Things to Do in Orlando with Kids Besides Theme Parks

You know we love Disney. So much. We also love Universal Orlando. We love our theme parks. But did you know there’s so much to do in Orlando besides theme parks? You can have so much fun with kids in Orlando without ever stepping foot in a theme park. If you’re here on vacation and looking for a day outside of the theme parks, this post is for you. Or if you’re a local and looking for something new to do with your kids, this post is for you. Or maybe you’re a grandparent that has the grands coming in for a visit. This post is for you! There are so many things to do in Orlando with kids, and I’m sharing some of my favorites as a native daughter of the City Beautiful.

While Disney is great we have 10 plus ideas on other things to do with your kid in Orlando, whether you're visiting or moving to the area. #Orlando #TravelGuide

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids: Local Parks and Playgrounds

When my kids were younger, we spent hours and hours at local parks and playgrounds. I took it as a personal challenge to look for new and different playgrounds and parks. A morning at the park is an easy way to let the kids burn off some energy, and it’s cheap! And Orlando has so many awesome parks to discover!

Dr. P. Phillips Community Park

This beautiful park is located on the shores of Big Sand Lake at 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32836. It features a large play structure as well as a splash park! We’ve spent many hours at this park, and it’s perfect for a gathering with friends. It is conveniently located to the tourist areas of town, so it’s an easy stop for your vacation. Be sure to check out their website for more information.

things to do in Orlando with kids — Image courtesy of Dr. Phillips Charities

Dr Phillips playground — Image courtesy of Dr. Phillips Charities

Winter Park Community Playground

This park is better known as the Castle Playground because of the large wooden structure. It is located at 255 South Denning Drive, Winter Park, FL, 32789. It has swings and slides and all sorts of structures to climb on. There are facilities available as well as a pavilion. This playground is located in Winter Park, which is worth a visit for Orlando residents and visitors alike. There are lots of amazing restaurants, museums, and boutiques in downtown Winter Park to explore. And if you have kids, including this park in your Winter Park itinerary is a smart idea.

Winter Park castle park — Image courtesy of the City of Winter Park

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake

This is a huge complex at 183 acres. Turkey Lake is known for it’s fishing, but it also has a great playground and space for kids to run and play. It’s located at 3401 S Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL, 32835. There is a $5 fee per day, but if you have a bunch of kids like us, this is a great price per person! There are trails, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and more. You can easily spend a day at Turkey Lake.

Turkey Lake park — Photo courtesy of the City of Orlando

There are so many more amazing playgrounds and parks in Orlando as well. When you’re looking for things to do in Orlando with kids, parks and playgrounds are a great option.

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids: Museums and More

Orlando may not be well known for its art scene. But there are several wonderful options for art and culture in Orlando. And with many of them having special days or events that cater specifically to kids, it should definitely be included in things to do in Orlando with kids!

Orlando Science Center

We’ve had a family membership to the Orlando Science Center for many years in the past. They have a gorgeous toddler area and play zone that kids could spend hours and hours in alone! They also have educational movies and traveling displays. Especially in the summer, this is a great option for an indoor, air conditioned day of fun for kids.

Morse Museum

This museum contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. I know what you’re thinking, breakable! And you’re right. But in all honesty, the Morse Museum is one of my favorite museums in Orlando for kids. It’s very affordable with kids under 12 being FREE and they offer homeschooling programs as well. We visited this museum years ago and we often still mention it or quote facts that we learned there!

Fort Christmas Historical Park

This is a historical park that is well known for locals and homeschoolers as a field trip destination. The park includes a replica of a fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War; a traditional Florida “Cracker” house and eight pioneer homes; a schoolhouse and lunchroom; a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment. It’s spacious, has a great playground, and has lots of room to run around, while also hopefully learning something!

Wycliffe Discovery Center

For those looking to learn more about Bible translation, the Wycliffe Discovery Center is the place to be. From their website: The Wycliffe Discovery Center is an interactive experience for people of all ages. Whether you’re 5 or 75 years old, you’ll enjoy learning about people, languages and cultures all over the world. You’ll also come face to face with the staggering number of people who are still waiting for a single word of the Bible in their own language. There are challenges that you can complete for all different ages. During our visit, I was so impressed with the various levels of challenges for my various aged children.

Things to Do in Orlando with Kids: So Many Options!

I’ve shared some awesome options that maybe you haven’t thought of yet for a day out with kids in Orlando. But the list is really endless of fun things to do with kids in Orlando. Some more options include:

And so many more! Let me know in the comments what some of your favorites in Orlando are with kids. I love this city, and I love helping you learn love it even more!