20 Best Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO WITH KIDS?

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve been traveling with kids since 2015, and we have spent months exploring Orlando and the surrounding area. Orlando is best known as the home of Walt Disney World and Universal theme parks but there are a lot of great things to do in Orlando with kids besides these parks. While the parks are a lot of fun and make a great vacation there are a lot of other great outdoor adventures and fun places around town.

Planning a trip to Orlando, Florida can be very overwhelming because there are so many different Disney World theme parks, attractions, and activities. My first recommendation is to set a budget. Orlando can be expensive depending on the entertainment you choose. After setting a budget, make a list of what your family really wants to see and prioritize your Orlando attractions from there.

Whether you are looking to skip the Walt Disney World theme parks this trip or fill in some time around the parks, this guide has everything you need to help plan a perfect Orlando family vacation. There is a reason people from around the world flock to Orlando.

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids & Families
Things to Do in Orlando With Kids Besides Theme Parks
Map of Things to Do in Orlando with Kids
Free Things to Do in Orlando with Kids
What Can Families Do At Night in Orlando?
What is There to Do in Orlando with Toddlers?

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids & Families

1. Universal CityWalk

The Universal CityWalk is the entertainment area outside of Universal’s Island of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. The outdoor shopping center is home to restaurants, shops, and entertainment all within walking distance of the park.

We ate at the Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar and would recommend this Asian-American restaurant. They have sushi, unique hamburgers, and even a combination of the two. It was a great family-friendly restaurant.

The nice thing about Universal CityWalk is that it is completely free. There is no admission charge. After 6 pm, parking is free too.

If you are staying at one of the nearby hotels, the water taxi will drop you off right in the middle of the City Walk. Check out our post on the Best Choices for Where to Stay in Orlando if you’re looking for hotel suggestions.

2. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure

If you want to head to a theme park but Disney is not your cup of tea, consider a visit to the Universal Orlando Resort. We did both parks in one day. It is doable but was rushed.

We did not get to see everything in both parks so if you have time for two days, we recommend a park per day. One perk of two parks in one day is you get to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks.

The Universal Orlando Dining Plan worked well for us and we did not have a problem using the pass. It comes with one quick-service meal, one snack, and one nonalcoholic drink.

We ate at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. It was such a fun atmosphere, and the food was actually pretty good. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a must-visit if you have a Harry Potter fan in your group.

The highlight of both parks for us was the Harry Potter sections so we spent the most time there. We visited the Knight Bus where the driver made a comment about Rowen and Raven (our identical twins) drinking Polyjuice potion. So great!

We walked through Diagon Alley, drank butterbeer, rode the Escape from Gringotts, and visited Dumbledore’s Office.

Outside of the Harry Potter areas, there are a lot of fun other places. There are a lot of fun rides and places to see in these parks. The Seuss Landing was another really fun section, especially if you are visiting with little kids.

3. Disney Springs

Like Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, Disney Springs is a fun outdoor shopping and entertainment area with no admission charge. It will give you a taste of the Walt Disney World magic without going into one of their theme parks. There are around 100 shops, lots of restaurants and entertainment like bowling and Cirque du Soleil shows.

The highlight for us was the LEGO store. Outside the store, there are huge Disney character statues made of LEGOs. Inside you can see hundreds of built LEGO sets, design your own characters and buy some LEGOs to take home.

If you happen to be visiting Orlando for Christmas, you have to stop by to see the light displays and decorations here. They are so beautiful here and throughout the parks.

4. Disney Parks

There are four Disney World theme parks at the Walt Disney Resort as well as two water parks. Each park has its own theme and location in Lake Buena Vista.

Magic Kingdom is the most famous of the parks and is home to Cinderella’s Castle, entertaining parades, and fireworks. There are not any large thrill rides in the park but lots of rides for kids and a great Walt Disney World atmosphere.

Epcot is home to the World Showcase. There are 11 different countries represented in the exhibits through their culture, food, and traditions.  It is also a very popular area for food and music festivals. This is a great place to get a feel for the different cultures around the world.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has more thrill-ride options like the Hollywood Tower of Terror and bigger roller coasters. There is also a Toy Story Land for fans of the movie.

