Summer is just around the corner, and Polk County is bursting with incredible ways to keep your kids active, engaged, and making memories. Whether you’re looking for hands-on STEM adventures, splash-filled days, sports skills, theater thrills, or faith-based fun, there’s something for every family. This all-in-one guide is your go-to resource for planning a summer full of learning, laughter, and play—right here in your own backyard. ARTS THEATRE ACADEMY Theatre Winter Haven

Polk County Moms is a local online resource dedicated to helping families in Polk County stay in the know and on the go. It provides a place for parents looking for kid-friendly events, local activities, and seasonal fun. We sat down with Maricarmen Chavez, AKA Polk County Moms, to find out what inspired her to start this local gem. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF! I was born in Nicaragua and came to the United States in 1979. My parents sought political asylum, and while it wasn’t gr

Kids today are busy—school, sports, and afterschool activities--and are spending less time outdoors than ever before. According to research from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), this disconnection from nature can impact both physical and mental well-being. One way to reintroduce youth to the natural world is through gardening and nature-based activities, and your local UF/IFAS Extension Service has a variety of resources to as

Polk County… it’s time to ROCK OUT!! This year’s Battle of the Bands High School Edition is coming to Union Hall with a lineup of musicians from Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Osceola, Orange, and, of course, good ol’ Polk County. I had the honor of talking with Holly Cordero, the founder and CEO of Cordero Music, a local music and performance-centered nonprofit, and the event coordinator for this month’s shred fest to get some details about the gig and the mission behind her

If you asked me which Florida theme park I would visit again and again (as a grown adult with a fully functioning prefrontal cortex) I would say… LEGOLAND! And that was even before I wrote this article. It is your favorite theme park’s favorite theme park and it will serve you exactly what you’re looking for, FUN! Between the temperature controlled water park with arguably one of the most terrifying (read: adrenaline pumping) slides I’ve been on in a while, the talented perfo

Biking is a great way to keep kids healthy, fit, and outside. Polk County has plenty of scenic trails to take advantage of, from the Van Fleet Trail to the Auburndale TECO Trail. The problem with buying bikes for children? They grow! Stew and Meghan Mackie, owners of the Bike Shop of Winter Haven, have a solution – the Pedal Up Club. Meg and Stew have little ones of their own: Wattson, four, and Millie, two. They understand parents’ challenges with finding the right bike for