Experiencing Orlando through the eyes of a child is one of the best ways to see it. But what if you want to take your younger kids to do something that you haven’t done before that isn’t Disney or that most people don’t get a chance to do when they visit Orlando?
So that’s why we took votes and did an internal employee survey, (we are a travel agency that’s here in Orlando, after all) and here we’ve compiled this list of what in our collective opinion are the best things to do in Orlando with Toddlers, so that you will have a unique and fulfilling experience while you’re down here on vacation.
Build-a-Bear Workshop
Orlando has been home to one of the biggest Build-a-Bear Workshop’s in the country for a short time, but this attraction has become one of the favorites of locals as well as for visitors that want to avoid the standard theme parks or amusement park rides – or who have little kids that would have more fun doing something hands-on in Orlando.
With dozens and dozens of bears to choose from and thousands of options, your children will have a blast putting together the perfect stuffed animal. Plus there are lots of other attractions (see below for a few more) for kids, teenagers, and adults in the Florida Mall so you will never get bored. It’s also right by Universal Studios so you can go before or after the park visit.
Crayola Experience Orlando
The Crayola Experience Orlando is another one-of-a-kind attraction that you’ll find in Orlando at the Florida Mall. This is an exciting, artsy activity right by the Orlando theme parks that toddlers absolutely love. This is especially made for younger kids, allowing your family to spend hours playing and interacting with over 25 different stations within Crayola.
Just a few of the things that you can do here include naming your own crayon and wrapping it, play in the massive indoor playground or use official Crayola paints to paint your own project. Crayola Experience Orlando is perfect for children and the kiddies will find plenty of things to do.
M&M World
If you have toddlers that love chocolate, you CANNOT go to Orlando and miss M&M World. Well, you can but it’s almost criminal. This is a retail store, but it is probably the coolest retail store that you have ever been inside. Just a few minutes from Walt Disney World, M&M World is a fully interactive store that brings your favorite little chocolate candies to life.
You can check out the M&Ms candy wall which is known around the world, find out what your official M&M mood color is and participate in any of the other interactive play areas that are set up around the store.
Of course, you can also choose from an exotic selection of M&M candies and learn the history behind them. M&M World is literally one of the sweetest things to do in Orlando with kids besides Disney World.
Orlando Science Center (Toddler Town)
While you might think that the Orlando Science Center wouldn’t be a great option for toddlers, guess what? They have an entire floor dedicated to Children ages 0-4 called Toddler Town, too.
Toddler Town is in a floor of the Orlando Science Center that’s over 11,000 square feet of space with activities that are not only super-fun for small children, but also covertly educational. Your tot will be learning and not even knowing it. They offer Story Time and many Exploration Stations.
Since the Orlando Science Center is such a large attraction with many different floor levels and ever-changing exhibits, this is especially a great choice for family with kids in different age ranges. FYI, there’s currently a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer Exhibit and it’s running till September 2nd. How cool is that?!? Get here soon.
Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’ Odditorium
Ripley’s Odditorium is easily one of the best things to do in Orlando with toddlers. This is an super-exciting attraction disguised in a museum-type look, but is nothing like a boring dusty museum.
It looks like a leaning building from the outside (yes, the image is oriented properly and yes, it’s safe) and it’s dedicated to the weird and mysterious. You have probably heard of the television show of the same name, but you haven’t seen anything until you give this place a try.
There are exhibits, attractions, performances and lots of amazingly strange stuff to see here. There is something for everyone at Ripley’s. For example, adults will love some of the fascinating and educational exhibits, and kids will love the really gross stuff. Everyone will find something to love at this museum.
Green Meadows Petting Farm
One go-to great activity to do with younger children is the Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee. This is a place that provides great memories for kids and the connection between a child and an animal is important to foster early in life. You can go to the zoo and see animals up close, but there is nothing like actually being able to pet almost every animal.
This is a place where kids learn hands-on and interact with the pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, chickens and lots of other animals in a safe environment. Kids can also take a train ride, enjoy a hayride drawn by a real tractor and even ride a pony! The site offers a great picnic area and unique experiences that your kids won’t get anywhere else like learning how to milk a cow or visiting an old-time general store.
SEA Life Aquarium Orlando
The SEA Life Aquarium is open 365 days a year and is one of the best places to visit with toddlers and young children. They have over FIVE THOUSAND creatures to see, like turtles, sharks, jellyfish and starfish.
You can meet a mermaid, host an underwater birthday party, and you’re even able to walk through the ONLY 360° underwater tunnel.
Check out their daily schedule and you can even see the various creature feedings and informative shows throughout the day. Best of all, kids 2 and under are FREE!
My Little Town Orlando
Looking for safe, colorful, indoor place full of activities in Orlando that’ll keep the tots busy all day? Look no further than My Little Town. This place is full of so many different stations to play at.
With ball pits, mini-cars, trampolines, and costumes you’re little one will never have a bored moment. At under $10 for the day per child 8 and under (and 2 adults free per child) you really cannot beat the price or the value of what you get.
Let your young child run wild with other tots and make sure to have your camera handy.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Although not necessarily one of the lesser-known attractions in Orlando, you simply cannot visit this city without taking the little ones to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Located at Universal Studios Orlando in the Islands of Adventure section of the park, this is going to be the most looked forward to stop on any trip to Orlando for almost every single kid out there.
Almost every kid loves the Harry Potter books, and if your kids do not, then you definitely need to get them from the bookstore immediately and start them reading. There are lots of cool rides and re-creations from the movies at this exhibit. You can take the Escape from Gringott’s ride or visit Diagon Alley for starters.
DUPLO Valley LEGOLAND Orlando
LEGOLAND has emerged as one of Orlando’s most popular attractions due to its focus on the smaller children. Duplo Valley is the section inside LEGOLAND that is for the youngest visitors.
There’s DUPLO Farm, which is an indoor playground mixed with friendly farm animals, DUPLO Splash & Play, which is an outdoor splash park with a soft deck that’s full of water fountains and interactive elements, DUPLO Tractor & DUPLO Train which are SLOW, mini rides that allow parents to hold their little ones during the duration. Great memories and so fun for them.
Considering all the the great attractions and stations, not to mention all the walking (running) around the parks, you’re sure to tucker your little one out within a few hours.
If you’re wanting to plan a visit to Orlando, and have any little ones tagging along, you should definitely check out all of the awesome family attractions in Orlando, Florida that you can during your visit.
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