Orlando, Florida, has been a popular family getaway for generations. The biggest draws are undeniably Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but there are plenty of activities surrounding these behemoths.
The cost to experience Orlando can add up after a while, but there are many free, kid-friendly activities to do too. Below are 50 that will perfectly supplement your visit to Orlando!
Areas to Explore
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a must-visit for families, as there are lots of eateries, shops, and live entertainment. Kids will especially love the LEGO Store, Dino-Store, and Coca-Cola Store.
Disney’s BoardWalk
Disney’s BoardWalk is another adorable, walkable waterfront area. It has an old-timey boardwalk theme, reminiscent of Atlantic City’s golden age.
Disney’s BoardWalk features a kid’s play area, free entertainment, and even provides a view of Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display.
Old Town
Old Town is a free, family-friendly theme park that’s a blast from the past. Retro carnival rides, a 1950s general store, and a Victorian-era home are just a few of the fascinating sights to see in Old Town.
One of their biggest free attractions is the classic car show, which is sure to delight the entire family.
Celebration Town Center
Celebration is a town built by The Walt Disney Company, and its adorable streets and friendly businesses certainly reflect that Disney magic without the Disney price tag!
Stroll along the charming downtown area, and you may come across a community event like an Art & Wine Stroll, Farmer’s Market, or Exotic Car Show.
International Drive
International Drive, also known as I-Drive, is a popular resort area filled with attractions. While some of them cost money, it’s still an entertaining place to explore. Make sure to check out the upside-down WonderWorks building or watch a colorful show at Mango’s Tropical Cafe!
Universal CityWalk
You don’t need to pay for admission to experience all the free family fun Universal Orlando has to offer. Universal’s CityWalk is filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. You can admire waterfront views, go shopping, listen to live music, and splash around in the water features.
Disney Resorts
Staying at a Disney resort is an unforgettable experience, but you can still have a great time wandering through them for free.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort transports you to the South Pacific with its cozy private beach. The same goes for the Grand Floridian, where you can also stick your feet in the sand.
If you’re visiting around the holidays, the lobby of the Grand Floridian will be even more beautifully decorated than usual. Think larger-than-life decorations like an enormous, life-sized gingerbread house and a breathtakingly tall Christmas tree.
Art & Museums
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
The Morse Museum is well known for its incredible collection of Tiffany stained glass, which is the most comprehensive in the world.
The museum offers free admission on certain days, but is always free for children under 12.
CityArts Factory
CityArts Factory is downtown Orlando’s arts district, and a fun, colorful place to explore with the family. All the galleries in CityArts are free, open to the public, and feature a wide variety of art.
Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
The Zora Neale Hurston Museum is free to visit, so the entire family can admire the work of emerging African-American artists. It’s a small but enjoyable museum, and taking a guided tour will make it an even more meaningful experience.
Casa Feliz
Casa Feliz is an expertly renovated Spanish farmhouse and a stunning place to tour. While kids may not appreciate the impressive architecture and history of the house, they can still enjoy Music at the Casa. Every Sunday afternoon, the historic home hosts live music with light refreshments.
Mennello Museum of American Art
In addition to showcasing fantastic works of art, the Mennello Museum of American Art aims to involve and educate the public. That’s why every second Sunday of the month is Free Family Funday. Along with free admission, kids get to participate in an art project and the entire family can go on a guided tour.
Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art regularly hosts Family Days, during which kids can enjoy hands-on art projects, storytelling, puppet shows, dance performances, live music, and more.
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
The Cornell Fine Arts Museum always has free admission, and its relatively small size makes it manageable for a family visit.
They even have a section called “The Education Gallery,” which features a reading nook, dress-up area, kid’s audio guide, and a miniature version of the museum.
Central Florida Railroad Museum
Admission is free to the Central Florida Railroad Museum, which is committed to preserving the history and celebrating the future of the railroad industry. The museum is filled with memorabilia, model railroads, and an interactive kid’s section.
