The month of October is the time to celebrate Halloween and visiting the family-friendly weekends for kids makes it even easier. Tricks and treats abound on the special candy trail, and there’s a recreational area, and funny-not-scary performances that will delight everyone. You’ll even get to meet and talk to Grover and Cookie Monster, and other popular Sesame Street characters. You can move and groove at a dance party, sit in on story time, and show off your best costumes! Grownups will enjoy the Howl-O-Scream event designed to take your breath away with scary night rides, roaming zombies, werewolves, and deranged clowns that lurk in the darkness.

Located right across from Busch Gardens is Adventure Island, a water park that features 30 acres of water rides and other attractions for young and old. You can float down a lazy river, go snorkeling, and experience a solar vortex. Everyone will enjoy Paradise Lagoon and those who want a little more daring fun can jump off a cliff into a 9,000 sq. ft. blue lagoon. Little ones will love the kid-size jungle water gym and Splash Attack with more than 50 water play toys. Grab lunch or a quick snack at one of the food trucks or restaurants on the premises to refuel.

If you’d like to experience a unique family-friendly dining experience, check out The Getaway. Inspired by the beautiful Florida Keys, this tiki bar is for adults and kids, and offers a white sandy beach and a friendly area to get away from the typical eatery. Paddle boarding and other games and events will occupy you while you wait for your food, and the food is great.

LEGOLAND is located in many states, but LEGOLAND Florida is unique to the Sunshine State. There’s a themed water park with rides and attractions for the entire family, fine and casual dining, shopping, shows, and more. The water park and seasonal activities like Brick or Treat are fun fall family events that will be great memories for kids and adults. There’s a hotel on site if you want to stay more than just a day. 

Part of the Waterfronts Arts District, Glazer Children’s Museum is a must-see when you’re in Tampa. There are more than 150 interactive virtual experiences for kids under 12 that teach about a wide variety of activities like saving the day in the firehouse, finding out where your food comes from at the farm, checking out the cuddly critters at the vet clinic, or splash and play in the KidsPort. There’s a Halloween-inspired sensory spree where your little ghouls and goblins can have a fun and safe trick or treat experience. 

No trip to Tampa would be complete without stopping by and picking out your favorite frozen confection at Dough Nation. All the ice cream flavors are made of cookie dough and include popular favorites that have a social platform of helping provide a sweet solution that supports the Tampa underserved communities. 

If you want an activity that will have your kids talking for a long time to come, take a cruise on the Lost Pearl. This 1.5-hour cruise past downtown Tampa will see if you and your young ones were made for the pirate’s life. Learn how to think like a pirate and load a cannon and become a swashbuckling buccaneer. Pirates of all ages will enjoy this interactive cruise and photos can be purchased to memorize your time on the high seas of Tampa Bay. 

You’ll get to see endangered and vulnerable species from areas similar to Tampa Bay in a world class 24-acre managed environment. This award winning family friendly zoo teaches and inspires visitors to care for and protect wildlife of all kinds. There’s always something going on for the whole family all year round including breakfast with the animals and the eerie Creatures of the Night program each October.

For a kid-friendly overnight stay, Comfort Suites offers easy and close access to nearby attractions like Busch Gardens. You’ll have use of the outdoor heated pool, free Wi-Fi, a grab and go breakfast option when you want to hit the road early in the morning.