Fun For Kids in Orlando

The sunshine state has plenty of vacation spots with stunning white beaches, but one of the best places to visit if you have kids is Orlando. There’s a ton of fun for kids in Orlando, and it’s the dream destination for any family!

Of course, the main attraction in Orlando is Disney World and its four incredible theme parks, including Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot. If you are heading to Florida for Disney Adventures, you won’t have time for anything else besides the Disney parks. But, if you’re looking for more fun for kids in Orlando, we’ve compiled the ultimate list!

Fun Hotels for Kids in Orlando

First and foremost, when visiting Orlando with kids, it’s crucial to find somewhere to stay that is both fun for the kids and accommodating. Below are the top recommendations for fun hotels for kids in Orlando:

CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort

CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort is a family-friendly hotel with a canopy-covered outdoor water park. With exhilarating water slides and refreshing swimming pools, you won’t have to worry about the kids getting bored. There’s also an arcade, three restaurants, an on-site convenience store, a fitness center, and more. Plus, they provide a scheduled shuttle service to the Universal Orlando Resort, so you can enjoy Disney parks as well.

Even if you don’t stay at this resort, they have a fantastic indoor/outdoor waterpark that you can visit. Grab discounted single-day admission tickets on Groupon.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Although this hotel is technically on-site at Disney property, it isn’t part of Disney. With a 3-acre lazy river, pool, and waterslide area, your kids may never want to leave the hotel! And what’s even better is that Hilton Orlando Bonnet can accommodate almost any sized family.

Hyatt Regency Orlando

If you are looking for a budget-friendly resort, the Hyatt Regency is just what you need. This resort is close to all the Disney theme parks and is totally kid-friendly. With a pool, waterslide, and waterfall, kids can play and splash all day. There are also several restaurants on-site and amenities to make your stay smooth.

Holiday Inn Resort Suites Waterpark

If you have no desire to stay on Disney property or visit their parks, this resort is the perfect vacation spot for families. All the rooms are suites with full kitchens, including a fridge, microwave, and dishwasher. Kids 11 and under eat FREE for breakfast and dinner. In addition to the convenience, there’s an awesome waterpark with multiple waterslides, a splash pad, hot tubs, cabanas, and pool-side entertainment.

Fun Attractions for Kids in Orlando

If you are looking for fun for kids in Orlando beyond Disney’s theme parks, you can find a plethora of attractions and activities little ones will love! Plus, renting a car in Florida and the Orlando area can be cheap and easy, so you can quickly navigate between all the attractions.

Here are some of the most fun attractions for kids in Orlando:

WonderWorks

Visit this upside-down house that combines education with entertainment. With more than 100 hands-on exhibits, this is by far the best attraction for sparking imagination and creativity while having a blast! This was a family favorite.

Monkey Joe’s Playground

This playground is perfect for a rainy day. If you have kids 12 and under, they’ll love the inflatable slides, climbing walls, fun obstacle courses, and arcade games.

LEGOLAND Orlando

This kid-friendly theme park is perfect for kids of all ages. It’s about 45-minutes outside Orlando, but it has over 50 rides, a waterpark, shows, and attractions that will keep kids entertained all day long. With LEGO characters walking around, you can snatch some great family pics. This was another favorite family attraction.

Aquatica

Let’s face it; Florida is hot, so anything water-related is going to be a hit for everyone! Aquatica has the most water thrills in Orlando and is the place to be on hot summer days. With exhilarating waterslides, sandy beaches, water play areas for younger kiddos, pools, and lazy rivers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Aquatica.

Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park

Children six and up can enjoy zipline adventures, swings, ropes, and trapeze fun at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. It’s rated #1 for Orlando’s most thrilling treetop obstacle adventure. There are courses for all abilities, so even six-year-olds can have a good time.

Fun for Kids in Orlando on a Budget

Sometimes, families don’t take much-needed vacation time because money is tight. But, money doesn’t have to be an obstacle because you can find fun for kids in Orlando even on a budget!

Go City Passes

One of the best ways to save money on family outings is to get a Go City Orlando Pass. You can do a Go City Orlando Explorer Pass or a Go City Orlando All-Inclusive pass. You can purchase these passes online, but you can get them at even more of a discount on Groupon!

Explorer Pass

The explorer pass allows you to pick a 2-attraction pass or a 3-attraction pass. This means you can visit 2-3 attractions within 60-days. It saves you money because you don’t have to pay admission to each place. Here are a few options you get with the explorer pass:

The Wheel at ICON Park
SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando
Madame Tussauds Orlando
Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World
Boggy Creek Airboat Tour
WonderWorks All-Access Pass
Fun Spot America Theme Park – 4 Ride Sampler
Congo River Adventure Golf
And more!

All-Inclusive Pass

The all-inclusive pass does cost a little more per person, but you have access to over 30-attractions. An All-Inclusive Pass offers you complete access to visit any of the included city attractions and tours within a certain number of days. Here are a few of the attractions:

Kennedy Space Center
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
WonderWorks All-Access Pass
The Wheel at ICON Park
Fun Spot America Theme Park – 4 Ride Sampler
Madame Tussauds Orlando
Gatorland: The Alligator Capital of the World
Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show
Boggy Creek Airboat Tour
SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Gray Line Orlando: City Tour of Orlando and more!

Airbnb

In addition to scoring a ton of different attractions at a great price, you can also find budget-friendly places to stay on Airbnb. Airbnb is great if you plan to stay for a week or longer. In fact, many of the properties offer discounts when you book a whole week.

If you want low-cost apartments, houses, or hotels, check out Kissimmee, Florida Airbnb properties, which are about 35-40 minutes from Orlando. Apartment complexes that rent out Airbnb apartments tend to have the best pools, amenities, and on-site activities for kids. Plus, you can use the kitchen for cooking, saving you money on eating out.

Free Things to Do with Kids in Orlando

In addition to the budget-friendly attractions, there’s also a plethora of free things you can do with kids in Orlando.

Free Museums

Several museums in the Orlando area do not charge admission fees. So, you can still do things without shelling out any money. These museums include:

Beaches

No vacation to Florida is complete without a trip to the beach. And, the great thing about visiting the beach is that you can spend a whole day digging in the sand, swimming and enjoying the sunshine without spending any money. Although there aren’t any beaches right in Orlando, the beaches are only about an hour’s drive away. Keep in mind that you may have to pay for parking. Here are the best beaches to visit near Orlando:

Daytona Beach-touristy
Cocoa Beach-touristy
Satellite Beach-less crowded
Ponce Inlet-less crowded

Tibet Butler Preserve

Tibet Butler is a nature preserve and education center. It offers miles of hiking, educational programs throughout the year, and tons of wildlife.

Winter Park Botanical Gardens

At Winter Park, two botanical gardens offer free admission to the public every day. Kraft Azalea Garden and Mead Botanical Garden are must-see attractions for anyone visiting Orlando!

Bass Pro Shop

At the Bass Pro Shop in Orlando, there are multiple free events throughout the year. There’s tons of fun for kids, from kids’ crafts and activities to outdoor events and a winter wonderland during the holidays. Check out their website for planned events.

Do you have a favorite place to visit with kids in Orlando, Florida? If so, we’d love for you to share your experiences in our Local Anchor Facebook Group!