18 cheap, kid-friendly activities to do this summer in Orlando

By on Fri, Jul 7, 2023 at 12:49 pm

We're almost midway through the summer, which might mean you're running out of ideas to keep the kiddos busy without breaking the bank. That's why we've put together a refresher on all things kid-friendly in Orlando that are nowhere near the price of a Disney World ticket.

From kayaking to outdoor movie nights to pirate golf, all the activities listed are $18 or less, making for some easily achievable summer fun.
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Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf 8501 International Drive, Orlando What’s a mini golf course without a good theme? Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, located next to Icon Park, features over-the-top pirate ships and creative challenges across three different courses. Tickets start at $16 for adults and $14 for children age 4 to 12.
Photo via Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf/Facebook

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

8501 International Drive, Orlando What’s a mini golf course without a good theme? Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, located next to Icon Park, features over-the-top pirate ships and creative challenges across three different courses. Tickets start at $16 for adults and $14 for children age 4 to 12.
Winter Garden Splash Pad 119 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden Orlando may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we all don’t deserve to cool off with some fun waterworks. There are plenty of local (and free!) splash pads that welcome kids throughout the Orlando area, just like this one in Winter Garden.
Photo via Downtown Winter Garden

Winter Garden Splash Pad

119 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden Orlando may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we all don’t deserve to cool off with some fun waterworks. There are plenty of local (and free!) splash pads that welcome kids throughout the Orlando area, just like this one in Winter Garden.
Orlando Farmers Market 20 N. Eola Drive, Orlando The Orlando Farmers Market happens every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Eola Park. While the youngsters might not appreciate the fresh seasonal produce on offer, they’ll also have the chance to check out plenty of kid-friendly sweets and treats.
Photo via Orlando Farmers Market/Instagram

Orlando Farmers Market

20 N. Eola Drive, Orlando The Orlando Farmers Market happens every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Eola Park. While the youngsters might not appreciate the fresh seasonal produce on offer, they’ll also have the chance to check out plenty of kid-friendly sweets and treats.
Lake Eola Swan Boats 195 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando Take the kiddos for a ride around Lake Eola in style. A $15 ticket will get you 30 minutes of swan time.
Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook

Lake Eola Swan Boats

195 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando Take the kiddos for a ride around Lake Eola in style. A $15 ticket will get you 30 minutes of swan time.
Go beach camping 357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach Looking for somewhere to camp at night and paddleboard, canoe or kayak during the day that'll satisfy the whole family? Grayton Beach State Park spans nearly 2,000 acres and consists of 59 camping sites. Campers have the option to stay overnight in modern cabins or full-facilities campgrounds.
Photo via Grayton Beach State Park/Florida State Parks

Go beach camping


357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach
Looking for somewhere to camp at night and paddleboard, canoe or kayak during the day that'll satisfy the whole family? Grayton Beach State Park spans nearly 2,000 acres and consists of 59 camping sites. Campers have the option to stay overnight in modern cabins or full-facilities campgrounds.
Orange County Regional History Center65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando Not only is it inexpensive, the Orange County Regional History Center will keep children busy for hours on end — with educational fun! Admission is $8 per adult and $6 per child under 12 years old, but on the third Thursday of each month, admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m.
Photo via Orange County Regional History Center/Facebook

Orange County Regional History Center


65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando Not only is it inexpensive, the Orange County Regional History Center will keep children busy for hours on end — with educational fun! Admission is $8 per adult and $6 per child under 12 years old, but on the third Thursday of each month, admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m.
Ichetucknee Springs 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White Just a drive away is one of Florida’s most versatile natural springs. For just $6 per vehicle, Ichetucknee Springs offers a picturesque watering hole, a sprawling natural lazy river (with tubes for rent) and several nature trails. Spend a quintessential summer day on the water with enough action and views to keep the youngsters stimulated.
Photo via Ichetucknee Springs/Facebook

Ichetucknee Springs

12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White Just a drive away is one of Florida’s most versatile natural springs. For just $6 per vehicle, Ichetucknee Springs offers a picturesque watering hole, a sprawling natural lazy river (with tubes for rent) and several nature trails. Spend a quintessential summer day on the water with enough action and views to keep the youngsters stimulated.
Wildflower Farms 2218 Carrington Drive, Orlando Wildflower Farms is a small farmstead located right here in Orlando. Reserve a spot for one of their special kid-friendly events, like Family time on the Farm ($16 per person) and Fables on the Farm ($13 per person).
Photo via Wildflower Farms/Facebook

Wildflower Farms


2218 Carrington Drive, Orlando Wildflower Farms is a small farmstead located right here in Orlando. Reserve a spot for one of their special kid-friendly events, like Family time on the Farm ($16 per person) and Fables on the Farm ($13 per person).
Semoran Skateway 2670 Cassel Creek Blvd., Casselberry This retro skating rink offers daily deals and special events like “Old Skool Jams” on Saturday nights and “Family Fun Night” on Tuesdays, so there’s sure to be a draw for the whole family here. Admission prices for this summer range depending on the day of the week, but it’ll run you about $9 per skater most days.
Photo via Semoran Skateway/Yelp

Semoran Skateway

2670 Cassel Creek Blvd., Casselberry This retro skating rink offers daily deals and special events like “Old Skool Jams” on Saturday nights and “Family Fun Night” on Tuesdays, so there’s sure to be a draw for the whole family here. Admission prices for this summer range depending on the day of the week, but it’ll run you about $9 per skater most days.
Visit Orlando Science Center 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando Kids can experience naturally occurring thrills while learning about the world around them right here at the Orlando Science Center. With options and exhibits fit for all ages, it's a great spot to take the whole family, no matter their age. While one of the pricier options on this list, kids' tickets start at $18 and adult tickets at $24.
Photo via Orlando Science Center/Facebook