Animal Kingdom is the biggest Disney World Park in the world and focuses on animals, education, and conservation. There are lots of live shows, safaris, thrill rides, and animal experiences.

5. Discovery Cove

If you are looking for a day of adventure with plenty of time for relation, take the family over to Discovery Cove. It is an all-inclusive day resort. This means your food, gear, and activities are all included once you check in for the day. You can snorkel with stingrays, float through the lazy river and get up close and personal with the dolphins.

Throughout Discovery Cove there are lots of activities the entire family will enjoy. There are animal encounters with stingrays and dolphins as well as water activities and educational opportunities. After your activities, you can enjoy your private poolside cabana with never-ending drinks.

Outside food is not allowed in Discovery Cove but there is lots of yummy food inside. Unlimited breakfast and lunch are included in your admission price. They have a kid’s menu as well as lots of gluten-free options.

It is recommended to make your reservations ahead of time. They do limit the number of people allowed in to make a better experience for guests. Discovery Cove also has overnight accommodations available.

6. Legoland

The Legoland Florida Resort is geared towards younger children aged 2-12 but this doesn’t mean that everyone can’t enjoy a day at Legoland. The park has over 50 rides and an attached water park. There is a Miniland filled with replicas of famous landmarks from around the world, LEGO City where kids can drive their own Lego cars, and interactive water rides.

The park is split into 12 different lands that have their own themed rides and attractions. It is best to prioritize the themed areas you want to visit first and plan from there. Also, be sure to look at the rides before you go to make sure you don’t miss a ride you really wanted to go on.

Legoland is about 45 minutes west of Orlando, Florida. If you’re going to be in the area overnight, consider staying at the LEGO-themed hotel on site.

BUY YOUR LEGOLAND TICKETS HERE!

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids Besides Theme Parks

If you are planning on visiting a lot of kids’ activities in Orlando, the Go Orlando Card is a great way to save up to 40% on entrance fees. You can choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions to visit within a 60-day window.

Some of the attractions included are the Wheel at ICON Park, SEA Life Orlando Aquarium, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, Wonderworks, Fun Spot America, and Coco Key Water Resort. This is a great way to save some money on your vacation.

BUY YOUR GO ORLANDO CARD HERE!

7. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando

If your kids are looking to learn some cool new trivia and see the impossible, they will love a trip to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando. There are 16 different themed galleries with over 600 exhibits and artifacts.

Some of the exhibits are just unbelievable. It is amazing to see all of the quirky and unique items they have.

The museum is filled with fun displays for both children and adults alike. We spent about two hours there and felt like that gave us adequate time to see everything. If you stop to read all of the signs it would take you a bit longer to go through.

8. Gatorland

You can’t leave Florida without seeing an alligator and you will see plenty of them at Gatorland. It is home to hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, and other animals. They have fun shows throughout the day like alligator wrestling and alligator feedings.

Be sure to grab a schedule when you get there so you don’t miss any of the shows. This was one of our favorite things to do in Orlando with kids of all ages.

Gatorland also has adventure activities like zip-lining over the animals and swamp vehicle tours.

Another similar stop is the Alligator Farm up in St. Augustine if you will be headed up that way. There are lots of family-friendly activities in St. Augustine and we loved the farm up there as well.

If you haven’t seen enough alligators or want to see them in the wild, an airboat ride in the Everglades is something your kids will love!

9. Old Town in Kissimmee

Old Town is a fun place to grab some food, go on some rides and enjoy the entertainment in the area. It is an 18-acre complex filled with restaurants, weekly live entertainment, and tons of different attractions. There is no admission cost however the rides and attractions do have varying charges.

One free event that is held in Old Town is the car show. Every weekend there are muscle and classic cars as well as trucks that parade through Old Town. Friday Night is the Muscle Care Cruise and Saturday night is the Classic Car Cruise. We visited on a Friday evening and it was really fun to see the different kinds of cars.

10. Natural Springs

There are quite a few natural springs within 30 minutes to a couple of hours of Orlando. In the winter, these Central Florida springs are a great opportunity to see the manatees who are coming in for the warmer water temperatures.

