Family-Friendly Entertainment in Orlando

Orlando is one of the best places in the world to explore with kids.  

In addition to our amazing theme parks, we also have a variety of exciting attractions, activities, and experiences that are perfect for making memories with your entire family.  

Two young girls in pink sunglasses splash in a pool in colorful inner tubes. 

Rosen Inns is known for being family-friendly, dog-friendly, and budget-friendly – all reasons why families have been trusting us with their vacations for over fifty years.  

Whether you have a toddler, a teen, or a kid somewhere in between, here is our list of the best family-friendly entertainment in Orlando.  

ICON Park 

A tall Ferris wheel stands against a blue cloudy sky with a carousel in the foreground. ICON Park has plenty of family-friendly entertainment in Orlando.

ICON Park is home to one of the most iconic (pun intended) landmarks on the Orlando skyline: The Orlando Eye Observation Wheel.  

This towering mega Ferris wheel stretches 400 feet into the sky, offering incredible views of downtown Orlando, theme parks, and, on clear days, even the Kennedy Space Center.  

When you’re done with the 20-minute ride on The Orlando Eye, take your little one to one of ICON Park’s other family-friendly attractions, like the Orlando SEA LIFE Aquarium or Madam Tussaud’s wax museum.  

ICON Park also has the ornate Carousel on the Promenade, The Museum of Illusions, and the Pearl Express Train for an enjoyable ride throughout the complex.  

Crayola Experience 

Two kids sit on the floor coloring with chalk beneath a sign that reads

Inside the Florida Mall is the Crayola Experience, an interactive play experience perfect for inspiring your inner artist.  

Their kid-friendly exhibits explore creativity and color with opportunities to transform yourself into a coloring book page, personalize your own crayons, and make a variety of arts and crafts that are worthy of hanging on the fridge or putting in a frame.  

There’s also an indoor playground, plenty of opportunities to dance and groove, and Crayola character meet-and-greets on the weekends.  

Orlando Family Stage 

A colorful lobby with circular LED lights in green and purple on the ceiling, and big red, purple, and yellow circles on the floor. Check out family-friendly entertainment in Orlando onstage at Orlando Family Stage. 

Orlando Family Stage is Florida’s premier theatre company producing shows for families and young audiences (formerly known as Orlando REP) 

Every year, their seasons are packed with shows portraying the adventures of beloved characters like Pete the Cat and Junie B. Jones as well as introducing audiences to brand new works with stories of bravery, empathy, and resilience.  

They also offer workshops, camps, Baby & Me classes, and outdoor Story Strolls for families with infants and toddlers to experience together. 

Orlando Science Center 

A towering T-Rex skeleton looms over a museum display.

Next door to Orlando Family Stage in Loch Haven Park is the Orlando Science Center.  

Their exhibits encourage play and exploration as you make hands-on discoveries about life when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, the science behind Guiness World Records, and ecosystems like the rainforest, ocean, and swamplands.  

Kids will love seeing live animals like sloths and sharks, exploring the KidsTown exhibit, and learning about severe weather by stepping into the shoes of a meteorologist with a green screen. 

Orlando Watersports Complex 

If you have a kid who loves adventure, Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC) is a great spot to stay active and cool on a warm Orlando day.  

Whether you’re taking lessons in wakeboarding, wakesurfing, or waterskiing, or tackling the amazing Aquapark obstacle course, there is plenty of refreshing fun to be had at OWC. 

Most of the activities have an age minimum and a height requirement, so it’s best enjoyed by families with kids over the age of six.  

Southern Hill Farms

A box of freshly picked strawberries reading

Southern Hill Farms is a local agrotourism farm known for its family-friendly seasonal celebrations.  

Their most popular event is the Fall Festival, which has a pumpkin patch, U-Pick sunflowers and zinnias, petting zoo, food trucks, and a variety of kid-friendly carnival rides in the Kid Zone.  

Throughout the rest of the year, you can visit Southern Hill farms for U-Pick strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, and purchase a ticket to access the Kid Zone while you’re visiting. 

Millie Moo’s  

Millie Moo’s is a beautiful indoor playground with a charming cafe where parents can enjoy settling in with a cup of coffee while their children explore and play.  

Little ones can take advantage of equipment like slides, ball pits, and an interactive LED dance floor during a two-hour play session. There is also a kid-sized town where little ones can use their imaginations grocery shopping, eating and serving in a diner, and driving a fire truck.  

Their cafe is entirely vegetarian, serving snacks, lunch items, and kid-friendly meals for pickier eaters.  

