Fall Activities for Kids in Tampa Bay: 2026 Guide

Corn mazes, farm pumpkin festivals, trick-or-treat trails and cooler-weather nature walks around Tampa, Brandon, Westchase, St. Pete and Clearwater, with 2026 dates, costs and tips for the grown-up doing the driving.

The best fall activities for kids around Tampa Bay in 2026 include the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze in Plant City, the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival, Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa, the free Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, Spooky Science at the Glazer Children’s Museum and Halloween Spookquarium at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Most run through October.

Whether you are a nanny in South Tampa or Westchase or a parent in Brandon, St. Pete or Clearwater, we checked every date, hour and price below on the venue’s own website in late September 2026. Where a detail is not posted, we say so, and age ranges we suggest ourselves are labeled “suggested.” Drive times are no-traffic estimates. Check the site before you go.

Which Tampa Bay fall activities fit your kids?

Activity	Area	Ages	Cost	2026 dates
Fox Squirrel Corn Maze	Plant City (east of Brandon)	3 & under free (venue)	$15 (age 4 and over)	Sat–Sun, Sept 26–Oct 25
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival	Bradenton	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Check site	Sat–Sun, Oct 10–25
Sweetfields Farm fall season	Masaryktown (Hernando County)	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Check site	Sept 26–Nov 8
Creatures of the Night, ZooTampa	North Tampa	Costumes for 12 and under (venue)	$34.95 Fri/Sun, $39.95 Sat	Fri–Sun nights, Oct 2–31
Spooky Science, Glazer Children’s Museum	Downtown Tampa	Babies under 1 free (venue)	$22.95 FL residents	Oct 1–31
Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat	Downtown Tampa	Suggested: all ages	Free	Sat, Oct 24
A Night at the Museum, Tampa Bay History Center	Downtown Tampa (Channel District)	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Check site	Sat, Oct 24
Halloween Spookquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium	Clearwater Beach	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Included with admission	Fri, Oct 30
Moccasin Lake Owl-O-Ween	Clearwater	Suggested: all ages	$2	Sat, Oct 24
Ross Norton Bootacular Trunk or Treat	Clearwater	Suggested: all ages	Free	Fri, Oct 30
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve & Trail or Treat	South St. Pete	Under 3 free (venue)	$1.50 children (3–16)	Tue–Sun; Trail or Treat Oct 31
Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park	Near Westchase	Suggested: all ages	$2 per vehicle	Daily

Where are the best corn mazes and pumpkin patches near Tampa?

Fox Squirrel Corn Maze (Plant City)

Kids do: The corn maze, a hayride, a jump pad and games, plus a pumpkin patch
Ages: General admission covers age 4 and over; 3 and under are free
Cost: $15 including tax, which covers unlimited maze, hayride, jump pad and games. Vendors are separate.
2026 dates/hours: Saturdays and Sundays, Sept 26–Oct 25. Open at 10 a.m.; the gate closes at 5 p.m. and guests must exit by 6 p.m.

Nanny tip: Cash is preferred (cards carry a 3% fee), there is no ATM and some vendors are cash-only. No pets except service animals. One line on the farm’s site still shows last year’s weekend dates, so go by the posted 2026 event dates. It is about 30 minutes from downtown Tampa (no-traffic estimate), closer from Brandon.

Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival (Bradenton)

Kids do: The 35th annual festival has shows, a hayride and train, the Boogie Barn with live music, a petting zoo and playground, and a pumpkin cannon (free with admission)
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Check the site for admission
2026 dates/hours: Oct 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Drive time: About 58 minutes from downtown Tampa (no-traffic estimate, to Bradenton)

Nanny tip: This is a full-day trip, so plan it with the parents first. Aim for opening time on the first weekend, before the biggest crowds.

Sweetfields Farm (Masaryktown)

Kids do: A corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides and a U-pick garden
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Check the site for fall ticket prices
2026 dates: Fall season runs Sept 26–Nov 8. Check the site for days and hours.
Drive time: About 55 minutes from downtown Tampa (no-traffic estimate); closer from Westchase and Odessa

Nanny tip: The farm says it is best reached by Facebook Messenger or email, since phone calls often go to voicemail.

What Halloween events in Tampa are good for kids?

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa (North Tampa)

Kids do: Walk through a family-friendly haunted neighborhood at night. The event map shows each area’s scare level.
Ages: Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes. Guests 13 and up may not wear masks, wigs, face paint or costumes.
Cost: After-4 p.m. event admission is $34.95 on Fridays and Sundays and $39.95 on Saturdays. Members and Zoo Fun ticket holders get in free, except Oct 10, 17 and 24, which are Zoo Fun blockout dates.
2026 dates: Oct 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31. Check the site for event hours.

Nanny tip: The zoo recommends Fridays or Sundays for the best experience, which also happen to be the cheaper nights. Check the scare levels on the event map before you go. Toy weapons are not allowed at any age.

Spooky Science at the Glazer Children’s Museum (Downtown Tampa)

Kids do: Hands-on STEAM experiments, not-so-spooky storytimes and live science performances
Ages: Babies under 1 play free
Cost: General admission $27.95; Florida residents $22.95; members free
2026 dates/hours: Oct 1–31. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., plus select Mondays, including Oct 12 and Nov 23. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Nanny tip: An easy rainy-day or too-hot-day backup, and a quick hop from the Riverwalk.

Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat (Downtown Tampa)

Kids do: Trick-or-treating, a costume contest, a Thriller flash mob and an outdoor showing of Ghostbusters at 7:15 p.m.
Ages: Suggested: all ages
Cost: Free
2026 date/hours: Saturday, Oct 24, 4–8:30 p.m., at Cotanchobee Park

Nanny tip: Go early for trick-or-treating and leave before the movie if little ones fade. Ghostbusters is rated PG, so the parents should decide whether to stay for it.

A Night at the Museum at the Tampa Bay History Center (Downtown Tampa)

Kids do: Trick-or-treat at candy stations, meet costumed characters, play games and make crafts on every floor
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Check the site. Members save 15% on event tickets.
2026 date/hours: Saturday, Oct 24, 2–6:30 p.m. Timed entry begins at 2 p.m., and final entry is 5 p.m.

Nanny tip: Book an early entry time, then walk over to the Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, which starts at 4 p.m. the same day.

What Halloween events near St. Pete and Clearwater are good for kids?

Halloween Spookquarium at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater Beach)

Kids do: Trick-or-treat stations throughout the aquarium, a costume contest and the Creepy Sea Cavern, with deep-sea animal games, sensory experiences and crafts
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Trick-or-treat stations are included with general admission; check the site for ticket prices
2026 dates/hours: Friday, Oct 30, 3–7 p.m. The Creepy Sea Cavern also opens Saturday, Oct 31 and Sunday, Nov 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Nanny tip: The Creepy Sea Cavern is on Level 2, the Education Floor, and the three-day run gives you a calmer weekend-daytime option.

Moccasin Lake Owl-O-Ween (Clearwater)

Kids do: Animal encounters, a pumpkin patch and costume contests at Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Ages: Suggested: all ages
Cost: $2 admission, paid at the event
2026 date/hours: Saturday, Oct 24, 3–7 p.m.

Nanny tip: Bring small bills for the $2 admission.

Ross Norton Bootacular Trunk or Treat (Clearwater)

Kids do: Trunk-or-treat in costume
Ages: Suggested: all ages (free and open to the public)
Cost: Free
2026 date/hours: Friday, Oct 30, 5–7 p.m.

Nanny tip: The city’s page names Ross Norton Recreation Center in the description but lists Morningside Recreation Center (2400 Harn Blvd.) as the location, so check the site to confirm before you go.

Where can kids enjoy the outdoors around Tampa Bay this fall?

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Trail or Treat (South St. Pete)

Kids do: Walk the preserve’s trails. At Trail or Treat, kids collect treats at each cabin and stroll to Osprey Roost.
Ages: Under 3 are free. Trail or Treat welcomes all ages with a registered adult.
Cost: $3 adults, $1.50 children 3–16. Check the registration page for Trail or Treat details.
Hours: Through Oct 31: Tuesday–Friday and Sunday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.–7 p.m. (trail closes 6:30 p.m.). From Nov 1: Tuesday–Friday and Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.–6 p.m. (trail closes 5:30 p.m.). Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Trail or Treat is Saturday, Oct 31, at the 31st Street entrance; check the registration page for times.

Nanny tip: The nature center’s exhibits are closed for renovations, but the trails are open. Closing times move an hour earlier on Nov 1.

Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park (Near Westchase)

Kids do: Hike the trails and boardwalks, look for gopher tortoises and butterflies, and see the nature center’s fish, snakes and turtles
Ages: Suggested: all ages
Cost: $2 per vehicle (up to 8 people). Canoe and kayak rentals are $25 for up to four hours.
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Nanny tip: A quick morning outing for Westchase families: a short boardwalk, then the live animals in the nature center.

What free fall activities can nannies do at home?

These simple, free activities build real skills, even without falling leaves:

Leaf rubbings and collages: Peeling crayons over oak leaves and palm fronds builds fine motor control.
Nature scavenger hunt: A list of words like crunchy, spiky and smooth builds language as kids describe what they find. Use pictures for toddlers.
Baking together: Measuring and pouring practice early math and following directions. Try our easy pumpkin muffins for kids.
Pumpkin exploration: Scooping, counting and sorting seeds is a great sensory and counting activity. For more ideas, see our fall crafts for nannies, fall nanny craft ideas and fall craft ideas just for nannies.

Tampa Bay Fall Activities — Frequently Asked Questions

The Fox Squirrel Corn Maze in Plant City is open Saturdays and Sundays, Sept 26–Oct 25 ($15, age 4 and over). Hunsader Farms in Bradenton holds its Pumpkin Festival Oct 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25, and Sweetfields Farm’s fall season runs Sept 26–Nov 8.

Creatures of the Night runs Oct 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31. After-4 p.m. event admission is $34.95 on Fridays and Sundays and $39.95 on Saturdays. Children 12 and under may wear costumes. Members and Zoo Fun ticket holders get in free, except on Oct 10, 17 and 24.

Yes. The Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat (Oct 24, 4–8:30 p.m.) and Clearwater’s Ross Norton Bootacular Trunk or Treat (Oct 30, 5–7 p.m.) are free. Moccasin Lake Owl-O-Ween (Oct 24) costs $2.

Try Spooky Science at the Glazer Children’s Museum (babies under 1 free), the daytime Creepy Sea Cavern at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the History Center’s A Night at the Museum with its 2 p.m. entries and Boyd Hill’s Trail or Treat.

The Glazer Children’s Museum (Tuesday–Sunday, plus Oct 12), Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (Tuesday–Sunday) and Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park have weekday hours. Creatures of the Night includes Friday nights, and Spookquarium is on Friday, Oct 30.

Sunscreen, hats, plenty of water, bug spray, closed-toe shoes, wipes and a change of clothes. Bring cash for the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze and small bills for Owl-O-Ween, plus a treat bag for trick-or-treat events.

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