If you’re new to Lakeland or Polk County, new to being a mom in Lakeland, OR just new to Lakeland Mom, our Guide to Lakeland is a great starting point.
All of our year-round posts are listed right here 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
Baby & Toddler Activities
Classes & Lessons
Education
- Polk County School Choice Options – Magnet, Charter, IB, Academies & more
- Polk County’s FREE VPK Program – With New Delayed Enrollment For Later Birthdates
- 2019 – 2020 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
- Back-To-School Bashes, Free School Supplies, Donation Drives in Polk County
- Get Your Kids Excited About Reading with Epic!
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Free Books for Kids 5 & Under
Education – Schools & Tutoring / Test Prep
- Huntington Learning Center: Personalized Tutoring Services & Test Prep in Lakeland
- Lakeland Mom looks at All Saints Academy
- Innovation Studios at All Saints Academy
- Crossroads Christian School provides a Personalized Education Focus for Grades K-12
- College Bound: Lakeland Style – Colleges & Technical Schools in Lakeland
- Finding Financial Aid for College or Career School
Health
- Scott Orthodontics – The Smile Specialists in Lakeland & Winter Haven
- Ask the Experts: Q & A with Lakeland Regional Health Pediatricians
- Children’s Anxiety & Depression: When Medicine, Periodic Therapy, and Consistent Parenting Aren’t Enough
- Talking to Children About Violence
- Women Facing Breast Cancer Have Many New Surgical Options
Kid Friendly Eats / Food and Drink
Parks, Playgrounds & Outdoor Activities
Parenting & Things for Mom
- 10 Great Ways to Meet Mom Friends in the Lakeland Area
- Mom’s Night (or Day) Out – Lakeland Style
- Our Top 10 Favorite Family Board Games
- 75+ Ideas for Fun at Home
- Guide to Local Direct Sales Consultants & Mom-Run Businesses
- Where to Donate Gently Used Toys, Clothing, Household Items, and more
- 9Round Lakeland: The 30 Minute Workout for Busy Moms & Dads
Pregnancy & Baby
Special Needs & Special Kids
⭐ Sensory Friendly & Special Needs Activities in Lakeland & Central Florida ⭐
U-Pick Farms & Farmers Markets
Looking for something specific? Search all posts ↓ OR browse by category
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List of What is Open in the Lakeland Area – Updated 6/4
Florida is beginning Phase 2 of reopening the state. We've got a list that covers local trails, parks, schools, libraries, pools, attractions, theme parks, sports teams, beaches, and more to help you keep track of what is open and closed in Lakeland and Central Florida.
Where to find Sunflower Farms near Lakeland
May is Sunflower Season in Florida. Take a day trip to a Sunflower Farm to get outdoors and enjoy some colorful photo opportunities. Farms are open for U-Pick Sunflowers as well as Sunflower Mazes you can explore, only an hour from the Lakeland area.
Visual and Performing Arts Camps for Summer 2020
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.
Educational and Academic Summer Camps for 2020
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!
Sports Camps for Summer 2020
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
Summer Camps for Teens Ages 13+
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.
Summer Camps for Preschool Age Kids (5 & Under)
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.
Full-Day Summer Camps in Lakeland and Polk County
Do you need a full-day summer camp? We have a list of summer camps that are ideal for working parents or families who need a full day of childcare during the summer. All camps listed cover a minimum of 6 hours each day.
Canceled Summer Camps for Summer 2020
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.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park is just over an hour from Lakeland
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.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse 2020 – $1 Kids Movies
Summer Movie Clubhouse - $1 Kids Movies at Cinemark Theatres! Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at 9am during the summer months. 2020 dates coming soon.
Regal Summer Movie Express 2020 – $1 Kids Movies
Regal Summer Movie Express - $1 Kids Movies! Summer movie fun every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am in Lake Wales / Winter Haven. 2020 Dates & Movies coming soon.
2020 Cobb FREE Summer Movies in Lakeland and Winter Haven (now CMX Cinemas)
Take a break from the heat and check out Cobb Theatres FREE Kids Summer Movies in Lakeland or Winter Haven. Now called CMX Cinemas, you'll find the same great free movie program for kids every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the Summer. 2020 Dates coming soon.
Virtual Tutoring & Test Prep Available in the Lakeland Area
Many of our local tutoring and test prep services have converted to online tutoring. This is a great opportunity for your child to receive additional one-on-one instruction, especially in any subjects where they might be struggling. Find out more about local tutoring and test prep options.
Celebrating Moms – Ideas for Mother’s Day in Lakeland
Find out what mom really wants for Mother's Day! Ideas for celebrating moms in Lakeland and Polk County. Meal deals, activities, gift ideas, local discounts, and more.
12+ Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Gifts This Year {including Virtual options}
May 4th - 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week, and here at my house, I have never appreciated teachers more than right now! While we can’t thank teachers in person at school, we can still show our appreciation with this great list of gift ideas teachers will love, including FREE Virtual Thank You ideas.
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week: Join Our Community Apple Display
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and while we can’t thank our teachers in person, we’ve got another way to honor them, social distancing style. Join in a community apple display to celebrate ALL of our teachers in Lakeland and Polk County during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Sign up for the Lakeland Book Club and get a Free Children’s Book by Mail
The Lakeland Book Club is a collaborative network of nonprofits and volunteers with the shared goal of making sure that every student who needs a book receives a book while school is closed. If you have a child age birth through second grade, sign up to receive a free book by mail.
Visiting the Emergency Department at Lakeland Regional Health during COVID-19
Wondering whether it is safe to go to the Emergency Department during COVID-19? The answer is YES. We did a video chat with Lakeland Regional Health to learn more about the precautions they have in place and provide you with some reassurance about visiting the Emergency Room.
Things to Do Outdoors in Lakeland – Find Out What Parks & Trails are Open
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.