10+ Things to Do in Orlando with Kids During Your Vacation

By Katie Sagal

Planning a vacation to Orlando? Orlando is a renowned entertainment destination in Central Florida, attracting families from all over the world with its diversity of theme parks, attractions, museums, and much more.

Whether you’re interested in theme park adventure, museum enlightenment, or good old-fashioned outdoor adventure, Orlando’s got you covered. If you’re looking for things to do in Orlando with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities, including...

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
Kennedy Space Center
ICON Orlando
SEA LIFE Aquarium
Fun Spot America
WonderWorks
Congo River Adventure Golf
Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World
and more...

Consider adding a few of these kid-friendly attractions to your vacation itinerary.

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

Love all things LEGO®? Then you won’t want to miss the chance to spend a day at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. This place is the perfect place to take the kids. From rides and slides to interactive building areas and character meets, LEGOLAND has it all. With highlights like thrilling roller coaster rides for the older kids to the cozy DUPLO play area for the little ones, this park has plenty to appeal to kids of all ages.

Don’t miss out on the World of Chima, an exciting area within the park dedicated to the popular LEGO brand. Featuring an interactive water ride, a dedicated play area, and a totally cool 4-D movie experience, the World of Chima is chock full of fun!

Another new fun experience that all your kids are sure to love is the LEGO NINJAGO ride, an immersive videogame-like adventure that allows visitors to fight back against the forces of evil.

Kennedy Space Center

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You won’t want to miss a visit to this "stellar" institution. The home of the American space program for decades, Kennedy Space Center has seen some of the most important events in scientific history, including the launch of the famous Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle Program.

Explore NASA’s stomping grounds as you tour the facilities, marvel at the launch pad, and enjoy the many interactive exhibits. Watch real footage from space, interviews with astronauts, and see actual souvenirs from the Moon! It’s a must do for lovers of science and space.

ICON Orlando

Get above it all and get a new perspective on Orlando from 400-feet above ground on The Wheel at ICON Park. Kids will get a kick out of saying they took a spin on the tallest observation wheel on the entire east coast of the US. You’ll get 360-degree views of Orlando’s skyline, nearby theme parks, and beautiful landscapes. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see all the way to Cape Canaveral. It's also a perfect opportunity for your kids to get that most-liked Instagram shot.

SEA LIFE Aquarium

If you're looking for things to do in Orlando, you should add SEA LIFE Aquarium to your holiday itinerary. It's the perfect place to go for families, kids, and adults.

Your little ones will come face-to-face with more than 5,000 creatures including, seahorses, jellyfish, barracudas, and even a giant pacific octopus. And you’ll also learn about the important conservation efforts the organization is so passionate about.

In the aquarium's Coastal Rockpool you can stroke a starfish, tickle a sea anemone and more in this hands-on exhibit.

Fun Spot America

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With Go City®, you get a 4 ride sampler at Fun Spot America - Orlando's favorite local theme park. From the infamous SkyCoaster to the iconic White Lightening (Orlando’s only wooden roller coaster), there are plenty of classic amusement park rides to choose from. Plus, you can also enjoy a spin around their multi-level Go Kart tracks, a session of bumper cars with your siblings, and soar through the air in the Paratrooper ride.

WonderWorks

For starters, this is probably the only upside-down museum you’ll ever visit. WonderWorks is full of wacky fun and amazing, unbelievable exhibits that will truly inspire a sense of wonder in your kids. In fact, there are more than 100 different interactive exhibits, things to do, and play with!

Some highlights include a simulated earthquake, an exhibit that measures the speed at which you can pitch a baseball, the chance to design your own roller coaster, and even an indoor ropes course. Now your admission also comes with access to lasertag - the perfect family competition. This attraction is all hands-on and sure to be a delight for kids of all ages.

Congo River Adventure Golf

Who doesn’t love a few relaxing rounds of mini golf? Now at the Congo River Adventure Golf course, you have the chance to take the whole family on a delightful afternoon of mini golf fun. There are more than 8 locations to choose from, including this one in Orlando.

This is so much more than just a golf course – it’s an entire world modeled after the African safari experience of Stanley and Livingstone, including waterfalls, caves, jungles, and more. There’s also an indoor arcade to enjoy after you finish a few rounds.

Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World

Welcome to Gatorland! AKA – the Alligator Capital of the World. This place has everything Gator, making it a quintessentially Florida attraction and thing to do that you just won’t find anywhere else. This 110-acre theme park / wildlife preserve showcases these marvelous creatures through exciting exhibits and entertainment options.

Of course, they have a few crocodiles, too! There’s also a petting zoo (alligators are, perhaps fortunately, not among the selected animals), a nature walk, a number of educational wildlife programs, and several popular reptilian performances. If you want to get a taste of the Florida wilderness, this is the place to be. Your kids will love the chance to interact with these terrifying creatures in a safe environment.

