Most traveling families will find themselves in Orlando at some point, and there are enough things to do in Orlando Florida with kids to fill multiple vacations. It’s the perfect place for a family vacation with lots of attractions for the entire family to have the best time. Here are some of the best things to do in Orlando with kids.
Walt Disney World
While some guests in the area are looking for things to do in Orlando besides Disney World, many do start with a Walt Disney World vacation. You could spend your entire Orlando family vacation at Walt Disney World. It’s one of the best things to do in Orlando. Read our Walt Disney World posts here.
Universal
Universal Studios consists of Universal Studios Orlando, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, and CityWalk (which offers restaurants, shops, and entertainment). Universal also has several hotels on the property, including three Loews properties and the Hard Rock Hotel. In recent years, they’ve also added The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which are must-dos for any Harry Potter fans in your family. Another park, Epic Universe, will be opening in early 2025.
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is home to many roller coasters and thrill rides, in addition to the animal exhibits and shows that it is known for. If your family loves thrill rides, you’ll want to check out Mako, Kraken Unleashed, and Manta. There’s also Journey to Atlantis, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and Wild Arctic flight simulator. You can visit SeaWorld in a day, so it’s easy to combine with other things to do in Orlando.
Discovery Cove
If you are looking for unique things to do in Orlando with kids, Discovery Cove is a fabulous option. This all-inclusive experience offers an exclusive opportunity to swim with dolphins, visit a coral reef, snorkel, and so much more. In addition to park admission, your ticket also includes your food for the day, rental of the equipment you’ll need, and alcoholic beverages. There are a limited number of tickets sold per day, so it’s never too crowded.
Water Parks
There are several water parks in Orlando. These include water parks associated with some of the theme parks, like Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World and Volcano Bay at Universal. There’s also SeaWorld’s Aquatica, CocoKey Water Park, and LEGOLAND Water Park.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is in nearby Tampa Bay, not Orlando. It’s worth including because it’s easy to add a day at Busch Gardens Tampa. You could stay in Tampa, but you can also do a day trip to Busch Gardens. It’s a short drive – a little over an hour’s drive, and it’s a great place to visit.
Nature Tours
The Central Florida weather is typically warm and sunny, and there are plenty of outdoor activities that you can do to take advantage of the sunshine and see some Florida wildlife. Two examples are kayaking trips and airboat tours.
Shopping
Do you love Disney Parks merchandise but want to save money? There are two Disney outlets, called the Disney Character Warehouse, within Orlando (and another at Sawgrass Mills). One is at the Orlando International Premium Outlets, while the other is at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. They combine two of my favorite things – shopping and Disney. The selection varies constantly, but expect to find things from Disney Parks and the Disney Cruise Line.
ICON Orlando
One of the best things to do on International Drive is the ICON Orlando. Formerly known as the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, ICON Orlando is the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast of the US. It’s best to purchase tickets online, and combination passes with the other ICON Orlando Complex attractions are available. There’s also In the Game ICON Park, which includes an escape room, arcade games, virtual reality games, and a mirror maze.
Much More
There are many other Orlando activities for families, including museums, LEGOLAND Florida, Fun Spot, other International Drive activities, hotel activities, and much more. Read our post, the best things to do in Orlando here.