Things to Do in Orlando With Kids: A Family Day Plan

At a glance

Where: Orlando, Florida: downtown, Loch Haven Park, the Garden District, Baldwin Park, International Drive and Lake Nona
Best for: Babies to teenagers; picks below are tagged by age
Cost: Several picks are free (Lake Eola Park, Blue Jacket Park, the Orlando Public Library); gardens, museums and theme parks charge admission, so check each official site
Parking: Free at Harry P. Leu Gardens and Blue Jacket Park; paid garage at Orlando Science Center; street parking only at Lake Eola Park
Hours: Typically daytime; Orlando Science Center is typically closed Wednesdays and swan boats at Lake Eola Park are closed Mondays; check the official site before you go

A good family day in Orlando is two or three stops, not ten: start in the morning at Harry P. Leu Gardens, have lunch at East End Market in the Audubon Park Garden District, then spend the afternoon at Lake Eola Park downtown. All three are inside the city of Orlando, close together and easy on small legs. The theme parks are a separate trip, and one of them is not actually in Orlando at all.

This guide is written for parents who want a plan: what suits which ages, where to park, where to eat and when to head home.

How we chose

We started from the places families ask about most (Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Lake Eola Park and Harry P. Leu Gardens) and checked every candidate against its own official site. A pick had to be open and have an Orlando address. We left out anything we could not confirm, including a few popular names whose official pages would not load for us. Hours, prices and rules change, so treat every number below as typical and check the official site before you go.

Is Walt Disney World in Orlando?

Not inside the city. Walt Disney World Resort sits southwest of Orlando, and Disney's own site describes the resort as near Orlando rather than in it, although it is a standard day out for families staying in the area. It has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Because it is outside the city, it is not one of our 12 picks. Book it as its own day, using the official Walt Disney World site for tickets, hours and parking fees.

Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando (7007 Sea World Drive) and ICON Park (8375 International Drive) all use Orlando addresses in the tourist corridor southwest of downtown, so they are included below.

Which Orlando place suits which age?

Babies and toddlers (0-3): Lake Eola Park, the Orlando Public Library children's area, Orlando Family Stage, East End Market.
Preschool (3-5): Blue Jacket Park, Orlando Science Center, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Lake Eola Park swan boats.
School age (6-12): Orlando Science Center, ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Museum of Art.
Teens: Universal Orlando Resort, ICON Park, Boxi Park in Lake Nona.

The 12 picks

1. Lake Eola Park (all ages)

Lake Eola Park, at 512 E. Washington St. in downtown Orlando, is the easiest stop on this list: it is typically open daily from 6 a.m. to nearly midnight, and the city lists no entry fee. The sidewalk around the lake is 0.9 miles, so a stroller loop takes little time. There are two playgrounds, one for ages 2-5 and one for ages 5-12.

The swan-shaped paddle boats run typically Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are closed Mondays. Real swans have lived on the lake since 1922, and the fountain in the middle, built in 1957, was designed to throw 6,400 gallons of water a minute into the air.

Parking: the city page lists on-street parking only, so expect metered street spots or a paid garage nearby. Arrive early on weekends. The Thornton Park streets next door have more cafes if you need a snack.

2. Harry P. Leu Gardens (ages 3 and up)

Harry P. Leu Gardens, at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in the Audubon Park Garden District, is a 50-acre botanical garden with free on-site parking. It typically opens at 9 a.m. daily, with shorter winter hours from mid-November, and children under 4 are free (children 4-17 pay a reduced rate; check the official site).

Three practical notes from the official rules. There is no playground, so this is a wander-and-explore stop. Children must stay with an adult and may not climb trees or wade in water. And the Gardens do not rent strollers, so bring your own. It also does not take cash, so bring a card.

3. Orlando Science Center (ages 2-12)

Orlando Science Center, at 777 E. Princeton St. in Loch Haven Park near Ivanhoe Village, is the rainy-day answer. It is typically open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed Wednesdays except during Orange County school breaks, which catches many visitors out. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Parking is in the garage across the street at 782 Princeton St., charged by the hour (free for members), so budget for a half-day visit rather than a full one. Families receiving EBT or WIC can use the Science For All rate, listed on the official site.

4. Orlando Family Stage (babies to older kids)

Orlando Family Stage, at 1001 E. Princeton St. in Loch Haven Park, is a professional theater for young audiences. Its Baby & Me shows are for ages 0-24 months, and Story Stroll is for toddlers aged 2-3 with a guardian. Other productions are aimed at older kids. Ticket prices depend on the show, so use the official Buy Tickets link rather than resale sites.

5. Orlando Museum of Art (ages 6 and up)

Orlando Museum of Art, at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Loch Haven Park, is typically open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends noon to 4 p.m., closed Mondays. Parking is free in the lot beside it, strollers are allowed and children aged 5 and under are free. It occasionally closes for exhibit and holiday setup, so check the calendar. It is a good pairing with the Science Center, since both are in the same park.

6. Blue Jacket Park (ages 2-12)

Blue Jacket Park, at 2501 General Rees Ave. in Baldwin Park, is a City of Orlando park open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It has separate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12, a Navy history wall (the area was once the Orlando Naval Training Center) and sports fields, with a parking lot plus on-street spaces. It is the simplest free burn-off-energy stop here.