Farmers Markets
Winter Park Farmers’ Market
Farmers markets are a great way to spend some time outdoors, and Winter Park Farmers’ Market is especially wonderful. It’s the largest produce and plant market in Central Florida and is held at a historic train depot. With dozens of vendors, there’s something for everyone.
Orlando Farmers Market
Every Sunday, downtown Orlando hosts its farmers market, which features much more than just fruits and vegetables. Crafts, a beer and wine garden, and live music fill the market, making it a perfect activity for the whole family.
Celebration Farmer’s Market
Celebration is a charming town made even more special by its Sunday farmers market. They have a wide variety of food, handmade crafts, body care products, food trucks, and, perhaps most importantly, free samples.
Audubon Park Community Market
This small weekly gathering place is a humble but growing farmers market with options for everyone. There’s plenty of healthy food, from fresh juices to cut microgreens to vegan treats. Kids will be entertained by live music while you explore the healthy options.
Parramore Farmers Market
Parramore Farmers Market is special for a few reasons. The market sells fresh, hyper-local produce, as well as honey that raises money for a good cause.
Black Bee Honey was created by Parramore Kidz Zone, a nonprofit that mentors and supports youth in the community. So not only will your kids enjoy the farmers market, but other children will benefit as well!
Parks
Lake Eola Park
In the heart of downtown Orlando is Lake Eola Park. The park boasts a great view of the city skyline, fountains, activities like live music and yoga, and plenty of space for families
Wekiva Island
Wekiva Island is a beautiful getaway that can provide an entire day’s worth of fun. On a hot, summer day, visitors can jump into the refreshing river, or relax on the boardwalk. More active families can reserve a volleyball court, and when the sun goes down, everyone can gather around the communal fire pit.
Mead Botanical Garden
The Mead Botanical Garden is a tranquil destination where the family can spend a sunny day walking along the creek, admiring the community garden, and having a picnic at the lake.
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park is a great destination for a hot summer day. Kids can work up a sweat running around the playground, then cool off at the park’s splash pad.
Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest is the “world’s largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest,” according to its website. It’s home to beautiful trails and crystal-clear springs for visitors to swim in.
Blanchard Park
Blanchard Park is an extensive, 84-acre park that’s perfect for hiking, bike riding, and canoeing with the family. The beautiful park also offers playgrounds, a fishing area, and a bird sanctuary.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Orlando for a respite in Blanchard Park.
Tibet-Butler Preserve
At the Tibet-Butler Preserve, you’ll see a variety of biomes, plants, and trees. There are also plenty of animals, so kids may be able to spot some snakes and turtles during your stroll along the boardwalk. You can even see some baby alligators in the visitor’s center!
Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens is a serene collection of colorful gardens surrounding a picturesque tower. It’s the perfect place for a stroll or picnic on a sunny Orlando day.
It’s also entertaining for the kids, thanks to the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden. This action-packed garden features a stage, boardwalk, climbing structures, and more to entertain the young ones for hours.
Nighttime Activities
Musica della Notte
Universal CityWalk is a great place to explore day or night, but evening visitors get a special treat. Take a ride on Universal CityWalk’s free water taxi over to the Loews Portofino Bay Resort for Musica della Notte. Every day at sunset, opera singers perform to the delight of the crowds that gather around them.
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ICON Park
ICON Park is an entertainment complex with free parking and admission, making it a fun yet budget-friendly family outing. It features light shows every night, dancing fountains, and a central greenspace to relax in.
Movieola
For an entertaining night out with the family, Movieola in Lake Eola Park is just the thing. Throughout the summer, this free event features music and activities for the kids, culminating in a family-friendly movie. Guests can bring their own snacks and blankets to make it a summer night to remember.
Popcorn Flicks in the Park
The town of Winter Park, located just 15 minutes from Orlando, hosts free, public movie nights in their Central Park. The Popcorn Flicks in the Park event starts at sunset and is an affordable movie night out on the town!
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
Every night at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, the whole family can enjoy a few hours of free Disney magic. Gather ‘round the fire to roast marshmallows, sing campfire songs, and spend some quality time with Chip and Dale.
