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5 things to do with kids in Tampa Bay this week: Aug. 10-16

Gatorland has half-priced tickets, Rachael Ray has free cooking classes for kids and you can learn about lionfish at the Pier's aquarium.
 
Gatorland alligator handler Donnie Aldarelli shows off Chester, a 14-foot alligator. 
Photo courtesy Gatorland
Gatorland alligator handler Donnie Aldarelli shows off Chester, a 14-foot alligator. Photo courtesy Gatorland [ Gatorland ]
Published Aug. 10, 2020

1. Gatorland discount: Florida residents have a deal they can sink their teeth into at Gatorland until Aug. 31. The kitschy wildlife park in Orlando has 110 acres and thousands of alligators and crocodiles, an aviary, a petting zoo, nature walk, gift shop and fun reptilian shows like the Gator Wrestlin’ Show. Guests who purchase admission at the gate with valid a Florida ID for each adult can get in for $14.99 adults, $9.99 children ages 3-12, $12.49 for seniors 55 and older. Children younger than 3 are free. 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando. (407) 278-8432. gatorland.com.

Celebrity chef and television personality Rachael Ray is putting on a free interactive cooking camp for kids with appearances by other Food Network chefs. [ MITCHELL ZACHS | AP ]

2. Food Network cooking camp: Rachael Ray and her celebrity chef friends are putting on a free interactive cooking camp that runs daily through Friday. The target age group is 8- to 15-year-olds, but the whole family is welcome to join, as parents are encouraged to participate to help with kitchen safety. The 45-minute cooking classes take place daily via Zoom at 2 p.m., where campers can post questions to the chef live. But they will still be available on Yum-o.org for up to 48 hours after the live classes where you can see the video and recipes. This week’s classes include spaghetti and “Roasted Impossiballs” with Rachael Ray on Friday and a cooking class on Thursday with TV chef Carla Hall. Free. Register at rrcookingcamp.com/classes to receive the Zoom conference instructions and details for that day’s camp session.

Piff the Magic Dragon, a star of America’s Got Talent, will have a virtual, family friendly show “live from Las Vegas” that will be broadcast via Zoom Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. [ Ruth Eckerd Hall ]

3. Piff the Magic Dragon: Broadcasted via Zoom live from Las Vegas, the comic magician Piff the Magic Dragon from America’s Got Talent is putting on a family-friendly show that will allow the audience to interact with the performer. Register at RuthEckerdHall.com for a Zoom ID. $35.75. 7 p.m. Wednesday.

4. Lionfish for Lunch: The spiny lionfish are edible, and some restaurants and supermarkets like Whole Foods do offer them as a way to control the invasive species’ exploding population. But this Sunday session at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center at St. Petersburg’s new Pier District is more about science. Learn how scientists are attempting to protect our oceans from the invasive lionfish as you talk about and dissect them. Register at the front desk. Meet outside the Discovery Center. $6 per family 1-2 p.m. Sunday and also on Aug. 23. 700 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 291-4103.

The lionfish species is a big problem on local reefs because they have no natural predators.

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5. Kids Time Scavenger Hunt: Kids can take part in mall scavenger hunt adventures that also include at-home craft projects. A new hunt starts every Tuesday in August, and the first two Saturdays in September, ending Sept. 12. Download the scavenger hunt app and start your hunt near Center Court. Scan the QR code on the Kids Time signage to sign up and begin. Book free Kid Time Scavenger Hunt tickets on eventbrite.com for information. Note that the tickets are just for planning purposes to know how many people to expect; they are free and not required for entry. Noon-6 p.m. at Westfield Citrus Park, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa. Toll-free 1-863-797-9962.