23 Fun Activities in Orlando for Kids
Looking for the perfect family-friendly vacation destination? Look no further than Orlando, Florida!
This sunny city is packed with endless entertainment options for kids of all ages, from thrilling theme parks to exciting outdoor adventures.
Best Activities for Kids in Orlando, Florida
Whether your little ones are animal lovers, aspiring astronauts, or just looking for some good old-fashioned fun, Orlando has something for everyone.
Here is a list of Orlando activities for kids that your whole family can enjoy!
1. Icon Park
The Icon Park area on International Drive is a great place for entertainment throughout the day.
If you visit this area, you will come across various attractions on this list, like the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and the Museum of Illusions.
The most popular attraction at Icon Park is the Wheel at Icon Park, which is a 400-foot-tall observation wheel.
The air-conditioned capsules provide stunning views of the Orlando skyline and are a great way to see the city from above!
2. Fun Spot
Fun Spot Orlando is a family-friendly amusement park with roller coasters, go-karts, and bumper boats!
One of the main attractions at Fun Spot Orlando is the collection of roller coasters and thrill rides.
The park boasts several adrenaline-pumping rides, including the White Lightning wooden, Freedom Flyer suspended, and Mine Blower hybrid coaster.
There are milder rides for kids and families, such as bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel.
Another popular attraction at Fun Spot Orlando is the arcade, which features classic and modern arcade games, such as skee-ball, air hockey, and racing games. The park also offers go-kart tracks for all ages, including multi-level and kid-friendly tracks.
In addition to the rides and attractions, Fun Spot Orlando also offers a variety of food options and a gift shop that sells souvenirs, snacks, and drinks.
One of the best things about Fun Spot Orlando is its affordability. The park offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means you only pay for the rides and attractions you want to experience.
3. Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola is a beautiful park located in the heart of downtown Orlando. One of the main attractions of Lake Eola is the lake itself, which offers a variety of activities for families to enjoy.
Kids can rent swan-shaped paddle boats or electric gondolas to explore the lake and take in the views of the city skyline.
For families looking to exercise, Lake Eola offers a scenic 0.9-mile walking path that circles the lake. The path is stroller-friendly and provides stunning views of the lake and surrounding park.
Lake Eola is also home to the Walt Disney Amphitheater, which hosts a variety of concerts, performances, and events throughout the year. Families can check the schedule and plan to attend a show or event during their visit to the park.
Foodies will enjoy the farmers market every Sunday, offering fresh produce, baked goods, and local arts and crafts.
4. Dezerland Park Orlando
Dezerland Park is an exciting and unique entertainment destination located in the heart of Orlando, Florida. This 800,000-square-foot complex offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages, making it a great choice for families, friends, and groups.
One of the highlights of Dezerland Park is the massive indoor trampoline park, which features wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and basketball hoops.
This area is perfect for kids and adults who love to jump and play, providing a safe and fun environment for energetic activity.
Kids also enjoy the Ninja Lounge, an obstacle course designed to test your agility, balance, and strength.
The course includes challenges such as swinging on ropes, climbing walls, and jumping through obstacles, making it a thrilling experience for anyone up for the challenge.
5. Gatorland
For a more local and unique experience, Gatorland is a great choice. This 110-acre park is home to thousands of alligators, crocodiles, and a variety of other animals.
You can observe a variety of indigenous animals, and for older children, there is an opportunity to ride a zipline over the alligator ponds.
In addition, if you’re looking for an entertaining evening, you can take the kids on a Gator Night Shine tour to view the reptiles during nighttime hours.
6. Orlando Watersports Complex
The Orlando Watersports Complex is a thrilling destination located in Orlando, Florida that offers visitors a variety of water sports and activities.
The complex is situated on a man-made lake that is specifically designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating, water skiing, and other water sports.
One of the main attractions of the Orlando Watersports Complex is its state-of-the-art cable system, which allows visitors to ride continuously without needing a boat.
The cable system pulls riders around the lake and offers a challenging and exciting experience for riders of all skill levels.
In addition to wakeboarding and other water sports, the Orlando Watersports Complex also offers a variety of other activities, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and even a giant inflatable obstacle course.
7. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf is a mini-golf while immersing themselves in a pirate-themed world. The course is designed to be challenging yet enjoyable for visitors of all ages and skill levels.
The course features 18 holes, each designed with a different pirate theme. Kids can putt their way through shipwrecks, pirate forts, and hidden treasure troves, all while enjoying the fun and exciting atmosphere of the course.
The course is filled with interactive elements and props, such as cannonballs, treasure chests, and even a pirate ship that visitors can walk through.
