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5 things to do with kids in Tampa Bay this week: Aug. 30-Sept. 5

Take a free train ride through Largo Central Park, Halloween arrives early and it’s the last week to catch Daniel Tiger at the Glazer Children’s Museum.
 
Passengers board the train during the Largo Train Weekend at the Largo Central Railroad in Largo. The first Saturday of every month brings free train rides for families.
Passengers board the train during the Largo Train Weekend at the Largo Central Railroad in Largo. The first Saturday of every month brings free train rides for families. [ LUKE JOHNSON | Times (2014) ]
Published Aug. 30, 2021|Updated Sept. 2, 2021

1. Train Rides: The first Saturday of every month, all ages can climb aboard an accurately modeled scale locomotive for a 1-mile loop through the lush scenery of Largo Central Park, which includes a waterfall pond. Face masks are required while waiting in line, at the depot and on the train. Free (donations appreciated). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive.

2. Halloween Horror Nights: Halloween attractions like this one at Universal Orlando are back earlier than ever, maybe to make up for being canceled last year. This event is not intended for young children, as Universal takes advantage of Hollywood special effects to dial up the horror. There will be 10 haunted houses, including one based on Beetlejuice and another based on Netflix’s Haunting of Hill House. There are five scare zones and two spooky shows, and you can enjoy some of the theme park’s top rides. Creepy favorite Jack the Clown returns to celebrate Halloween Horror Nights’ 30th anniversary. It opens at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and runs select nights through Oct. 31. $70.99-$122.99. Universal Studios, Orlando. orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com.

From left, Caleb Henry, 6, Kaisen Henry, 2, Ford Ponton, 4, Jason Toledo, 4, play with the clock at the Glazer Children’s Museum’s exhibition based on the PBS show "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood." The exhibit runs through Sept. 6.
From left, Caleb Henry, 6, Kaisen Henry, 2, Ford Ponton, 4, Jason Toledo, 4, play with the clock at the Glazer Children’s Museum’s exhibition based on the PBS show "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood." The exhibit runs through Sept. 6. [ MENGSHIN LIN | Times ]

3. Free Tuesday at Glazer Museum: It’s not too late to catch the visiting exhibit based on award-winning PBS show Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood before it closes Sept. 6. And on Sept. 7, the museum again offers free admission on the first Tuesday of the month. Due to the popularity of Childrens Board Free Tuesday, registration is required at glazermuseum.org/freetuesdays to allow for social distancing. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday. 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 813-443-3861. glazermuseum.org.

Harry Connick Jr., left, played Dr. Clay Haskett, with Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy and Nathan Gamble as Sawyer Nelson in the film "Dolphin Tale," which premiered 10 years ago. The hit movies were based on true stories from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Harry Connick Jr., left, played Dr. Clay Haskett, with Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy and Nathan Gamble as Sawyer Nelson in the film "Dolphin Tale," which premiered 10 years ago. The hit movies were based on true stories from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. [ JON FARMER | Warner Bros. ]

4. 10th anniversary of Dolphin Tale: This September marks the 10th year since hit movie Dolphin Tale put Clearwater Marine Aquarium on the map, and the aquarium is celebrating all month. Film props from the movie set will be on display in the original Winter Zone location and there will be screenings of both Dolphin Tale movies daily in the new theater. All activities and screenings are included with admission. $32.95, $26.95 ages 3-12, free for 2 and younger. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater. 727-441-1790. cmaquarium.org.

Leu Gardens in Orlando has 20 "fairy doors" scattered throughout the 50-acre site. A map guides visitors with whimsical descriptions. In this one, a door belonging to Piper, a music fairy, is decorated like a piano.
Leu Gardens in Orlando has 20 "fairy doors" scattered throughout the 50-acre site. A map guides visitors with whimsical descriptions. In this one, a door belonging to Piper, a music fairy, is decorated like a piano. [ Leu Gardens ]

5. Leu Gardens Fairy Doors: Visitors to Leu Gardens in Orlando may notice a magical touch when visiting the 50-acre grounds. The Fairy Doors have returned for a fourth year. Running through Sunday, the exhibit features 20 one-of-a-kind fairy doors hidden throughout the gardens. A map guides visitors along the way and provides a narrative for each door. For example, a door belonging to Piper, a music fairy, is decorated like a piano. $10, $5 ages 4-17, free for 3 and younger. 407-246-2620. 1920 N Forest Ave., Orlando. leugardens.org.