cookies. It’s a new atmosphere show featuring breakdancing Ninja Gingas who protect Mrs. Claus’ secret cookie recipe. Kids see the world in such bright color, and my own remind me who we create for and why it matters.

TBPM: What do you hope families take away from their Busch Gardens experiences?

MS: Happy, lifelong memories. My hope is that our events become part of family photo albums and video reels — those special moments people look back on for years.

TBPM: The holidays are a busy time for you professionally. How do you balance all the magic making at work with family time at home?

MS: It’s a challenge! We spend many late nights in rehearsals and installations, but I try to make home just as fun and magical for my own family. We decorate for every holiday and love to celebrate, especially birthdays. The kitchen is the heart of our home, and we have special meals and baking traditions for every occasion.

We are continuing with this column in memory of Julie Tingley, our friend and creator of our Moms to Know and Kids to Know pages, who passed away on April 6, 2025. Julie Tingley's Legacy of Love: givesendgo.com/GFGT6

MS: It’s

best feeling! Seeing little ones and grown-ups dancing with performers, singing with Mrs. Claus or snapping pictures with

Christmas at Gaylord Palms: An Inside Look at Florida’s COOLEST Holiday Celebration … Literally

by Laura Byrne

“CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS” will be celebrated Nov. 14, 2025 through Jan. 7, 2026.

One of our favorite holiday events in Florida is literally one of the coolest things you'll experience this year in the Sunshine State. ICE! at Gaylord Palms is turning down the thermostat to a wintry 9 degrees Fahrenheit and bringing a favorite holiday movie to life through ice, and we’re giving you an INSIDE LOOK at what to expect. We’re even answering the question…how’d they do that?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ Makes a Bright Debut in ICE!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ is making its debut at the Kissimmee property with a redesigned show. So even if you’ve seen the show based on the 1964 classic film at other Gaylord properties, this new show features reconfigured scenes and new interactive elements that let you become part of the attraction, making it an entirely new experience.

But the old favorite characters remain! Rudolph and Hermey the Elf will be joined by other favorites, including Yukon Cornelius, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, and, of course, Santa Claus.

NEW Experiences at ICE!

• Crawl-Through Ice Tunnel: For the first time ever, kids can crawl through a small ice tunnel and pop up right inside a scene from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Hermey the elf is featured in this charming new scene that’s full of color, whimsy and holiday cheer.

• Interactive Floor: This year, kids can play and stroll on an interactive floor covering specific spaces, adding a playful layer of discovery to the experience.

• Bumble’s Hidden Slide: Kids will love finding Bumble the snow monster’s surprise slide tucked within the icy landscape. It’s a frosty thrill just for them!

There’s Snow Much More to Do!

Build a gingerbread house, watch a Cirque holiday show, go sledding, throw some snowballs and make chocolate snowflakes. You can do all this and more!

The Activities:

Visit the Snow Factory: Climb Snow Flow Mountain and speed down on real ice in an inner tube. Then head over to Snowball Build & Blast, where you can toss real snowballs at targets!

Naughty or Nice Escape Room: Jack Frost has added new names to Santa’s Naughty List. See if you can sneak into Santa’s office and solve a series of puzzles so Jack will remove the names from the Naughty List.

Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Decorate your own gingerbread house or cookies and then snap a photo with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Cookie!

Jack Frost Chocolate Factory: This is an all-new experience where you and the kids can make your own pair of chocolate snowflakes and decorate with edible glitter and colorful sprinkles.

Elf Training Academy: One of Santa’s top toymakers helps you create your own special keepsake to take home!

A Very Beary Christmas: Visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop and make your own furry friend.

Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt: Look for the clues hidden in Gaylord Palms. If you complete the quest, you’ll receive a special holiday prize.

The Entertainment:

NEW! “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance”: This new cirque spectacle is based on the book series and TV show of the same name. It follows three best friends to their whimsical world at a secret university, and they’ll leave you in awe with their gravitydefying circus feats, all set to an original musical score.

Here We Glow A-Caroling Light Show: Gaylord Palms’ atrium comes to life with a giant LED light curtains and a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree.

Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions: Join the jolliest hostess in the Alpine Village for a sing-a-long and storytelling of the Christmas tale while you enjoy Santa’s favorite treat … milk and cookies!

How’d They Do That?

Meet Santa: Santa will be meeting with the kids in Alpine Village through Christmas Eve — since it’s a big night and he has a big job to do!

Wintertime Animal Encounters: You can get up close to Florida’s famous animals and learn how they adapt to the colder temperatures during the winter months. (Complimentary for overnight guests.)

Know Before You Go:

• The best way to experience “Christmas at Gaylord” is to purchase a ticket bundle in advance to take advantage of discounts and secure your spot. The All-In Christmas Experience, which includes everything, is the Best Value, saving you up to 40% on all activities.

• Eligible overnight guests receive a “Chill Pass,” offering front-of-line access to ICE!. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately.

• Parkas are provided in all sizes, including infants. However, you must wear closed-toed shoes. It’s recommended to dress warmly, so bring warm hats and gloves.

Only in Florida can you be sliding down a waterslide in one moment (the Gaylord Palms has the epic Cypress Springs Water Park) and then donning a heavy-duty parka in the next as you walk through a 9-degree display of ice!

While many places here in Florida claim to be a “winter wonderland” this time of year, ICE! is probably the closest you’ll get to an actual winter wonderland, and here’s how they make it all happen:

A state-of-the-art chilling system made up of seven air handlers keeps the 20,000 square-foot space at 9 degrees!

Why 9 degrees? It’s the perfect temperature to keep the ice pristine all season long.

The real magic happens with the arrival of 40 ice artisans from Harbin, China. It takes them six weeks to carve the 6,700 blocks of ice, each weighing 300 pounds!

Gaylord Hotels works with chemists across the country to develop the perfect color mix to keep the ice bold and bright.

Gaylord Hotels began coloring and freezing ice in July to get ready for the holidays!

Tampa’s Shining New Year’s Eve Celebrations to Ring in 2026

by Hailea Boykin

It’s time to say “Farewell” to 2025 and “Hello” to 2026! Begin a brand-new year at some of the best locations the Tampa Bay Area has to offer with our list of Top Pick New Year’s Eve celebrations.

NOON YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS

Yacht Starship

Tampa: 603 Channelside Drive Clearwater: 25 Causeway Blvd. Slip #55 yachtstarship.com

Enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration aboard Yacht Starship! Each 2-hour cruise on the bay includes hors d’oeuvres, food stations, desserts, a premium bar, DJ entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight!

JW Marriott

Clearwater Beach

691 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach jwmarriottclearwater.ipoolside.com

Ring in the new year under the stars at this featured celebration with a Gulf view, live music entertainment from Rhythm Me Up, food, an open bar and a complimentary bubbles toast at midnight. And don’t forget the greatest view of the fireworks show at Sand Key Park!

Pied Piper’s NYE 2026

1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa piedpiperproductions.com

Experience an explosive New Year’s party at Armature Works with a special guest opening performer, massive DJ headliner and an epic view of the Tampa fireworks show! Galantis, Sommer Ray, Bryce Vine, Marshmello, Steve Aoki and many other well-known artists have previously performed for a Pied Piper event.

Azure at EDITION

500 Channelside Drive, Tampa editionhotels.com/tampa

Azure at EDITION is pulling out all the stops with various package options for a memorable New Year’s Eve party on the rooftop with DJ ZEEMUFFIN, craft cocktails and panoramic views of the city.