Throughout the year the springs are a great place for swimming, kayaking, and enjoying some time in nature. The different springs do have different seasonal rules depending on if manatees are in the area so do your research ahead of time. We visited the Springs in the winter and there were some springs that were open to swimming and others where you could see the manatees.

During the summer, the Springs are open for tubing, swimming, and kayaking. The springs are so beautiful and are a great place to get away from the busyness you can sometimes feel in downtown Orlando.

You can check out our full guide to the Springs near Orlando.

11. Little Econ Greenway

The Little Econ Greenway is a paved path that runs through the heart of Orlando. The 22.8-mile trail runs along the river and is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, hikers, and skaters. There are also lots of opportunities for picnicking, canoeing, spotting wildlife, and playgrounds along the trail.

We parked at the Jay Blanchard Park and got on the Little Econ Greenway from there. At the park, there are a couple of playgrounds, picnic tables, and easy trail access. Playing along Little Econ and at the playground is one of the fun things to do in Orlando with kids if you’re looking for some time outside. It is a very nice part of town to enjoy.

12. Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is a great place to take your family on a beautiful day in the heart of downtown Orlando. There is a 0.9-mile pathway surrounding the park that is perfect for strolling and it is a common place for markets and festivals. We visited on a weekend afternoon and there was a local market going on.

Along with the walking path, there are a couple of playground areas and you can rent swan boats to paddle out on the lake. You can also bring some cheerios or bread to feed the swans and other birds. Someone who was better prepared than us shared some cheerios with my kids and they loved getting to feed the birds. The playground is also a lot of fun and my kids enjoyed it.

The amphitheater is a common place for concerts and plays. There are also lots of nearby restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

13. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve

We had a blast exploring the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve. There are well-groomed trails and educational experiences for learning about the wildlife and surrounding vegetation. There are about 3.6 miles of trails throughout the preserve.

Along with the hiking trails, there is a nature center as well as a butterfly garden, sandbox, and picnic area. My kids loved playing in the sandbox after our walk along the trails. There are fun animals to sit on and play around.

The preserve is open daily from 8-6. Dogs and bikes are not permitted.

14. Big Tree Park and Cross Seminole Trail

Big Tree Park is a great spot to picnic, let your kids enjoy the playground, explore the Cross Seminole Trail and explore a hydric hammock swamp.

The swamp is home to “The Senator,” a 3,500 old cypress tree that was lost in a fire in January of 2012. Since the fire, the grounds have added a nice boardwalk and interpretive signage about the area. The boardwalk also has distance markings so you can see how tall the tree was before the fire.

The small park has restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground.

15. ICON Park

ICON Park is home to the famous 400-foot Ferris Wheel that towers over the Orlando skyline. The pods on the Ferris wheel are air-conditioned and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Kennedy Space Center.

BUY YOUR FERRIS WHEEL TICKETS HERE

Another fun and daring ride is the Orlando Star-Flyer where riders dangle at 450 feet in the air. It is the world’s tallest swing ride.

Also part of ICON Park is the Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds wax museum. The aquarium is home to 250 species of marine animals. They have a really cool 360 ocean tunnel that kids love exploring and marveling at the animals around them. Another highlight is the Jelly wall. I could watch jellyfish swim all day.

Tip: There are discounted tickets available for combining visits to multiple attractions at ICON park.

16. Crayola Experience

We visited the Crayola Experience as part of the fun things to do in Phoenix, so we were excited to have the chance of visiting a Crayola experience again. The entire experience gives kids hands-on activities inspired by Crayola products. I even joined in on the fun at some of the stations.

There are a few stations that you have to purchase coins to do but the majority of them you can do as many times as you would like. The model magic station and make your own crayon station require paid coins. At other stations, we spun wax, melted wax to color, melted crayons into shapes, and did lots of coloring.

This activity is best suited for kids between 3-7 but I think older kids would still have fun but may not do the stations over and over. Everyone over the age of 3 will need a ticket.  You should plan on spending 3-4 hours at the Crayola Experience.

BUY YOUR CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE TICKETS HERE!

17. Lake Rianhard

If you’re ready for some fresh air, Lake Rianhard is one of the best things to do in Orlando with kids. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by nice walking and biking paths. The path around the lake is 0.7 miles.

