Orlando with kids aged 3-5
Ages 3 to 5 are the Magic Kingdom and LEGOLAND years, since both have plenty a small child can ride. Gatorland and the Science Center give you cheap, queue-free days in between. Measure your child before any park: height decides what they can ride.
Tips by age · 3-5
- Children under 3 are free at SeaWorld and Gatorland, and under 2 at LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE.
- Measure your child before each park. Height limits decide the rides, and Rider Switch covers the rest.
- Lake Eola has a playground just for ages 2 to 5, next to the flat 0.9-mile lake loop.
What works at 3-5
11 activities
Theme parkMagic Kingdom
The castle park. Best for ages 3 to 10, long queues, and a Baby Care Center that saves the day.
Theme park and zooDisney's Animal Kingdom
Half zoo, half theme park. Shadier and calmer than Magic Kingdom, and easier with a stroller-age child.
Marine parkSeaWorld Orlando
child from $151.99Animals, shows and a Sesame Street land for small ones. Cheaper than Disney if you buy online.
Theme park (day trip)LEGOLAND Florida
free under 2Built for ages 2 to 12, 45 minutes from Orlando. The easiest big park with small children.
Science museumOrlando Science Center
child from $25Four floors of hands-on exhibits with a whole zone for ages 0 to 7. The rainy-day answer.
AquariumSEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
free under 2Small, cool and indoors on International Drive. An hour that works well with a baby or toddler.
Wildlife parkGatorland
child from $24.99Alligators by the hundred, a petting barnyard and free parking. Old Florida at a third of the price.
Park and playgroundLake Eola Park
No ticket neededDowntown's lake: a flat 0.9-mile loop, two playgrounds and swan pedal boats. Free.
Theme parkUniversal Islands of Adventure
Hogwarts, superheroes and big coasters. Great from about age 6, thin pickings below that.
Space museum (day trip)Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
child from $67Real rockets and a real shuttle on the coast. A full day, and best from about age 6.
Observation wheelThe Orlando Eye at ICON Park
A slow 20-minute turn in a closed capsule, 400 feet up. No height limit to worry about.
Nothing matches these filters.
Playgrounds worth the detour
For the hour when nobody wants another sight.
- Mayor Carl T. Langford ParkEast Central Boulevard · ToiletsShaded park east of downtown with separate playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, paved paths and restrooms.Map
- Blue Jacket ParkBaldwin Park · ToiletsA 75-acre park in Baldwin Park with playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, paved paths, picnic tables and restrooms.Map
- Delaney ParkDelaney Park · ToiletsOne of the city's oldest parks, with two playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, picnic tables and restrooms under old oaks.Map
- Wadeview ParkWadeview Park · ToiletsNeighbourhood park south of downtown with playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, picnic pavilions and restrooms.Map
- Bill Frederick Park at Turkey LakeTurkey Lake · ToiletsA 183-acre lakeside park with several playgrounds, trails and a fishing pier for all ages, with a $5 per car entry fee.Map
3 days in Orlando with kids
Getting around
- LYNX bus fare
- $2 single ride, $4.50 all-day pass
- Children on LYNX
- Free aged 6 and under with an adult (max 3)
- Airport bus stop
- A-Side, Level 1, spaces A38 to A41
- Taxi airport to downtown
- $38 to $45, quoted by the airport
- Car seat law
- Required to age 5. Taxis are exempt, so bring one