Start thinking about fun things to do in Orlando with kids, and theme parks and water parks are sure to come to mind. But that’s just the beginning of all the amazing things to do here! You can relax poolside, find exciting animal encounters, and so much more.

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We’ve traveled to Orlando since the boys were little, and we always know we’re in for a good time because of the wide range of activities that cater to families with kids of all ages. Not into the long lines at top attractions like Disney and Universal? No problem. Looking for some local color or low-key activities? There are plenty of options!

You can also find great opportunities to get outdoors and unforgettable ways to spend an evening. Whether you’re planning your next family vacation or just want new ideas for things to do in Orlando with kids, you will find something the kids will love on the list below.

Things to Consider When Visiting Orlando with Kids

When planning family travel to Orlando, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, I find that the age of your kids and their particular interests are the most important factors when planning successful outings!

For younger kids, attractions like mini golfing at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf can be a hit because it takes up to an hour and has a goal at the end. If you have multiple age groups, think about activities that entertain every age, like a water park or museum with children’s areas.

Be sure to consider the transportation options that are best for your family. If you’re coming to Orlando for the heavy hitters like Disneyland, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld Orlando, you can take advantage of free or low-cost shuttles, depending on your hotel.

The city of Orlando has excellent public transportation options. However, rental cars offer convenience and flexibility, especially if you want to venture out to the more unique attractions in the area.

Keep in mind factors like weather and crowds. When planning your Orlando itinerary, opt for early mornings or late afternoons to avoid long lines and maximize your time at attractions. Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, and water bottles for everyone, especially during the warmer months!

What about Hurricane Season in Orlando?

Yes, Orlando is located in an area that can be affected by hurricanes. Hurricane season typically runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the peak season being August to October.

That doesn’t mean Florida is out for your big family summer vacation! As a visitor to Orlando, you can have a great time if you do a few things:

• Stay informed about weather updates and follow instructions or advisories from local authorities.
• Area hotels and theme parks in Orlando have hurricane preparedness plans in place to ensure the safety of guests in case of severe weather. Pay attention if you are under a hurricane watch or warning. (Check out the Orlando hotels for families we recommend!)

While hurricanes are possible during certain times of the year, they don’t occur every year! We recommend travel insurance that covers unforeseen events like hurricanes when planning a trip to Orlando, especially during the summer and into fall.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Orlando with Kids?

The best things to do in Orlando with kids span far beyond the theme parks. Disney World, Universal Studios, and LEGOLAND top the list, but families also love the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Gatorland, the Orlando Science Center, and ICON Park. This city might be the Theme Park Capital of the World, but there is plenty to explore beyond the parks.

For budget-friendly days out, Lake Eola Park and Disney Springs have free admission. We’ve been taking our boys to Orlando for years and always find something new, whether it’s a round of mini golf, a water park afternoon, or a medieval dinner show.

And if you’re looking for even more Florida fun in the sun, read my post on the best things to do in Orlando with teens!

1. Go to Disney World!

For Disney lovers, Orlando is the place to be. Pick your favorite park and come for the day or plan an entire week and explore every square foot of this world-class resort! The four main parks at Disney World are Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.

Disney World is perfect for making memories, with endless opportunities for kid-friendly photo ops. You can take a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle, meet your favorite characters, go on a safari and see exotic animals, or head to the newest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

If you’re looking for that extra touch, Disney offers some amazing one-of-a-kind experiences for kids. Consider taking your littles to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where they’ll be transformed into a princess or knight, complete with hairstyling and costumes!

2. Check Out Universal Studios Florida

The Universal Orlando Resort is worth its own trip to Orlando, with a mind-blowing amount of things to do. You can’t do it all in one trip! There’s just SO much to do here, and you can read all about our favorite parts in this post.

One of the biggest draws these days is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which spans 2 theme parks at Universal (and a third park coming in 2025). You can drink butterbeer in Diagon Alley or head to Universal’s Islands of Adventure Park to try thrilling and immersive Harry Potter-themed rides! If you have a chance, check out Diagon Alley at night, when it’s a completely different experience than during the day.

In addition to thrilling rides, interactive experiences, and great live shows, a must-do at Universal Studios is Universal CityWalk! This is the park’s entertainment complex. I suggest coming here after a morning of rides and fun. You can grab a meal or dessert, see a show like Blue Man Group, catch a movie, and finish with some souvenir shopping.