SeaWorld Aquatica Waterpark

Florida is a hot and humid place to be for much of the year, so why not cool off with a visit to the refreshing and exhilarating Aquatica Waterpark? Run by SeaWorld, this fun park is exclusively dedicated to figuring out all the most creative and exciting ways to get you wet! There are plenty of things to do, from colossal waterslides to raft and log rides, this park has everything. You’ll also find a shallow play area for little kids, so you don’t need to worry if they’re not up for serious swimming.

Busch Gardens

Another icon in the theme park industry. This park is your classic adventure theme park, with coasters, slides, and many other popular rides. Located in nearby Tampa Bay, it’s an easy drive from any Orlando area hotel and is a great way to spend an entire day. You’ll find everything from exotic animal encounters to tons of family-style entertainment.

With live performances, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits and attractions, your kids will never run out of things to do. If you’re a thrill-seeker, be sure to hop aboard the new “Cheetah Hunt” coaster!

Museum of Science & Industry

Located in nearby sunny Tampa, this esteemed science museum is popular with kids of all ages. Emphasizing the power and importance of exploring the world through the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), the 400 interactive exhibits at MOSI are among the most impressive, state-of-the-art attractions around.

Some highlights include the super interactive, collaborative Idea Zone, the Saunders Planetarium, and the Zip Line + Ropes Course, plus the excellent selection of educational films available in their IMAX Dome theater. This attraction is great fun for kids of all ages. Even adults will enjoy the Mission: Moonbase exhibit, where NASA showcases their vision for settlement and life on the moon.

Florida Aquarium

Also located in nearby Tampa, this extremely interactive aquarium is a family favorite. With over 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, they’re able to house more than 200,000 aquatic plants and animals – that’s quite a variety! From sharks and stingrays to otters and octopi, practically every aquatic creature you can name has a home here.

Some featured exhibits include “Journey to Madagascar,” which includes lemurs, cockroaches, and chameleons; “Penguin Point,” home to some of our favorite cold climate critters; and the “Coral Reef Gallery,” which allows visitors to observe a real live reef up close, modeled after the kind found in the Florida Keys. The Florida Aquarium also offers opportunities to swim with fish or even sharks!

Boggy Creek Airboat Tour

Take a Boggy Creek Airboat ride for an educational and exciting tour through the untouched wilderness of the Everglades, right in Central Florida. You’ll get a half hour guided tour through the wetlands where you’ll see tons of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, snakes, bird species native to Florida, and more. You won't need reservations for this tour, so it's an especially nice attraction to build into a day where you could use the flexibility with the kids.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit

Have kids who are fascinated by the Titanic or famous shipwrecks? They’ll enjoy walking through 20 rooms of interactive exhibits, including full-scale replicas of Titanic’s most famous areas, including the Grand Staircase, the First Class Parlor Suite, the Veranda, Marconi Room, and more at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit.

Professionally trained actors in period costumes share true stories of their experiences and what it was like to be a passenger on the Titanic. Fans of the movie will especially enjoy getting to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's costumes and other memorabilia from the famous blockbuster movie.

Forever Florida Coach Tour

Go on a fully-guided safari adventure through a traditional Florida ranch with over 4,700-acres of seven distinct Florida ecosystems that are home to tons of fascinating Florida animals and plant life, including alligators, black bears, white-tail deer, and hundreds of species of birds. This two-hour adventure is sure to make memories to last a lifetime, and we know animal lovers will especially treasure this experience. As an eco-tour, this is also an ethical and responsible option for encountering wildlife and is a good choice for conscientious travelers. It's great to know that your tour is having a positive impact on the environment and wildlife around you!

American Police Hall of Fame

Kids and adults alike will like getting a chance to experience what it’s like to serve on the police force and learn all about fighting crime at the American Police Hall of Fame. You’ll get to sit in an electric chair, try your hand at forensics and figure out who, what, when, and where of a police investigation, learn about counterfeit money, and more. It's also a nice tribute to the people of the American police forces who protect us day in, day out.

There you have it. Our list of some of the top things to do in Orlando with kids during your vacation. From the joy and excitement of a visit to the iconic SEA LIFE to the educational fun of institutions like WonderWorks and Kennedy Space Center, Orlando has so much to offer kids of all ages. These kid friendly attractions combine entertainment, education, and some spectacular sightseeing!

Save on Admission to Kid Friendly Attractions

Many of these great kid-friendly attractions are included with Go City®. Choose as you go from dozens of top Orlando attractions and save up on combined admission vs paying at the gate.