The lake is home to lots of turtles, alligators and herons so keep an eye out for wildlife.

Bike rentals are available through Celebration Bike Rental Delivery and Bicycle Tours. Parking at the lake is free.

18. Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is an hour west of central Florida but is well worth a visit. The Kennedy Space Center is the most visited space campus around the world. It is home to over 700 buildings that range from astronaut dorms to the space station factory to the launch control center. We absolutely loved our visit to the space center.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where you can visit to see what the space center is all about. There is the outdoor rocket garden, IMAX theaters as well as different exhibits and shuttle launch experiences. The missile replicas and space shuttles are impressive.

If you are visiting with kids from ages 2 to 12, be sure to check out Planet Play, an immersive playground decked out with neon lights.

BUY YOUR KENNEDY SPACE CENTER TICKETS HERE!

While in the coastal area, consider visiting some of the nearby beaches like Cocoa Beach as well as the Daytona Racetrack. There are a lot of fun things to do in Cocoa Beach.

19. Orlando Science Center

If you’re hoping to add some educational experiences along with a visit to Walt Disney World Resort, stop in at the Orlando Science Center. The center has four floors filled with labs, workshops, an observatory, theaters, and interactive exhibits.

One of the highlights for younger kids in the Orlando Science Center is KidsTown. It is an 11,000 square-foot learning center for kids 7 and under. There are lots of opportunities for hands-on learning like digging for dinosaur fossils.

If you’re visiting with older kids, be sure to check out The Hive: A Makerspace. This area focuses on more advanced STEM subjects like 3D printing. There are daily workshops held throughout the day so be sure to check the schedule when you get there.

Plan on spending at least three hours in the Orlando Science Center. There are lots of fun activities and hands-on experiments to keep everyone busy during your visit.

20. Head to the Beach

There are a number of great beaches within two hours of Central Florida. If you are heading out to the Kennedy Space Center, you will want to visit the Atlantic side. These beaches are about an hour away from Orlando. The best beaches on the Atlantic side are Dayton Beach, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, and Cocoa Beach.

If you have a little more driving time available, the Florida gulf beaches like Caladesi Island will have warmer water and are overall prettier beaches. There are so many amazing blue water beaches in Florida. Clearwater is a great place to head to the beach, but the drive from Orlando to Clearwater is about two hours. Another really nice beach in the area is Siesta Key.

Map of Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.

Free Things to do In Orlando With Kids

Despite the high cost of admission to the theme parks, there is actually a lot of really fun things to do in Orlando that have free admission or have a low cost. Our biggest recommendation for Orlando on a budget is to get outdoors. The nearby parks and nature preserves are great places to let kids explore and learn about our beautiful worlds.

Here are the best things to do in Orlando with kids for free –

• Lake Ecola Park
• Disney Springs
• Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise
• Little Econ Greenway
• Universal CityWalk
• Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
• Disney World Wilderness Preserve

What can families do at night in Orlando?

The fun definitely doesn’t stop in Orlando, Florida into the evening and after the sun goes down. There are a lot of great family-fun activities in Orlando at night.

We walked through Disney Springs and when through Old Town in the evening and had a great time. Both places have lots of dining options as well as fun window shopping and entertainment. If you’re looking for adventure and activities Fun Spot America and miniature golfing are fun options.

Here are a few other recommendations for things to do in Orlando with kids at night –

• ICON Park
• Popcorn Flicks in Winter Park
• Fred Stone Theater
• Universal CityWalk
• Wonderworks
• Medieval Times Dinner Show
• Blue Man Group Show

What is there to do in Orlando with toddlers?

There are a bunch of inexpensive or places with free admission to go with toddlers in Orlando. Orlando is a very family-friendly city and you can find lots of things to do in Orlando with toddlers without spending a ton of money. There are lots of indoor play areas, splash pads, and other attractions.

Here are some of the best things to do with toddlers in Orlando, Florida –

• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
• Crayola Experience
• Gatorland
• SEA Life Orlando Aquarium
• Orlando Mall Play Area
• Visit a local splash pad
• Toddler events at the Harry P. Leu Gardens
• Lukas Nursery Butterfly Encounter

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