Although it might seem like most Orlando activities are for teenagers or big kids, there are plenty of things to do in florida with toddlers.
As a mother of young children in Central Florida, it is easy to understand the desire to find more miniature rides at theme parks for kids. Continue reading to discover the best things to do with toddlers in Orlando, including lifts, zoos, splash pads, and indoor activities.
Things to do in florida with toddlers
Universal Orlando
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are the two traditional theme parks in Orlando. Two play areas are available at Universal Studios for toddlers: Fievel’s Playland, Curious George Goes To Town, and Kang & Kudos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl. Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is also available. You can then take a Hogwarts Express ride to Islands of Adventure.
Here you will find additional fun play areas such as Camp Jurassic, Seuss Landing Zoo, Me Ship, The Olive, and the Zoo in Jurassic Park. In addition, many of the islands have kid-friendly rides. For example, take a ride on Jurassic Park’s Pteranodon Flyers. My boys loved this ride when they were young.
The Flight of the Hippogriff family roller coaster is available at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The majority of the Seuss Landing rides are suitable for families, such as The Cat in the Hat and High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.
Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida is one of the best things to do in Florida with toddlers. Legoland Florida is designed for children ages 2-12 years old, making it the perfect Florida theme park. Legoland Florida offers many play areas and playgrounds for children to explore and many fair rides for toddlers. One of my favorite aspects about Legoland as a parent is the small Lego play areas that kids can enjoy while they wait in line to ride. This one has located in Winter Haven and not Orlando.
Disney World
Magic Kingdom has 32 attractions geared towards preschoolers, is the most popular in four Disney parks. In addition, Epcot has many rides that don’t require height requirements, meet and greets with characters, and a large aquarium. Are you a Toy Story lover?
Toy Story Mania is a ride that you can take on Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land. Also, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad is a must-see. You can take your little one to Animal Kingdom and see many animals up close with Kilimanjaro safaris. DinoLand USA is an excellent place for dinosaur lovers.
Character Meals
When your child is dining with their favorite character, watch their eyes light up. There are many character dining options at Disney, both in the parks and at resorts. For example, SeaWorld offers families the opportunity to dine with sharks and orcas (although they are not technically characters but an excellent experience for children).
The pandemic forced the closure of Universal Orlando’s character dining experiences, but now all Universal character interactions have returned to normal and will no longer be required to socially distance.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld’s Sesame Street land is an excellent place for children to explore. They can watch a parade with their favorite characters, play in the waterworks area, and enjoy the child-friendly rides. In addition, SeaWorld hosts many fun, family-friendly events throughout each year.
Disney Springs
Little ones will love the Disney Springs splash pad and digging for dinosaur fossils at T-Rex Cafe. They’ll also enjoy The LEGO Store’s hands-on areas and Disney-inspired sculptures. For example, you might be able to see the Coca-Cola Polar Bear in the Coca-Cola Store. Children can also ride the Express Train or Marketplace Carousel for a small fee.
CityWalk
The entertainment district at Universal Orlando offers toddlers the opportunity to splash around in the CityWalk splash area or practice their swings at the Hollywood Drive-In miniature golf attraction. A Toothsome Chocolate Emporium milkshake is a great option, as well as a Voodoo Doughnuts for a sprinkle doughnut. You can also take them on a free water taxi.
Visit an Orlando Area Zoo
Central Florida Zoo actually has many things to do in Florida for cheap. Orlando is home to many attractions that allow children to meet exotic and native animals. For younger children, the Central Florida Zoo is an excellent choice. The zoo has a large splash pad with an interactive children’s garden adjacent and a playground, butterfly garden, and petting area. The zoo offers regular events, and children two years and under are free.
Young visitors will love the Brevard Zoo. There are interactive exhibits and a petting zoo, a shallow water play lagoon, and a tortoise-themed playground. The Gatorland splash pad, petting Zoo, and train ride are all great for toddlers.
Crayola Experience Orlando
Crayola Experience is a fantastic trip for toddlers. They will have hours of interactive play and toddler activities. Two separate play areas are available for children, one for toddlers and one for the big kids. Bonus: Kids 2 and younger get FREE admission.
