8 fun things to do in Orlando with the kids

Orlando can be the perfect vacation destination for families with kids. Whether it’s the world-famous theme parks, the many amazing waterparks or any of the other fascinating sights and attractions, there’s plenty of attractions to make your trip one the children will remember.

There’s almost too much choice and you might not know where to start. So, to make planning your trip to the City Beautiful easier, our experts have put together a list of 10 fun things to do in Orlando with the kids.

One of the biggest and most popular theme parks in Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, is home to attractions centered around the entertainment world. From thrilling rides inspired by blockbuster movies like Minions, Men in Black and Transformers, to daily parades and plenty of restaurants and stores themed around different movies. 

Universal Studios Florida is also a resort so you can book your stay at one of the many hotels here or simply get day passes to visit the theme parks.

Across the many large tanks at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, your family will get the chance to marvel at rare fish and a diverse selection of sea creatures, all while getting an amazing insight into ocean life.

It’s much more than just the aquariums – there are educational activities dotted all around the attraction. Plus, if you time it right you can see the marine life being fed by the staff divers.

For families with toddlers, they have ticketed ‘Toddler Tuesday’ events which includes an array of age-appropriate activities.

Another top attraction is the WonderWorks amusement park, which has more than 100 entertaining and educational exhibits for children and young adults.

Its baffling upside down building is sure to pique kids’ interest before they enter. Inside, they’ll have over 35,000 square feet to explore, filled with interactive exhibits, including the earthquake simulator, the laser-tag arena and the 4D XD Motion theater.

This theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most popular things to do in Orlando with kids, and is officially the busiest theme park in the world – for good reason. 

Across the park you’ll discover different themed lands such as ‘Adventureland’, ‘Frontierland’ and the famous ‘Main Street, USA’. Each has its own selection of rides, attractions, stores and awe-inspiring things for kids and adults alike. Your kids will also get the chance to meet some of their favorite Disney characters along the way.

Magic Kingdom can be busy – especially during summer and other peak times – so you should look to book tickets in plenty of time ahead of your visit.

For kids who love LEGO, where better to head than LEGOLAND, Florida This resort and theme park has over 50 rides and LEGO-themed attractions. You can also find an array of interactive stalls around the park alongside giant LEGO structures that are sure to blow kids’ minds.

During the summer, LEGOLAND opens its water park. But there are seasonal events all year round. There’s even a charming botanical garden. The recommended age range is 2-12 years, but for toddlers and babies there’s also a DUPLO-themed play area.

Fun Spot America is a place you and the family can enjoy some action-packed adventure and thrilling sights and sounds. 

This chain of family-run theme parks incorporates the style and look of a traditional American county fair, but with modern rides and attractions. Its Orlando park has several roller coasters – including the famous old school wooden coaster ‘White Lightning’. There’s also several go-kart tracks and the world’s second tallest skycoaster standing an eye-watering 250 ft tall.

Are your children little daredevils? Then the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park is the perfect place to take them. Kids aged seven and above can enjoy rope walks, swings, zip lines and even hanging nets that are woven through a section of forest.

Full training and demonstrations are given before each session, but this is a surefire way to give them a thrill.

The Orlando Science Center is open to all age groups but its special ‘KidsTown’ exhibit is specifically for children aged 0-7 years. This takes up the entire second floor of the building and includes interactive zones and stations designed to develop your children’s cognitive abilities. Each day of the working week also has a calendar of talks and extra events which can fascinate and enrich young minds.

While this is very education-focused, you can still enjoy the rest of the Science Center which spans several floors and hundreds of amazing exhibits.

Start planning your trip now. Search for flights and car hire options to explore the city or embark on an epic road trip across Florida. If you’re interested in alternative accommodation options, take your pick from a range of vacation rentals in Orlando.