Weekends with kids in Tampa FL can feel like a high-wire act—part cruise director, part camp counselor, part hostage negotiator. But here’s the good news: the city is packed with family-friendly events, festivals, and activities this weekend that will keep your little ones busy, entertained, and (hopefully) yogurt-free in the back seat. From pumpkin patches to laser light shows, here’s your guide to the best kid-approved events happening October 3–5.
And remember—check back every Wednesday for updates, and don’t forget to submit your events to our calendar. Want even more? Visit the official Tampa events site at visittampabay.com and follow Visit Tampa Bay on Instagram for the latest happenings.
USF Family Weekend 2025
📍 University of South Florida
📅 October 3–5, All Weekend
The USF Family Weekend transforms the campus into a festival of fun with tours, games, cooking demos, and mascot meet-and-greets. It’s equal parts pep rally, open house, and “let’s see how many freebies we can get with this wristband.” Families can dive into hands-on activities, enjoy live entertainment, and finish off with the big football game against Charlotte at Raymond James Stadium.
👉 More info: USF Family Weekend Official Site | USF Instagram
Watermelon Swim’s Annual Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
📍 Multiple Tampa Bay Locations
📅 October 3–5, All Weekend
Bring on the pumpkin patch magic—outdoor in Lutz and South Tampa, or cozy indoor setups across the area. Watermelon Swim delivers fall vibes, photo ops, and the kind of festive cheer that makes you forget it’s still 87 degrees. Even better, your pumpkin haul supports local swim programs, making this an outing that’s fun and purposeful.
👉 More info: Watermelon Swim Official Site | Facebook Page
Laser Light Show: Taylor Swift
📍 Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E Fowler Ave.
📅 Friday, October 3, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Attention Swifties: MOSI is turning its planetarium dome into a dazzling laser light concert. Sing and dance to “Love Story” and “Shake It Off” while beams of neon light sweep across the sky. At just $10–$13 per ticket, this is the most affordable Taylor Swift experience you’ll ever find—and no one’s reselling these tickets for rent money.
👉 More info: MOSI Instagram
Friday Movie Nights at the Patch
📍 Seminole Heights Great Pumpkin Patch, 6111 N Central Ave
📅 Friday, October 3, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Grab a blanket, claim a pumpkin, and settle in for a free outdoor screening of the Halloween classic It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Expect food trucks, concessions, and the chance to answer your child’s eternal question: “Why is Lucy like this?” It’s family nostalgia under the stars, with plenty of snacks to go around.
👉 More info: Seminole Heights Pumpkin Patch
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa
📍 ZooTampa, 1101 W. Sligh Ave.
📅 Friday & Saturday, October 3–4, 4 PM – 10 PM
Halloween comes alive at ZooTampa’s Creatures of the Night, one of the top-rated family events in Tampa Bay. Expect skeletons on carousels, dinosaurs in labs, and the Dancing Dead disco. Kids can enjoy spooky characters, tasty themed treats, and all the fun of Halloween adventures without reservations.
👉 More info: ZooTampa Official Site | ZooTampa Instagram
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party at LEGOLAND
📍 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven
📅 Saturday & Sunday, October 4–5, 10 AM – 8 PM
LEGOLAND turns spooky with Brick-or-Treat Monster Party—a Halloween spectacular featuring trick-or-treating, costumed LEGO characters, and a candy overload that may require a dentist’s intervention. The grand finale? A drone and fireworks show that will light up the sky with LEGO magic.
👉 More info: LEGOLAND Florida Official Site | LEGOLAND Instagram
Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration at Busch Gardens
📍 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
📅 Saturday & Sunday, October 4–5, 12 PM – 4 PM
This Halloween-lite celebration delivers sugar-fueled fun with trick-or-treating, character parades, and interactive shows. Perfect for kids who love costumes and candy but aren’t quite ready for full-blown scares, Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration is as adorable as it is exhausting.
👉 More info: Busch Gardens Official Site | Busch Gardens Instagram
If you’re looking for things to do with kids this weekend in Tampa FL, the city is overflowing with choices—whether you want fall festivals, Halloween fun, or unique family-friendly shows. From pumpkin patches and parades to laser concerts and zoos, these events prove that weekends in Tampa don’t have to mean endless screen time.
Want even more family adventures? Bookmark our calendar and come back next week for fresh updates—because Tampa weekends are just getting started.
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