Tampabay.com
JULY 30, 2008

Free and cheap kid stuff this week

This is turning into a popular feature here on Whoa, Momma! So, back by popular demand, is our weekly look at what's free and cheap to do with your kids:

Fish See if the kids can bring home dinner at the Family Fishing Fun Day at Largo’s Walsingham Park on Saturday. It’s free for kids 14 and younger (with adult). Poles and bait provided, but you can bring your own fishing gear, too. There will be prizes for largest and smallest fish, first fish, multiple catches and more. It runs 8 to 11 a.m. at the park at 12615 102nd Ave. N, Largo.

Sellers_2 The Beach Theatre continues its free kids matinees on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., at 315 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. This week it's "The Return of the Pink Panther" starring Peter Sellers.

Join the Rays at the Campbell Park Recreation Center, 501 14th St. S, St. Petersburg, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Rays Summer Block Party.  Festivities begin on Oliver Field with the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Marching Drum line kicking things off followed by games, kickball, wiffleball and music by 95.7 The Beat. There's free food, and an opportunity to meet a Rays players and get autographs. You can also register to vote and teach your kids about it in the KidsVote booth.

Mom_spongebob   The kids won't be as happy about this one because it means that the new school year is getting closer: The All About Kids Back to School Bash will feature exhibits, entertainment by Radio Disney and Nickelodeon, appearances by Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and others, a character parade (at the start of each day), craft activities, batting with the Tampa Bay Rays, bicycle rodeo, Baby Wonder Zone for babies and toddlers up to age 2 and expectant parents, Treat Street Snack Zone and more. The bash is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St. Admission is $9 for adults (get a $1 off coupon at Publix or click here), ages 12 and younger free (limit 3 kids per paying adult).

For all of those who thought the Lowry Park Zoo was a little too crowded on its $5 Zoo Day (another one is coming up Sept. 7), the zoo brings you Nite Zoo. The park stays open late with free rides after 5 p.m., including Gator Falls log flume ride. Nite Zoo is from 5-8:30 p.m. at the zoo, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. Tickets are $18.95, $17.95 seniors, $14.50 ages 3-11 and free for Zoo Passholders.

If you have a favorite little princess, she may love Rodgers and Mom_cinderella Hammerstein’s Cinderella performed by the Summer Broadway Series camp. Shows are 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. Tickets are $10. (813) 269-1310.

If your kids are fascinated by lightning, thunder and other weather phenomena, take them to "Flash! Bang! Boom! Discover our Amazing Weather!" from 10-11 a.m. Friday at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, Tarpon Springs. Registration is required and admission is free.

And a wise reader hipped us to this coupon for a buy one get one free admission deal at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage in Clearwater. But act fast: It expires Thursday.

Now get out and have some fun!

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne

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THE AUTHORS

Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.

E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
wynne@tampabay.com

SP_255665_CROS_KATE.jpgAfter six long years of trying to have a baby, Kate Brassfield was finally able to have one. And then, two minutes later, another one. Suddenly the lady who had never been around babies before was juggling two! Just as Kate felt she was getting pretty good with babies, the girls became toddlers, and now Kate is back to Square One, learning about the care and feeding of these strange, wonderful creatures. She spends her days working part-time from home and trying to keep up with the Twinosaurus Wrecks.

E-mail Kate Brassfield:
katedaphne17@gmail.com

Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at courtneyblogs@gmail.com.

Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com , and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in addition to being addicted to Twitter, iced coffee, and watching way too much Yo, Gabba Gabba.

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