If you’re looking for the best things to do in Orlando with kids (that aren’t theme parks), you’re in the right place!
Orlando is so much more than theme parks. The city can be so much fun for families and there are so many exciting things to do in Orlando with kids.
From outdoor adventure to indoor fun and high in the sky experiences, there is something for everyone in Orlando. We will also talk a bit about the best time to visit Orlando with kids, as well as some fun day trips from Orlando with kids!
20 Most Exciting Things To Do In Orlando With Kids
Are you ready to explore Orlando? Here are 20 of the most exciting things to do in Orlando besides theme parks!
Orlando Balloon Rides
Taking a hot air balloon ride is one of the coolest and most exciting things to do in Orlando with kids! There are several companies that you can go through. If you have super young kids or kids who are afraid of heights, this may not be for you. However, if you are able to take a hot air balloon over Orlando, you won’t regret it!
Exotic Animal Experience
For those of you who will be traveling with kids ten years old and up, Exotic Animal Experience is a unique opportunity to get up close with beautiful animals. You can schedule a group or private experience to see sloths, kangaroos, camels, and other animals. There are a variety of experience types and prices available making it one of the best Orlando attractions to visit with kids!
Farris and Fosters Chocolate Factory
Rainy day? Maybe you just have a sweet tooth? Either way, a stop at Farris and Fosters Chocolate Factory is a great idea! Stop in to their shop in Orlando for delicious chocolate barks, truffles, and much more!
Orlando Circus School
The Orlando Circus School holds open gym sessions that are perfect for kids! Trampolines, trapezes, and more are waiting for you at the Orlando Circus School! A trip to the school is the perfect way to spend your day in Orlando when the temperatures are high or when it’s raining. This is one of the most unique things to do in Orlando!
Orlando Water Sports Complex
The over-water inflatables at the Orlando Water Sports Complex make for one of the most fantastic things to do in Orlando with kids. However, there is much more than just inflatables. You can also wakeboard, water ski, and do other cable water activities.
Never done any of that before? No worries. They offer lessons! This could be a great way for kids to learn how to do any of these water sports in a safe environment, with a professional.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Step into the vortex tunnel and into the wild world of Ripley’s Believe It or Not. You and your kids can explore the museum full of animal oddities, fossils and skeletons, world records, and much more. Kids love Ripley’s and it’s one of the best Orlando kids activities for when it’s raining or there are high temperatures.
Gatorland
Experience Florida creatures up close at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida. See snakes, crocodiles, birds, wildcats, and more at Gatorland. If you are feeling really adventurous, they offer two zip-lining opportunities in the park.
They also have a night event that you can participate in as well. Take a walk through the swamp at Gatorland in order to experience the real Florida. See alligators and other Florida creatures in exploring their natural habitat from the safety of a boardwalk. You can even shine flashlights out into the swamp to see how these amazing swamp creatures act in the night.
Lake Eola Park
Swans and swan shape boats both inhabit Lake Eola in Orlando. One of the best free things to do in Orlando with kids. You can rent a swan paddle boat and head out into the beautiful lake with a great view of the Orlando skyline.
This is also a great place for pictures of the city. The park has beautiful flowers planted throughout and there are countless restaurants in the surrounding area for you to try as well.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
When you’re visiting Orlando, especially in the summer, scheduling some indoor time can be crucial. Of course, Orlando has tons of outdoor activities, but indoor time can be a great way to help kids cool down in the hot Orlando summer, keep them from getting bored, and it can be a great learning opportunity as well.
The SEA LIFE Aquarium is among the best things to do in Orlando with kids as it’s a great way to get a little educational indoor time. They offer touch pools, an ocean tunnel, and more aquarium exhibits that kids love! If you are traveling with toddlers, consider adding this to your list of things to do in Orlando with toddlers. The bright colors and beautiful sea creatures make for a great attraction for toddlers, babies, and younger children.
Madame Tussauds
The chain museum has a location right in Orlando Florida. A-list celebrities, historic leaders, superheroes, and other figures make an appearance at Madame Tussauds. If your kids are into Marvel movies or movies like Kung Fu Panda, consider adding this museum to your Orlando bucket list!
Helicopter Tour
Are you ready to be wowed? Taking a helicopter tour over Orlando is simply amazing. Fly over the major theme parks in the city, including Disney, fly over celebrity homes, beautiful Florida lakes, and much more. Some helicopter tours start at only sixty-five bucks and go up from there. There are several companies you can choose to take your Orlando helicopter tour with. Orlando Heli-Tours is one option that offers a variety of tours from you to choose from.
iFly
When looking at things to do in Florida with kids, indoor sky diving probably doesn’t make many travelers’ lists. However, if you’re visiting Orlando with kids, you need to keep iFly in mind. When rainy days or hot temperatures catch you by surprise, iFly is a great way to spend your day, especially if you are traveling with older kids.
