10 Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

Orlando is a city known worldwide for its theme parks, which makes it one of the best destinations for travelling with children.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

Welcome to Universal Orlando Resort|©Marc Stampfli

Travelling with children is often a tricky business. Kids don't enjoy the same things as adults, so they tend to get bored between sightseeing tours and museums. However, this Florida city is an ideal destination for families with children.

Among the best things to do in Orlando, there are some great things to do for kids. So, if you are planning a family trip to the city, I recommend you read on to discover all the activities on offer. From theme parks of all kinds to alligator rides and a visit to one of the best space centres in the world.

1. Venture out with your favourite characters at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studio - Orlando|©Amarildo Souza
Universal Studio - Orlando|©Amarildo Souza

Universal Orlando Resort is made up of two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Both provide different, but equally satisfying and fun experiences for the youngest members of the family. It is the largest amusement park in the world, so I recommend that you set aside one or more days for a visit.

This amusement park is ideal for the youngest movie fans, as its attractions are inspired by the big hits of the big screen. For example, in the part corresponding to Universal Studios Florida, children will be able to experience unique moments based on great sagas such as Harry Potter or Transformers. On the other hand, at Islands of Adventure, they will have the opportunity to feel like Spider-Man or enter the universe of Jurassic Park.

If you and your family are fans of the world created by J. K. Rowling, you will experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area, which crosses both parts of Universal Orlando. Of course, in addition to the attractions, you'll find accommodation, souvenir shops and dining establishments on the premises.

Book your combined tickets to Universal Studios park

2. Spend a day among the crocodiles at Gatorland

Child on top of crocodile|©Richard Harris
Child on top of crocodile|©Richard Harris

In this case, I want to recommend you one of the best activities in Orlando, a family activity related to animals. I'm going into the reptile world to tell you about the so-called 'Crocodile Kingdom': Gatorland. This theme park offers a completely different and original experience to what you are used to.

Among the activities offered by the place, I would like to highlight the observation tower, through which you can see with your family how crocodiles behave in their natural habitat, something that will surely leave you speechless. On the other hand, you will be able to learn all about reptile care through various interactive activities.

Book your tickets for Gatorland

3. Climb trees at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park

Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park|©Scott Thomas
Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park|©Scott Thomas

Children have a lot of energy, which means that they tend to get bored when travelling. If you want them to let off steam, I recommend a visit to the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. This adventure park will make the little ones feel like Tarzan himself for a day.

The park has all the typical adventure park features, except on a grand scale: zip lines, suspension bridges, tree circuits, Tibetan bridges and nets. If you have children of different ages, don't worry, the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park has different levels of difficulty so that all children can find their space for fun.

Book tickets for Tree Trek Adventure Park

4. Bring out the artistic side of the little ones at the Crayola Experience

Crayola Experience Orlando|©JetDr757
Crayola Experience Orlando|©JetDr757

I've recommended activities related to the marine world, to science, to adventure... Now it's my turn to give the little artists in the family their space. Without a doubt, the Crayola Experience is a place where children can unleash their creativity without limits.

From painting with laser lights to creating their own personalised crayon, anything is possible in this creative centre. And if that's not enough, they'll also have the chance to ride on different attractions related to the world of painting.

Before you leave, remember to stop by the Crayola Experience shop, where you can take home a souvenir of the experience or buy supplies for the kids to continue exploring their artistic side when you return from your trip.

Book tickets for the Crayola Experience

5. Take an airboat ride through Orlando's wetlands

Everglades|©Sandeep Sajjala
Everglades|©Sandeep Sajjala

Orlando is a city known for its amusement parks, but I have to tell you that there is so much more to Orlando than its impressive roller coasters. One of the best activities you can do with kids on your trip to this Florida city is an airboat ride. Above all, I recommend this activity as one of the best things to see and do in Orlando in spring.