3. Take Them to Crayola Experience

If you’re looking for a great way to spend 2-3 hours, take the kids to Crayola Experience. Everything here is inspired by Crayola crayons. Kids can unleash their creative side with hands-on activities, coloring stations, and educational exhibits.

Located in the Florida Mall in Orlando, The Crayola Experience is a fun day for kids ages 2 to 12. This is a perfect rainy-day option! You can enjoy unique experiences like making melted crayon art or designing a personalized crayon label.

There’s a toddler section and fun Crayola-themed stations where you can make art sculptures or interact with touch screens.

Everything is affordable, including the food in the dining hall. Activities are paid for with tokens you get when you pay admission. There are also cute live performances about how Crayons are made, as well as a cool play structure.

4. Spend the Day at LEGOLAND

The LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a dream destination for LEGO enthusiasts both young and old. The theme park is about an hour and 45 minutes from Orlando in Winter Garden. It is all about the iconic colorful bricks, with rides, workshops, play areas, and fun shows each filled with LEGO-themed goodness!

The entire resort consists of a water park, 2 theme parks, and 3 hotels, so you could book your vacation here or just come for an action-packed day. There’s truly something for every age here. 

If your kids love thrilling rides, take them on The Great LEGO Race Coaster or the smaller Dragon Coaster! LEGOLAND is designed with interactive LEGO-themed play areas throughout.

Kids can climb, enjoy immersive exhibits, or build cool LEGO creations. You can try building workshops, have character meet-and-greets with LEGO mascots, enjoy live entertainment, and find family-friendly dining options. If you are traveling with little ones, there are multiple spaces for toddlers, including a splash pad.

5. Take a ride on the Wheel at ICON Park

Tired of theme parks and the big resorts? Head to ICON Park in Downtown Orlando. This entertainment district offers a variety of fun things to do in Orlando with kids that are more local and unique. The first attraction kids will want to try is the Orlando Eye!

This 400-ft observation wheel provides an all-around view of central Florida. Each of the 30 capsules is fully enclosed and air-conditioned. If you’re nervous about being that high, you can always check out the pre-flight 4D Cinema Experience first. And if you’re traveling to London, you might want to check out this wheel’s sister, The London Eye!

The second major attraction at ICON Park is Madame Tussauds Orlando. The infamous celebrity wax museum is a favorite destination for travelers and a fun place to grab a selfie with Hollywood’s elite, both past and present.

One more stop I highly recommend is SEA LIFE Aquarium. The entire place is stunning, and you can tell the animals are well cared for. There are fun hands-on activities, play areas, and staff-led exhibits where you can even touch some sea creatures!

If you plan to spend the whole day at ICON Park, we recommend investing in the Play Pass, which includes admission to all 3 attractions, plus a few more. Or you can purchase the attractions individually. Parking at ICON Park is free, and if the rides and attractions are busy, you can visit the shops and restaurants.

6. Go Shopping

Now that our kids are older, we try to have a low-key shopping day wherever we’re traveling. Orlando has a variety of options, depending on what you’re looking for.

You can take a shuttle to one of the great outlet centers in the area, like the Orlando Outlet Marketplace and The Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets further south on International Drive.

If luxury shopping is more your style, head to The Mall at Millenia. There are different stores and restaurants, as well as a currency exchange, and it’s located close to many of the attractions. The Florida Mall is another great way to spend the day, with options for the whole family.

Disney Springs is another amazing shopping experience for visitors. There are 90+ shops and 60+ dining options to choose from. You can also catch live music here, say hi to Disney characters, go bowling, or see a movie!

There is also a kid-friendly balloon ride in Disney Springs known as the Aerophile. This hot air balloon is tethered to the ground and only goes 400 feet into the air!

7. Enjoy Dinner and a Show at Medieval Times

If you’ve never been to Medieval Times, trust me, you should do it while you’re in Orlando! This one-of-a-kind dinner and show is a blast for the entire family, complete with kings, princesses, knights, and epic battles.

First, you’re greeted by costumed performers who set the stage for the rest of the evening. It’s fun because no one breaks character. Even if you have unimpressed teens with you, it’s all so over the top and silly that you can’t help but join in on the fun!

Once everyone is seated, you will be asked to cheer for your designated knights as they complete sword fights, jousting tournaments, and cool tricks on horseback, all to win the fair maiden’s hand.

While enjoying the show, everyone feasts on a delicious medieval-style meal of roasted chicken, garlic bread, herb-roasted potatoes, and more (they also have vegetarian options).

8. Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center is a children’s science museum. This place is massive and packed with fun activities and hands-on exhibits perfect for kids between 1 and 12 years old!

Inside, you will find 5 floors of exciting, interactive exhibits on everything from dinosaurs and outer space to AI technology and agriculture. One of the first things you see is a huge dinosaur skeleton, which sets the tone for the rest of your visit.

There’s a giant play space for babies and toddlers complete with water play and a science-themed dress-up station. There are live science shows, virtual reality experiences, and engaging exhibits where you can join in and do experiments on every floor. When you need a break, head to the café to grab snacks and drinks.

The Orlando Science Center is a bit on the pricier side, so I suggest making this at least a half-day visit. It’s worth it if you have curious kids and want something fun to do indoors.

9. Head to Cape Canaveral

Visiting Cape Canaveral is hands down one of the top things to do in Orlando with kids. Each year, more than 1.5 million people visit the Kennedy Space Center. There’s so much to do here, and all of it is so interesting and inspiring that you might want to get the 2-day admission tickets!

The Kennedy Space Center is a great place for the whole family. You can spend the day exploring exhibits on past space missions, astronaut training simulators, hands-on exhibits where you can touch actual moon rocks, NASA artifacts, and more. There’s even a new NASA-themed play area for kids 2 to 12.

One of the coolest parts is seeing retired rockets and space shuttles up close. You can also see IMAX movies that take you on journeys through space. Take advantage of the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours that are included with admission! It’s the only way to see launch sites and restricted areas.

10. Try Mini Golfing

There’s just something about mini golf that’s classic fun for the whole family. One of my family’s favorite things to do whenever we visit Orlando is to check out one of the many great mini-golf courses that you can find all over the city.

Congo River Golf is one of the best courses. It’s like a mini-golf safari, complete with waterfalls, bridges, and even live gators to spot along the way. We also loved Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, a fun pirate-themed course.

I had to mention Orlando Putting Edge, which includes a cool glow-in-the-dark course that your kids will love! And while you’re at Universal’s CityWalk, you might want to check out the 18 holes at the silly, space-themed Invaders from Planet Putt!

11. Have Fun at Gatorland

Since you’re in Florida, I recommend a visit to Gatorland. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Orlando, this is a must.

Gatorland is often hailed as the best place to get up close and personal with Florida’s most famous residents – alligators! From massive gators to rare albino ones, this park is the perfect place for reptile enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

You can attend gator shows, watch feeding demonstrations, and even get the chance to hold a baby alligator!

Gatorland is also home to other wild animals like snakes, birds, and tortoises. And if you’re visiting with older kids, they’ll love the zipline course and exciting off-roading tours through the park.

12. Visit an Old School Amusement Park at Fun Spot America

For those wanting to see a different side of Orlando, consider spending time in Kissimmee, where you can enjoy a smaller and more manageable amusement park, Fun Spot America.

It’s a great time if you have young children, or if you just love the nostalgia of an old-fashioned amusement park with all the classics, like roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and bumper cars!

While you’re here, make a day of it and check out the rest of Old Town, where the park is located. This is a popular entertainment complex where you can see live shows, shop for souvenirs, go on carnival rides, and more.

13. Get Wet!

While you’re in Florida, water parks are a must. One of our favorites of all time is Universal Studios’ Volcano Bay. It’s perfect for the whole family. You can take younger children to the splash pad while older kids hang out at the wave pool or go on thrilling water slides!

There are also amazing natural springs throughout the Orlando area where you can swim (check out Wekiwa Springs State Park or Rock Springs).

And while Orlando is landlocked, remember that you’re within an hour of some of the best beaches in central Florida! You can visit the beautiful Clearwater Beaches close to Busch Gardens, check out Cocoa Beach close to the Kennedy Space Center, or sunbathe on Daytona Beach.

14. Explore the Great Outdoors

You can also find great opportunities to get outdoors and unforgettable ways to spend an evening. Whether you’re planning your next family vacation or just want new ideas for things to do in Orlando with kids, you will find something the kids will love on the list below.

If your family loves nature trails, consider hopping on the West Orange Trail. This 22-mile rail trail is the perfect setting for biking, walking, and exploring nature.

For something a bit more casual, Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando offers free admission and features walking paths, playgrounds, and swan boat rentals.