NYElectric®

510 Water St., Tampa vipnightlife.com

It’s an electric New Year’s Eve countdown with NYElectric® featuring a few of Florida’s top DJs, party favors, a premium bar and small bites. Upgraded VIP guests will have access to the VIP area and the ultra-premium open bar.

The Don CeSar Grand Masquerade Ball

3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach doncesar.com

A night of mystery awaits at the Grand Masquerade Ball where guests will enjoy a lavish buffet, live entertainment from SoundUp, interactive performances and a steady flow of Moët and Chandon all evening long!

Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children’s Museum

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ring in the New Year at the Glazer Children’s Museum with countdowns, themed crafts and celebrations throughout the day on New Year’s Eve. Celebrate with countries around the world with balloon drops on the hour! You can celebrate as a family by day and still have time for evening festivities. Downtown Countdown is included with museum admission. glazermuseum.org

Noon Year’s Eve at ZooTampa

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids don’t have to miss out on the big countdown just because of bedtime! The family can ring in 2026 early with a celebration including festive foods, a live DJ and kid-friendly activities throughout the day. zootampa.org

Cannon Ball Countdown on the Lost Pearl in Tampa

Cruises at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Celebrate the new year with your favorite scallywags as you sail away with the Lost Pearl. This kid-centric cruise is the perfect way to count down to 2026 without keeping your children up until midnight. Say “Happy Noon Yarrgh’s Eve” with your favorite crew as you enjoy a pirate-themed party cruise. Cheers to a new year with complimentary champagne (for adults) and sparkling juice toast and a one-of-a-kind countdown and cannonball drop on the hour! tampapirateship.com

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration

Fireworks at sunset

The holiday fun culminates on Dec. 31 with Florida’s only Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring extended park hours, festive activities and a dazzling fireworks show to welcome 2026. You can also enjoy the show through special 3D glasses that transform the fireworks into exploding LEGO® bricks. The night ends with the signature “brick drop” over Lake Eloise and a spectacular grand finale. legoland.com/florida

Kids 4 A Cause Kids to Know:

by Tara Payor, Ph.D.

Dominic Fouché (19), Sheldon Fouché (17) and cousins Michael (16) and Christian Kuhn (15) are the four boys behind Kids 4 A Cause. Together, the teens have turned compassion into action, raising over $150,000 and supporting more than 80 charitable causes since 2019. What began as a family conversation around the dinner table has grown into a youth-led nonprofit inspiring kids across the globe to “Be the Change.”

TBPM: How did Kids 4 A Cause get started?

K4AC: In December 2017, Michael and Christian’s father, Nick Kuhn, suddenly passed away. The community rallied around their family, and that support was life changing. Coming from South Africa, we were deeply moved by the American spirit of giving. That generosity inspired us to help others too.

In February 2019, during a family meal, we began discussing how we could make a difference. That night, Kids 4 A Cause was born. The name represents the four of us working together to make the world better. We committed to supporting one charitable cause every month — and we’ve done so ever since. Our motto, from Nelson Mandela, says it all: “It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.”

TBPM: How do you decide which causes to support?

K4AC: We choose causes based on what’s most needed at the time. At Christmas, we fill and wrap shoeboxes for the homeless. In November, we support veterans through projects like The Wounded Warrior Project or Liberty Manor for Veterans. During hurricanes, we’ve provided meals and funds for impacted families, and during COVID, we delivered meals and handmade flower arrangements with handwritten notes to seniors. Causes often find us through the news or local nonprofits, and we love that our work touches everything from animals to veterans to foster children.

TBPM: What’s been your favorite project so far?

Dominic: Santa’s Shoebox. It’s creative, fun and brings volunteers back each year.

Michael: The Tampa Crisis Center for Women in Distress. It’s powerful to help women in vulnerable situations.

Christian: Humane Society of Pinellas. We collected pet food and toys and inspired my school to get involved.

TBPM: What’s the most important lesson this work has taught you?

Dominic: Hard work pays off.

Sheldon: No act of kindness is too small. Michael: Perspective — everyone’s story matters.

Christian: Gratitude — giving back reminds you not to take things for granted.

TBPM: What advice would you give to other kids who want to help but don’t know where to start?

K4AC: Start small. Just start! Pick a cause, create a name and logo and get friends involved. Use your strengths — whether speaking, organizing or creating — to spread kindness. As Dominic says, “Take the first step, and God will open doors.”

TBPM: What are your long-term goals?

K4AC: To inspire more kids worldwide to make a difference. We’ve already motivated children in the U.K., Africa and the U.S. to start their own initiatives, proving that kids can change the world.

TBPM: Anything else you’d like readers to know?

K4AC: Be bold, be brave and never give up. We’ve had the honor of sharing our story at the Tampa Youth Service Leadership Summit, on local news and even with Mayor Castor when we received the Gold Presidential Service Award. Learn more or donate at www. kids4acause.org, or follow us on Facebook at Kids 4 A Cause for monthly updates and inspiration.

Sheldon: Save the Rhino Project. It connects me to my South African roots and raises awareness about poaching. We are continuing with this column in memory of Julie Tingley, our friend and creator of our Moms to Know and Kids to Know pages, who passed away on April 6, 2025. Julie Tingley's Legacy of Love: givesendgo.com/GFGT6

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Volunteering as a Family with Metropolitan Ministries

by Laura Byrne

The Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent is Tampa Bay’s largest holiday outreach effort, and this holiday season, the organization expects to serve 33,000 families. But they can’t do it without the help of families like yours, and this includes help from kids!

When we attended opening day of the Holiday Tent in Tampa, we spotted a 13-year-old Tampa boy coming through the donation line with a trunk full of groceries to donate in his dad’s car.

Turns out, he’s the son of Rob Lamke, who works at Metropolitan Ministries. BUT — the decision to donate didn’t come from dad… Keland made the decision on his own to make a difference, and, he tells us, kids like yours can, too.

TBPM: This is a pretty big donation! How did you do it?

KL: I raised the money at the craft fairs. I donated some of the proceeds to different charities. And I decided that I was going to spend some of it on Metropolitan Ministries and use some of my money that I've collected over the past years and donate some food here because I know from my dad telling like, I'm overhearing that they are in need of more food. So me and my dad went shopping, and we went through what foods would be the most beneficial here.

RL: He's always had this spirit of wanting to give back. And then, from me working at Metropolitan Ministries, he's a part of our conversations at home. He hears me talk about what we have a need for. We were super proud of him when he said he wanted to purchase food for the Holiday Tent.

TBPM: And how did it make you feel?

KL: It always just makes me feel good to just even help a little bit, it just makes me feel like a light bulb turned on inside of me. I’m hoping to raise more money and donate more food.

TBPM: Any advice to other kids on how to start a fundraiser?

KL: Even the littlest actions can make a big impact on people. I would just ask online for money for a good cause, or just save up money. Even if you feel like it’s going to be a little, it can have a huge impact on someone.

TBPM: Rob, this is more than a career — giving back is now a family tradition.

RL: We love to volunteer. We have found so many different opportunities for our family to have that true quality time. And not only do we clearly volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries, but we have volunteered at several other not-forprofit organizations, like the Humane Society, and various ones that we know through our friends. It always turns out to be one of the best times that we've ever spent together as a family.

TBPM: We hear that volunteering has even become a holiday tradition for your family.

RL: In my four years here at Metro, we have made it our tradition as a family to volunteer here at the Holiday Tent on Christmas Eve morning, which is the last morning we are open. Our friends have asked about it, and they joined us, and their friends have asked about it, and now we have a small army that comes out on Christmas Eve to the Tampa distribution tent.

