Looking for fun family and kid-friendly activities this weekend in and around St. Petersburg, Florida? We’ve got you covered with this curated local guide.
This list is brought to you by @sunshinecitywithkids. Events Beyond the Burg are made possible by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.
ADVERTISEMENT
Check back each Wednesday for updates, and be sure to submit your events to our calendar. Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup. Find the best kid-friendly restaurants in St. Pete here.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: September 25–27
September is going out with a seriously fun lineup. This weekend brings powerboat racing, superheroes, sensory-friendly art, anime, live music, Halloween shopping, community festivals and two giant family celebrations in downtown Tampa.
Here are some of the best family-friendly events happening around St. Pete, Clearwater and beyond this weekend.
Friday, September 25
Toddler Time at President Barack Obama Main Library
When: Friday, September 25, 10:15–10:45 a.m. or 11–11:30 a.m.
Where: President Barack Obama Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Toddlers ages 1–3 can enjoy stories, songs and early-literacy activities alongside a caregiver. Each session is limited to 50 participants, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Youth Services desk.
Clearwater Offshore Nationals
When: Friday, September 25, noon–3:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 26, 10:45 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sunday, September 27, 10:45 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Clearwater Beach, with viewing areas near Pier 60
Cost: Free
Beyond the Burg: Clearwater
High-powered race boats take over the Gulf during one of Clearwater Beach’s biggest weekends. Friday features official testing, followed by qualifying and racing on Saturday and five final races on Sunday. The five-mile course runs parallel to the beach, with its first turn near Pier 60. Bring hearing protection for little ones and anyone sensitive to loud sounds.
Birds of the Estuary Art Workshop
When: Friday, September 25, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free; registration required
Combine nature and creativity during a guided workshop inspired by the incredible birds that call our local estuary home. Participants will learn about these coastal residents while creating a piece of artwork to take home.
Young Explorers: Insects
When: Friday, September 25, 3:45–4:45 p.m.
Where: President Barack Obama Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Kids ages 8–11 can crawl into the tiny but fascinating world of insects before making layered 3D paper bugs and positive-negative insect art.
Parents Night Out at We Rock the Spectrum Clearwater
When: Friday, September 25, 6–9 p.m.
Where: We Rock the Spectrum Clearwater, 12505 Starkey Rd., Suite H, Largo
Cost: Advance registration required; contact the gym for current pricing
Beyond the Burg: Largo
Parents can enjoy a few kid-free hours while the children stay for an evening of pizza, games, crafts, movement and sensory-friendly play. We Rock the Spectrum welcomes children of all abilities, but space is limited, so advance registration is recommended.
Music in the Park: Trop Rock Junkies
When: Friday, September 25, 7–9 p.m.
Where: Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Rd., Seminole
Cost: Free; on-site parking is $3
Beyond the Burg: Seminole
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and settle in for an evening of beachy, feel-good music under the stars. This free outdoor concert makes for an easygoing start to the weekend.
Friday Night Shuffle
When: Friday, September 25, 7–10 p.m.
Where: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg
Cost: Kids play free; non-member adults are $10
Introduce the kids to a classic St. Pete tradition during the city’s long-running open-play night. Equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, weather permitting.
Saturday, September 26
19th Annual Superhero Fun Walk
When: Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–noon
Where: Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Grab your capes and head to Vinoy Park for a waterfront walk benefiting families affected by hereditary bleeding disorders. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m., with costumes, music, food, games and prizes adding to the fun. Participants who raise at least $25 receive the official 2026 event shirt.
International Coastal Cleanup
When: Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–noon
Where: USCGC Blackthorn Memorial at the Sunshine Skyway Rest Stop, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free; registration required
Spend the morning making a difference as families help clean the shoreline and mangroves during the Ocean Conservancy’s annual International Coastal Cleanup. Supplies and free parking are provided. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring a reusable water bottle and arrive a few minutes early to sign in. Volunteers younger than 15 must remain with a parent or guardian.