It's a 30-minute experience that will delight you and everyone with you. Along the way, you'll ride through the cypress swamps that are characteristic of this area. You'll also get to meet the local wildlife, ranging from birds to reptiles to foxes.

The activity also includes access to the Alligator Oasis, an alligator viewing area, where you'll be able to see alligators in their natural habitat. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by an expert guide, who will explain the facts and curiosities of the Everglades area. If you are coming from Orlando check out how to get to the Everglades from Orlando.

This is definitely one of the best airboat tours in Orlando.

Book your airboat ride in Orlando

6. Be an astronaut for a day at Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center|©dfinos
Kennedy Space Center|©dfinos

If your children dream of being astronauts, this is definitely the place to visit. You and the rest of the adults will also enjoy this activity immensely. The Kennedy Space Centre is the site that was built for the launch of the Saturn V rocket. With your visit, you can feel part of NASA for a day.

Among the activities on offer is a visit to the launch pads, as well as various rocket exhibitions. You can also choose the Space Pass Plus, which gives you access to the vehicle assembly building. If you are coming from Orlando, you can opt for a pass that includes round-trip transportation.

For all these reasons, this activity stands out as one of the best tours to the Kennedy Space Center from Orlando.

Book your Kennedy Space Center tour

7. Confuse your senses at the Museum of Illusions in Orlando

orlando museum of illusions|©photographynatalia
orlando museum of illusions|©photographynatalia

Confound your senses at the Orlando Museum of Illusions, an amazing place for adults and children alike. One of the great advantages of this attraction is that it has a maximum capacity of 20 people, so you'll be able to avoid the hustle and bustle and queues.

The place has more than 50 exhibits that will involve every one of your senses. You can enter the 'Inverted Room', cross the rotating tunnel or become tiny in the Ames Room, as well as experience the 'anti-gravity' rooms.

Reserve your tickets for the Museum of Illusions

8. Sweeten your palate at the Chocolate Kingdom Factory

The Chocolate Kingdom Orlando Florida|©MisterQque
The Chocolate Kingdom Orlando Florida|©MisterQque

Of course, in this list of the best things to do with children, I had to leave a space dedicated to gastronomy. The Chocolate Kingdom Factory is the ideal place for lovers of this world-loved food. The experience lasts about 24 minutes, during which you can taste different types of chocolate.

You 'll also learn all about how it's made, seeing up close the elaborate process that turns the cocoa bean into a delicious chocolate bar. What's more, for an extra charge, you'll be able to make your own bar. A professional guide will accompany you throughout the tour, explaining everything you didn't know about this sweet treat.

Book a guided tour of the Chocolate Kingdom Factory

9. Fulfil your dream of flying in Orlando's wind tunnel

iFly Orlando, FL|©ARY-CAVE
iFly Orlando, FL|©ARY-CAVE

Do the kids at home fantasize about flying? This is the perfect opportunity for them to experience what it's like. The iFLY Orlando activity lasts about an hour and a quarter. It has the great advantage that it is done in small groups, which substantially enhances the experience.

It includes two flights in a wind tunnel, for which you will receive a briefing from an instructor beforehand. Of course, the place provides all the necessary equipment and safety measures.

Inside the tunnel, the wind gusts reach a speed of between 209 and 281 kilometres per hour, so you'll feel a great adrenaline rush. Bring out your adventurous side and do some stunts during the flight. Afterwards, you can see the result in the photos, which you can take home as a souvenir.

Book the wind tunnel experience

10. Enjoy the magic that Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil has to offer

Cirque du Soleil|©zoovroo
Cirque du Soleil|©zoovroo

If there are two names that have starred in every child's childhood for decades, it's Disney and Cirque du Soleil. In this experience they join hands to create the show Drawn to Life, which lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. During this time, you will be immersed in a world full of magic and fantasy led by dancers, acrobats and Russian swings.

While you watch the illusory choreographies of the show, the music typical of Disney films will provide the soundtrack. This is an experience that children will love and that will take you and the rest of the adults back to their childhood and bring out their most innocent side.