There are kids and adults, and what I love about it is we're establishing a ripple effect through those families and through those kids. Maybe it's not their tradition to do it every Christmas Eve, but maybe their tradition will be they'll find a special organization, a special event, and that will be their thing, like Christmas Eve is here for ours.

TBPM: Keland, what is the experience like to volunteer here at the Holiday Tent for a kid??

KL: Coming here, giving out food for Thanksgiving, and then giving out presents for Christmas, volunteering, it just makes me happy when I see other people smiling over something that they really want.

Sometimes I sort toys for people based on ages, and like how many people are in a family, and stuff like that. My favorite thing is probably handing out turkeys and hams.

TBPM: It’s easier than many people may think to volunteer as a family, right?

RL: What’s so great about volunteering is that it's always set up to be easy. No matter where you go to volunteer, even if it's a small task, it's incredibly meaningful to the organization because not-for-profits don't have endless

budgets for all the staff that they need. They’re completely reliant on there being a volunteer base. And I can tell you from working here and other organizations, the volunteer base in the Tampa Bay community might be the best in the country.

WANT TO GIVE THE GIFT OF YOUR TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY?

Kids ages 8-13 can volunteer alongside a parent or guardian in the Holiday Tents, and kids ages 14 and older can volunteer on their own. They can help sort and pack food boxes, hand out toys and holiday meals, and more. Register at metromin.org

Want to donate? Here are the five most needed items:

• Frozen turkeys and hams

• Canned yams

• Cereal

• Cranberry sauce

• Gifts for teens ages 13-17: Think sports equipment/apparel, skateboards, bicycles, earbuds, art kits, accessories, board games and gift cards.

You can also shop the virtual store: metromin.org/holiday-central

There are FOUR main Holiday Tent locations this year where you can donate and volunteer:

Hillsborough/Tampa: Rome Yard 2609 N. Rome Ave., Tampa (NEW): Pinellas/St. Petersburg: Holy Cross Catholic Church 7851 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

W Pasco/Trinity: Generations Christian Church 1540 Little Road, Trinity

E Pasco/Dade City: Metropolitan Ministries 13703 17th St., Dade City

Scan to learn more about how your family can support local families in need.

The Zest Podcast: A Tasty Year in Review

by Dalia Colón, executive producer and host of The Zest Podcast

Whether you’re wrapping gifts, road-tripping or running off the holiday stress, let The Zest Podcast keep you company. As our show’s tagline goes, “The Zest celebrates cuisine and community in the Sunshine State.” As we get ready to close out 2025, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes we think you’ll love!

LUNCHBOX MAKEOVER:

SEEKFOLKids at Edison Elementary School

The new year is a time for adults and kids to reset our eating habits. As a pediatrician and the face of Wholistic Pediatrics & Family Care in Tampa, Dr. David Berger sees every day how nutrition — or lack thereof — affects kids’ health and behavior.

QUICK TIP: Limit ultra-processed foods, such as Lunchables. “If it's got chemical names in it,” Dr. Berger says, “it probably is ultraprocessed.”

Hear more: Pediatrician Dr. David Berger on School Lunches & Ultra-Processed Foods (season 11 episode 5, originally published Feb. 27, 2025)

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN:

Winter break is the ideal time to teach children some basic cooking skills, according to Wendy Wesley, a registered and licensed dietician and nutritionist based in St. Petersburg. “I love restaurants,” Wesley says, but adds, “I think that today we rely too much on others to prepare our food ... for the health of our nation, we have to get back into the kitchen. We need to bring up this next generation of home cooks.”

QUICK TIP: Making healthy food involves chopping fruits and veggies, so if kids are going to participate, they’ll need the right equipment. For older kids, that means sharp knives. Younger ones can use serrated nylon knives and a stool to reach the countertop, stove and sink.

Hear more: 10 Tips for Cooking with Kids (season 5 episode 8, originally published March 10, 2022)

GROWING CONFIDENT KIDS:

To grow successfully, kids need a good foundation, nourishment and a lot of care — kind of like a garden. So when Tampa community activists Jeanette Bradley and Diana Kyle wanted to positively impact local schools, they decided to get their hands dirty. In 2018, the two founded SEEDFOLKids After School Garden Experience, a free program in select Tampa schools. “The kids are becoming more confident as a result of the work that they get to do in the garden,” Bradley says. In this episode, you’ll hear from the students and adults involved with the program.

QUICK TIP: Cook what you grow. Chips and salsa are much more exciting when kids cultivate the tomatoes and peppers themselves.

Hear more: SEEDFOLKids After School Garden Experience Grows Much More Than Food (season 12 episode 5, originally published Sept. 12, 2025)

BE A GOAL GETTER:

While you’re helping your children to become healthier and more confident, don’t forget to put yourself on the list. For inspiration, look no further than Sira Garib of Trinity. After perfecting her plant-based baked goods for loved ones, Garib started a business. Betting on herself, Garib has baked for some pretty big names, including actress and vegan influencer Tabitha Brown, comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish and former NBA star Dwyane Wade. Whatever your goal, Garib encourages you to go for it. “Show up for yourself,” Garib says. “Just take every opportunity that comes in.”

QUICK TIP: If you’re interested in going vegan, remember that it’s a lifestyle, not a diet. Make changes gradually.

Hear more: Pure Vegan Cakes CEO Sira Garib on Baking Tabitha Brown’s Birthday Cake and Showing Up for Herself (season 11 episode 14, originally published May 1, 2025)

Dr. David Berger

Sira Garib with Tabitha Brown and daughter Kaliya

The Gift of Time: Making the Holidays Happier with Kroger Delivery

by Andrea Colby

By the time December rolls around, life for most parents feels like a giant juggling act — holiday performances, parties, family gatherings, gift wrapping and maybe baking dozens of cookies that aren’t quite Instagramable. Between the magic and the madness, grocery shopping is another chore on an already long list. That’s where Kroger Delivery steps in: like a quiet little miracle wrapped in a blue tote bag.

I met a mom named Sarah who found herself in that familiar December frenzy. Her kids were practicing for holiday performances, her spouse was travelling for work, and she had a crazy workload and a nearly empty fridge. Instead of running from a meeting to practice and to the store, she pulled out her phone, opened the Kroger app and, in minutes, solved her grocery crisis. Before bedtime, a smiling driver dropped fresh groceries — complete with still-cold milk and frozen ice cream — at her doorstep.

What struck Sarah most wasn’t just the convenience, but what she got in return: time. A quiet hour to read a story before bed. A slower morning with pancakes instead of a frantic dash to the store. Sometimes, it’s those reclaimed moments that make the season feel like the holidays again.

Sure, there are savings and deals, but maybe the real value is in how it lightens the mental load. No traffic, no parking lot meltdowns — yours or the kids’ — and no forgetting the milk because you were rushing and distracted.

This holiday season, maybe the best gift isn’t under the tree — it’s the space to breathe. Let someone else worry about the grocery run so you can focus on what the season is truly about: laughter, warmth and time spent with the people you love most.

Because when the groceries come to you, life has just a little more room to deliver joy.

Holiday Charcuterie Board

Serves: 16 | Prep: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 package (8 ounces) CRACKER BARREL

Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese

1 package (7 ounces) CRACKER BARREL

Sharp White Cheddar Cracker Cuts

3 packages (2 ounces) CRACKER BARREL

Cheddar Jack Cubes

1/2 orange, sliced

1 cup green grapes

10 flatbread crackers

10 fig or raisin cracker crisps

10 slices salami

1/3 cup mixed nuts

1/3 cup assorted olives

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1/4 cup honey

5 figs, cut in half

DIRECTIONS

Arrange ingredients on serving platter.

get ready to party!