Glazer Children’s Museum Birthday Bash
When: Saturday, September 26, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa
Cost: Free
Beyond the Burg: Tampa
Glazer Children’s Museum is celebrating 16 years of play with a giant free birthday party in the park. Families can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, hands-on activities, community partners and live performances from local dance and music groups. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.
Sensory Saturday at FloridaRAMA
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–noon
Where: FloridaRAMA, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, Building 5, St. Petersburg
Cost: Ticketed
FloridaRAMA creates a calmer way to explore its colorful immersive galleries with reduced sound, dimmed lighting, quieter interactions, loaner sensory kits and designated calm spaces. This special session is designed for guests who benefit from a more sensory-friendly environment.
Anime St. Pete
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, September 27, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 1st St. SE, St. Petersburg
Cost: Ticketed
Anime St. Pete celebrates its fifth anniversary with two days of cosplay, contests, voice-actor appearances, panels, shopping and fan-focused fun. There is something for every level of fandom, although the event may be especially exciting for anime-loving tweens and teens.
Fall Family Fest
When: Saturday, September 26, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa
Cost: Free
Beyond the Burg: Tampa
Celebrate the beginning of fall with interactive family exhibits, local resources, entertainment, food, giveaways and swag bags. Water Works Park also offers plenty of shade, a splash pad and easy access to the Tampa Riverwalk, Ulele and Armature Works, making it easy to turn the festival into a full family day.
Latin Night at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
When: Saturday, September 26, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater
Cost: $50 for adults; $40 for children ages 3–11; free for ages 2 and younger
Beyond the Burg: Clearwater
Celebrate Latin culture during an after-hours aquarium party featuring live entertainment, children’s crafts and games, sea lion talks and a dolphin presentation. Outdoor animal habitats are scheduled to remain open until 8:30 p.m., making this a rare chance to explore the aquarium after dark.
Sunday, September 27
Hauntizaar: Handmade Haunted Bazaar
When: Sunday, September 27, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Halloween arrives early at this wonderfully weird market featuring 40 vendors spread across two rooms. Families can browse dark art and haunted handmade goods while enjoying a food truck, pop-up dance performances and the St. Petersburg Library System Bookmobile, complete with spooky seasonal reads and library-card signups.
Kostar’s Art Show and Book Signing
When: Sunday, September 27, 2–6 p.m.
Where: Bayboro Brewing Co., 2390 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
The closing reception for Kostar Kustom’s colorful Florida on My Mind exhibition doubles as a signing for Where the Florida Things Live. Families can explore vibrant artwork inspired by Florida’s wildlife and weirdness, see original illustrations from the book and pick up a signed copy.
Family Day Oktoberfest at Cage Brewing
When: Sunday, September 27, 3–7 p.m.
Where: Cage Brewing, 2001 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Close out the weekend with live music from The Happy Campers, wood-fired pizza from Kraken Joe’s and an Oktoberfest celebration the whole family can enjoy. The event is free and open to guests of all ages when accompanied by an adult.
New and Notable: Pinniped Pier at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Pinniped Pier
Where: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater
Cost: Included with general aquarium admission
Beyond the Burg: Clearwater
Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s newest outdoor habitat introduces California sea lions and harbor seals to the rescue center for the first time. Sea lions Wahoo and Tuna share the waterfront setting with harbor seals Pharaoh, Ocean and Scallop.
The animals rotate between the public habitat and behind-the-scenes care areas, so visitors may not see every resident during each trip. Pinniped Pier is located on the second level of the Original CMA building and may close during inclement weather.
Wherever you and your family are in the Tampa Bay area, there’s something unique and memorable waiting for you this last weekend of September.
Looking for more? Check out our full weekend events roundup, and follow @sunshinecitywithkids on Instagram for even more family-friendly content!
Anytime family activities & guides
- 10+ awesome indoor play places
- Indoor playgrounds with lots of shade
- Places to eat with kids in St. Pete
- Top indoor activities in St. Pete
- Healthy family activities around Tampa Bay
- More Kid-Friendly Guides!