Orlando Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is an excellent place for toddlers to have hours of entertainment. The Orlando Science Center has a large Kids Town play area that includes an Orange Grove imaginative play area (which is fitting for the area’s history), a particular Toddler Town for children ages 2 to 5, a drip-drip pool area, Play Theater, Climb Times play structure, and many other amenities.
You can also view giant fossil dinosaurs and play in the Dino Digs zone. Children can also walk through the Nature Works exhibit and see real alligators, snakes, turtles, and other Florida native animals.
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium
Orlando Aquarium is one of the best things to do in Florida with toddlers. Children will love walking around a 360-degree aquarium surrounded by turtles, fish, and sharks. They can also change the colors of the jellyfish wall and touch a starfish in the Coastal Rockpool. In addition, there are many interactive exhibits at Sea Life Orlando Aquarium.
Dinosaur World
Do your children love dinosaurs? Then, it’s worth the drive to Dinosaur World, just off I-44. The attraction is located near I-44 and features an interactive boardwalk, life-size dinosaurs, and two dinosaur-themed playgrounds (one for toddlers), as well as a fossil dig and dino gem excavation and interactive shows.
Orlando Pools
Many Central Florida public pools have areas that are geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. These pools are great for families with children of different ages. However, there is something for everyone. For example, both the Oviedo Aquatic Facility and the Bob Makinson Aquatic Center have water playgrounds.
All three pools at the Community Center Pool in Winter Park and Ocoee Family Aquatic Center have interactive splash play for children. In addition, a shallow wading pool is available at Wirz Park for toddlers. Many of these pools have zero-depth entry so that little ones can splash around.
Central Florida Splash Pads
Many splash pads are available in the Greater Orlando area, which is great for toddlers. Many are free, while others require a fee. The splash pad in Kissimmee that is nature-themed and the one in Tavares that is seaplane-themed will be a hit with little ones.
Orlando Water Parks
Orlando’s water parks offer water play areas for children, as well as thrill rides for “big kids.” Universal’s Volcano Bay features a Tot Tiki Reef with a small volcano. Legoland’s water park has a Duplo Splash Safari shallow-water play area.
Buccaneer Bay’s spring-fed water park has a Caribbean Cove area that is ideal for younger children. Tike’s Peak is a miniature water slide and igloo fortress at Disney’s Blizzard beach.
Florida Springs
Swim-worthy springs are ideal for toddlers. The waters remain at a consistent 68-72° all year. Alexander Springs is a great place for children with its gentle slopes and shallow wading areas. Deleon Springs is a great place for little ones to make their pancakes at home. Of course, parents can help, but they will also enjoy the Sugar Mill restaurant right next to the spring.
Rainbow Springs and Wekiva falls both offer shallow water wading areas for toddlers.
Orlando Area Playgrounds
My children loved to go “park hopping” at local playgrounds when they were young. Start early and pack a picnic lunch so you can see how many gardens and parks you can visit before it gets too late.
Indoor Play Spaces
Many indoor spaces in Orlando are suitable for preschoolers and toddlers, including indoor playgrounds and free mall play areas. These spaces are perfect for rainy days and summer when it is too hot to go outside. Indoor play areas are great for children aged five and under. You will need socks for both children and adults in most indoor playgrounds.
Restaurants with Play Areas
It cannot be easy to go out with toddlers. So why not take them along to a place they can play while you wait for your meal? You can plan a date night with your toddler at any of these restaurants, including the largest McDonald’s in the world and lakeside restaurants that have playgrounds.
Trampoline Parks
Trampoline Parks are actually one of the top things to do in Florida with toddlers. There are a few indoor trampoline arenas in Central Florida. Many have designated areas for toddlers and little ones. Altitude Trampoline Park offers weekly Junior Jumper Jams at both Sanford and Kissimmee locations.
Sky Zone Clermont has a toddler area for the little ones and a play structure for children ten and under. In addition, the Kid Jump program at Defy Orlando allows parents/guardians to jump with their little ones six years and younger every weekday between 9 am and noon with Kid Jump tickets.
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