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® DEBUTS THE LATEST PRODUCTION OF THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH®

by Laura Byrne

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is about to make history again when it debuts its new production of the “Greatest Show on Earth®” right here in Tampa Bay, kicking off its next national tour at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Jan. 2-4. They’re debuting a NEW theme and NEW awe-inspiring acts, featuring a cast of 64 performers from 17 countries.

And all of it has been taking shape in Tampa Bay at Feld Entertainment headquarters in Palmetto. This is where we sat down with Juliette Feld Grossman, CEO of Feld Entertainment, which produces the Barnum & Bailey Circus. We’re finding out more about what’s in store for guests at this year’s show, what it’s like to be part of this legacy and how her own three kids influence the show.

TBPM: The last season was the big relaunch of the reimagined Ringling circus. How did it go?

JFG: It was fantastic. We relaunched Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in the fall of 2023, and candidly, there was a lot we had to learn … about how the show operates in the new era, and we have a lot of operational changes, going from being on the train to going on buses and trucks. And we also had a lot to share with our audiences, a lot of educating on what Ringling is now, what Ringling is altogether. We've taken all that learning from a very successful first season and applied it towards not only this new tour, but also the broader franchise plan and strategy that we're putting together to bring Ringling into families' lives 365 days a year.

TBPM: You’ve reimagined the show once again as The Greatest Party on Earth! What can we expect during the new tour?

JFG: This whole show, the whole theme, the whole energy of it is around parties. Because what's more universal, what's more fun, what gets something that you just know is going to be a good time in your mind faster than the word “party”? So we embraced it. It was actually an idea that came from somebody not within our production team, but another person who was helping us work on the development of the show. She said, ‘kids love parties,’ and we all embraced it because it was simple, straightforward, easy to communicate and really captured the essence of the feeling that we want you to have when you come, that you're here, you're part of it, we're hosting you and you're here to enjoy. You're here to have a good time and take away really fantastic memories.

TBPM: What are you most excited about with this new Ringling tour?

JFG: Oh, I'm just thrilled to get an audience in. I'm thrilled to get to open Jan. 2 here in Tampa right after the new year and see the reaction. It's going to be a lot of fun. We've got all this contemporary music. We have a DJ. You can see him in the center stage there with his mobile DJ unit, and we know music drives energy. And so he'll be able to adapt on the fly and to really respond to the audience. So every show will have spontaneous elements within it. We're bringing the cast more into the seats, connecting with guests and engaging them. And it's just a really fast-paced, energetic, thrilling show.

We call our performance an ultimate playground. Throughout the production, all of these elements are moving and changing position ... so there will be elements that are close to you, no matter where you're sitting.

TBPM: You are expanding on a really cool character you introduced during the relaunch of Ringling last year, Bailey Circuit!

JFG: Bailey Circuit is our robo puppy, and she is so endearing and charming. We created her before the last tour, and she was immediately embraced and loved by kids and families. And we're doing even more with her now, so you'll see her in the show. She's got a lot of fun moments with Nick Nack, who is the caretaker of Ringling. And then she also is starring in her own series on YouTube and YouTube Kids called “Bailey's Dog House,” where she interviews kids and performers, Monster Jam drivers, and she's funny and clever and just really, really lovable.

We think Ringling is a vehicle for play. It's a vehicle for family togetherness. And so we want to create those moments that are coviewing, the kinds of things that I want to sit down and watch with my kids, not the kind of things I want to put on and leave the room. And so we were very intentional in creating the kind of content not only in the live show, but also on YouTube that brings the family together. We also introduced her within the Monster Jam world. We created a Bailey Circuit truck, which is a competition truck that we debuted and

Friday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.

WHERE: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa

Tickets for “The Greatest Show On Earth®” are on sale now at Ringling.com.

MORE TO EXPERIENCE FROM FELD ENTERTAINMENT

MONSTER JAM:

Feb. 28 - March 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

DISNEY ON ICE:

Mickey’s Search Party: March 5-8, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Scan to explore Ringling's YouTube channel and watch "Bailey's Dog House".

actually performed here in Tampa last summer. And having the truck and having Bailey in the Pit Party, we immediately saw kids responding, reacting, families taking photos with her. In Tampa, a little girl — they took a picture with the family — and as they were walking away, the little girl just hung back a beat and whispered to Bailey, “I love you.” It broke my heart wide open to see that a character we created immediately had this kind of bond with kids and was immediately loved.

TBPM: Feld Entertainment isn’t just a business that develops live content for families, but it’s also a family business with a lot of history. How does it feel knowing you are a part of such a storied legacy in entertainment?

JFG: It's humbling. Nov. 11 was the 58th anniversary of my family's acquisition of Ringling from another storied family. It's a humbling legacy to carry on. The thing that drives me is knowing that Ringling, through every generation, has had to be reinvented. We couldn't possibly make the same show they had at the turn of the century. And so in every generation, this product has been reinvented to be relevant for today. And that's what we’re continuing to do.

TBPM: What’s pretty incredible is that this is all being developed and rehearsed right here in Tampa Bay at Feld Entertainment headquarters in Palmetto.

JFG: It's a great place to raise a family. And it's a great community, business community, a wonderful place to be and to live, and we have fantastic associates to help create and drive this business.

TBPM: And they rehearse Disney on Ice here, too!

JFG: All of our tours for Disney on Ice are launched. We have eight tours of Disney on Ice, but they all start right here. We're building the sets. We're doing our rehearsals here, and developing the costumes and every aspect of Disney on Ice in this facility. That's kind of our commitment to being in this community in this area, and it's been great.

The Original STEM Master

Set Your Imagination in Motion at MOSI’s New Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit

by Janet White

Get ready to crank, spin and fly into the mind of the world’s greatest inventor!

At MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, you can explore “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion” starting Saturday, Jan. 17.

At MOSI, you know you’re in for handson fun. You’ll take control of a full-scale mechanical playground bursting with motion, imagination and discovery and 40 life-sized machines inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s original drawings.

When master artisans in Florence, Italy, built the machines, they used only the materials and techniques that were available to da Vinci himself 500 years ago. Each creation is a work of art (please, touch the art!) and a faithful recreation of da Vinci’s genius, just waiting for curious hands to bring it to life.

“Leonardo da Vinci was STEAM before STEAM had a name,” says John Graydon Smith, MOSI President & CEO. “He blended science, technology, engineering, art and math into everything he imagined. This exhibit lets you explore that same mix of creativity and curiosity in action.”

Kids (and parents, too!) can lift weights with da Vinci’s cranes, pump water with an Archimedes’ screw, test out floats designed for walking on water or climb into a full-sized armored tank that can hold eight people. You can even explore his flying machines, which he dreamed up centuries before the Wright Brothers ever left the ground.

The exhibit is arranged around da Vinci’s four classical elements — Earth, Water, Air and Fire — with each one revealing a different side of his endless curiosity. You’ll see how his notebooks

came alive through hands-on exploration that brings to life art, engineering and pure creativity. It’s the largest hands-on display of full-size Leonardo da Vinci machines ever assembled.

Whether you’re a budding inventor, a young artist or a family looking for a day filled with discovery, “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion” is an experience you won’t want to miss.

The exhibit is included with MOSI admission for a limited time only, beginning Jan. 17. So, mark your calendar, bring your sense of wonder and come see how one man’s imagination set the world in motion!

LAST CHANCE! Limited time exhibit closes Jan. 4

Solve puzzles, paint with machines and meet the future face-to-face! This hands-on exhibit makes the world of AI exciting, accessible and unforgettable.

