The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Orlando, Florida with Kids (That Aren’t Just Theme Parks… But Also Definitely Include Theme Parks)

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “things to do in Orlando with kids that won’t make me lose my will to live”, you’re not alone—and frankly, welcome. Orlando isn’t just the land of mouse ears and churros (although let’s be honest, those are solid perks). It’s a full-blown family adventure saga waiting to happen. We’re talking real-life Quidditch fields, dinosaur encounters that would make Chris Pratt sweat, and theme parks so immersive they might just convince your toddler they’re actually a Jedi.

Whether you’ve got a kid who wants to live their best Elsa life, one who’s convinced they’re the next Ninja Warrior, or one who just really wants to pet an alligator (Florida energy is real), Orlando delivers and then some. And while the city is synonymous with theme parks, it also hides an entire universe of hands-on museums, outdoor escapes, and sugar-fueled thrills that go way beyond the standard character breakfast.

So, consider this your ultimate playbook. We’re covering the can’t-miss classics, the under-the-radar gems, and everything in between. Because in a city where you can ride a rollercoaster, meet a sloth, and have Dole Whip before noon, “boredom” doesn’t stand a chance.

Let’s dive in before your kids start chanting “Are we there yet?” in surround sound.

The Theme Park Power Circuit: Orlando’s Most Iconic (and Adrenaline-Fueled) Family Playgrounds

If Orlando had a résumé, “Theme Park Capital of the World” would be printed in bold, underlined, and possibly bedazzled. This city doesn’t just do amusement parks—it is the amusement park. And if your kids aren’t already vibrating with excitement, they will be after this lineup.

Universal Orlando Resort: Four Parks, One Epic Flex

Universal didn’t come to play, it came to dominate. What started as a movie-lover’s paradise has now evolved into a full-blown vacation empire, with four jaw-dropping parks to explore: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the newest showstopper, Epic Universe.

• Universal Studios Florida is where movie nostalgia gets a serious adrenaline boost. Ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, hang with Homer and Bart on The Simpsons Ride, and hold on tight through explosive chaos in Transformers: The Ride 3D. It’s also home to Diagon Alley, the wizarding epicenter where you can shop for spellbooks, sip on frozen butterbeer, and escape from Gringotts Bank on one of the most jaw-dropping dark rides in theme park history. Don’t skip Revenge of the Mummy with its flames, bugs, and fake-out endings, and yes, crying on the E.T. Adventure is still completely acceptable behavior.

• Islands of Adventure delivers nonstop thrills with a side of pop culture gold. Zoom through the sky on The Incredible Hulk Coaster, get repeatedly soaked on Jurassic Park River Adventure, and white-knuckle your way through the wild inversions of VelociCoaster, a fan-favorite for a reason. Potterheads will find their magic here, too, in Hogsmeade Village, home to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. If you’ve got a Park-to-Park ticket, board the Hogwarts Express for an immersive train ride that links both parks with surprising moments along the way.

• Volcano Bay is not your average water park, it’s a full-on tropical escape styled like a lush South Pacific island. Towering above is Krakatau, a 200-foot volcano hiding secret slides, waterfalls, and the high-speed Krakatau Aqua Coaster. With your TapuTapu wristband, you can reserve ride times, open lockers, and activate sneaky water features throughout the park. From the intense free-fall of Ko’okiri Body Plunge to the laid-back waves at Waturi Beach, it’s built for every type of traveler, whether you’re chasing thrills, chasing toddlers, or just chasing the perfect sun-soaked nap in a cabana.

• Epic Universe is Universal’s most ambitious project yet, with fully immersive lands designed to transport you far beyond the theme park experience. Expect themed “portals” that lead to Super Nintendo World complete with a real-life Mario Kart ride, a fire-breathing adventure through How to Train Your Dragon, the moody thrills of the Dark Universe, and the stunning beauty of Celestial Park with its gardens, fountains, and tech-forward attractions. With on-site hotels and new nighttime entertainment in the works, this park is shaping up to be the crown jewel of Universal Orlando Resort.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a fantasy nerd, or just someone who’s overdue for a jaw-dropping family vacation, Epic Universe isn’t just a park – it’s your next obsession.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

LEGOLAND is located about 45 minutes outside Orlando in Winter Haven and is designed specifically for kids ages 2 to 12, making it a dream come true for families with younger adventurers. The park is packed with kid-friendly coasters, hands-on build zones, and larger-than-life LEGO sculptures around every corner, all with blissfully low wait times. Highlights include The Dragon coaster for brave beginners, Ford Driving School where kids earn their own mini license, and LEGO Movie World, where you can fly through Cloud Cuckoo Land on Masters of Flight. 

