Orlando Summer Activities for Kids & Families

Extreme Water Adventures

Not the sun bather/lounger type? Kick it up a notch and plan a day of water play at one of these outfitters.

• Buena Vista Water Sports: A tropical island playground with kayaks, paddle boards and wave runner rentals. Take wakeboard and waterski lessons on Lake Bryan.
• Molli Miller Surf School: Book a private surf lesson at your favorite beach with retired pro surfer and certified teacher Molli Miller. She’ll take care of checking tides and surf based on your family’s ability level and provide all the supplies needed (including rash guards) for an enjoyable day connecting to nature. Molli uses her teaching experience to learn about each person’s interests and learning styles. By the end of one lesson, you’ll be riding waves!
• Nona Adventure Park: Challenge yourself to the water obstacle course, climbing tower or wakeboarding cable course.
• Orlando Watersports Complex: Check out the AquaPark, wakeboarding cable park and Splashes Bistro & Snack Bar.
• Paddleboard Orlando: Take a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) family lesson and tour or try a SUP & Swim/Hike Eco Adventure. 
• Bioluminescent Kayak Tour: Take a night-time kayak ride through the Indian River to experience this natural phenomenon.
• Wild Florida Airboats: Can you really call yourself a Central Floridian if you haven’t been on an airboat ride? We were surprised by how relaxing the ride is.

Orlando Museums: Family Programs

Add in some educational experiences for a well-rounded summer. Attend these summer programs created just for families.

• The Mennello Museum of American Art – Every second Sunday of the month from 12-2:30 p.m. is Free Family Funday, which includes free admission, a miniature fine art project and docent touring. Each month has a different theme based on the current art exhibit. Leave some time before you head home to play on the coolest climbing tree in Orlando, right outside in the parking lot.

• Morse Museum – This summer, the Tuesday Family Tours (with take-home activity) and Friday Family Film programs are free and focus on pottery. Registration is required.  

• Orlando Fire Museum – Summer Story Time on August 9 from 10–11:30 a.m. is a free program that features a fire safety lesson, book reading and light refreshments. Story time is recommended for kids up to age 6. RSVP at orlandofiremuseum.org/storytime. 

• Orlando Museum of Art – Get your kids hooked on art by attending one of the many family programs, such as Book and a Look (story time on select Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for kids ages 2-6), Family Yoga (taught by Kids Yoga instructor on select Fridays at 11 a.m.; includes fun games, music and stories for kids ages 3 and up), Stroller Tours and Creative Connection (an art program for youth with developmental and learning disabilities).

• Orlando Science Center – There’s something for everyone! Families can work together on a project at The Hive (a makerspace). You won’t be able to pull the kids away from digging for dinosaur bones and splashing and climbing at KidsTown. Teens will love The Flight Lab and a movie at the CineDome. A family membership is only $165 per year!

• Skeletons: Museum of Osteology – Mark your calendars for Family Fun Day on June 28. For only $10 per person, families can travel around the museum to complete activities at themed touch tables. Add on an owl pellet dissection kit for a $5 upgrade. Afterward, stay and play all day at ICON Park. 

Pint-sized pampering

Book some TLC for your littles at these salons just for kids!

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Disney Springs 
• Harmony Barber Shop, Magic Kingdom  
• Pigtails & Crewcuts, Winter Springs & Dr. Phillips
• Pio-Pio Kids Salon, Winter Park & Oviedo Mall 
• Magical Moments, The Spa at Four Seasons
• Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, Winter Park

CLIMB, BOUNCE AND FLY

Indoor obstacle and trampoline parks are all the rage. Get some exercise while having fun at these airconditioned parks.

• Altitudes Trampoline Park, Sanford
• DEFY Orlando, Orlando
• Monkey Joe’s, Winter Park
• Planet Obstacle, Lake Mary
• Orlando Parkour, Longwood

DINNER & A SHOW

Try something new at these kid-friendly dinner shows. 

1. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Set sail on this family-friendly experience that includes a 3-course meal during a 2-hour interactive show.  
2. Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Shows: An interactive comedy show where you become the detective, and your table works together to solve the crime.
3. Medieval Times: Huzzah!It’s a king’s feast while you watch jousters, sword fighting and medieval-style games.
4. The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show (WonderWorks): You become part of the act at this wacky and hilarious magic show.

Visit a Children’s Indoor Playground

Let your children roam and explore at these interactive indoor playgrounds. Good luck dragging them out!

• My Little Town Kids, South Orlando
• Millie Moo’s, Orlando West
• O2B Kids, Oviedo & Altamonte Springs
• The Play Park, The Florida Mall

MAKE A SKATE DATE

Let the good times roll during family programs and events at these skating
rinks and parks.

• RDV Ice Den – Go during public skate or enroll the kids in the Summer Learn to Skate group class that meets once a week for 30-minutes, followed by 15 minutes of practice. There are 4-week and 8-week programs available for kids ages 3 and up.

• Astro Skate Family Fun Center – Take newbies to roller skating lessons held every Saturday morning ($8) followed by Tiny Tot Skate from 10 a.m.-Noon. No registration required. Or roller jam together during Family Skate on Saturdays from 7:30-10:30 p.m. for only $20 for a family of up to 5 people.

• Semoran Skateway – Stop by for weekly Family Fun Night on Tuesdays from 6:30-9 p.m. $6 plus $2 skate rentals.

• Metro Skate Park – Calling all skaters, bladers and scooters! Skate indoor all day for $8 ($10 on Saturdays). Helmets are required and are available for rent.