Things to Do in Orlando With Kids (That Aren't Disney)

Orlando with kids doesn't have to mean four days at Disney. A lot of the best family days here cost less, take less planning, and work for toddlers and teenagers at the same time.

Here are the best things to do in Orlando with kids that aren't Disney, with the ages each one works best for and what to know before you go.

Bottle-feed baby highland cows at Mini Moo Land

Best for: every age, especially 2 to 10.

Mini Moo Land, inside Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee, has a herd of highland cows kids can pet, hand-feed and cuddle with a guide. This fall it added baby highland calves, and you can bottle-feed them at 10 AM, 1 PM or 4 PM with the VIP Bottle Feeding Experience ($65, admission included). General admission is $29.99.

The calves are small, fluffy and very interested in the bottle. Toddlers love it, and so does the teenager who swore they wouldn't.

Ride an airboat

Best for: about 4 and up.

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures runs half-hour and one-hour airboat tours daily through the headwaters of the Everglades. Kids see alligators, turtles and wading birds in the wild, and the boat is fast. Hearing protection is provided. Bundle it with Mini Moo Land and save $10 per person.

Gatorland

Best for: 3 to 12.

Gatorland has been open since 1949, and it still feels like old Florida. Hundreds of alligators and crocodiles, the Gator Jumparoo show, a breeding marsh boardwalk, a petting zoo and a splash pad. Older kids can do the zip line over the gators. Open daily 10 AM to 5 PM with free parking.

Central Florida Zoo (Sanford)

Best for: 2 to 10.

About 30 minutes north of downtown, the Central Florida Zoo is a manageable size for little legs, with a shaded layout and a seasonal splash ground. Admission has been about $20 for adults and $14 for kids 3 to 12 (under 3 free), with free parking. Open daily 9 AM to 4 PM; giraffe feeding and the zip line cost extra.

Orlando Science Center

Best for: 2 to 12, and great on a rainy day.

Four floors of hands-on exhibits in Loch Haven Park, including a dedicated area for little kids, live science shows and a giant-screen theater. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Kids under 2 are free.

Crayola Experience

Best for: 3 to 10.

At The Florida Mall, Crayola Experience is all hands-on: name and wrap your own crayon, melt crayons into art, and a big indoor play area. This year its Colorful Christmas event runs November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Kids 2 and under are free.

LEGOLAND Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park (Winter Haven)

Best for: LEGOLAND 2 to 12; Peppa Pig 2 to 6.

About 45 minutes to an hour southwest, these two parks sit side by side. LEGOLAND is built for kids under 12, with short lines compared to the big parks and rides younger kids can actually go on. Peppa Pig Theme Park is made for toddlers and preschoolers, and most families finish it in two to four hours. Combo tickets are available.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Best for: 6 and up.

About an hour east on Merritt Island. Kids stand under a real Saturn V rocket, see Space Shuttle Atlantis and can catch a launch if the timing works. A full day. One-day admission is about $77 for adults and $67 for kids 3 to 11, and Florida residents 5 and under can register for a free Junior Space Explorer Pass.

Swan boats at Lake Eola

Best for: every age, and cheap.

Downtown Orlando's Lake Eola rents its famous swan boats for $15 per 30 minutes, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM, first come, first served. Most boats fit five. Add the playground and a walk around the lake and it's an easy, nearly free morning.

See manatees at Blue Spring

Best for: every age, November to March.

From November 15 through March, hundreds of manatees move into the spring run at Blue Spring State Park, about 45 minutes north. You watch from a boardwalk over clear water. Reservations are required. See our guide to springs near Orlando.

Seasonal: ICE! at Gaylord Palms

Best for: 3 and up, November 13 to January 3.

A walk-through of ice sculptures at 9°F, with ice slides. The 2026 theme is The Polar Express. See our ICE! guide.

Tips for Orlando with kids

• Do outdoor things in the morning. Animals are more active and kids have more patience.
• Mix one big day with small ones. A theme park day followed by a cow-and-airboat morning or a swan boat ride is a lot easier on everyone than back-to-back parks.
• Book the limited things first: calf feedings, timed tickets for ICE! and Blue Spring reservations.
• Pack layers November to March. Mornings can be in the 50s. See our Orlando weather guide.

More ideas near Disney in our guide to things to do in Kissimmee.