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Orlando in January

Thinking about making a trip to Orlando this January? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the very best that the city has to offer. There are countless ways to enjoy wintertime in The City Beautiful. If the weather is warm enough, you’ll be able to able to visit all your favorite theme parks no bother. For those cooler days, the city’s cultural institutions are a total must-visit. And, for when you feel like you need to take a break, the area presents a lot of great laidback activities to try. Trust us when we say, you’ll never be bored exploring Orlando. So, without further ado, here are our favorite things to see and do in the area. We hope you like them and manage to try some of them out! Find Fun Activities Ever wanted to take a selfie with Brad Pitt? Or maybe strike a pose with Will Smith? Well, as it turns out, now you can! For pop-culture fanatics and lovers of the big screen, Madame Tussauds presents an exciting entertainment experience to remember for all. What began as a small project by famous wax worker Marie Tussaud in the 1800s is now a worldwide sensation right up to this very day, with locations in almost every major Western city – including Orlando. View over 50 life-like figures of some of the most famous faces in the world, ranging from actors and singers to political figures and superheroes. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a phone so you can snap some pictures for Instagram! If you’re looking for something a little different, look no further than the Museum of Illusions. Standing out amongst the other exciting experiences in the city, this place aims to boggle the mind - in the best possible way. Combining architecture, design, psychology and space, the institute presents its unique collection of mind-twisting, eye-tricking installations for a broad audience. With over 50 incredible exhibitions to be enjoyed, the fun never stops coming. Walking around the institution, you’ll find everything from kaleidoscopes and prisms to tilted and reverse rooms. Undeniably intriguing and fascinating, this place is a total crowd-pleaser, great for those of all ages. Aside from its interesting cultural institutions, Orlando presents many fantastic historical structures well worth checking out. Standing as a modest, one-story cottage among College Park’s residential streets, the Jack Kerouac House once served as a home to the famous Beat writer. Though he only lived here less than a year, Kerouac managed to write ‘’The Dharma Bums’’ in its entirety during this time. Today, this National Historic Landmark is now a residence for budding writers – but if you want to take a peek inside, just ask! Beautifully preserved and holding such high cultural relevance, we don’t recommend missing out on this one. Get Cultured Though Orlando is perhaps best known for its world-renowned theme parks, the city’s cultural institutions are more than worth checking out. Built in the first half of the twentieth century, the Wells' Built Museum of African American History once served as a hotel for black visitors to the area. Since then, the structure has been converted into an institution showcasing the storied history of African American culture in the city. Inside, you’ll find everything from artefacts and artwork to old documents and photos pertaining to Orlando’s black and civil rights history. Whether you’re a total history buff or just looking to learn a little more about the area, there’s no better place to be. Orlando presents a wealth of free museums covering a wide range of interesting topics – you just need to know where to look! An important educational tool, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center works to paint a powerful and moving picture of the past. Through carefully curated exhibitions, educational programs, and personal stories, learn more about those who were affected during this period of time. Within the museum’s intriguing permanent holdings, you’ll find a diverse array of historic documents, photos and artworks which work to tell the story of one of history's most lamentable injustices. Impactful though sombre, we recommend this stop for anybody who takes a deep interest in European history. Learn Something New For those brisk January afternoons, why not head over inside at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex? The perfect experience for those with curious minds, this place works to break down the fascinating history of space travel and deliver it in a digestible way. Even those who aren’t scientifically-minded are sure to be blown away by what this institution has to offer; inside, you can touch a real moon rock, walk amongst NASA shuttles, and attend lectures held by veteran astronauts. Still, the star of the show here has got to be the shuttle launch simulator, which recreates a rocket's orbit into space for visitors. As fun as it is unique, this place should rank right at the top of the itinerary! Another one of our favorite things to do for the month of January is visit the Orlando Fire Museum. Built into a renovated 1926 firehouse, the institute seeks to demonstrate the fascinating history and cultural relevance of firefighting. The perfect stop for all history lovers, this place is an unmissable educational experience; amongst its unique holdings, you’ll find everything from painted leather buckets to early motorized apparatus. Still, the museum’s major showstopper has got to be its wonderful collection of vintage firetrucks, giving a sense of what firefighting was like in a different time. We love this place because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do in Orlando in January. When the weather cools down, this opens up more opportunities for exploration and adventure. Trust us, getting bored in Orlando is mission impossible, no matter the time of year. Whether you're interested in exploring the city’s most popular attractions, hitting up its fantastic museums, or heading over to the historical landmarks, this vibrant Southern metropolis has a little something for everybody. To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Sarah Harris

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International Drive Attractions - Fun Things to Do on I-Drive & at ICON 360 Orlando

On International Drive you'll find attractions that appeal to the whole family - from theme parks to the largest observation wheel on the East Coast.