Leu Gardens 

The Leu Gardens is a botanical oasis with over 50 acres of lush gardens and hundreds of plants from around the world.  

They host fun Halloween events (both a family-friendly version and a scarier version for teens and grownups), as well as the Dazzling Lights celebration during the holiday season, which lights up the gardens with over a million Christmas lights.  

From time to time, you can find exhibits featuring fairy gardens, dinosaurs, and other exciting creatures.  

They also offer monthly Story Time events for little ones on days with free admission to the gardens.  

Orlando City Soccer Match or Orlando Magic Game 

An aerial view of the Orlando Magic court during a game.

Orlando is home to not one, but two professional soccer teams: Orlando City (men’s soccer) and the Orlando Pride (women’s soccer).  

The pro soccer season typically runs from late February to October, and you can catch a game of either team at Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando. 

If indoor sports are more your style, check out our NBA team, the Orlando Magic, at the Kia Center. Nothing beats the excitement of a basketball game!  

Disney Springs 

A girl in a yellow shirt and orange striped skirt walks in front of two adults swinging shopping bags between storefronts and palm trees. 

Disney Springs is an incredible dining and shopping complex near Walt Disney World Resort infused with the magic and playful spirit of Disney.  

Browse the largest collection of Disney merch in the world at World of Disney, or treat yourself to something special from name brand stores like Kate Spade New York, lululemon, Anthropologie, and more.  

The LEGO Store is always popular with younger visitors, as are the numerous Disney-inspired stores like Disney Ever After, Disney Style, and the Star Wars Galactic Outpost.  

Dine at restaurants pioneered by celebrity chefs like Art Smith, Jose Andres, Morimoto, and Maneet Chauhan.  

Even a simple day of window shopping at Disney Springs is filled with the magic and joy of Disney. 

Check out our blog on what's free at Disney Springs. 

The Bunny Hive 

A toddler boy surrounded by moms in a circle claps and smiles, while another child plays in the background.

The Bunny Hive is the perfect gathering place for families with kids preschool age or younger.  

With a boho-chic aesthetic that is simple and insta-worthy, they offer full day schedules of “grown-up and me” classes everyone can enjoy.  

From Baby Massage to Exploratory Play, Culinary Exploration to Books and Bubbles, there’s always a perfect way to bond with your little one and help them grow.  

Old Sugar Mill Pancake House 

The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House is a family tradition for many locals and visitors alike.  

Located in De Leon Springs State Park, the restaurant is in a 100-year-old replica of an 1830’s sugar mill.  

What makes it special are the tables with griddles set in the middle, where you can cook your own unlimited pancakes.  

While you can order from their extended breakfast menu, it’s hard to resist the allure of making your own pancakes topped with your choice of fresh fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips. 

Fun Spot America 

Fun Spot America is a theme park full of exciting rides, carnival games, and attractions just off I-Drive. For approximately half the price of other theme park admissions, you can enjoy a full day of fun and adventure with little to no lines.  

In addition to roller coasters, go karts, and arcade games, Fun Spot is also home to Gator Spot with over 100 alligators and other reptiles and an immersive splash pad that is perfect for kids of all ages.  

Wild Florida’s Drive-Through Safari Park  

The neck and head of a giraffe reaches for a piece of lettuce held high by a boy surrounded by family standing on a wooden covered platform.

If you have animal-lovers in your family, the Drive-Through Safari Park at Wild Florida is a once-in-a-lifetime treat.  

Drive your own car through 170 acres of scenic landscapes, where you’ll see up to 150 incredible animals like giraffes, zebras, bison, antelope, and more.  

When your safari is over, stop by the Giraffe Feeding Platform to meet some of Wild Florida’s tallest residents and treat them to a snack for just $5.  

Wild Florida also has other animal encounters, including meeting sloths, ring tailed lemurs, capybaras, and more.  

Check out their seasonal events for special classes and workshops that will have you singing, dancing, and celebrating along with other families.  

Trust Rosen Inns with Your Next Family Vacation  

Family is everything.  

Making unforgettable memories is one of the best gifts you can give your children, so make every moment of your family vacation count.  

When you stay at a Rosen Inns hotel, you can take advantage of spacious rooms, amenities like seasonally heated swimming pools and splash pads, and onsite dining where kids under five eat for free (with a paying adult).  

We’ve been helping families curate remarkable vacations for over 50 years. We’re here to help make your trip special, and we can’t wait to see you soon.