The adjacent LEGOLAND Water Park features a lazy river with build-your-own rafts and splash zones perfect for cooling off without the sensory overload. And right next door, the Peppa Pig Theme Park caters to the preschool crowd with gentle rides, character meet-and-greets, and yes, plenty of muddy puddles to jump in.

Walt Disney World Resort: The OG, The Icon

With four theme parks, two water parks, and enough magic to power a small city, Walt Disney World is a vacation rite of passage and a logistical marathon worth running. It’s where fairy tales come to life, thrill rides test your scream reflex, and meals sometimes involve characters casually walking by in full costume. Whether you’re planning a first-time trip with kids or a nostalgic return as a grown-up chasing churros and childhood memories, the energy here is electric. Every land, ride, and show is built to immerse you in the story, and somehow it still manages to feel new no matter how many times you’ve been.

• Magic Kingdom brings all the classics: think princess meet-and-greets, daily parades, and Cinderella Castle photo ops that are basically required by law. Ride iconic attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain, and don’t skip Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a kid-friendly coaster that somehow makes grown adults giggle. Stay for the nightly Happily Ever After fireworks show, and yes, bring tissues.

• EPCOT is part global food tour, part science fair, and somehow also home to one of the best coasters in Florida. Stroll through 11 World Showcase pavilions, snack in France, shop in Japan, sip margaritas in Mexico, and then head to Spaceship Earth for a slow ride through human history. The real showstopper is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a backward-launch indoor coaster that spins, rocks out to Star-Lord’s playlist, and will have you asking if you just saved the galaxy.

• Hollywood Studios is where things get loud in the best way. Immerse yourself in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, fly the Millennium Falcon, and drink blue milk like a space local. Little kids will love Toy Story Land with its oversized theming and Slinky Dog Dash coaster, while thrill-seekers can scream through Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or plummet down The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It’s part movie studio, part thrill park, and totally worth the early wake-up.

• Animal Kingdom is where nature meets full-blown fantasy. You can safari through an African savanna spotting real giraffes and elephants, trek through Asia with a close call on Expedition Everest, or venture into the otherworldly beauty of Pandora. Avatar Flight of Passage is the headliner, an immersive ride that simulates flying on a banshee so convincingly you might forget you’re still wearing a backpack. Add in lush jungle trails with tigers and gorillas, river rapids, and Broadway-caliber shows, and this park becomes the sleeper hit of the resort.

ICON Park

ICON Park, located on Orlando’s bustling International Drive, is a walkable entertainment complex that offers a more laid-back vibe compared to the major theme parks, without skimping on family fun. The centerpiece is The Wheel, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel with climate-controlled capsules and sweeping views of the city, especially magical at sunset. Kids will love getting hands-on at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, posing with their favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds, and exploring mind-bending exhibits at the Museum of Illusions. 

The dining options are just as diverse, from casual spots like Shake Shack and Sloppy Joe’s to indulgent treats like mini donuts from Duck Donuts and out-of-this-world milkshakes at Sugar Factory. While the kids burn off energy, parents can sip craft cocktails at Tin Roof or enjoy a breezy patio happy hour with prime people-watching built in.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld blends animal encounters, splash zones, and big-deal roller coasters into one surprisingly action-packed day. Families can watch orcas leap during Orca Encounter, hand-feed stingrays, and waddle alongside penguins in the chilly Antarctica exhibit. For thrill-seekers, rides like Mako (a hypercoaster with serious airtime), Pipeline: The Surf Coaster (a standing coaster that simulates surfing), and Infinity Falls (the world’s tallest river rapids drop) deliver major scream value.

Littles aren’t left out either. Sesame Street Land is a bright, interactive area with gentle rides, splash pads, and meet-and-greets with everyone’s favorite furry friends. Elmo gives excellent hugs, Big Bird hosts story time, and yes, there are cookies, usually with Cookie Monster nearby.

Fun Spot America

Fun Spot is perfect for families wanting thrills without the time (or ticket price) commitment of a full-day theme park. This locally loved spot delivers retro vibes with classic coasters, multi-level go-kart tracks, kiddie rides, and just the right amount of neon. It’s casual, affordable, and surprisingly fun, especially if you’re traveling with kids who have energy to burn but limited patience for long lines.