Lindsay Eagan

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Christmas in Orlando

You might think of Orlando as the place to be during the warmer months, but trust us when we say that you won’t want to miss out on Christmastime in the city. We’re talking exciting seasonal experiences, spectacular light displays, and awesome winter villages. Whether you’re new to the area or a seasoned visitor, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. If you’re travelling with family, be sure to check out the special events held at some of the city’s most famous theme parks. For something a little more traditional, head over to the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade. Or, if you want something a little more low-key, the lights at Harry P. Leu Gardens are well worth the visit. And, if you're still struggling to come up with ideas for what to do during the most magical time of the year – don't worry! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to see and do during the holiday season. Hit the Classics A trip to Orlando just wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at Magic Kingdom – and what better time to visit than the holidays? A total American classic, the park is often dubbed the happiest place on earth – and it’s easy to see why. Favorite mainstays include It’s a Small World, Space Mountain, and of course, the iconic Cinderella Castle. Magic Kingdom not only impresses throughout the year with an abundance of famous rides and attractions to be enjoyed – it also happens to offer special events around Christmastime. When visiting during the month of December, be sure to check out the seasonal parades, firework displays, and magical ‘’snowfalls’’, transforming the park into an enchanting winter wonderland. Thoroughly whimsical and joyful to boot, this one should rank at the very top of everyone’s itinerary! With the cooler weather and smaller crowds during the holiday season, it’s a great time to check out some of Orlando's world-class adventure parks. Standing out as a unique celebration of human achievement, Epcot is a go-to for many first-time visitors to the city. Spanning over 300 acres and encompassing over four different ‘’neighborhoods’’, each with their own theme, there’s a lot to see and do here for every type of traveller. During the festive season, the park brings the wow factor with its International Festival of Holidays – a fantastic celebration showcasing various traditions from cultures across the globe. We love this idea because it’s interesting and presents a little something for everybody. Don’t miss it! Find Fun Activities Located along the tropical Southeastern coastline, Orlando is home to many wonderful green spaces just waiting to be explored. Established way back in the 1800s, Harry P. Leu Gardens is a beautiful site to visit any time of the year. In the early days of the park’s development, the Leus travelled all over the world, bringing back a wide variety of exotic greenery to fill their gardens. Today, the plot is open to the public all year round, with special events being held for certain holidays. For the ultimate Christmastime experience, be sure to check out the Dazzling Nights display, running all throughout the month of December. With beautiful lighting installations, music, and food, this stop is sure to put a smile on your face. Always well worth the visit, Legoland is forever brimming with fantastic things to delight the whole family. Named after the popular toy brick company, this place ranks way up there with Magic Kingdom as one of our all-time favorites. Living up to its slogan ‘’Built for Kids’’, the park offers around 30 child-friendly rides and attractions for ages 2-12 – but that’s no reason that we shouldn’t get involved! Christmas is an especially great time to visit, since you’ll get to enjoy all of the regular attractions, but with a little added holiday cheer. During the month of December, the park goes all out, with special light shows, pantomimes, and of course, a Lego tree and Santa Claus. Well, what else would we expect? Soak Up the Atmosphere If you’re looking for spectacular light displays, look no further than the Night of a Million Lights. Billed as the ‘’Number One Thing to Do In December In Orlando’’, this fantastical winter wonderland is bursting with holiday spirit. Despite its name, the event runs for 52 nights, and with over 3 million lights donated by local theme parks, it’s quite a show. Still, the outdoor exhibitions aren’t the only thing to see here. Enjoy festive snacks as you walk. Take a train ride through the village. Browse the stalls at the Christmas market. Situated at the Give Kids The World Village, this traditional boardwalk is much more than just a great seasonal stop; buying a ticket will go towards helping families in need. Incredibly charming and atmospheric, there’s no place that captures the spirit of Christmas quite like this one in the city. For those looking for a traditional way to celebrate the holidays on vacation, head over to the annual Winter Park Christmas Parade. Standing as the oldest continuous holiday celebration in Central Florida, this flamboyant event is a total must-see if you’re the type to get uber-excited around December 25th (we know we are!) A longstanding favorite for locals and visitors alike, the parade offers a quintessential seasonal entertainment experience quite like no other. With over 80 participating organizations, you’ll be able to enjoy marching bands, animated displays, and of course, Santa Claus! Incredibly wholesome and full of life, we don’t recommend skipping out on this one. Just be sure to arrive early so you can catch a great view! There are a lot of ways to get into the holiday spirit in Orlando. From dazzling light displays to exciting events, you’ll find that there are countless ways to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in the city. Trust us when we say, you most certainly run out of things to do here during the festive season. To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Sarah Harris

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