All of our year-round posts are listed right here in the Guide to Lakeland so you can find anything and everything you’re searching for! With information on indoor fun, local playgrounds, education options, seasonal fun, and much more, we’ve got the scoop on events and activities for families and kids in Lakeland. Check back regularly, we are adding new info weekly!
Birthdays
The ULTIMATE Birthday Party Guide to Lakeland
Local Birthday Freebies in Lakeland & Polk County
Give your Child a Birthday to Remember at a Lakeland Flying Tigers Game
Fat Chihuahua Entertainment – Mobile Party & Event Entertainment
Baby & Toddler Activities
Activities for Babies, Preschoolers, Toddlers and Moms
Classes & Lessons
Lakeland & Polk County Swimming Lessons
Central Florida Athletics: Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Tumbling & more
Education
Polk County School Choice Options – Magnet, Charter, IB, Academies & more
Polk County’s FREE VPK Program – With New Delayed Enrollment For Later Birthdates
2018 – 2019 Polk County School Calendar
Guide to After School Programs in Lakeland
Get Personalized School Swag from Prep Sportswear – Hats, Shirts, Backpacks & more
Teacher Appreciation Gifts… what to buy and what to avoid
Education – Schools & Tutoring / Test Prep
Huntington Learning Center: Personalized Tutoring Services & Test Prep in Lakeland
Lakeland Mom looks at All Saints Academy
Crossroads Christian School provides a Personalized Education Focus for Grades K-12
Kid Friendly Eats
The Best Ice Cream, Cookies, Yogurt & Cupcakes in Lakeland
Parks, Playgrounds & Outdoor Activities
The Rotary Playground in Hernando’s Landing at Lake Parker
The Best Shaded Playgrounds in and around Lakeland
Pools, Splash Pads and Water Parks in Lakeland and Polk County
Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden at Bok Tower Gardens
Parenting & Things for Mom
Our Top 10 Favorite Family Board Games
Guide to Local Direct Sales Consultants & Mom-Run Businesses
Pregnancy & Baby
Our Tour of the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women & Children at Lakeland Regional Health
Special Needs & Special Kids
Sensory Friendly & Special Needs Activities in Lakeland & Central Florida
Sensational Sundays – Sensory Friendly Fun at Family Fun Center in Lakeland
U-Pick Farms & Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets in Polk County
U-Pick Strawberry Farms in Central Florida
U-Pick Blueberry Farms in Lakeland & Polk County
Seasonal
Looking for something specific? Search all posts ↓ OR browse by category
Browse All Posts by Category
Mardi Gras Community Carnival at Resurrection Catholic Church & School – Feb. 21-24
Join Resurrection Catholic Church & School for their Annual Community Carnival happening February 21 – 24. Professional rides, all of your favorite carnival food, traditional midway games, kids activities, and MORE! Family friendly and open to the public. Win a pair of ride armbands!
Polk County School Calendar for 2019 – 2020
The Polk County School Board has released the calendar for the 2019 - 2020 school year. School begins on Monday, August 12, 2019 and ends on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Get dates for school holidays, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break, and more.
Family Friendly Valentine’s Themed Events & Kids Activities
Valentine’s Day is all about LOVE and what better way to show your kiddos the love than with some quality time together! We've got a list of events including a Family Dance, Daddy/Daughter Dances, Downtown Date Night, plus ideas for activities around town.
It’s BBQ Festival Season in Polk County
BBQ Festivals are fun, family friendly events with good eats, live entertainment, kids activities, and more. Get details on upcoming barbecue competitions including Lakeland PigFest, Smoke on the Water in Winter Haven, and Ribs on the Ridge in Haines City.
Sensory Friendly & Special Needs Activities in Lakeland & Central Florida
Find opportunities for your family to enjoy indoor play areas, movies, sports, and more in a sensory friendly and/or special needs friendly environment.
Sensational Sundays – Sensory Friendly Fun at Family Fun Center in Lakeland
Sensational Sunday is a sensory friendly time for special needs children and families to visit the Family Fun Center’s Funtasia play area before opening. Parents of special needs children can relax knowing they are among friends.
Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Promise Run – Limited Time Discount Codes
The Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Promise Run celebrates it's 5th Anniversary this year, and we've got two exclusive discount codes for Lakeland Mom readers through January 31.
Lakeland’s Favorite Spring Events
Here in Lakeland and across Polk County we have fantastic annual events that happen every spring! Get out your calendar and mark down the dates for these local favorites including art festivals, SUN 'n FUN, Swan Derby, Mayfaire, & more.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Offering FREE Teen Driver Challenge Program
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Polk County School Board, are working to prepare our teens for safe driving. The Teen Driver Challenge is a FREE program offered to Polk County’s teens - find out how to register.
U-Pick Strawberry Farms in Lakeland, Plant City, & Across Central Florida
Check out these U-Pick Strawberry farms within an hour’s drive of Lakeland & Polk County. Strawberry picking is a great family activity since the berries grow in raised beds on the ground and are easy for kids to reach.
Florida’s FREE VPK Program – With New Delayed Enrollment For Later Birthdates
Florida VPK is a FREE prekindergarten program for 4 & 5 year-olds. Recent changes allow parents to delay enrollment for kids born between Feb. 2 - Sept. 1. Find out how to apply.
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Preschooler Pass – FREE Admission for ages 4 & Under in 2019
In 2019, kids 4 and younger get into LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park & Water Park for FREE! Find out how to get your FREE Preschooler Pass and have some theme park fun.
SeaWorld & Aquatica Preschool Pass – FREE Admission for ages 5 & Under in 2019
In 2019, kids 5 and younger get FREE ADMISSION to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Water Park! Sign up today to get your FREE Preschool Card.
Busch Gardens Preschool Pass – FREE Admission for ages 5 & Under in 2019
In 2019, kids 5 and younger get into Busch Gardens Tampa AND Adventure Island Water Park for FREE! Sign up today to get your FREE Preschool Pass and have some theme park fun.
Where to Donate Gently Used Toys, Clothing, Household Items, and more
Are you feeling the post-Christmas urge to purge?? Trying to get your house cleaned out and organized for the new year ahead? We’ve got a list of places to take your gently used and brand new items where they will be reused or resold to support a specific cause.
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Lakeland, Tampa & Orlando
Wondering where you can ring in 2019 with the kids? We've rounded up a list of family-friendly New Year’s Eve events in Lakeland and across Central Florida. Whether you celebrate at 12pm or 12am, send 2018 out with a bang!
75+ Christmas Break Activities in Lakeland
The Ultimate Christmas Break Activity Guide for Lakeland & Polk County. Events, activities, & things to do with kids out and about around town while school is out.
Experience Gift Ideas (that don’t take up space!)
Check out our list of experience gifts that don’t take up space or add to the clutter in your house! These are performances, tickets, and experiences that will bring smiles, build up families, and won’t end up in a donation bin.
Mom’s Night (or Day) Out – Lakeland Style
A break. A pause. A breather. Call it what you will, but many of us moms can’t recall the last time we had some real “me” time. We've taken the stress out of planning and created a list of fun, relaxing activities you can do locally that won’t break the bank and help you enjoy a well-deserved "mom break."
Ice Skating in Central Florida
Find ice rinks in Tampa, & Orlando where you can lace up your skates and hit the ice for a day of family fun at both seasonal and year-round ice skating rinks.