The White Lightning wooden coaster in Orlando and Mine Blower hybrid coaster in Kissimmee both pack a punch, while little ones can enjoy bumper cars, a mini train, and pint-sized thrill rides. Add in funnel cakes, corn dogs, and cotton candy, and it feels like a county fair that never packed up and left town.

Where Learning is Sneaky Fun (And Sometimes Includes a Skydiving Simulator)

Orlando isn’t just about thrills and theme park selfies. It’s also a playground for little minds, with enough interactive exhibits and educational adventures to make your kids forget they’re technically learning.

Orlando Science Center

This four-story science playground blends hands-on fun with real-life learning. Kids can build and test earthquake-proof structures, dig for dinosaur fossils, and get starry-eyed during shows in the domed planetarium. There’s a nature zone filled with live reptiles, insects, and fish, plus a kid-sized discovery area that’s perfect for toddlers still figuring out gravity. Rotating exhibits keep things fresh for repeat visits. It’s science, but make it chaotic, creative, and kid-approved.

Crayola Experience

Crayola Experience is pure color-fueled chaos in the best way. With over 20 interactive stations, kids can melt wax into spin art, star in their own coloring page, and name and wrap their very own crayons. There’s a massive indoor playground to burn off extra energy and a live show where crayons get made right before your eyes. Expect to leave with colorful hands, proud little artists, and at least one bag of souvenirs you didn’t plan for. Just lean into it.

WonderWorks

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the giant upside-down building on International Drive. Inside, WonderWorks is part science museum, part theme park, and packed with more than 100 interactive exhibits. Kids can experience hurricane-force winds, lie on a bed of nails, navigate a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, or challenge the whole family to laser tag. It’s loud, bright, and a little over-the-top in the best possible way. Come ready for full sensory overload.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Got a kid who’s always jumping off the couch pretending to fly? At iFLY, they can suit up, float midair in a vertical wind tunnel, and live out their superhero dreams without ever boarding a plane. Certified instructors guide each flight, and it’s open to kids as young as three. There are also STEM-themed flight programs that sneak in some science between the big grins and high fives. Whether you’re seven or seventy, this one’s a bucket list experience.

Gatorland

Florida’s OG adventure park is a weird and wonderful mix of wildlife, thrills, and old-school charm. You can feed gators, zipline over a gator-filled swamp, watch live wrestling shows, or spot rare white alligators that look straight out of a cartoon. There’s also a petting zoo, aviary, train ride, and a giant splash pad that’s perfect for cooling off between critter encounters. The whole park feels a little wild, a little offbeat, and way more fun than you might expect. Bonus: short lines and lots of shade.

Indoor Adventures (aka “The AC-Saved-Us” Plan)

Orlando weather has two moods: sun-kissed paradise or Florida is trying to melt me alive. Either way, sometimes you just need a break from the blazing sun (or sudden monsoon) without hitting pause on the fun.

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Let your kids take selfies with superheroes, strike a pose with pop stars, and pretend they’re rubbing elbows with A-listers at this wax figure wonderland. From Marvel icons and DC legends to music royalty and movie stars, the lineup is surprisingly up-to-date and wildly photogenic. The figures are eerily lifelike, which leads to at least one “Wait, are they breathing?” moment per visit. It’s weird, wonderful, and designed for peak family photo ops. Bonus: it’s indoors and air-conditioned, which makes it an easy win on hot or rainy days.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

This aquarium offers a calming, colorful escape from the chaos, complete with a 360-degree tunnel where sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles swim overhead. Kids can dip their hands into touch pools, catch feeding demos, and learn about conservation efforts in surprisingly engaging ways. It’s stroller-friendly, dimly lit, and mercifully quiet compared to most Orlando attractions. The ocean-themed play area is a nice bonus for little ones who need to move. It’s a short visit, but a very satisfying one.

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Andretti is indoor chaos in the best possible form. The main attraction is the high-speed electric go-karts, where kids and grown-ups can live out their Fast & Furious dreams with safety barriers and helmets included. There’s also bowling, a massive arcade, VR racing, a ropes course, laser tag, and a full restaurant if you need to refuel. It’s a perfect rainy-day backup plan or an evening activity when your kids somehow still have energy after walking 10,000 steps. Expect neon lights, loud laughter, and a healthy dose of “just five more minutes.”

