Summer Fun

On Monday, July 13 the Winter Haven City Commission voted to require face masks in indoor locations where social distancing cannot be maintained. A list of exceptions and additional details are included in the article.
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On Tuesday, September 8, the Lakeland City Commission voted to require face masks through October 5. Masks are required in indoor locations where social distancing cannot be maintained. A list of exceptions and additional details are included in the article.
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Explorations V Children’s Museum is excited to welcome the community back for exploration and hands-on learning! The Museum has new hours as well - now open Sundays.
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We've got a full list of back to school events and places to get free school supplies, along with our favorite back to school gear, Stuff the Bus donation locations, tax-free shopping holiday info, and more.
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We’re all about outdoor fun this summer and recently spent a few hours finding all of Lakeland’s amazing outdoor murals. If you’re looking for things to do outside in Lakeland, plan a day for a mural scavenger hunt with 17+ different murals in Lakeland.
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Face Masks are currently only required in indoor settings in Lakeland and Winter Haven, but many national retailers with stores in our area are now requiring masks at ALL locations. Find out which stores are requiring masks in Polk County.
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The Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for August 7 - 9, 2020 and we've got all the details you need to know to save some $$ on your back to school shopping!
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Kids can skate FREE two times a week at Skate World in Lakeland when you sign up online for the Kids Skate Free program. Free summer fun! Available Monday - Friday during the 12pm - 4pm skate session. Requires advance sign up.
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Looking for a unique activity to do this summer in Florida? Go kayaking in a clear kayak! This one of a kind experience will allow you to enjoy the natural wonders around you AND underneath you. With multiple multiple locations across Central Florida, clear kayak tours can be done as a day trip from the Lakeland area.
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Are you searching for outdoor activities to do with your family this summer? We are! Check out these things to do outdoors in Lakeland where you can enjoy the fresh air and open spaces and let the kids have fun while still social distancing.
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Get outdoors and explore Central Florida's waterways, rivers and beaches by canoe or kayak. We've rounded up 15 places with canoe rentals and kayak guided tours within 1-2 hour drive from Lakeland, plus a few options right here in Polk County.
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Nothing says SUMMER like 4th of July festivities and FIREWORKS! We've got a list of all the places to find Independence Day Celebrations in Lakeland & Polk County.
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Find unique Father's Day gifts for dads in Lakeland, Winter Haven, & Polk County. We've got gift ideas, family activities, weekend freebies & more.
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Think of a place where children can explore in nature, using their imagination to cook in an outdoor kitchen or put on a stage show. Sit back and watch as they climb and run, play outdoor music, and look for insects and worms. This amazing outdoor play area is right here in Polk County - Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden at Bok Tower Gardens.
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Online or Virtual Summer Camps are the ideal resource if you're traveling or looking for at-home activities to keep kids engaged & learning all summer long. Includes both FREE and paid camps and online activities.
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Whether you need a place for the kids to be able to run free, or you want to have open space to throw a football or frisbee, we’ve rounded up a list of parks with open fields in the Lakeland area that are open to the public and available for play.
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Enjoying an outdoor picnic is an ideal family activity for all ages. Here are our picks for 10 perfect picnic spots in Lakeland, many with picnic tables and a playground or other option for outdoor fun nearby.
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The Ultimate Family Summer Guide for Lakeland & Polk County. We've got over 50 ideas for activities, summer events, & things to do with kids this summer out and about around town.
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One of the most commonly asked questions we have received lately is "are any playgrounds in Lakeland open?" The answer is some of yes! Find out which playgrounds are currently open for play.
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We have some fantastic Vacation Bible School programs in the Lakeland area, but many of them aren’t happening in-person this year. Instead, area churches are bringing you Virtual VBS options and VBS Activity Boxes.
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During Summer 2020, Polk County Schools will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to children 18 years and under. School lunches can be picked up at specific schools and community locations, between 11am-1pm on Monday and Thursday.
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I scream, U scream, we all scream for ice cream! Cookies! Frozen yogurt! Gelato! Shaved Ice! Cupcakes! Find the best places for sweet eats and frozen treats in Lakeland and across Polk County.
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Our family loves playing card games and board games, and we’ve graduated to strategy games where everyone – kids included – has a fair shot at winning and there are often bragging rights involved! See our 10 favorite family-friendly games both parents and kids will enjoy.
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Taking a road trip of any length with your kids can really, well, drive you crazy! Check out our ideas for kids car games that are free and require very little in the way of preparation or supplies.
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Take-home kits, at-home activities, curbside pick-up kits… we aren’t sure what exactly to call these options, but local businesses and organizations have some great hands-on activities for your kids to do at home this summer.