8. Visit a local farm
A few local farms in the Central Florida region offer u-pick opportunities all year round! If you and your family love the idea of picking blueberries, strawberries, or oranges, then you won’t be disappointed.
One of the closest farm to the Orlando area is Southern Hill Farms. You can easily visit this farm several times yearly because it offers so much! From peaches to pumpkins, there is lots of produce that you can purchase all year long.
There is a Kid Zone which is like a miniature amusement park right on the farm. A giant slide, carousel, and swinging pirate ship are just a few rides that young children can enjoy!
9. Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando is a water park owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is themed around the South Pacific.
The park features a variety of water slides, including the Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, which is the tallest multi-drop tower slide in Orlando.
There’s also the Dolphin Plunge, which takes riders through a clear tube that passes through a pool filled with Commerson’s dolphins.
If you want to relax and soak up the sun, there is a large wave pool, where visitors can ride waves up to five feet high, and a lazy river that winds through the park.
The park also has a designated area for young children, called Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, which includes smaller water slides, a shallow pool, and interactive play elements.
10. Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World is an amazing destination for kids fascinated by dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.
Located in Plant City, Florida, Dinosaur World is a theme park that offers over 200 life-size dinosaur sculptures and other prehistoric creatures.
One of the main attractions of Dinosaur World is the Dinosaur Walk, which features a trail that winds through the park’s dinosaur exhibits.
Kids can see giant T-Rexes, Stegosauruses, Triceratops, and other prehistoric creatures up close and personal, and learn about their habitats, behavior, and characteristics.
Another must-see attraction at Dinosaur World is the Fossil Dig, which allows kids to play paleontologist and dig for fossils in a simulated excavation site.
Kids can search for replica dinosaur bones and other prehistoric artifacts and learn about excavating and identifying fossils.
11. Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo is a top-rated destination for families located in Sanford, Florida, that offers amazing educational experiences for kids.
One of the main attractions of the Central Florida Zoo is its exhibits, which include African savanna animals, South American animals, and a variety of other species from around the world.
In addition to the exhibits, you can also enjoy a train ride through the zoo, a carousel, and a splash pad for kids.
The petting zoo is part of the zoo’s Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo and features a variety of domesticated animals that kids can touch and feed.
12. Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is great for families with kids interested in science and technology.
With four floors of interactive exhibits, including a planetarium and a giant-screen theater, your kids will have plenty of opportunities to learn and explore.
One of the highlights of the Orlando Science Center is the KidsTown exhibit, which is designed specifically for children aged 7 and under.
This interactive area features hands-on exhibits that allow kids to explore concepts such as physics, engineering, and biology through play.
Kids can build structures with giant foam blocks, operate cranes, and even launch rockets.
The Orlando Science Center also has a planetarium, which offers shows that explore the cosmos and take visitors on virtual journeys through space.
13. Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is a unique and fascinating place you will never forget.
One of the highlights of the Museum of Illusions is the Vortex Tunnel, which is a dizzying tunnel that appears to rotate around visitors.
The tunnel is a popular spot for photos and provides a fun and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
Another popular exhibit at the Museum of Illusions is the Ames Room, which is a room that appears to be a normal rectangular shape but is actually distorted to create an optical illusion.
Enter the room and take photos that make it appear as though they are either giant or miniature.
You can experience the “Head on the Platter” illusion, which makes it appear as though their head is being served on a platter, or explore the “Infinity Room,” which is a mesmerizing exhibit that appears to go on forever.
14. Crayola Experience
The Crayola Experience is a colorful and interactive attraction that allows kids to explore their creativity.
With 26 hands-on activities and plenty of colorful exhibits, your kids will love getting messy and making their own art.
Crayola Experience features daily live shows and special events that are both entertaining and educational. Kids can learn about the science behind color or watch a live demonstration of how crayons are made.
From the Color Playground to the Drip Art station, every attraction in Crayola Experience is designed to be bright and colorful, providing a visual feast for kids.
15. Sealife Orlando Aquarium
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is an amazing attraction that allows families to experience the ocean’s unique wonders. This attraction is located in the heart of Orlando at the ICON Orlando 360 complex, making it easily accessible for families visiting the area.
The aquarium features more than 5,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sea turtles, rays, and jellyfish, and interactive exhibits allowing kids to touch and learn about different marine animals.
Daily educational talks and feedings also provide a great opportunity for kids to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants.
The interactive rockpool allows kids to touch and hold various sea creatures, such as starfish and sea urchins, while the 360-degree ocean tunnel provides a mesmerizing view of marine life swimming above and around you.
Kids can also participate in a scavenger hunt, search for hidden treasure throughout the aquarium, and even have a birthday party in a private room.
16. Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
Boggy Creek Airboat Ride is an exhilarating adventure that takes visitors on an exciting journey through the natural wetlands of Central Florida.
The airboat ride takes you through the heart of the Florida Everglades, where you’ll see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Alligator sightings are common on this tour, as well as bald eagles, herons, and other native birds. Your tour guide will point out different plants and animals and provide interesting facts about the ecosystem and its history.
The airboat ride itself is a thrilling experience that will have you speeding through the water and feeling the wind in your hair.
The airboats are specially designed to navigate through shallow waters and narrow canals, providing a unique perspective on the beauty of the wetlands.
17. Legoland Florida
If your kids love LEGOs, then a trip to Legoland Florida is a must. With over 50 rides, shows, and attractions, there’s something for every age group.
One of the main attractions of Legoland Florida is the Miniland USA exhibit, which features LEGO models of famous landmarks and cities from around the country.
Kids can see replicas of the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, and even the Daytona International Speedway, and all made entirely from LEGO bricks.
18. Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a unique and immersive destination that offers an opportunity to interact with marine life and explore the beauty of the ocean. The park is designed to be a more intimate and personalized experience than other theme parks.
The signature experience at Discovery Cove is swimming with dolphins! Interacting with these majestic animals up close is fun, learning about their behavior and natural habitats.
The park also offers other animal encounters, such as swimming with rays and tropical fish, bird exhibits, and a tranquil river with various aquatic life.
19. Walt Disney World Resort
Of course, no list of Orlando activities for kids would be complete without mentioning Walt Disney World.
With four different theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and plenty of other attractions, there’s something for every family member.
From meeting your favorite Disney characters to riding thrilling roller coasters, Disney World is a must-visit for families with kids.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It’s a great destination for families who love animals, nature, and adventure.
Here are some of the top attractions and experiences that Animal Kingdom has to offer:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris: This is a must-do experience at Animal Kingdom. Families board an open-air vehicle and embark on a safari through the African savannah, where they can see animals like elephants, lions, and giraffes up close.
- Avatar Flight of Passage: This thrilling ride takes guests on a flight through the world of Pandora from the movie “Avatar.” Riders board a Banshee and soar over mountains and through the forests in a breathtaking virtual experience.
20. Disney Springs
Disney Springs is also a great destination for families with kids looking for a fun and exciting experience. You can get a dose of Disney without entering the theme parks!
One of the biggest draws of Disney Springs for kids is the variety of themed stores and shops, such as the LEGO Store, World of Disney, and the Marvel Super Hero Headquarters.
Another popular attraction at Disney Springs for kids is the interactive and immersive experiences, such as the virtual reality experience at The VOID and the escape room at The Escape Game. These experiences provide a fun and engaging activity for families to enjoy together.
You can easily spend an entire day at Disney Springs because there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants to enjoy too! It’s a worthwhile experience to eat at the Rainforest Cafe and the T-Rex Cafe.
21. Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando is another popular theme park in Orlando, with two different parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) and a water park (Volcano Bay).
From meeting characters from your favorite movies to riding some of the most innovative rides in the world, Universal Orlando is a great choice for families with older kids.
Children will love the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride located inside Hogwarts Castle. This ride takes visitors on a thrilling journey through Hogwarts and features many of the characters and creatures from the famous books!
Kids can also visit the shops in Hogsmeade, including Honeydukes sweet shop, Zonko’s Joke Shop, and Ollivanders Wand Shop, where they can purchase their own wand.
Another popular attraction is the Hogwarts Express train ride, which transports visitors between the two Wizarding World lands – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
22. SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is another popular attraction for families with kids. This amusement park is home to over 200 species of marine animals, including dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and whales.
The park features a variety of exhibits and shows that showcase these animals, such as the Dolphin Days show and the Killer Whale Up-Close Tour.
SeaWorld Orlando is also known for its thrilling rides, such as the Kraken Unleashed roller coaster, one of Florida’s tallest and fastest roller coasters. Other popular rides include Mako, a hypercoaster, and Journey to Atlantis, a water coaster that takes riders through ancient ruins.
23. Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center is an amazing destination for kids that love space and science.
In Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Kennedy Space Center is the primary launch site for NASA’s manned space missions and a space exploration and research hub.
Visitors can see actual spacecraft and artifacts from NASA’s missions, such as the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. They can also experience interactive exhibits that simulate what it’s like to live and work in space, such as the Astronaut Training Experience.
Another must-see attraction at the Kennedy Space Center is the Shuttle Launch Experience, which simulates what it’s like to launch into space aboard a space shuttle.
Kids can experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of a real launch and learn about the challenges and excitement of space travel.
For more vacation planning, check out these guides!
