Things to Do in Orlando, FL With Kids: The 2026 Family Guide by Age

The best things to do in Orlando with kids are the big theme parks, which you should match to your kids' ages, plus the experiences you cannot get at home. Think alligators at an airboat park, wild manatees in a spring, a real Saturn V rocket at Kennedy Space Center, and a pirate dinner show. Little ones do best at Magic Kingdom, LEGOLAND Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park. School-age kids love SeaWorld, the water parks and the wildlife tours. Tweens and teens want Universal and Epic Universe. Mix one big park day with one lighter day, and the whole trip gets easier and cheaper.

Jump to what your family wants to do:

Orlando for kids of every age

Babies and toddlers (ages 0 to 4)

Keep days short and plan around naps. Magic Kingdom is the classic first park, with gentle rides and characters everywhere. Peppa Pig Theme Park, next door to LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, is built entirely for preschoolers. Both Disney and Universal let children under 3 in free, and both offer a rider swap (Rider Switch at Disney, Child Swap at Universal), so parents can take turns on bigger rides without waiting in line twice.

Little kids (ages 5 to 8)

This is the sweet spot for Orlando. LEGOLAND Florida is designed for kids 2 to 12, so almost every ride is fair game. SeaWorld has Sesame Street Land for younger kids plus animal encounters, and Universal Studios Florida has DreamWorks Land for this age group. Outside the parks, an airboat ride or a wildlife park is often the moment they talk about most.

Tweens (ages 9 to 12)

Tweens are tall enough for most rides and old enough to love the stories behind them. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are the big draw. Kennedy Space Center is the best educational day trip in Florida at this age, and a clear kayak tour over a spring full of manatees is unforgettable.

Teens (ages 13 and up)

Teens want thrills. Universal and Epic Universe have the biggest coasters in town, Volcano Bay has trap-door drop slides, and indoor skydiving on International Drive is a highlight that has nothing to do with a theme park. Give older teens some independence with a meet-up plan and a phone.

Theme parks for kids

Theme parks are the anchor of most family trips, so buy tickets early and pick your days with our park calendars, such as the Magic Kingdom calendar and best days to go and the LEGOLAND Florida calendar. Park maps for planning are on our Theme Park Maps page.

Water parks

Orlando has four major water parks, and every one has a dedicated area for small kids. Universal's Volcano Bay has Tot Tiki Reef for toddlers and Runamukka Reef for kids (see the Volcano Bay map). Aquatica has Walkabout Waters, a multi-level water play fortress (see the Aquatica map). Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach round out the list, and Island H2O in Kissimmee is a smaller option.

Local tip: summer afternoon thunderstorms close slides for lightning, so go in the morning. Disney usually runs only one of its two water parks in the cooler months, so check which is open. Compare them all in our best water parks in Orlando guide.

Wildlife and the outdoors

Kids who have only seen cartoon alligators rarely forget their first real one. An airboat ride on the Everglades headwaters near Kissimmee gets you close to gators, turtles and wading birds in the wild, and several tours pair the airboat with a wildlife park. Airboats are loud, so bring ear protection for little ones.

In the cooler months, manatees gather in Central Florida's warm springs. A clear kayak tour lets older kids watch them glide underneath, and guided manatee encounters suit younger families.

Beyond the theme parks

Kennedy Space Center is about an hour east of Orlando. Kids stand under a Saturn V moon rocket and walk beneath Space Shuttle Atlantis. It is best for ages 6 and up, and a tour with transportation saves the drive. Read our Kennedy Space Center day trip guide.

On International Drive, WonderWorks (the upside-down building) is packed with hands-on science exhibits, and ICON Park has the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. Crayola Experience is a hit with younger kids who like to create.

Rainy day things to do with kids

Summer storms usually pass within an hour or two, but when it pours, head indoors:

• WonderWorks on International Drive: more than 100 hands-on exhibits under one roof.
• SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park: sharks, rays and a walk-through ocean tunnel.
• Crayola Experience Orlando: creative, hands-on activities for younger kids.
• Indoor skydiving: wind tunnel flights for kids and adults, no parachute needed.
• Dinner shows: fully indoor and air-conditioned, and dinner is included.

Family dinner shows

After a long park day, nobody wants to hunt for a restaurant. Orlando's dinner shows solve that and deliver a show at the same time. Pirates Dinner Adventure puts the audience around a full-size pirate ship. Medieval Times in Kissimmee has knights, horses and jousting while you eat. The Polynesian Fire Luau has hula, a live band and a fire knife finale (read our luau in Orlando guide). See all of them in our best dinner shows in Orlando.

Free and cheap things to do with kids

• Disney Springs is free to enter, with live music, a LEGO store and splash fountains.
• Lake Eola Park downtown has a playground, a one-mile walking loop and swan pedal boats for rent.
• ICON Park on International Drive is free to walk around; you only pay for the attractions.
• Old Town Kissimmee is free to walk, with classic car shows on some evenings.
• State parks, such as Wekiwa Springs, cost a small vehicle entry fee for a day of swimming and trails.

More ideas in our free and cheap things to do in Orlando guide and on our things to do under $25 page.

Family events in Orlando this month

Orlando's events calendar changes every month. Here is what usually happens this month and next. Dates change each year, so confirm with the organizer before you go. Adults-only scare events are left out of this list.

Orlando with kids, season by season

• Fall (September to November): Halloween season. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld's daytime Halloween weekends are made for kids. See our Orlando Halloween events guide.
• Winter (December to February): Holiday events at every park, cooler weather and manatee season in the springs. Some water parks close for part of the season.
• Spring (March to May): Festival season at EPCOT and great weather, but spring break brings big crowds.
• Summer (June to August): Hot, humid and busy, with afternoon thunderstorms most days. Plan parks in the morning, pools in the afternoon.

Not sure when to go? Read our guide to the best time to visit Orlando.

Babysitting and childcare

Want a parents' night out? Disney recommends Kid's Nite Out, an independent childcare company, for in-room babysitting at Walt Disney World resort hotels. Sitters come to your room or can join your family as an extra set of hands. Book ahead, especially for holiday weeks, and ask your hotel which childcare services it works with if you are staying off Disney property.

A sample five-day family itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive, settle in and spend the evening at Disney Springs or ICON Park.
2. Day 2: Big theme park day. Arrive before opening and ride the headliners first.
3. Day 3: Lighter day. Morning airboat ride, afternoon at the pool, evening dinner show.
4. Day 4: Kennedy Space Center with transportation, or LEGOLAND for younger kids.
5. Day 5: Water park morning, then a second park day or rest.

Want a custom plan? Our trip planner quiz builds one around your family.

Tips from locals for Orlando with kids

• Alternate big and light days. Two big park days in a row wears out most kids by day three.
• Beat the heat. Parks are coolest and least crowded at opening. Take a pool break at midday and come back in the evening.
• Plan around afternoon storms. In summer, have an indoor backup for 3 to 5 p.m.
• Measure your kids before you go. Height limits decide which rides they can do. Check each park's height requirements so nobody is surprised at the front of the line.
• Use rider swap. Disney's Rider Switch and Universal's Child Swap let parents take turns without two waits.
• Watch out for I-4. Interstate 4 traffic can eat an hour. Staying near the parks you will visit most saves time.
• Pack for the sun. Sunscreen, hats, refillable water bottles and a change of clothes for water rides.

Where to stay with kids

Family resorts with water parks, suites with kitchens and vacation homes make Orlando easy with kids. See our guides to family hotels in Orlando, hotels near Disney World, hotels near Universal Orlando Resort and hotels near LEGOLAND Florida.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Orlando, FL with kids?

Orlando has more than a dozen theme and water parks, wildlife parks and airboat tours, Kennedy Space Center, indoor attractions like WonderWorks and SEA LIFE Aquarium, family dinner shows, springs with manatees and free spots like Disney Springs and Lake Eola Park.

What is the best theme park in Orlando for toddlers?

Magic Kingdom and Peppa Pig Theme Park are the best for toddlers. LEGOLAND Florida is also a great fit because it is designed for kids ages 2 to 12.

What can kids do in Orlando besides theme parks?

Airboat rides, wildlife parks, manatee tours, Kennedy Space Center, WonderWorks, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Crayola Experience, indoor skydiving, dinner shows and beach day trips. See our guide to things to do in Orlando besides theme parks.

What are free things to do in Orlando with kids?

Disney Springs, Lake Eola Park, ICON Park and Old Town Kissimmee are all free to visit. You only pay for rides, attractions, food and parking.

What can kids do in Orlando when it rains?

Head to indoor attractions: WonderWorks, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Crayola Experience, indoor skydiving or a dinner show.

How many days do you need in Orlando with kids?

Five to seven days allows two or three theme park days plus rest days, a water park and one or two tours without rushing.

What is the best age to take kids to Orlando?

Any age works, but kids 5 to 12 get the most from the widest range of attractions. Under 3s get into Disney and Universal free, and teens are happiest at Universal and Epic Universe.

Is there babysitting in Orlando for tourists?

Yes. Disney recommends Kid's Nite Out, an independent company, for in-room babysitting at Walt Disney World resort hotels. Many other hotels can refer you to a licensed childcare service.

Plan your family trip

Orlando is built for families, but the best trips mix the big parks with gators, rockets, springs and a pirate or two. Start with the parks that fit your kids' ages, add one or two experiences from this guide, and book the busiest ones early. Browse every family-friendly tour and event, or see what is on today.