Happily Ever After
You don’t need to be inside the Magic Kingdom to enjoy the incredible nightly fireworks display, Happily Ever After. The beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or the Marina at the Grand Floridian are some of the best spots to catch the display without the crowds.
Fireworks at the Fountain
If you’re in the Orlando area for the Fourth of July, there are many places to see fireworks. One of these places is the Fireworks at the Fountain show at Lake Eola, which also includes a magnificent light display.
Special Events
Tasty Takeover
Orlando’s Milk District is a dynamic, progressive neighborhood with lively breweries, colorful murals, and eclectic shopping.
Every Tuesday the neighborhood hosts a popular food truck gathering called Tasty Takeover. Bring the family to this fun community event in which food trucks of all kinds line the streets.
Orlando Public Library
The library is a classic place to bring the kids, and the Orlando Public Library always has free activities going on. Storytime, classes, book celebrations, and card games are just a few of the events hosted by the library.
Central Florida Dragon Parade
Every Lunar New Year, Orlando hosts a festival and parade honoring the holiday with cultural performances, culinary delights, and colorful dragons. The Central Florida Dragon Parade is a wonderful celebration that’s fun for the whole family.
Salsa y Sazon Latin Food and Music Festival
Every March, the lively and dynamic Salsa y Sazon Latin Food and Music Festival takes place in downtown Orlando. The event is free for children under 12 and features authentic Latin food, live music, traditional dances, and more.
IMMERSE
This artistic event in downtown Orlando presents art in an incredibly unique way. Instead of just observing, guests are invited to immerse themselves by walking through interactive displays. There are also dozens of performances from artists like Blue Man Group.
IMMERSE, which takes place every October, is free for kids under 12 with a paying adult.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
A winery may not sound like a family-oriented destination, but Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards hosts special events throughout the year that kids can enjoy as much as adults.
These events include an annual live music series, food truck festivals, and even a family-friendly grape stomping experience, where kids under 12 are free!
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the oldest and largest outdoor art festivals in the country, so you’d be remiss not to check it out if you visit on that special weekend in March! Chat with the artists about their process, see a wide variety of art, and enjoy live music.
Festival Calle Orange
Festival Calle Orange is an annual, one-day event that takes over Orlando with three stages, more than 30 artists, countless vendors, and plenty of food highlighting the diversity of the Hispanic community.
Kids under 10 get free admission to this lively event, which takes place every October.
Outside Orlando
Peanut Butter Matinee Family Film Series (15 minutes)
Enzian Theater is a “nonprofit arthouse movie theater” located 15 minutes from Orlando. Every month it hosts a family film series called the Peanut Butter Matinee. At this event, the movies are enjoyable for all ages, and children 12 and under are free.
Crooked Can Brewing Company (25 minutes)
Parents get the best of both worlds at Crooked Can Brewing Company: a down-to-earth gathering place to enjoy some drinks and an outdoor space where kids can play safely. The brewery also offers live music and plenty of food options.
Fort Christmas Historical Park (30 minutes)
Fort Christmas Historical Park is just half an hour from Orlando. This historic, recreated fort transports guests back to the 1800s. It features vintage farming equipment, pioneer homes, a sugar mill, and more.
Cocoa Beach (45 minutes)
Florida is surrounded by beaches; a huge draw for many visitors.
The beach closest to Orlando is Cocoa Beach, which is 45 minutes away. There, you can enjoy the sun, sand, and water without spending a dime.
Cape Canaveral (50 minutes)
Cape Canaveral is known for its rocket launches, which are always an incredible sight. The most popular spot to watch a rocket launch is at the Kennedy Space Center, but there are other places in the area where you can watch for free.
The shores of the Indian River, Playalinda Beach, Jetty Park, and State Road 528 are all free options.
Daytona Beach (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Just over an hour from Orlando is the legendary Daytona Beach, where families can swim in the water and explore the boardwalk for a day of free fun.
Blue Spring State Park (1 hour, 35 minutes)
Blue Spring State Park is one of the best places to see famous Florida manatees in the wild. To check out these gentle giants, walk along the boardwalk and see them relaxing in the crystal clear water. You can also enjoy other activities like fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking.