PLAYGROUND
Spring is in full bloom. Enjoy the gorgeous Florida weather and make some memories with your family at these local events.
Submit an event here.
All Month Long
Run For Hope 5K
May 2022
This month, you can give the gift of hope when you and your loved one participate in our virtual 5K benefiting AdventHealth Cancer Institute. Walk, run or jog anywhere, anytime to help cancer research efforts today.
May 1-8, 2022
Celebrate May Day
May 1
Click here for a list of activities for you to do at home.
$10 Day
Orlando Science Center
May 1
Science, learning, discovery and family fun for half price!
Rock Painting & Farm Animals
Green Acres Farm of Oviedo/Geneva
May 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Paint rocks, visit farm animals and shop local vendors. Cost is a minimum donation of $5 per person.
St. John’s River Festival of the Arts
Historic Downtown Sanford
May 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Over 150 acclaimed local, regional and national artists will gather in the heart of Sanford for a weekend of art appreciation and education. As guests stroll the streets, they’ll have opportunities to shop artist booths, view live “Art-In-Action” demonstrations, try hand crafted food from different cuisines at the Culinary Arts Food Court and enjoy live acoustic tunes and craft beers as the festival goes on.
The SpongeBob Musical
Dr. Phllips Center
May 6-9 & 11-15, 12 p.m, 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m.
The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!
Kids Night Out: Star Wars Night
Florida Film Academy, Winter Garden
Friday, May 6, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Kids ages 7-12 can enjoy a pizza and movie making fun! Students work together as a team and make original short films during this popular Friday night event. Kids can come as they are or dress as their favorite Star Wars character or Sci-Fi character. Tuition: $50 per child
Fish Winter Springs
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs
May 7, 8 a.m.
Enjoy a morning of safe, fishing fun! Register your child to experience the leisure and fun of fishing. Poles and bait will be available to use, and our Parks & Recreation team will be there to assist with casting, baiting and taking pictures. In the end, kids will take home a FREE fishing pole! Registration is open to children ages 5 -12.
Kid’s Night at the Museum: Mess-Mania!
Orlando Science Center
May 7, 6-10 p.m.
$70 Members or $75 Non-Members
Youth ages 5 to 12 years old are invited to explore exhibits, experience enhanced programming, and enjoy a pizza dinner in age-appropriate groups. They will also participate in hands-on activities and see an interactive Live Science Show or film. Caregivers can enjoy a stress and child-free evening on the town while children have an entertaining experience of their own exploring the wonders of everything the Science Center has to offer. This is the last Kids Night at the Museum until the fall, so get your tickets before they’re gone.
Family Fun Campout: Special Mother’s Day Event
Geneva Wilderness Area
May 7-8; Saturday 2 p.m.-Sunday 9 a.m.
Learn to camp in a fun, family-oriented event. Meals included! There will be tent-pitching assistance, cast iron cooking, a wildlife program, fishing, s’mores over a campfire and more. Register online at recreation.seminolecountyfl.gov. This event is tailored for families with children ages 5 – 13. Limited to 40 participants. One tent per family. Cost: $15 per person. Tents can be provided for an additional fee.
Humpty Dumpty Falls in Love
presented by The Little People’s Theater
Penguin Point Productions, Oviedo Mall
Saturdays, May 7, 17, 21 & 28 at 1 p.m.
A fun storybook play for children ages 3 to 8. Wholesome and never scary. 40 minutes long. $10 for adults, $8 for children
Free Admission for Mothers
Leu Gardens
May 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Enjoy this special day with your mom in the Orlando’s most beautiful garden. Stroll the winding pathways and discover all the various areas including their amazing butterfly garden! Moms receive free admission on this very special day. Garden Admission: $15 adult and $10 child (4 – 17 years of age) and Free for Moms on this special day.
Free Family Funday
Mennello Museum
May 8, 12-2:30 p.m. (Second Sundays)
Visit the museum for free admission, docent led tours of the galleries and a fine art project! Each Free Family Funday has a different theme based on the current exhibition in the museum.
Submit an event here.
May 9-15, 2022
Storytime at the Zoo
Central Florida Zoo
Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m.
Preschool-aged children can enjoy stories presented by the Orange County Library System at this FREE program inside the Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center! Zoo admission not included.
The SpongeBob Musical
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
May 11, 12 p.m.
The stakes are higher than ever in The SpongeBob Musical, the dynamic stage musical based on the iconic Nickelodeon series! SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!
Rock of Ages
Dr. Phillips Center
May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Park Maitland School presents Rock of Ages School Edition.
Viva la Música
SeaWorld
May 14-22 (Saturdays & Sundays only)
This festive, family-friendly Latin celebration is only here for two weekends with music, authentic cuisines, crafts and much more. It is sure to get your taste buds and feet dancing. Don’t miss it! This festival is included with your admission.
Fish Winter Springs
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs
May 14, 8 a.m.
Enjoy a morning of safe, fishing fun! Register your child to experience the leisure and fun of fishing. Poles and bait will be available to use, and our Parks & Recreation team will be there to assist with casting, baiting and taking pictures. In the end, kids will take home a FREE fishing pole! Registration is open to children ages 5 -12.