Museum of Illusions

This is not your average museum. It’s a visual playground of mind-bending rooms, brain-busting puzzles, and optical illusions that mess with your depth perception and sense of balance in the best way. Think floating heads, upside-down furniture, and infinity mirrors that double as Instagram bait. Kids will love solving the interactive exhibits, while adults will be too busy trying to figure out what’s real and what’s camera trickery. It’s equal parts funhouse and math lesson, and it’s over before anyone gets overstimulated.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Step inside Ripley’s and you’re basically walking through the world’s strangest scrapbook. There are shrunken heads, vampire hunting kits, optical illusions, ancient torture devices, and animal oddities that feel part museum and part fever dream. It’s dark, weird, and endlessly fascinating, especially for kids in their “did-you-know” phase. Every hallway is full of conversation starters, trivia tidbits, and just enough creepiness to feel edgy without crossing a line. It’s the kind of place where kids say “cool” a lot and parents say “I did not need to see that.”

Where to Eat with Kids in Orlando (That Won’t Make You Cry Into Your Fries)

Because when you’re traveling with kids, “dining out” can feel less like a vacation and more like a hostage negotiation. But these Orlando gems? They make family mealtime fun again. Think animatronics, fondue, waterfront views, and just enough chaos to distract from your toddler refusing to eat anything but fries.

T-Rex Cafe (Disney Springs)

This place is like Jurassic Park meets a Disney fever dream, and honestly, your kids are going to lose their tiny minds. T-Rex Cafe is filled with roaring animatronic dinosaurs, erupting volcanoes, and even a meteor shower that goes off every few minutes. Don’t worry, it’s just loud enough to be cool without sparking meltdowns. While the menu leans classic American with burgers, pasta, and dino-shaped nuggets, it’s the interactive dino dig bone pit and prehistoric ambiance that’ll keep little ones wildly entertained. You can even stop by the Build-A-Dino workshop for a souvenir on the way out.

Rainforest Cafe (Disney Springs)

If your kids are more into monkeys than T-Rexes, Rainforest Cafe is the jungle-themed alternative right around the corner. With thunderstorms that roll in on cue and animatronic animals peeking out from the lush greenery, dinner here feels like a tropical adventure. The menu is massive and kid-friendly with all the usual suspects like mac and cheese, grilled chicken, and light-up drinks that are more toy than beverage. Watching your kid’s face light up when the ceiling starts “raining” makes up for every crayon they’ve ever flung under a booth.

Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

This waterfront gem has breezy vacation vibes and a surprisingly parent-friendly perk: an on-site playground. Kids can burn off their grilled cheese energy while you sip something tropical at the tiki bar. The seafood is fresh and crowd-pleasing with dishes like coconut shrimp and mahi sandwiches, and the live music adds just the right amount of background fun. Between the lake views and the relaxed atmosphere, this is a rare win for both grown-ups and their snack-obsessed sidekicks.

Melting Pot (Sand Lake Road)

Fondue might not scream kid-friendly at first, but Melting Pot is an interactive dining experience that totally works for families. With burners at every table and courses made for dipping, even the pickiest eaters find something to love. Start with melted cheese and bread, then move on to meats or veggies, and of course, finish with chocolate fondue that turns strawberries and marshmallows into dessert magic. It’s a splurge spot for sure, but perfect for birthdays or a celebratory “we survived a theme park” dinner.

Café Tu Tu Tango (International Drive)

This artsy small-plates restaurant is part gallery, part kitchen, and somehow totally perfect for families. The space is vibrant and ever-changing, with walls covered in local artwork and live painters often creating masterpieces right in the dining room. The menu is built around shareable dishes, which means everyone can sample a little bit of everything. Even kids will find favorites like flatbreads, sliders, and chicken tenders, while grown-ups enjoy bold flavors and maybe a cocktail or two. It’s fun, unexpected, and way more exciting than another round of fast food.

Your Orlando Family Trip, All Planned Out (With Churros and Chaos Included)

Whether you’re chasing thrills, character hugs, or just five minutes of silence with a churro in hand, Orlando delivers family fun that’s equal parts epic and easy to plan. With world-class attractions, unforgettable shows, themed hotels, and kid-approved experiences around every corner, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your days.

And with Tripster, you can book everything in one place, from park tickets and vacation packages to exclusive deals that keep the magic high and the stress low. Add in dining, water parks, museums, and a little gator-related chaos for good measure, and you’ve got a memory-making itinerary that practically builds itself. Consider this your family’s ultimate trip-planning power move, made easier, smarter, and way more fun with Tripster.

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