There are also stunning botanical gardens in Orlando. Some top picks for kids include the Mead Botanical Garden and the Harry P. Leu Gardens. Bok Tower Gardens near LEGOLAND is a local gem. This historical landmark offers beautiful historic structures, daily concerts, and a children’s garden complete with a water play area.

15. Venture Out to the Central Florida Zoo

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is about an hour’s drive, but totally worth it. With over 500 animals and 23 acres of native gardens, this place offers a chance to delve into Florida’s natural side.

Some kid favorites include the Herpetarium and the butterfly garden. There are different opportunities for animal encounters, like giraffe feedings and a barnyard petting zoo.

Younger kids will have a blast with attractions like the KaBoom Playground, the miniature train, and the carousel! There’s a splash pad to cool down on those hot Florida days. If your crew is more adventurous, there’s a challenging ropes course with 5 different ziplines and other obstacles.

Free and Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

Not every great day in Orlando requires a theme park budget. Several of the best things to do in Orlando with kids cost very little or nothing at all.

• Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando is free to enter and has walking paths, playgrounds, and swan boat rentals.
• West Orange Trail is a 22-mile rail trail where the whole family can bike or walk for free.
• Mead Botanical Garden and Harry P. Leu Gardensare two affordable outdoor picks that kids actually enjoy.
• Disney Springs has free admission and free parking. You can browse 90+ shops, catch live music, and meet Disney characters without buying a park ticket.
• Bass Pro Shop on I-Drive and the natural springs at Wekiwa Springs State Park and Rock Springs are low-cost ways to fill a morning or afternoon.

If you’re watching the budget but still want a full day out, mini golf is one of the most affordable activities in the city, with courses like Congo River Golf and Pirates Cove Adventure Golf spread all around Orlando.

Indoor Activities in Orlando for Rainy Days

Orlando weather can turn fast, especially during hurricane season (June through November). When it does, these indoor picks keep the fun going.

• Crayola Experience at Florida Mall: a solid 2-3 hours of hands-on creative activities for kids ages 2 to 12.
• Orlando Science Center: five floors of interactive exhibits covering dinosaurs, space, AI, and agriculture. Plan at least a half day here.
• Medieval Times: the dinner-and-show format makes weather irrelevant, and even skeptical teens tend to crack a smile.
• Universal CityWalk: a covered entertainment complex where you can grab a meal, see a show, catch a movie, and shop without setting foot in the theme park.
• Madame Tussauds at ICON Park: wax figures and selfies are a fun hour indoors.

If you’re staying at a resort with a pool or water park, a rainy morning can also be the perfect excuse to enjoy the property with smaller crowds.

Key Takeaways

• Disney World, Universal, and LEGOLAND anchor any Orlando family trip.
• Kennedy Space Center is one of the best non-theme-park days out.
• Lake Eola Park and Disney Springs offer free family fun.
• Crayola Experience and Orlando Science Center are top rainy-day picks.
• Plan outings for early mornings to avoid heat and long lines.
• Natural springs and beaches are within an hour of Orlando.
• Travel insurance is smart for summer trips during hurricane season.

What can kids do in Orlando besides Disney and Universal?

Plenty! The Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is one of the top non-theme-park picks, with exhibits on past space missions, astronaut simulators, and retired rockets.

Gatorland is a Florida original where kids can watch gator shows and even hold a baby alligator.

The Orlando Science Center has five floors of hands-on exhibits.

ICON Park offers the 400-ft Orlando Eye observation wheel, Madame Tussauds, and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

Medieval Times is a dinner-and-show experience that works for every age.

And mini golf courses like Congo River Golf and Pirates Cove Adventure Golf are classic, affordable fun.

What are good indoor activities in Orlando for kids on a rainy day?

Rainy days in Orlando are easy to fill. The Crayola Experience at Florida Mall keeps kids ages 2 to 12 busy for 2-3 hours with hands-on creative activities. The Orlando Science Center is a half-day attraction with exhibits on dinosaurs, space, and AI technology. Medieval Times is fully indoors and a great evening option. Universal CityWalk is a covered entertainment complex with restaurants, a movie theater, and live shows that you can enjoy without a park ticket.

When is the best time to visit Orlando with kids?

The most comfortable weather for families is typically from late January through April, when temperatures are pleasant and crowds at major theme parks are more manageable.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with the peak being August through October, so travel insurance is worth considering for summer trips. No matter when you go, plan outings for early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the worst of the heat and the longest lines.