MOSI Winter Break Camps

Dec. 22-24 and Dec. 29-31

From designing a rover that explores frosty planets to animating your own holiday movie, MOSI’s Winter Break Camps are ageappropriate adventures for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Sign up now at mosi.org.

photos courtesy of Evergreen Exhibitions

Florida Waters at ZooTampa SNEAK PEEK:

The Zoo’s Largest Expansion Ever Opens this Spring!

by Laura Byrne

From the streams to the rivers to the brackish waters near our coasts and the clear waters of the Keys, ZooTampa’s Florida Waters exhibit will take you on a journey of water in our state, immersing you in the world of the animals that call the waterways home.

And the crown jewel is the Straz Family Manatee Rescue that has undergone a massive renovation. This is ZooTampa’s largest expansion to date, and while it’s not set to debut until spring 2026, we’re giving you a SNEAK PEEK from our recent hard hat tour because it’s too good not to share!

The Journey Begins: Otter Oasis

Your journey starts at Otter Oasis, which has expanded from its original footprint and will be even more lush than before. There’s a shade structure over the guest walkway, and the otters will get their own shade sails over their habitat, so you can linger a bit longer while you interact with the playful otters with views underwater and above.

Fun Fact: Theme designers who also work with Disney and Universal are helping with the design to create the immersive experience.

As you enter the building that houses Straz Family Manatee Rescue, there are two new bathrooms in case someone needs a quick break! But let’s continue the journey into the Manatee Rescue Tunnel …

Florida Reef Tank

As water continues its journey from the springs to the estuaries, it makes its way to the sea, and for the first time, ZooTampa will have tropical fish on display in a 10,000-gallon reef tank.

Moon Jellies

They are also adding three moon jelly tanks that will light up in different colors. These also serve as a perfect backdrop as the room can transform into an event space too!

Straz Family Manatee Rescue

The building shape might feel familiar, but it’s been completely renovated. Even the ceiling is 5 feet higher, giving it a more open feel. You’ll start above the water among the cypress trees and work your way down through the mangroves, where you’ll get to see the manatees from several different viewing windows. Our favorite spot is the new stadium seating viewing area in front of the big window.

Brackish Tank

There is another large tank that gives you a view from the underwater mangroves and piers, showcasing the animals that call Florida’s brackish waters home.

Fun Fact: The acrylic glass walls of the brackish tank and Keys tank were so heavy that the construction team had to use the largest crane in the Southeast to set them into place before the roof went on.

Once you’ve made your way through this journey, you'll move on to the existing and recently renovated Stingray Shores.

Through it all, the rescue efforts continued…

Here’s what’s really incredible about this project … ZooTampa was able to continue its rescue work by working closely with the construction crew to monitor the animals, who did great! In fact, the Zoo rescued a record number of manatees during this expansion. You’ll get to experience it yourself this spring 2026, making this the perfect time to gift your family a ZooTampa membership so you can also experience Christmas in the Wild and the New Year celebration, all while supporting the Zoo’s work to conserve.

Fun Fact: ZooTampa is the only nonprofit Manatee Critical Center in the world and one of two currently.

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOLS

NURTURING TODAY’S LEARNERS AND TOMMOROW’S LEADERS

We offer a supportive educational experience with all the benefits of both high school and college. Students thrive at SPCHS and graduate with their high school diploma, associate’s degree, and the skills for continued success. Tuition is FREE.

St. Petersburg/Gibbs (727) 341-7185

North Pinellas (727) 712-5891

3 SCHOOL LOCATIONS

St. Petersburg STEM (727) 341-3081

SPCHS.SPCOLLEGE.EDU

REGISTER TO ATTEND AN INFO SESSION FOR EITHER NOV, DEC, OR JAN

TEACHER to Know

Micaela Spatola

Agriculture and Veterinary Assisting Instructor Tampa Bay Technical High School

At Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa, handson learning isn’t just a teaching method; it’s a way of life. Agriculture and Veterinary Assisting Instructor Micaela Spatola knows this better than anyone. A proud alumna of the school’s renowned Academy of Veterinary Science, Spatola now leads the very program that once inspired her own career path.

Thanks to a Career and Professional Education (CAP) grant from the Florida Department of Education, Tampa Bay Tech recently opened a fully operational veterinary surgical suite, the only one of its kind in Hillsborough County Public Schools. The CAP grant is designed to help schools create or expand career and technical education programs that lead to industry certifications, and at Tampa Bay Tech, it’s doing precisely that.

Under Spatola’s leadership, students gain real-world experience caring for animals and assisting licensed veterinarians during surgeries, a one-of-a-kind opportunity at the high school level. With a 93% pass rate on the Certified Veterinary Assistant exam, her students are proving that passion, preparation and purpose make a powerful combination.

TBPM: How long have you been teaching in HCPS and at Tampa Bay Tech?

MS: I have been teaching at Tampa Bay Tech for about six years now. This is my only HCPS school I have taught at. Previously I had an adjunct position at Hillsborough College in the Veterinary Technology program and did that for about a year-and-a-half.

TBPM: You’re not only Tampa Bay Tech’s agriculture and veterinary assisting instructor — you’re also a proud alumna of the Academy of Veterinary Science. What does it mean to you to now be teaching in the same program where your journey began?

MS: It truly is a full circle moment. Coming back to my alma mater and having kids in the classroom and teaching what I truly love is a blessing.

TBPM: Tampa Bay Tech’s Academy of Veterinary Science is one of the top programs in the state and the only Hillsborough County school with a fully operational veterinary surgical suite. How has this new facility transformed what your students can experience and learn?

MS: We have always been a program with hand-on capabilities and pour so much into our community, so to take it up a level in our learning and have them gain more confidence in our knowledge and the field is amazing.

TBPM: Students recently assisted with their first surgery in the new surgical suite — such an incredible milestone! What was that day like for you and your students?

MS: This day was one of a kind. Slightly chaotic but still amazing to see the students put what they were in learn in class to a truly one-of kind hands- on experience. This was a core memory in my career.

TBPM: You have mentioned that the hands-on experience really sets this program apart. Why do you think realworld learning opportunities like these are so crucial for your students?

MS: When our students have the hands-on experience and practice them in the classroom, they come out so much more confident and ready for a job after high school.

TBPM: Your students have an impressive 93% pass rate on the Certified Veterinary Assistant exam. What do you think contributes to that success?

MS: Our kids contribute to their success. They want to be in the program. They want to excel in what they are doing and they want to pass the CVA. These students have so much drive and passion.

TBPM: You’ve talked about the importance of showing students both the “risks, rewards and benefits” of the veterinary field. What advice do you share with students who are considering a future in animal care or veterinary science?

MS: Some days are going to be good, some days are going to be not so good, but if you are constantly learning and growing from the days, you will be successful.

TBPM: The veterinary field is facing a shortage of professionals. How do you hope programs like yours can help shape the future of this industry?

MS: I hope our program can highlight the amazing things the veterinary field has to offer and how rewarding it can be.

TBPM: What’s the most rewarding part of watching your students grow — from their first day in class to the moment they earn their certification?

MS: I love seeing the light bulb moments. I love hearing about their hands-on experience when they go to a clinical site that is one of our community partners and tell me what they have done. It's truly special since we have seen them starting out at freshmen and working their way up.

TBPM: Tampa Bay Tech received a state grant to support the surgical suite and expand career and technical education. How does that kind of support impact your ability to prepare students for real careers after graduation?

MS: This support was truly a blessing. Our students are able to do so much more than any other vet assisting program and prepare them for other medical programs for post-secondary education. We are truly grateful.

TBPM: Finally, as someone who has walked the same halls as your students, what message would you give to young people who are just beginning to discover their passions and career paths?

