For any family, Orlando in Florida has always been a dreamland. Its countless theme parks, museums that are interactive, and other natural hotspots have made this city numbered among those cities that promise to make your family vacations unforgettable. Thrills or education- as the options may be- families have endless options here in Orlando. Now, let’s share with you the top 10 family-friendly attractions in Orlando that offer unforgettable fun for all ages.
Introduction
While Orlando has for some time now been associated with family vacations, the city isn’t short of action-from thrilling roller coasters down to magic worlds. In case you have planned a trip with your kids, well, you are in for a treat! This post covers the best family-friendly Orlando attractions for anyone planning to create lifelong memories. This list has something for every kind of traveler-be it budget-conscious or purely indulgent.
From the best family-friendly attractions to why Orlando is one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the world, we will also include some insider details on things to do in Orlando with kids to make it worth your time.
Top 10 Family-Friendly Attractions in Orlando
Walt Disney World Resort
No list of family-friendly Orlando attractions is complete without the inclusion of Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is magic that happens within the confines of its four theme parks and two water parks. From meeting favorite Disney characters to some of the most advanced rides, families will find endless entertainment here.
Iconic things to see and do at the Magic Kingdom include Cinderella’s Castle and It’s a Small World. At Epcot, kids get to mess around with future technologies, not to mention the World Showcase, where they get to “visit” different countries in one day. Animal Kingdom brings nature and adventure together in a very special blend of thrilling rides and wildlife experiences. Hollywood Studios lets kids dive into worlds from Star Wars to Toy Story.
First on the list of things to do in Orlando with kids has got to be Disney World. Because it is a theme park that appeals to all ages, family-friendly dining and shopping, and even to resorts to stay in-so you can be surrounded by the magic both day and night.
Universal Orlando Resort
Coming up next on our list of things to do on your trip to Orlando with the fam is the Universal Orlando Resort: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park. Universal is perfect for families who enjoy movie magic combined with heart-pounding rides.
From Universal Studios, families are transported into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with butterbeer and a place in Diagon Alley where they can cast their spells with ease. At Islands of Adventure, heart-stopping, adrenaline-coursing rides such as the Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Skull Island: Reign of Kong make them scream with excitement. Seuss Landing has fun rides and experiences targeted towards their youngest kids, using the fun books of Dr. Seuss.
Volcano Bay is Universal’s on-site water park, ideal for a fun-filled day of splashing around. Lazy rivers, water slides, and relaxation time in beach cabanas-the family can pick their mix of activities. Universal also ranks high among the best family attractions in Orlando because it truly has something for every age, from tots to teens.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is so much more than an aquarium: it’s an interactive mix of marine life encounters, added with great rides that make this one of the Orlando attractions not to be missed by families. Kids can learn about sea creatures through many interactive exhibits and live shows, often combined with roller coasters.
The key events include the One Ocean show featuring killer whales, followed by the Dolphin Days performance. Experience the thrill of high-speed chills on the Mako roller coaster. For the younger kids, there is Sesame Street Land, an interactive set of rides, shows, and play areas targeted just for toddlers and preschoolers.
SeaWorld offers behind-the-scenes tours where families get to interact with penguins, dolphins, and sea lions, making it an ideal destination for those animal-loving families searching out Orlando’s most kid-friendly spots.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is one of the most popular choices for younger children and young future builders. This out-of-town Orlando amusement park is packed with family-friendly amusements related to everyone’s favorite building blocks: LEGOs!
LEGOLAND has entertaining rides, interactive shows, and even the possibility for children to create something of their own. The main attractions are Miniland USA, consisting of millions of LEGO bricks that recreate famous landmarks and cities, and LEGO Movie World, an area dedicated to the popular animated movies.
LEGOLAND Water Park welcomes kids of all ages to cool off with slides, wave pools, and even a lazy river in which they can build their own raft. This will be the perfect spot for your family, seeking imagination combined with fun: a place among the best in family attractions in Orlando.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Situated not too far from Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a day out that is both instructive yet thrilling for families. Young would-be astronauts will be thrilled to see the space exhibits, meet living, breathing astronauts, and even witness rocket launches themselves, which makes the center truly one of a kind in things to do with kids in Orlando.
Kids like the interactive exhibits, such as the Shuttle Launch Experience, where they can get the feeling of launching into space. The Astronaut Training Experience allows the older kids to get a taste of what living and working in space is like. The whole family may enjoy Heroes & Legends, an exhibit which pays homage to the pioneers of space.
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The Kennedy Space Center is one of those places that a family should never miss, especially for those who love space.
Gatorland
If your kids are into animals and adventure, then Gatorland is the place to be. Marketed as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland offers families a chance to get up close and personal with Florida’s most famous reptiles. Watch thrilling alligator shows, go on Screamin’ Gator Zip LINES, or even hold a baby gator.
Gatorland also has a petting zoo and swamp walk for those families that want to get wild in Orlando. One of the more unusual Orlando attractions for families gets even more unusual if your family has children who are lovers of animals.
Crayola Experience
Crayola Experience at The Florida Mall will bring you all the colors and creativity to spend the day having fun. The 26 hands-on attractions, including Melt & Mold, will let kids take turns creating their own custom crayon shape as well as make spin art by dripping melted crayons during Drip Art.
The Crayola Experience is great for small children and is a good diversion from the larger theme parks. This colorful escapade constitutes one of the best family things to do in Orlando, especially when you’re looking for educational and fun activities.
ICON Park
Situated on International Drive, ICON Park is home to one of Orlando’s most famous landmarks: The Wheel. This 400-foot tall observation wheel provides great views of the city and is a must-do for families.
Along with The Wheel, ICON Park boasts other child-friendly facilities like the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium for kids who want to view all kinds of fish and sea animals, Madame Tussauds Orlando with their realistic models of celebrities. Restaurants and playing areas complete its facility, making it a very suitable place to rest for families.
ICON Park is among the best kid-friendly places to have in Orlando for thrill and leisure.
Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is an alternative for families who wish to learn in an interactive and entertaining style. From dinosaurs to outer space, even technology-family-friendly Orlando develops with a more educative approach.
Among the highlights are the kids’ section, which is meant for kids below 7 years of age, and DinoDigs, an exhibition where children study and dig dinosaur fossils. The center houses an observatory, live science shows, and 3D films.
Orlando Science Center is definitely one of those places where one should not miss visiting in Orlando if they look for things to do with kids in a fun-filled manner along with learning.
Lake Eola Park
The place gives a natural feel to the families who spend time here, especially for those looking for relief from the theme parks. Located in downtown Orlando, Lake Eola Park is a venue that offers some peaceful days out for a family through the renting of swan-shaped paddle boats, having picnics, and going for a walk around the lake.
Lake Eola Park also puts on a weekly farmer’s market, further making it one of the more laid-back family-friendly Orlando attractions. It’s a great place to catch one’s breath between theme parks yet still caters to ample activities for kids.
Final Thoughts
With world-famous theme parks, plenty of hands-on learning opportunities, and tons of just plain fun, Orlando is a family-friendly town. Whether they like to live on the edge or discover new worlds, Orlando offers something for every family.
Hopefully, this guide on the best family things to do in Orlando has helped you in planning your trip. What are you most excited about seeing? Let us know in the comments below; feel free to share with us some of your favorite family-friendly spots in Orlando!