Snakes of Florida Class
Ed Yarborough Nature Center, Geneva
Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m.-Noon
Join a local expert from Seminole County Natural Lands as he introduces and dispels some of the myths about these often-misunderstood cold-blooded residents! Finish the class with a hike around the wilderness area in search of snakes. Cost: $5 per person; Ages: 7+ (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Family Fest
Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
May 14, 12–5 p.m.
Family Fest is an afternoon of fun for the whole family. Featuring a focus on learning, this event is the perfect place for kids to think outside the box with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities and demonstrations. Enjoy games, giveaways, live animals, crafts and so much more. Admission is free. Food is available for purchase. Special Features and/or Activities: science demos, police & fire vehicle displays, SCSO helicopter drill, police K-9 demo, fishing derby, live animals.
Mess Fest!
Orlando Science Center
May 14 & 15
Get ready for some serious fun this weekend getting messy with special activities and experiments during Mess Fest, where curious minds of all ages can get down and dirty with some good, clean science fun! From spin art and splatapults to foamsplosions, sloppy scientists can join us for the ooiest, gooiest experiments around as we learn about colorful chemistry, flashy physics, and SPLAT-tacular science!
Lunar Eclipse Viewing Event
Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College
May 15, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Join the staff of the Emil Buehler Planetarium and the Central Florida Astronomical Society as they observe this years total eclipse of the Moon. A lunar eclipse is when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow, creating an eerie red color which has given it the nickname, “Blood Moon”. The event will begin at 8 p.m. and will go on until 3 a.m. with totality happening around midnight. The event is FREE to attend and all are welcome. The viewing event will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the planetarium and baseball field. There will also be a virtual live-streaming event in partnership with Highpoint Scientific. The livestream event will start at 10 p.m. EDT and can be accessed by clicking this link.
Submit an event here.
May 16-22, 2022
MEGACON Orlando
Orange County Convention Center
May 19 – 22
Experience one of North America’s largest Comic, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming events. Four BIG days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await.
Sanford Riverwalk Rhythm & Brews BBQ Fest
Saturday, May 21, 12 – 10 p.m.
Fort Mellon Park
Kickoff summer along the Sanford Riverwalk with live music on the lawn, mouthwatering BBQ from 20 competing cooks and refreshing craft, import and domestic brews
Symphony Storytime: A Treeful of Monkeys
The Plaza Live
May 21 & 22, Times Vary
The Symphony Storytime Series at The Plaza Live is specially designed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra with your family in mind. Enjoy live music for young children, ages three to seven, along with narration and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations that bring favorite children’s classics to life. Tickets start at just $10 and children ages 2 & under are free.
Monster Jam World Finals
Camping World Stadium
May 21-22
This two-day championship is the biggest event of the season and showcases the best trucks and drivers in Racing, Freestyle, High Jump and Skills competitions.
Kids Fringe Theater Festival
Orlando Garden Club
May 21 & 22, 28 & 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kids Fringe is a four day, kid-friendly fringe festival happening on weekends during the Orlando Fringe Festival. Performances, workshops, meet and greets, and interactive art experiences are offered by touring and local Fringe artists, local arts organizations and local artists.
Submit an event here.
May 23-31, 2022
Gator Week
Wild Florida
May 23-28
You and your family can enjoy a week full of gator-themed activities and demonstrations. Wild Florida is dedicating an entire week to educating and debunking many common myths surrounding these reptiles along their reptile cousins through live demonstrations and interactive experiences. There will be plenty of fun photo-ops and guest appearances made by some popular inhabitants of Wild Florida’s Gator Park. The best part is that Wild Florida is offering everyone who makes a small cash donation FREE admission to their Gator Park during Gator Week!
Taste of Baldwin Park
Thursday, May 26, 6:30-10 p.m.
All-inclusive wines, craft beer, food stations and a live band. It will be a fun night-out to kick-off the Memorial Day weekend. Tickets include “Unlimited Tastings” from 25 + vendors, craft beers, wine, specialty cocktails, soda/water.
Family Sunset at the Zoo
Central Florida Zoo
Friday, May 27, 5-8 p.m.
Enjoy inflatable games, music and more as you stroll around the Zoo! Gates reopen at 5 p.m. for guests to enjoy the Zoo at sunset and music in the Tropical Splash Ground. Last admission into the Zoo will be at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $6 online, $8 at the door.
Kids Night Out: Welcome to Summer
Mad Science Lab (Oviedo)
Friday, May 27, 6-9 p.m.
This drop-off program for kids ages 4-12 (potty trained and bathroom independent) includes tons of science fun. During Kids Night Out, kiddos enjoy a science class, games, activities and movie time.
Pre-Register: $25/Child; Drop-Ins: $30/Child
The Seasons
Presented by Creative City Project
The Plaza Live
May 27 & 28
This is a new and unique orchestral event intended to engage all of the senses with live music, larger-than-life projections, scents, special effects, and seasonal food (with the full experience ticket) & drinks! The Seasons features live musicians playing Vivaldi’s symphony accompanied by large-scale projections and sensory elements filling the room. Wind, snow, falling leaves and other seasonal, sensory elements and surprises will combine to create a totally new orchestral experience that brings art to life. The Seasons is also accompanied by small bites inspired by each season. Tickets are $50 per person for a Premium Seat Ticket, which includes The Seasons Sampler bites. General Admission Tickets are $35 per person. Purchase at: www.creativecityproject.com/the-seasons-orlando.
Submit an event here.