MS: My message would be, it is ok to have plans but find something you are good at, or find passion in things and you'll go far. I have been very blessed to work two careers in my life. A Certified Veterinary Technologist in a mixed-animal practice and an educator in Hillsborough County Public Schools.

by Lauren Bergold

More Opportunities Start Here

Families across Hillsborough County trust HCPS to prepare their children for a bright future. As the 3rd-largest school district in Florida and 7th-largest in the nation, we provide:

Certified and highly qualified teachers guiding students every step of the way , including STEM, IB, the arts, and career pathways ources for every student munity where every child reaches their potential n, and succeed—all close to home

218,000+

Hillsborough County Public School Students

Total K-12 Public Schools

High School Graduation Rate (2023-2024) 88% HillsboroughSchools.org

23,000+

233 Employees, including more than 12,000 teachers

The Gift of Giving: How IB Students Spread Holiday Cheer All Year Long

by Laura Cross

‘Tis the season of giving — but for Hillsborough County’s International Baccalaureate (IB) schools, the spirit of service shines bright all year long.

An IB education goes beyond textbooks and tests. It nurtures the whole child — encouraging students to understand their place in the world and their power to make it better. During the holidays, that mission comes alive through creative acts of kindness that remind everyone what the season is truly about.

WALKER MIDDLE MAGNET: COMPASSION IN ACTION

At Walker Middle Magnet, a 100% magnet IB World School, students bring service to life in meaningful ways. With children from 60 different elementary schools and 33 languages spoken at home, Walker’s community reflects the diversity of Tampa Bay — and its heart for helping others.

“In October, we brought several animal shelters onto campus,” says Josephine Corder, IB Middle Years Program Coordinator. “Students collected food, bedding and toys, and when the shelters came to pick up the donations, they brought animals so students could adopt right there on campus.”

This season, Walker students are teaming up with the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Not only are they participating in the event, but they’re also learning about arthritis — especially how it affects children — and sharing that knowledge with their families to encourage community involvement.

For the holidays, students are using their talents to brighten lives. “Some are making bracelets and cards for children spending the holidays in the hospital,” Corder says. “Others are learning to play chess so they can visit local nursing homes and connect with residents through a shared game.”

Eighth grader Luke Klipp sums it up perfectly: “Sometimes people forget how much others care about them, and I really love to remind them.”

ADUM PREK–8 MAGNET: LEARNING BY GIVING

As one of Hillsborough County’s newest IB Candidate Schools, Adum PreK–8 Magnet is already making a big impact when it comes to community service.

“At Adum, we’re teaching our students to become givers for life,” says Adrienne Rundle, lead teacher. “We connect learning to big ideas and encourage students to take meaningful action.”

When wildfires ravaged California last year, Adum’s third graders researched the best way to help. They learned that sending supplies wasn’t practical, so they partnered with a local pizza shop feeding first responders and displaced families — and raised more than $1,300 to support the cause.

This holiday season, sixth-grade math teacher Jessica Alsvig is blending math and empathy in a powerful lesson. “I hand out plates to my students, and one in ten plates is empty,” she explains. “We talk about hunger in our community and what that feels like. Then students use math to adjust recipes to feed 300 people — the number served each night at Trinity Café, which provides free meals to those in need.”

That exercise kicks off Adum’s annual food drive, which supports school families first, then other local schools and finally, community organizations.

“The action connects theory with practice,” says Rundle. “It helps students see that what they’re learning matters — and that they can use it to make a real difference.”

(Above) Two Walker sixthgraders sit on one of the benches to promote IB's ten attributes; (Right) Adrienne Rundle (left) and Jessica Alsvig (right)

- A g e s 1 yea r -

M i d d l e S c h o o l

- Co l l a b o ra t i ve

E nv i r o n m e n t

- Fo s t e r i n g

S e l f - M o t i va t i o n

I n d e p e n d e n c e &

Ac a d e m i c S

CONNECTION OVER PERFECTION:

Local mom writes instruction manual for teaching kids life skills

by Maggie Rodriguez, co-host of Daytime on WFLA-TV

When some star athletes on the Plant High School football team began struggling in the classroom, the coach asked a teammate’s mother to help motivate them to bring up their grades. Andria Owen answered the call and began teaching essential life skills.

“I realized that what they needed was to learn selfcontrol; they needed to work hard; they needed to have a better attitude in the classroom,” she recalls. Every Monday for one hour after school, Owen gathered the entire team for life-skills lessons, including motivational speeches from guest speakers who shared their struggles. The results were dramatic.

“At the end of the first year, the principal came to me and said, “What is going on? And I was like, ‘Am I in trouble?’, and he said, ‘No, 88% of this team's GPA has gone up.’ It was all from learning to be motivated.”

Ten years and countless success stories later, Owen started TUF Life Skills, enlisting the participation of pro athletes like Russell Wilson and Denard Span and getting the instructional program into schools and youth agencies nationwide. Owen is now sharing her lessons with parents of children ages 11 and up in a new book, Connection Over Perfection

TBPM: The first part of your book is called “Build Your Brand”. Why is that a good starting point for reaching kids?

AO: Kids love talking about brands … They love talking about their Jordans or whatever it is, and then tell them, ‘Well, you’re a brand,’ the people you surround yourself with, the language you use, the way you dress, the things you're posting on social media. ‘You're building your personal brand whether you know it or not,’ and so then you can start talking about attitude and work ethic and it all fits into their brand.

TBPM: How can we, as parents, help our kids develop a good attitude and a strong work-ethic?

AO: Take it in small bites, like asking them to load the dishwasher. Their attitude goes into their work ethic. For instance, being grateful: ‘I get to

help my family out. They put food on the table and so I'm going to help them out.’ And then, ‘I'm gonna do the work and I'm gonna do it the way that would make my parents happy.’

In sports, the person that's running out on the field and not just lounging around and getting out there last, that's the person that's going to catch their coach's attention. They might not be the better athlete, but the coach is going to see that their attitude and work ethic is a 10 and so they're gonna get the benefit of that.

TBPM: You give an example in your book of an Olympic athlete who had success because of his attitude and work ethic but then lost it all after making a bad decision that landed him in prison because he lacked self-control. What should we be teaching our kids about self-control, especially in the face of so many distractions and temptations?

AO: Self-control is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets. When you have a small win with self-control, it strengthens up the muscle and it makes it easier the next time to have self-control.

TBPM: And learning to make good decisions starts by having good values, as you say in your book. Can you share some examples?

AO: For instance, if you value honesty and you find a wallet with $500 in it and the contact information of the person, you're not gonna hem and haw, like, ‘Gosh what should I do?’ If you value honesty, you're going to find that person and turn in the money. Or if you don’t feel like going to practice and you're tired and you wanna tell the coach you're sick, if you value honesty, you're gonna do the right thing. So it makes decisions a lot easier once you know what your values are, which also gives the child confidence to know that they are in control.

TBPM: Why do you emphasize Connection Over Perfection in your book?

AO: I'm hoping that parents won't demand perfection. They say you learn more from your losses than your wins, and kids are going to make mistakes … and for parents to not jump in there and swoop in and save them. Let them fail when they're young, so they can learn these valuable lessons, and they'll feel confident the next time they make a poor choice that they can overcome that and do it themselves.

Winter Reads for the Whole Family!

Just because it doesn’t snow in Florida, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a snowy read! Check out these titles for the whole family to get you in the winter spirit.

A Cozy Winter Day

by Eliza Wheeler

A community of forest animals celebrates all the wonder that winter offers. (Ages 2-5)

Winter: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross

Owl and his friends gather up gifts of hope from the woodlands to help shine the light on the longest night of the year. (Ages 2-5).