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Serving 24 flavors of fresh brewed iced tea, HTeaO Lakeland has quickly become my favorite spot to treat myself to a beverage, and my family loves it too. Call it what you want – a tea bar, tea shop, or tea buffet – HTeaO has one focus: serving delicious iced tea.
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We've put together a list of ideas for things to do at home during summer 2020, and most require little or no preparation. Because let's be honest... mom wants a break too.
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Want to keep your kids reading and learning over the summer? Find a FREE summer reading program or online book subscription to get them excited to read!
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Have kids that love to bowl? FREE Summer Bowling at Cypress Lanes in Winter Haven and First Frame Bowl in Lake Wales. We've confirmed they are both open and accepting Kids Bowl Free passes for Summer 2020.
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There is nothing better than a dip in the pool to beat the Florida heat! We've got plenty of local swimming pools and splash pads here in Lakeland and across Polk County that are open to the public. Find a place to get wet and cool off this summer.
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The end of the 2019-20 school year is near and it is time to celebrate! Reaching the finish line on this crazy school year definitely calls for a celebration for kids, parents, and teachers, and we've got a list of fun ideas for you to mark the occasion and kick off the summer.
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We have 4 local movie theaters that offer FREE or $1 summer movies for kids - Cobb & Cinemark in Lakeland, and Cobb and Regal in Winter Haven. We are waiting for updates for 2020 and do not know yet when these theaters will reopen OR if they will have any free or $1 summer movies this year.
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At Safari Wilderness in Lakeland, you can get up close and personal with llamas, zebras, watsui cattle, water buffalo, and more. For a limited time they are offering a guided drive-thru safari tour where you can see and feed exotic animals from the comfort of your own vehicle.
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These visual and performing arts camps will allow your child to explore their creativity while having fun this summer! Camp themes include acting, dance, music, musical theater, as well as visual arts such as painting, digital art, crafting, and more.
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Are you looking for a camp with an educational theme that offers academic enrichment or help for your child? These educational camps will help students progress academically over the summer with math, science, reading and writing activities, but always while having fun!
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We love summer sports camps because they let kids burn off energy and improve their skills at their favorite sport. If you're looking for a summer camp in the Lakeland or Winter Haven area where your son or daughter can play a sport at summer camp (or try multiple sports) this list is for you. Our guide includes camps for soccer, basketball, baseball, football, lacrosse, ice hockey, golf, tennis, volleyball, and a brand new wakeboarding camp! Don't miss our full Summer Camp Guide and other summer camp articles: Sports Camps
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We are here to help you find summer camps for those hard to find age groups, including teenagers! Check out our list of summer camps for children ages 13 & older in middle and high school.
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We are here to help you find summer camps for those hard to find age groups, including preschoolers! Check out our list of summer camps for children ages 5 and under.
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Find out which summer camps in Lakeland and Polk County have canceled for Summer 2020 due to social distancing requirements and other restrictions. We’re keeping a list of camps that have been canceled so that parents can easily find them and keep them in mind for Summer 2021.
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At Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Park, you and your family can see more than 100 exotic and native animals roaming freely, right from your own vehicle. Located just over an hour from the Lakeland and Winter Haven area.
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Local parks and trails are starting to reopen on May 1. We've got a list of what is open and closed. You can visit a park or trail on our list, avoid people, and not have to touch any surfaces. Check out our list of outdoor things to do in the Lakeland area.
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We've got the ULTIMATE list of summer camp options in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, and across Polk County, as well as some popular overnight camps in our area. Camp themes include Art, Sports, STEM, Preschool, Dance, Drama, Teens, VBS, and much more!
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Swimming lessons for kids of all ages in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales & across Polk County. Find group lessons, private lessons, and survival swim.
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Find deals on top attractions such as Busch Gardens, Sea World, Aquatica, Blue Man Group, LEGOLAND Florida, Bok Tower Gardens, and more.
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Kids of all ages will love Epic - an unlimited eBook library your kids can take anywhere on a phone, tablet, or computer. Perfect for Summer Reading. LIMITED TIME SUMMER OFFER - Get 3 months for only $3 - for up to 4 kids!
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Our picks for the best playgrounds in Lakeland with shade. Ziplines, slides, swings, and more - all shaded from the summer heat. Find a favorite Lakeland playground near you!
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Celebrate your child’s birthday at a Lakeland Flying Tigers Game! Your child will feel like a major leaguer with party highlights including a group photo on the field, your son or daughter throwing out a ceremonial first pitch, a welcome on the loudspeaker and name up on the videoboard, photos and autographs with a Flying Tigers player, and much more!
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The Rotary Playground in Hernando's Landing at Lake Parker is open and it is AMAZING! With three different playground structures, a huge pirate ship, zip line type swings, parent/baby swings, and multiple other play items, this brand new playground in Lakeland will keep your kids exploring just like Hernando de Soto.
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