JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS

The holidays are over but there’s no reason to stop spending all that quality time with your family. As the second half of the academic year gets under way, your family has surely jumped right back into the busy schedule. Don’t forget to save some fun time for you and the kids. There’s lots of happenings on both sides of the bay this month for you and the kiddos.

Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice
Through Jan. 20, various times
Explore the prehistoric world at Tampa’s Glazer Children’s Museum before it’s extinct. Search for fossils and study the prehistoric environment. Included with museum admission.  www.glazermuseum.org  3-10

Parent Support Group
Jan. 8 and 22, 5-6 p.m.
Interact with other parents at this support group hosted by Hammond Psychology & Associates. The group will discuss parenting topics and strategies. Call 813-567-3253 to register.  www.hammondpsychology.com  Moms & Dads

Beastly Breakfast
Jan. 18, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Rise and shine with the elephants at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo as part of this exclusive behind-the-scenes encounter. Watch a morning training session and talk with the elephant’s keepers. Then enjoy breakfast while overlooking the animals on the African savannah. Tour the manatee hospital and spend the rest of the day exploring the zoo. Cost: $100 per adult and $50 per child.  www.lowryparkzoo.com  5 & Older

Festival of Chocolate
Jan. 18-20, various times
Indulge yourself at Tampa’s MOSI. The event offers classes, tasting, wine pairings and much more. Perfect for the entire family, you and the kids will have a blast at this celebration of all things chocolate. Tickets: nonmembers, $21.95 adults and $17.95 children (12 and younger) and members, $10 and free, respectively.  www.mosi.org  Everyone

Gasparilla Children’s Parade

Jan. 18, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Bayshore Blvd. Tampa

Annual Kumquat Festival
Jan. 25, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Try all things kumquat at this popular annual event in downtown historic Dade City. Day includes arts and crafts vendors, a farmer’s market, Kids Corral, entertainment and food.  www.dadecitychamber.org

Shana Banana’s Going Bananas for Peace
Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Sing along with the popular children’s performer as she spreads a message of friendship and peaceful play. Tickets: $6 members, $7 nonmembers and $24 family four-pack.  www.carrollwoodcenter.org

For a complete list of events for the families and adults, visit TBParenting.com/Calendar.

Or you can check out the latest issue of Tampa Bay Parenting at TBParenting.com.