I’ve learned that traveling with children is both an adventure and a logistical puzzle. Add in the quirks of Florida’s weather—especially in February—and you suddenly realize how much preparation matters. February in Tampa isn’t the brutal snow of the Midwest, nor is it the sweltering summer that Florida is famous for. Instead, it’s a transitional month: mornings can be brisk, afternoons warm and sunny, evenings sometimes cool enough for a sweater. Throw kids into the mix, and it means you need to pack with foresight, not just hope.
When I planned my family trip to Tampa in February, I found myself obsessively scrolling through weather forecasts, reading parent forums, and compiling packing lists that looked more like battle strategies than vacation prep. But I’m glad I did, because it made our days smoother, our evenings calmer, and our adventures far more fun. Below, I’ll share not just a list of 10 must-have items but the stories of how each one became essential during our trip.
And along the way, I’ll sprinkle in travel platforms I used—whether for booking our flights, snagging family-friendly hotel deals, or making restaurant reservations. Because the right gear can save you headaches, but the right planning tools make everything easier.
1. Layered Clothing for Unpredictable February Weather
When we landed in Tampa on a crisp February morning, I immediately felt the contrast between Florida sunshine and the lingering cool air of winter. The thermometer read just 55°F, and my kids were bundled in their fleece hoodies, cheeks pink from the chill. Yet by lunchtime, when we wandered along the Tampa Riverwalk, the day had transformed. The sun shimmered on the water, joggers passed us in tank tops, and we were peeling off layers, rolling sweaters into backpacks as though we had crossed into another season.
That was the first moment I realized how much Tampa’s February weather can swing within a single day. Unlike adults, who can usually tough it out for an hour or two, kids simply don’t regulate discomfort the same way. A toddler who’s shivering at 9 a.m. is likely to make sure everyone knows about it, and a preschooler sweating in a stroller by noon is a recipe for crankiness that can derail even the most carefully planned outing.
Why it matters:
Tampa in February is unpredictable—chilly in the morning, warm by afternoon, and breezy as the sun sets. Packing the right clothing layers is less about fashion and more about preserving everyone’s mood.
What worked for us:
I packed with versatility in mind: zip-up hoodies that could be tied around waists, light fleece pullovers for the cooler mornings, and breathable cotton t-shirts as the base layer. On evenings when we dined at Armature Works, I had lightweight windbreakers tucked into the day bag for the kids. They didn’t weigh much, but they made the difference between shivering through dinner and comfortably watching boats glide along the Hillsborough River.
One night, as we sat outside enjoying street tacos and ice cream, the cool breeze picked up off the water. I pulled out those little jackets, zipped them over sleepy shoulders, and felt grateful that I hadn’t written them off as “unnecessary” when packing.
Pro Tip: Always carry one extra lightweight sweater or jacket per child in your day bag. The breeze off the river or sudden shifts in temperature can surprise you, even when the afternoon feels warm and sunny.
2. Stroller with All-Terrain Wheels
Before this trip, I underestimated how much walking Tampa demands. Attractions like the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and even casual strolls through Ybor City cover far more ground than they appear on the map. For little legs, that translates into fatigue before lunchtime. That’s where our stroller became less of a convenience and more of a survival tool.
Why it matters:
Tampa is best explored on foot, but the terrain isn’t always stroller-friendly. The Riverwalk is wide and smooth, but historic Ybor City is lined with brick streets that rattle flimsy umbrella strollers like maracas. Without sturdy wheels, you’ll be fighting the pavement instead of enjoying the view.
What worked for us:
I chose a mid-size stroller with durable wheels and a reclining seat. It glided easily down the Riverwalk, giving me a chance to enjoy the skyline without focusing solely on pushing. The storage basket underneath became the family’s mobile locker—holding jackets, snack packs, sunscreen, and even a couple of small souvenir bags from gift shops.
Personal moment: After several hours of climbing, building, and playing at the Glazer Children’s Museum, my youngest was exhausted. Being able to recline him back in the stroller while my partner and I shared iced coffee by the river felt like a moment of pure relief. He napped peacefully as we enjoyed the breeze, and it gave us a rare pause to savor Tampa’s rhythm.
Pro Tip: If you’re flying into Tampa, consider renting instead of hauling your own stroller. Services like BabyQuip let you book strollers, cribs, and other baby gear online, delivering directly to your hotel. It can save both luggage space and stress.
