We’ve picked out some of the most fun things to do in Orlando that’ll keep the kids preoccupied and the parents happy. With these unconventional family outings, you won’t have to go broke or wait in line for 75 minutes.
Watch a flick at Enzian
Enzian is always diversifying their film screening roster. Watch a movie on the lawn, or cozy up with the kids on a couch in the theater. Coming up for the whole family you’ve got: Beetlejuice (10/28), Kid’s Halloween Party featuring Monster House (10/25), Fantasia (11/7), Charlotte’s Web (11/12)
Price: $10 or free on the lawn
Photo via dailyherald.comBowling at Colonial Lanes
Not only does Colonial Lanes offer an every day special between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in which games are only $2, but they also have a family special: 2 hours of bowling for up to five people, pizza and two pitchers of soda, shoes included for $49.95.
Photo via YelpRent a bike and go for a trail ride
Hop on a Juice Bike Share rental and take the kids down the Cady Way Trail, which is perfect for keeping the young ones safe and you can work off your beer gut.
Price: $6 per hour
Photo via FacebookPottery painting at All Fired Up
Get the creative juices flowing turning blank pottery pieces into works of art. Paint ’em, glaze ’em, fire ’em, pick ’em up a week later. Also, with Park Avenue right around the corner, parents can drop off the kids and indulge in some light shopping/eating.
Price: $25 for most pottery pieces
Photo via our-orlando.comTake a shopping day at Artegon Marketplace
Have a unique shopping day with the family at Orlando’s newest marketplace, Artegon. They’ve got outdoor shops, surf shops, comic book shops. You’d be hard pressed not to find a store that each member of the family will love. Plus, there’s free beer on the second Tuesday of every month.
Photo via businesswire.comRent a boat and catch some fish
Good ole fashioned fun! Check out Butler Boat Rentals if you’re looking to have fun on a lake. Each of their boats, 8 or 16 passengers, comes with a complimentary tube.
Price: $50-$60 per hour
Photo via YelpHangout with gators at Gatorland
Home of the “Gator Screamin Zip Line,” this alternative theme park offers guests the chance to wrestle with gators. There are also shows in which “Florida Crackers” perform wildman stunts with alligators and dangerous snakes. Florida residents get a 50 percent admission discount.
Price: $14 for adults, $10 for children
Photo via divinelifestyle.comSpend the day lounging at Dinky Dock
Dinky Dock in Winter Park offers a boat ramp and fishing pier for the community. When things get too hot, as they normally do in Florida, feel free to take a dip in the lake. Light hearted fun.
Price: free
Photo via cityofwinterpark.orgEnjoy all the excitement of Fun Spot
It’s like the carnival never left. They’ve got thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides, an arcade, go karting, live gators. All the fun of an amusement park without going broke.
Price: $40 for adults, $30 for children under 54″
Photo via YouTubeGrab a canoe at Wekiva Island
Tire out the tikes in Florida’s wildlife. Grab the kids, throw ‘em in a boat and show them the way to loving Mother Nature.
Price: $20 for two hours
Photo via wekivaisland.comGet spacey with laser tag at Wonder Works
Owning your kid at laser tag is one of the best things about being a parent. Star Command, come in. Do you read me? Wonder Works is known for many things, like being an upside down house, but at the heart of this oddball abode is one of Orlando’s best laser tag courses.
Price: $30 for adults, $24 for children (includes all wonderworks attractions, one game of laser tag, one ticket to the 4D XD theater, and one ticket for the ropes course)
Photo via wonderworksonline.comExplore the universe at Orlando Science Center
Catch a flick like Rio 2 at the Digital Adventure Theater or join in the fun with Science Live! at the Orlando Science Center. There are a ton of exhibits like Dr. Dare’s Lab and the Corrosion Exhibit which are sure to keep kids and parents entertained.
Price: $27 for adults, $18 for children 3-11.
Photo via Orlando Science CenterSink a hole-in-one at putt putt
Mini golf places are everywhere in Central Florida. Congo River, Pirates Cove, Putting Edge… Most people can play for around $10. It challenges your abilities to problem solve, use geometry and tolerate your family being better than you at putting. Cool down with some ice cream and arcade games after the 18th.
Photo via peek.comIce skate at RDV Sportsplex
Since you’ll probably never be able to indulge in some authentic ice skating in Florida, RDV Sportsplex has got you covered. It might be a little shaky at first, but if there’s one thing kids are good at it’s getting back up after they fall.
Price: $10
Photo via movoto.comJump around on Rebounderz trampolines
Oh, the things you can do with trampolines: mid-air dodgeball, jumping in foam pits, slam dunking on a basketball hoop at great heights.
Daily specials: Weekdays between noon and 4 p.m. one parent and one child 5 or under can jump for just $10, on Family Night (Wednesdays) a family of 4 can jump for one hour, get one slice of pizza and one fountain drink for $40, and on Friday Frenzy you can do four hours of jump time, get a slice of pizza and a fountain drink for $25.
Photo via enjoyfloridamagazine.comGet weird at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium
It’s got all the bizarreness that you’d expect in a Ripley’s exhibit like shrunken heads and the world’s tallest man. Your kids definitely won’t get bored here.
Price: $20 for adults, $13 for children (4-12), free for children under 3
Photo via todaysorlando.comLaugh it up at SAK Comedy Lab
The improv comedians at SAK know how to keep a crowd attentive and constantly busting their gut with laughter. Check out the earlier shows for more family-friendly comedy.
Price: $12 for Florida residents
Photo via todaysorlando.comSplash around at Wet ‘n Wild
Everyone loves water parks, they rule and now is a great time to head to Wet ‘n Wild before they close. You’ve got Blastaway Beach, a 6-story castle with two pools and 15 slides, the lazy river, The Flyer, a four person toboggan ride. Buy one ticket and get the rest of 2015 free.
Price: $39
Photo via thrillgeek.comScore big in a game of Whirly Ball
Whirly Ball is a high energy mix of hockey, basketball and jai alai. Teams maneuvering around in bumper cars and try to score the most points by making shots at various distances into the basket. Go on Thursdays or Sundays for all you can play Whirly Ball and laser tag for $25 per person. Must be 54″ or taller to play.
Price: $25
Photo via coasttocoastcentral.comDrink at World of Beer while the kids play in the park
The downtown Orlando World of Beer is conveniently located across from a park, which means parents can get their drink on and supervise their children running wild–responsibly, or course.
Price: entirely up to you
Photo via Yelp