7. Orlando Public Library, Main Library (babies to age 5)

The Orlando Public Library, at 101 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando, has a dedicated Children's Library with story rooms. Saturday storytimes are typically Baby Tales (birth to 18 months) at 11 a.m., Toddler Tales (18-36 months) at 10:30 a.m. and Preschool Tales (ages 3-5) at 10 a.m. It is run by the Orange County Library System, is free, and is a short walk from Lake Eola Park. Check the official page for holiday closures.

8. East End Market (lunch for all ages)

East End Market, at 3201 Corrine Dr. in the Audubon Park Garden District, is a food hall that is typically open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m., and Sunday until 6 p.m. (individual vendors vary). It houses Domu, a ramen counter, and Gideon's Bakehouse, a cookie bakery. It is a few minutes from Harry P. Leu Gardens, which is why it anchors the route below. Our tip: split a cookie between two kids.

9. Boxi Park (dinner and teens)

Boxi Park, at 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. in Lake Nona, is an outdoor food hall that is typically open Thursday to Sunday only (closed Monday to Wednesday) and is cashless. Its official calendar lists family events, so it suits an evening with older kids. Lake Nona is in the southeast of the city, a drive from downtown.

10. ICON Park (ages 5 and up)

ICON Park, at 8375 International Drive in the International Drive area, has The Orlando Eye observation wheel, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Museum of Illusions and a small Pearl Express Train. Parking is free in the garage on floors 4-7, with paid premium parking on floors 2 and 3 and free valet on the first floor. Each attraction sets its own hours and tickets.

11. SeaWorld Orlando (ages 4 and up)

SeaWorld Orlando, at 7007 Sea World Drive, is a full theme park with animal encounters and rides; ride height rules are posted on its official site, so check them for each child. It also runs a Christmas Celebration on select dates in the winter season. Parking cost and hours are on the official site and change by date.

12. Universal Orlando Resort (ages 6 and up, with toddler caveats)

Universal Orlando Resort has four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe and Universal Volcano Bay water theme park. Ride height requirements vary a lot between rides, so check each one on the official site before promising a child anything. Expect to buy tickets and pay for parking; the official site has current prices.

Where to park?

Parking is free at Harry P. Leu Gardens and Blue Jacket Park, free next to the Orlando Museum of Art, and paid by the hour at the Orlando Science Center garage. Lake Eola Park has street parking only, so arrive early or park in a nearby paid garage. ICON Park's garage is free on floors 4-7. Walt Disney World and the other theme parks charge parking fees that change; use their official sites.

Where to eat with kids?

East End Market is the best lunch stop on the route because everyone can choose their own food. Boxi Park works for dinner on Thursday to Sunday. Near Lake Eola Park, the Thornton Park cafes are a short walk. For more options, see the food and dining listings.

What does a full family day in Orlando look like?

This five-step route covers a full day in Orlando with kids, with a built-in rest stop.

9:00 a.m. Harry P. Leu Gardens. Free parking, an easy morning stroll and no crowds. Bring your own stroller and a card.
11:30 a.m. East End Market. Early lunch, before the rush. Share a Gideon's Bakehouse cookie for dessert.
1:00 p.m. Rest. Drive to downtown and let toddlers nap in the car or at your hotel. Older kids can try the library's children's area.
3:00 p.m. Lake Eola Park. Playgrounds, then swan boats (not on Mondays). Walk the 0.9-mile loop.
5:00 p.m. Leave. Quit while everyone is still happy. The sidewalk loop is nicer in the late-afternoon light.

Swap in the Orlando Science Center on a rainy day or a hot afternoon, as long as it is not a Wednesday outside school breaks. For heat and storm planning, see the Orlando weather guide, and for this weekend's family events, check events this weekend.

Local tips

Lake Eola Park's swan boats are closed Mondays; the Orlando Science Center is typically closed Wednesdays.
Harry P. Leu Gardens has free parking and takes cards only.
The Orlando Public Library's Saturday storytimes are free and sorted by age.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Orlando with kids besides theme parks?

Lake Eola Park, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando Science Center, Blue Jacket Park and the Orlando Public Library children's area are all inside the city and suit different ages. Several are free or low-cost.

Is Walt Disney World actually in Orlando?

No. Walt Disney World Resort is southwest of Orlando, outside the city, and Disney's own site describes it as near Orlando. Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and ICON Park all use Orlando addresses.

Is Lake Eola Park free?

The City of Orlando lists no entry fee for Lake Eola Park. Swan-shaped paddle boats cost extra, run typically Tuesday to Sunday and are closed Mondays.

Where can I park near Lake Eola Park?

The city page lists on-street parking only, so use metered street spots or a nearby paid garage. Arrive early on weekends.

What is a good rainy-day activity for kids in Orlando?

Orlando Science Center at 777 E. Princeton St. is the standard answer. It is typically closed Wednesdays except during school breaks, so check the calendar.

Are there activities for babies and toddlers in Orlando?

Yes. Orlando Family Stage offers Baby & Me shows for ages 0-24 months, and the Orlando Public Library Main Library runs Saturday storytimes from birth to age 5.