Wonder Works
With more than one hundred interactive and educational exhibits, WonderWorks is a must-visit for families visiting Orlando. Learn about the weather, sound and light, and other interesting science topics at the museum. There is something for every age group at Wonder Works, making it a great place to visit if you are traveling with children who are far apart in age.
ICON Park
The giant, colorfully lit Ferris wheel in Orlando is located in ICON Park. Also in the park is the SEA LIFE Aquarium and the wax museum. While you are there, you can take a ride on the Ferris wheel, walk through shops, and take your pick from many restaurant options.
ICON Park also is home to the Museum of Illusions, the Star Flyer ride, the Pearl Express Train, and more! It’s easy to spend half of a day or more in the park, so plan accordingly!
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf
Of all the things to do in Orlando, Florida with kids, mini-golf may be the most underrated. Orlando goes ALL OUT with their mini-golf courses. Pirates Cove Adventure Golf is a crazy cool-themed mini-golf course that kids will love!
Chocolate Kingdom
Chocolate Kingdom is a chocolate museum and a chocolate factory that offers tours to visitors. They also offer a variety of chocolate experiences. Take part in a hands-on chocolate-making experience or a chocolate fountain experience!
Orange County Regional History Center
Located in the historic Orange County courthouse, the regional history center is one of the most educational things to do in Orlando with kids. The center does an excellent job making itself a desirable place to visit for both adults and children.
There are interactive exhibits for both adults and children. You and your little ones can learn about the natural environment of Florida, African American history, theme parks, citrus, cattle, aviation, and how they are all important parts of who Florida is as a state.
Leu Gardens
The grounds at Leu Gardens are beautiful and the Leu Museum is a wonderful place to visit to learn about the surrounding area and all of Orlando as a whole. There are frequently kid-friendly activities going on at the gardens. Alphabet scavenger hunts, dinosaur invasions, movie nights, and are occasionally available at Leu Gardens for you and your kids to participate in.
Congo River Golf
Complete with live alligators and waterfalls, this mini-golf course in Orlando is amazing. Congo River Golf is a great choice to visit with kids because not only do you get to play mini-golf, but your get to see live Florida alligators at the same time. If you are planning on doing additional travel through Florida, they also have other locations around the state.
Crayola Experience
The Crayola Experience is one of the most hands-on things to do in Orlando with kids. The Activity Studio and Adventure Lab encourage kids to create and learn. There is also a factory show, a place for kids to name their own crayon, mold their own crayon, play, things critically, and more. This is a can’t miss attraction in Orlando for kids!
Best Time To Visit Orlando With Kids
If you’re wanting to experience everything that Orlando has to offer without having your time ruined by rain, avoid visiting from June to September. This is the hottest time of the year as well so it may be wise to skip visiting at this time of the year as well.
January and February tend to be the coldest months in Orlando and they are also the cheapest months as well. If your main concern is the prices, January and February may be a good option. For prices that aren’t as high as peak season and weather in the high 50’s to ’80s, visit Orlando from March to May.
Is Orlando An Affordable City To Visit With Kids?
Orlando would not make the list of affordable cities to visit in the U.S. with kids. Although there are some cheap and free things to do in Orlando with kids, most of the attractions in Orlando are quite pricey. The museums, the theme parks… they aren’t priced for budget travelers. The best way for you to cut your costs is to visit during the off-season.
Although the attractions in Orlando may be costly, you can generally find budget accommodation in the city any time of year. Even when the prices go up in the Summer months, you can usually still find hotels for less than $90/night in Orlando. For budget travelers, this is great news!
Day Trips From Orlando With Kids
Crystal River
An hour and forty minutes from Orlando, Crystal River, Florida is the perfect day trip from Orlando with kids if you want to see manatees. Taking a manatee tour in Crystal River should be on everyone’s Florida Bucket List! There are a few tour companies that give manatee tours to choose from. If you want to increase your chances of seeing the beautiful creatures, you will have the best chance in the winter months!
Kennedy Space Center
Only about an hour from Orlando, The Kennedy Space Center has many educational and exciting exhibits for you to explore! You can see the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, the Firing Room, stop into the Hubble Space Telescope Theater and so much more at the space center! For budget and family travelers, the daily admission might be a little pricey. Make sure to check their prices and their website ahead of time.
St. Augustine
Around two hours from Orlando is the beautiful city of St. Augustine, Florida. The historic city is the oldest city in America and because of this, the city has an amazing historic district and tons of cultural and historical attractions to choose from. Some must-see attractions in St. Augustine with kids include the Fountain of Youth, Castillo De San Marcos, and the historic district.
Tampa
The city is around an hour and forty minutes from Orlando. There are so many things to do in Tampa with kids! There is the Museum of Science, The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Zoo Tampa, a children’s museum, and other great things to do with kids!
Full of sunshine and exciting experiences, Orlando is an amazing city in Florida to visit with kids. Which of these fun things to do in Orlando with kids will you do first?
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