Visit Orlando Science Center


777 E. Princeton St., Orlando
Kids can experience naturally occurring thrills while learning about the world around them right here at the Orlando Science Center. With options and exhibits fit for all ages, it's a great spot to take the whole family, no matter their age. While one of the pricier options on this list, kids' tickets start at $18 and adult tickets at $24.
KidFest at Enzian Theater 1300 Orlando Ave., Maitland Enzian Theater is currently hosting KidFest Summer Film Series, showing both modern and throwback kid-centric movies. Coming up next is The Sandlot (for the film’s 30th anniversary) and Disney's 1959 Sleeping Beauty. Regular ticket pricing starts at $12.50 for adults, but admission is free for kids 12 and under.
Photo via Enzian Theater/Twitter

KidFest at Enzian Theater

1300 Orlando Ave., Maitland Enzian Theater is currently hosting KidFest Summer Film Series, showing both modern and throwback kid-centric movies. Coming up next is The Sandlot (for the film’s 30th anniversary) and Disney's 1959 Sleeping Beauty. Regular ticket pricing starts at $12.50 for adults, but admission is free for kids 12 and under.
Central Florida Zoo 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a relatively cheap spot perfect for a summer day with little ones. The zoo offers scads of animal viewings and tons of educational opportunities, with general admission tickets ranging from $15 to $25, depending on the time of year and age of the ticket holder (but the extra-little ones age 2 and below get in free).
Photo via Central Florida Zoo/Facebook

Central Florida Zoo

3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a relatively cheap spot perfect for a summer day with little ones. The zoo offers scads of animal viewings and tons of educational opportunities, with general admission tickets ranging from $15 to $25, depending on the time of year and age of the ticket holder (but the extra-little ones age 2 and below get in free).
Orlando Cat Cafe 532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont Spend an afternoon with the cool cats. Entry is $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. Walk in or make a reservation (you’ll be given priority) and soak up all the kitty fun. But be warned: You might need to fight the urge to take your new friends home.
Photo via Orlando Cat Cafe/Facebook

Orlando Cat Cafe

532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont Spend an afternoon with the cool cats. Entry is $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. Walk in or make a reservation (you’ll be given priority) and soak up all the kitty fun. But be warned: You might need to fight the urge to take your new friends home.
Wekiva Island 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood Get some much-needed summer sun without having to plan an entire day trip at this Central Florida favorite. Just under a 30-minute drive from Orlando, Wekiva Island offers plenty of water fun for kids: Rent a kayak or paddleboard, play beach volleyball or just splash around in the cool, clear waters.
Photo via Wekiva Island/Facebook

Wekiva Island

1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood Get some much-needed summer sun without having to plan an entire day trip at this Central Florida favorite. Just under a 30-minute drive from Orlando, Wekiva Island offers plenty of water fun for kids: Rent a kayak or paddleboard, play beach volleyball or just splash around in the cool, clear waters.
Special events at Orange County Library System Various branches Across 16 branches throughout Orange County, these libraries offer various classes, story times and special events especially catered to little ones.
Photo via Orange County Library System/Facebook

Special events at Orange County Library System

Various branches Across 16 branches throughout Orange County, these libraries offer various classes, story times and special events especially catered to little ones.
Universal CityWalk 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando Like Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk is kind of like micro-dosing Universal Studios for free. There’s plenty to see and eat, and if you choose the right activities, the kids won’t even suspect you didn’t pay to get in.
Photo via Adobe

Universal CityWalk

6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando Like Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk is kind of like micro-dosing Universal Studios for free. There’s plenty to see and eat, and if you choose the right activities, the kids won’t even suspect you didn’t pay to get in.
Orlando Outdoor Movies via À la Cart Downtown Orlando Every Monday, À la Cart hosts a free outdoor movie night in downtown Orlando. You’ll have to sign up for their newsletters to know which movies are playing, or you can just show up and be surprised. Movies are always 7 to 9 p.m. and are accompanied by plenty of food trucks for some mid-movie eats.
Photo via À la Cart/Facebook

Orlando Outdoor Movies via À la Cart

Downtown Orlando Every Monday, À la Cart hosts a free outdoor movie night in downtown Orlando. You’ll have to sign up for their newsletters to know which movies are playing, or you can just show up and be surprised. Movies are always 7 to 9 p.m. and are accompanied by plenty of food trucks for some mid-movie eats.
Twistee Treat Various locations Wrap up a summer day with a visit to an old school ice cream shop with the whole fam. This Florida-based chain is recognizable for its giant chocolate-covered cone buildings and delicious soft-serve ice cream. Have your ice cream any way you want – cup, cone, twirled, sundae, shake or malt, with rainbow or chocolate sprinkles, nuts and candy, plus dips in chocolate, cherry or butterscotch.
Photo via Twistee Treat/Facebook

Twistee Treat


Various locations Wrap up a summer day with a visit to an old school ice cream shop with the whole fam. This Florida-based chain is recognizable for its giant chocolate-covered cone buildings and delicious soft-serve ice cream. Have your ice cream any way you want – cup, cone, twirled, sundae, shake or malt, with rainbow or chocolate sprinkles, nuts and candy, plus dips in chocolate, cherry or butterscotch.

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