Winter Tales: Stories and Folktales From Around the World

by Dawn Casey

One story isn’t enough for you? Take a wintry trip around the world with this collection of winter-themed stories. (Ages 4-8)

Wintergarden by Janet

S. Fox

Growing and harvesting an herb garden can be fun and oh-so-satisfying, even in the dead of winter. (Ages 4-8)

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson

To stop the endless winter and cure her mother's sadness, 10-year-old Blessing helps a 600-year-old snowman find his longlost love. (Ages 10-14).

Breaking the Ice by Natalie

Blitt

Harper quit hockey after she caused an accident during a game, but with the help of a young figure skating champion and her best friend, she is hoping to get her game back. (Ages 10-14).

The

12 Strays of Christmas by Natalie McKearin

Sad about her recent move to Chicago, Holly ends up volunteering at a local dog shelter and connects with a runt named Drummer, who goes missing during a big holiday adoption event. (Ages 10-14).

The Cuffing Game

by

Lyla Lee

In this cozy retelling of “Pride and Prejudice,” Mia Yoon must enlist the help of her crush Noah Jang to make her on-campus dating show a success so she can win a fullride scholarship to her dream film school. (Ages 15-18).

Mint to Be by Katie

Cicatelli-Kuc

After leaving without saying goodbye, Emma and former best friend Aiden try to reconnect when she’s back in town for the winter holidays. But with her is her new boyfriend, and Aiden must decide if he wants to confess his feelings to Emma. (Ages 15-18).

Love in a Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello

Seventeen-year-olds Trey and Ariel embark on a hate-to-love journey when they band together to save Trey's family's business, the longest-running Blackowned bookshop in London. (Ages 15-18).

The

Fisherman’s

Gift

by

Julia R. Kelly

In 1900, the small Scottish fishing village of Skerry is destined for an unyielding winter. When a mysterious boy with an uncanny resemblance to the long-lost child of teacher Dorothy appears, long-buried secrets are unearthed in the snowed-in village. (Adult).

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, a stranger with piercing blue eyes presents a new father with a gift – and a wild and willful girl grows up in the village. (Adult).

OPEN HOUSE

Making Waves with Watermelon Swim this Holiday Season

by Julia Stewart

More Than a Lesson: A Lifelong Gift

The Give the Gift of Swim fund helps provide swim lessons to families who might not otherwise have access. These lessons aren’t just about fun in the pool; they’re about saving lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children under five. However, formal, continuous swim lessons can reduce that risk by up to 88%.

“Water safety isn’t just for summertime; it’s a life skill,” said Micha Seal, CEO of Watermelon Swim. “In Florida, water is part of our everyday life. Pools, beaches and lakes are all around us. That’s why our responsibility to protect

How Watermelon Swim is changing lives in and out of the Pool

The holidays are a time for giving, and at Watermelon Swim, giving back to the community is as natural as making a splash. This season, Watermelon Swim continues its long-standing tradition of spreading joy through its annual Giving Tree program, while also offering a life-saving gift that lasts long after the holidays are over: the gift of swim. For nearly five decades, Watermelon Swim has been a trusted part of the Tampa Bay community, teaching millions of lessons that empower children to be safer and more confident around water. Each December, the team turns its focus outward, helping local families in need through giving initiatives that reflect the heart of our mission: to create a community of safer swimmers.

children can’t take a break when summer ends. Yearround swim lessons build confidence and help keep children safer every day.”

Spreading Cheer: One Tag at a Time

Watermelon Swim’s Giving Tree program has become a beloved local tradition. Each holiday season, families can visit any Watermelon Swim location to select a tag from the tree, each representing a child or family in need. Donations help provide everything from clothing and toys to meals and swim lessons for families across Tampa Bay.

“Seeing our lobby fill with gifts and kindness each year is incredibly special,” Seal says. “The Giving Tree reminds us that we are all connected. We’re here to keep children safer in the water, yes, but we’re also here to lift families up.”

How You Can Get Involved

Families who want to give back can stop by any Watermelon Swim location to pick a tag from the Giving Tree or visit watermelonswim.com/ gift-swim to purchase a gift certificate or donate to the Give the Gift of Swim fund.

With locations in Lutz, South Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Riverview and Brooksville, Watermelon Swim continues to spread its mission of creating a community of safer swimmers while spreading holiday joy.

The world is 70% water, and kids are 100% curious. The best gift you can give this season is the one that truly lasts a lifetime.

Swim lessons save lives.

Visit watermelonswim.com/gift-swim to purchase a gift certificate or donate to the Give the Gift of Swim fund

McIlwain Dental Specialists

Children’s Dentistry

Leigh Ann McIlwain, DMD

Michael McIlwain, DMD

Kara Ford, DMD

Orthodontics

Matthew S. Ahrens, DMD, MS

Mary Awadallah, DDS

Cosmetic & Adult Dentistry

Michael Chiaramonte, DMD

Rebecca Warnken, DDS

Justin Mitchell, DMD

AI Support: The Hidden Dangers for Our Kids and Teens

by Ellen McVay

A growing number of children and teenagers are turning to AIgenerated programs for advice, companionship and mental health support. They provide instant feedback and anonymity, but sometimes, the advice can be wrong — or even dangerous.

thinking skills and staying involved in what they’re doing.

Pediatric psychologist Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D., weighs in on kids using AI platforms for therapeutic support.

What do you think about young people using AI chatbots for companionship and “therapy”?

People are starting to blur the lines a bit between social interaction and computer programs, and that is concerning. We all forget that as these revolutionary technologies emerge, they’re still limited in their scope. These are not trained and caring professionals or evidence-based interventions for mental health concerns.

If your child is involved in any kind of therapy, you, as the parent, need to be involved in that. Some of the advice seems reasonable, supportive, even sound. But sometimes, it’s not. Is there a way to help a child distinguish good online advice from bad?

Helping a child learn to separate good advice from bad online is less about giving them a checklist and more about teaching critical

HERE’S WHAT TO CONSIDER:

• Open conversations are key. Encourage kids to come to you with advice they see or hear online and talk it through together. Modeling how you yourself doublecheck information, by asking questions, comparing different sources or looking for expert input, shows them what good judgment looks like in real time.

• Monitoring is still important, especially for younger children. Until kids are older and more independent, parents should know what sites they’re using and what questions they’re asking online.

• Set clear expectations: Online advice isn’t always safe, and even when it sounds helpful, it needs to be tested against what you know to be true. Kids who learn that “pause and check” mindset early, not believing everything they read, will carry those skills forward as they grow.

In a few cases, these AI conversations have been reportedly linked to tragic results, with young people taking their own lives.

These unfortunate events tell us that our kids are out there looking for help and very much in need of that help. We need to be talking with our kids daily and to be open to listening to them when they come forward, prepared to support and provide resources if needed.

How can parents support their child’s mental wellness?

All kids should have an open forum with their parents — to talk to them about what’s been happening and how they’re feeling. Discussing algorithms are important and how they have a built-in bias and are designed to serve up more content to our kids of what they’ve been seeking. Help your kids to understand that things coming out on these software platforms are computer-based and not human, so the information could be wrong — even damaging advice.

Play Safe

Learn about common toy hazards and how to avoid them

by Anu Varma Panchal

Family gatherings are lovely and decorations are grand … but, facts: If you’re a kid, the real reason for the season is probably under that tree. However, if those toys aren’t picked judiciously, you just might find yourself spending Christmas Day in the emergency room rather than grandma’s house.

BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Specialist Gina Baez says that every year, there are more than 150,000 toy-related injuries reported in the United States. Top causes include choking on small pieces, drowning with floatation toys, riding e-vehicles, or ingesting water beads.

She wants to encourage parents to shop with safety and fit in mind when going through their Christmas lists this year, because with toys, safety starts with the gift-giver.

Choosing Safe Toys

Choose toys based not only by interest, but also by age. Age recommendations on the packaging are safety-related, not developmental. It doesn’t matter if your 3-year-old is precocious enough to manipulate a toy meant for an older child; toys often have age restrictions because of dangerous small or sharp parts.

“Those recommendations are there for a reason,” Baez says. “Look for sturdy, high-quality construction, with no sharp edges and parts securely attached.”

Beware of Choking Hazards

Baez has this easy-to-remember rule of thumb for deciding if a toy is a good option for a toddler or younger: “If the toy part fits through the cardboard tube of a paper towel or toilet paper roll, it’s too small for 3 and below.”

Choking hazards including detachable pieces, marbles, button batteries, and water beads. “I don’t think a lot of parents understand the danger of button batteries,” Baez says. “They can be deadly if swallowed. If they want to give them a toy with a button battery, the batteries should be inside a compartment that is securely screwed.”

Water beads are particularly insidious choking hazards. They are small spheres that are often sold as sensory toys, but once swallowed, they can expand up to 100 times its size, resulting in not only choking, but poisoning, as some of the ingredients are toxic.

Ensure that toys are non-toxic and have a BPA-free label, just in case they are put in a curious mouth. Choking can also happen externally — for toddlers and very young children, avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than 7 inches.

Always Encourage Helmets with Riding Toys

“We recommend no riding toys under the age of 1,” Baez says.

After age 1, little ones can safely play with foot-powered wheeled toys, followed by tricycles and slower electric vehicles when they are 2 — think ride-on cars that parents can set the speed for with a remote control, for example. When they are 3-5 years old, they can start trying balance bikes or scooters.

When gifting anything with wheels, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the child must have a certified helmet. “Not just for bikes,” says Baez. “Bikes, scooters, hoverboards — anything with wheels.”

When choosing a helmet, fit is crucial. The bottom of the helmets should sit two finger widths above the eyebrows, and the side straps should make a “v” in front of and behind the ears. You should only be able to fit one or two fingers between the chin strap and your skin when the helmet is secured.

Kids riding e-bikes or e-scooters (which Baez points out are leading causes of injuries) need a helmet that meets stricter safety standards such as an e-bike helmet or motorcycle helmet, which can be more expensive than a bicycle helmet. Other safety gear to consider for little cyclists include knee, wrist and elbow pads, reflective tape for clothes and bright clothing.

The Best Protection is Parental Supervision

“The safest toy can be dangerous without supervision,” Baez says. “It’s a good idea to keep play areas organized by age, so the 2-year-old doesn’t have access to the 8-year-old’s Legos.”

For children ages 1-3, avoid overstimulating toys with too much noise and light. Children under age 8 should not play with toys that include a heating element, because they can pose burn hazards. After opening new toys, throw away the plastic wrapping and little plastic pieces that are sometimes attached to the packaging. And teach older siblings to do so as well, reminding them of the dangers of little siblings popping small toy parts into their mouth.

Stay Informed

Follow or sign up for alerts from these two websites so you can be assured of your little ones’ toy safety:

Cpsc.gov: The Consumer Product Safety Commission announces all safety issues. Check before purchasing, especially if the toy is second-hand or from a third-person retailer.

Recalls.gov: Sign up here for alerts about not just toys, but any product that relates to kids.

So, what actually makes for a good toy? Baez suggests anything that encourages imaginative play, supports bonding and promotes imagination and fine motor skills. More likely than not, it’s best to reach past the bells, whistles and lights and grab a simpler toy instead.

hildren’s Network of Hillsborough is transforming child welfare in our community. With an innovative, technology-driven approach and more than 250 years of combined experience, our team is achieving results that change lives:

These milestones are only possible through the support of our community. Help us advance our mission of hope and healing by fostering, adopting, volunteering, or donating. Together, we can build stronger families and change young lives for good.

The Power of Connection: How Moms of South Tampa Are Redefining Networking

by Alexandra Graham, Foley Family Law, and co-founder of the Moms of South Tampa Business Networking group

When motherhood meets ambition, something powerful happens — and sometimes, it inspires a movement. That’s how the Moms of South Tampa (MOST) Business Networking group came to life.

Along with my co-founders, Erika Montanez of Rocket Title Services and Amber Lewis of The Amber Lewis Group with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices FL Properties Group, we launched the MOST Business Networking to fill a gap in the local business community. While Tampa Bay offers many networking groups, few truly support the realities of motherhood alongside professional growth.

A SPACE FOR MOMS TO CONNECT

Traditional networking events often demand formality and evening hours — challenges that don’t fit the life of a busy mom. MOST Business Networking reimagined that model by offering a flexible, inclusive and authentic environment where women can connect professionally while embracing all parts of who they are.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at The Spiral Staircase in downtown Tampa, creating a welcoming atmosphere for moms at all stages. Members come as they are, whether showing up between client calls or coming directly from school drop-off.

MEETING WITH INTENTION

Moms are busy, so MOST Business Networking packs a lot into an hour. Each meeting includes open networking, a guest speaker focused on business or personal development and a spotlight on a local mom-owned business or product. Every element is designed to be intentional, leaving members inspired and energized.

At its core, MOST Business Networking is about connection and community. Members share referrals, collaborate on projects and support each other through the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. The group fosters growth in business, confidence and leadership, creating a space where women can network without pressure and celebrate achievements both big and small.

My co-chairs and I emphasize that networking is for everyone — not just business owners. Whether building a company, climbing the corporate ladder or exploring a new opportunity, there is a seat at the table.

CREATE INSPIRATION IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TOO

For communities hoping to create similar spaces, the key is simple: Start small, stay consistent and stay true to your purpose. Focus

on authentic relationships and shared values, and the network will grow naturally.

Networking has transformed the founders’ own lives, opening doors to new opportunities, partnerships and friendships. MOST Business Networking reflects what’s possible when women come together intentionally — to support each other as mothers, professionals and members of a thriving community.

As Tampa Bay continues to grow, MOST Business Networking is proof that when women lift each other up, everyone rises.

THINGS WE LOVE: TRAVELING WITH LITTLE ONES

Visiting family and faraway places just got a lot easier with these items by Stokke, the Scandinavian brand known for design-forward, family-first products.

JetKids™ by Stokke® BedBox™

The ultimate travel companion for kids, this ride-on suitcase transforms into an in-flight bed or leg rest, turning stressful travel into a fun, cozy experience.

Stokke® Tripp Trapp® High Chair

This iconic design piece that grows with your child, from newborn to adult, is ideal for grandparents to keep for grandkids of all ages, and their visiting cousins.

Stokke® YOYO³ Stroller

This compact, lightweight stroller folds and unfolds in seconds, making it the perfect travel or on-the-go stroller for parents.

TampaBayParenting.com

what's trending...

Weekend Top Picks:

The best ways to play as a family in the Tampa Bay area

Things to Do with Toddlers:

Educational activities, playgrounds and more!

Free Things to Do in Tampa Bay:

Our favorite spots for a fun day out while staying on budget

25 Indoor Activities in Tampa Bay:

Our top picks for places to play when it's raining or too hot outside

Burton Family Lights up the Holidays:

We caught up with the Burton family of Valrico, who competed in ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2023. We’re finding out what it takes to create their spectacular holiday light show!

Available at stokke.com.

Holidays in Tampa

photo provided by Burton family

Slice, Watermelon Swim’s mascot at Gingerbread Village at Glazer Children’s Museum!