3. Lightweight Rain Jackets and Compact Umbrellas
Florida’s February skies are mostly kind, but when it rains, it pours. One afternoon while walking to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the sky shifted from bright blue to gray in minutes, and we were drenched. After that, I never left the hotel without rain protection.
Why it matters:
Even in February, Tampa gets occasional showers. With kids, “wait it out” doesn’t always work.
What worked for us:
Packable rain jackets for the kids (bright colors so they’re easy to spot in a crowd) and compact umbrellas that fit into the stroller basket. The jackets doubled as windbreakers in cooler evenings.
Personal moment: My kids actually enjoyed splashing in puddles after the rainstorm, and because they were dry inside their jackets, I didn’t have to stress about changing clothes mid-day.
4. Sun Protection Year-Round
It’s easy to forget that Florida sun doesn’t wait until summer to scorch you. In February, the air feels cooler, but the UV index still bites. By our second day at Clearwater Beach, my kids’ noses were already pink.
Why it matters:
Sunburn ruins vacations—especially with kids.
What worked for us:
Broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and child-sized polarized sunglasses. I also carried a pop-up shade tent for beach breaks, which doubled as a cozy nap spot.
Personal moment: At Ben T. Davis Beach, watching my kids build sandcastles under their little sun tent while I sipped a lemonade felt like parenting victory.
Booking Tip: If you’re beach-bound, check flight and hotel packages through Expedia or Kayak, where bundling flights + hotels near Clearwater often comes cheaper than booking separately.
5. Reusable Water Bottles with Filters
Tampa in February is mild, but kids still dehydrate quickly when walking all day. Bottled water adds up in cost, and lugging cases of it isn’t fun.
What worked for us:
Insulated, kid-friendly water bottles with built-in filters. They kept water cool for hours, and I could refill them at fountains.
Personal moment: During our day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, my kids treated their water bottles like treasures. Refilling them gave us natural breaks between rides and shows.
6. Travel Snacks and a Compact Cooler
No matter where you are in Tampa, from the Aquarium to downtown strolls, kids get hungry faster than you expect.
What worked for us:
Reusable snack bags filled with fruit, crackers, and granola bars. A soft-sided cooler backpack kept apple slices fresh, even during warm afternoons.
Pro Tip: Bring snacks even if you’re dining out. Restaurants can take time, and a small snack stash kept meltdowns at bay while we waited for Cuban sandwiches in Ybor.
7. Portable Entertainment for Downtime
Flights from our home state to Tampa weren’t long, but keeping kids entertained at the airport or during car rides was crucial.
What worked for us:
Tablets preloaded with kid-friendly shows, noise-canceling headphones, and a small bag of coloring supplies.
Personal moment: While waiting for our flight back (booked on Skyscanner), my daughter quietly colored palm trees in her sketchpad, making the airport surprisingly peaceful.
8. Baby Wipes and Hand Sanitizer Everywhere
Even with older kids, wipes are a must. Between sticky ice cream hands at Hyde Park Village and sandy feet after the beach, I used them constantly.
Why it matters:
Florida outings involve food, sand, sunscreen, and sometimes all three at once.
9. Child-Friendly Backpacks
Each of my kids carried their own lightweight backpack with small essentials: water, a toy, and a sweater. It gave them independence and lightened my load.
Personal moment: Watching my son proudly unzip his pack to pull out his sweater at ZooTampa was a tiny milestone in responsibility.
10. Travel Insurance with Child Coverage
I don’t normally list insurance as “gear,” but when traveling with kids, it feels like one. With their unpredictable health and energy, peace of mind matters.
I booked ours via Travelocity, bundled with flights and hotels, and it covered everything from trip delays to urgent care visits.
Platforms That Made Planning Easier
Throughout this trip, a few platforms stood out:
- Expedia – for bundling flights and family-friendly hotels.
- Hotels.com – for flexible booking, especially downtown hotels with free cancellation.
- OpenTable – for reserving dinner spots like Columbia Restaurant in Ybor.
- GetYourGuide – for advance tickets to Busch Gardens and aquarium entry.
Traveling to Tampa in February with kids taught me that preparation is everything. Having the right gear turned stressful moments into manageable ones, and in some cases, into cherished memories. The layered sweaters, the sturdy stroller, the sun tents—all of it let us move freely, laugh more, and savor Tampa without constant stress.
By the time we left, I wasn’t just tired; I was content. And when I looked back at my kids’ happy, sun-kissed faces, I knew that every ounce of planning had been worth it.