The show narrates the life of Julie, the protagonist of this story, who for an hour and a half will carve out her future with the help of a magic pencil. In case you've rented a car to get around Orlando, you'll be pleased to know that the ticket includes free parking at Disney Springs. In my opinion, this is one of the best shows in Orlando.

Book your tickets for Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil

11. Slide down Orlando's tallest water slides at Aquatica Park

Aquatica Orlando|©Júlia Falcão
Aquatica Orlando|©Júlia Falcão

If you're going to Orlando in the summer and want to find plans compatible with the high temperatures, this is one of the best. Orlando's Aquatica water park is home to the tallest water slides in the region. There are many attractions that you will find in its facilities, such as the Riptide Race or the Walkabout Waters.

In addition to the water attractions, in this park you will also be able to see animals from the marine world, such as dolphins. Aquatica is considered one of the best outdoor water parks in the United States by USA Today.

Book your skip-the-line tickets for Aquatica Water Park

12. Step into Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World|©MattfromPA
Walt Disney World|©MattfromPA

One of the big names on this list of the best things to see and do with kids in Orlando is another theme park. It's no wonder, considering that this Florida city is considered the theme park capital of the world. Since we've all grown up with Disney movies, you and the rest of the adults in the house as well as the little ones will enjoy the experience.

There are several parks that make up the complex, with the Magic Kingdom standing out among them all, where you can see Cinderella's castle life-size. In addition to this classic animated film, you will also see attractions based on great sagas, such as Pirates of the Caribbean.

As if that wasn't enough, Walt Disney World not only offers entertainment and adrenaline, but also a cultural experience in its facilities, since it has areas dedicated to many of the countries that make up the world. Do you think that all I have told you is enough? Well, there's even more. Walt Disney World includes an animal theme park: Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Speaking of animals, if you're an animal lover at home, I recommend you take advantage of your visit to the city to go on one of the best safaris in Orlando.

Book a safari experience in Orlando

13. Build your own constructions at Legoland Florida Resort

LEGOLAND FLORIDA|©Destinations in Florida Travel
LEGOLAND FLORIDA|©Destinations in Florida Travel

Almost every, if not every, child in the world has played and plays with Legos. That's what makes the Legoland Florida Resort amusement park so special. Unlike what kids are used to at home, at Legoland Florida Resort they can do it in a big way.

The LEGO universe in Orlando offers all kinds of experiences for the little ones as well as for the grown-ups in the house. You can see some of the world's most famous cities recreated with LEGO bricks, as well as take rides overlooking breathtaking scenery. Of course, kids can let their imaginations run wild and create their own constructions. They can even race cars made of LEGO.

14. Spend the day among orcas and dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando|©Lasith Adhikari
SeaWorld Orlando|©Lasith Adhikari

I would like to take this opportunity to recommend another of the best theme parks in Orlando: SeaWorld Orlando. It is a theme park, but, unlike the previous ones, this one is marine. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience that combines fun with learning.

The little ones will be able to see various shows, as well as some of the most majestic animals of the marine world, such as orcas or dolphins. You can also take a boat ride with the family and enjoy a unique moment of relaxation. On the other hand, if you prefer a bit of adrenaline, I recommend one of the park's roller coasters.

15. Surprise yourself with the funniest side of science at the Orlando Science Center

Orlando Science Center event|©Orlando Science Center (Meetings and Events)
Orlando Science Center event|©Orlando Science Center (Meetings and Events)

Who says Orlando is all about fun and adventure? If you want to get the little ones at home a little more interested in science, a great way to do this is to take them to the Orlando Science Center. Through the various activities offered by this interactive museum, children will discover science at its most fun.

You can visit the planetarium, where you'll have the chance to watch various films about space, as well as see live shows where you'll discover the universe up close. There are also live experiments in which children can participate. Of course, the museum has a large number of exhibits covering all fields of science.