Orlando on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free and cheap things to do in and around Orlando

Free & cheap things to do during summer in Orlando with kids

POSTED BY
Laura

Even though the summer season will look different this year for most families, there are still many ways to make memories and have fun. We’ve rounded up a bunch of ideas for free & cheap things to do this summer in Orlando with kids.

Keep in mind that most attractions have modified hours, protocols for safety, and new rules for reservations or online ticketing in advance. Make sure you check with each destination before you go.

All of the summer activities in Orlando we’ve listed below are FREE or inexpensive (approximately $20 each).

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FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO
THIS SUMMER IN ORLANDO

PARKS & NATURE

  • Central Florida Springs, Florida’s natural cooling system, is always refreshing, especially during the summer. Admission is around $6 per person or $2 per person, depending on the park. We recommend visiting during the week as most parks reach maximum capacity on Saturday and Sunday.
Things to do Orlando: image of waterfront hangout spot, Wekiva Island, in Longwood Florida.

Wekiva Island in Longwood.

  • Wekiva Island is an eco-friendly oasis that has it all — swimming, paddle board and kayak rentals, food and drinks, and Adirondack chairs to lounge on while the kids play.

Image of Bok Tower

  • Bok Tower Gardens, a picturesque park atop one of Florida’s tallest hills, is crowned with a Gothic bell tower that rings daily with carillon music. Enjoy the tranquil and expansive gardens, museum and Pine Ridge Trail.
  • Big Tree Park in Sanford features 11 acres of natural vegetation, wetlands and is the home to a 2,000-year-old Bald Cypress Tree, “Lady Liberty.”

 

  • The beach. Some of the best beaches in Florida are just a day trip away. Pack the car with toys, an umbrella and a cooler of snacks for a day trip to Cocoa or New Smyrna Beach.
  • Find a park near you. Central Florida is home to many beautiful parks and recreational facilities. One of the easiest ways to find parks closet to you is to log on to Yelp to explore your options and read reviews. You can also search on Seminole or Orange counties’ websites.

Lake Mary Trailblazer Park Splash Pad

  • Splash pads and pools. Cool off at one of Central Florida’s free (or small-fee) splash pads. Or take a dip in one of the City of Orlando’s four year-round pools: College Park Pool, Dover Shores Pool, James R. Smith Pool or Wadeview Pool.
  • Black Hammock Adventures in Oviedo has free live gator and bird exhibits, free live music every weekend and one of the best locations for the sunset in Central Florida. You can also sign up for an airboat tour of Lake Jessup, which boasts the densest population of alligators in the state of Florida.

  • Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter is home to one of the largest native butterfly conservatories in the state of Florida. Peak season for an up-close experience is April – September.
Things to do Orlando: image of beautiful canal on Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. Photo courtesy of Visit Orlando.

  • Winter Park Boat Tour takes you on a tour through the beautiful canals and lush landscape of Winter Park’s waterways on a tranquil Scenic Boat Tour.
  • Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an 11-mile drive with a chance to view native animals in their natural habitat including 174 bird species. The drive is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

ORLANDO LOCAL FARMS & FARMERS’ MARKETS

Orlando has many local, family-owned farms that could always use the community’s support and business.

  • Stop by your local farmers’ market and pick out fresh veggies with your kids.
  • Lake Meadow Naturals in Ocoee is working farm with a Farm Market where you can purchase fresh eggs, raw honey, meats, bread and vegetables.
  • Long & Scott Farms in Mount Dora sells fresh vegetables at its produce stand. Open Thursday – Saturday, 9am – 2pm.
  • Ridge Island Groves sells oranges, peaches, blueberries, honey, fresh squeezed juice and more.

ATTRACTIONS

Gatorland Orlando: image of an alligator

  • Gatorland provides affordable-priced family fun with thousands of alligators, crocodiles, an aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, educational wildlife programs and more. Half off tickets for Florida residents.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari: image of boy looking at animals as he drives by in a car

Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari. Image: @wildfloridaairboats Instagram.


ARTS & CULTURE

  • Orlando Science Center features dynamic zones with hands-on exhibits that present little learners with iconic experiences, exciting discoveries and opportunities for creativity, collaboration and problem solving. Your kids will spend hours exploring the brand new KidsTown. Purchase your tickets online.

Top 10 free things to do in Orlando

Orlando Museum of Art.

  • Free entry to Orlando museums. Take the kids on a cultural journey for free with the Museums On Us program at Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art, Mennello Museum of American Art and Orange County Regional History Center. Show your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card the first weekend of every month for free entry.

Orlando library free resources: image of a child holding his library card

FREE & CHEAP SUMMER MOVIES

  • Garden Theatre’s Milk Money Movies features kids’ favorites for $3 on Tuesdays during the summer at the theatre in Winter Garden. Admission includes kids’ sized popcorn and juice combo.
  • Enzian Theater screens family-friendly films during its Peanut Butter Matinee on the fourth Sunday of the month. FREE for kids 12 and under. $9 for everyone else.

Drive-In movie theaters: image of Silver Moon Drive-In movie theater classic neon sign

  • Retro drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback — and for good reason. Watching a movie at an open-air cinema is a safe and affordable way for your family to enjoy a fun night out…while staying in your own bubble (or car). We’ve found a couple Drive-in movie theaters near Orlando for you to check out.

I-DRIVE & ICON PARK ATTRACTIONS

  • SeaLife Aquarium Orlando features a 360-degree ocean tunnel, more than 5,000 creatures, a hands-on touch pool experience and more.
  • The Wheel towers above the entire ICON PARK for amazing views. Save $2 when you purchase tickets online.
  • Explore the weirder side of things at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium, from art to interactive exhibits in 16 galleries of the odd and unusual from around the world.
  • WonderWorks is a fun amusement park for the mind featuring more than 100 interactive exhibits for all ages.

FREE DISNEY EXPERIENCES

  • Disney Springs is fun-filled escape, brimming with unique boutiques, culinary surprises and lively entertainment. Parking is free, and it’s free to walk around and explore.
  • Disney’s BoardWalk is a quarter-mile of shops offering free live entertainment in the evenings.
  • We have curated this list of our favorite FREE things to do at Disney World (from home). You can go for a virtual ride on some of your favorite attractions, watch a parade, learn to draw characters, try Disney recipes and more.

MORE FREE & CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO

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