The best thing to do in Orlando with a toddler outside the big parks is KidsTown at the Orlando Science Center, 11,000 square feet built for children 7 and under, ten minutes from downtown. Youth tickets are $22 online for ages 2 to 12. For a cheaper hour outside, a swan boat on Lake Eola is $15 for 30 minutes and seats five. Crayola Experience is open every day of the year with free parking, and the Central Florida Zoo has a splash ground included in admission. We travel slowly with a toddler, one thing a day and a long nap, so every pick below has its price, the ages it suits and the drive from downtown. By the end you will have a three-day plan that works around naps and afternoon storms.
Orlando With a Toddler at a Glance
Costs are the operators’ own published prices, checked September 30, 2026. Drive times are from Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, read on Google Maps. The time column is our own estimate for a toddler day, not the operator’s.
| Activity | Cost | Ages | Time we would plan | Indoor or outdoor | Drive from downtown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KidsTown at the Orlando Science Center | $22 online, ages 2 to 12 | 0 to 7 | 2 to 3 hours | Indoor | 10 minutes (2.7 miles) |
| Swan boats on Lake Eola | $15 per 30 minutes | Any, five per boat | About 1 hour | Outdoor | Downtown |
| Crayola Experience Orlando | $30, 2 and under free | Toddlers and up | 3 to 4 hours | Indoor | 23 minutes (8.5 miles) |
| Harry P. Leu Gardens | $15, under 4 free | All, under 4 free | 1 to 2 hours | Outdoor | 11 minutes (3.0 miles) |
| SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium | From $29, under 2 free | All, under 2 free | 1 to 2 hours | Indoor | 20 minutes (10.9 miles) |
| Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens | $16.95 online, 2 and under free | All, 2 and under free | Half a day | Outdoor | 27 minutes (22.9 miles) |
| DUPLO Valley at LEGOLAND Florida | Ticket from age 2 | Babies to preschool | Full day | Both | 1 hour 7 minutes (52.7 miles) |
| Magic Kingdom with a toddler | Priced by date | All, with Rider Switch | Full day | Outdoor | 28 minutes (21.7 miles) |
The Eight Picks, One by One
KidsTown at the Orlando Science Center
KidsTown fills 11,000 square feet on Level 2 with seven zones built for children 7 and under, including water play, a climbing space and an orange grove where kids move oranges from tree to table. (Orlando Science Center, KidsTown)
- Where: 777 East Princeton Street, in Loch Haven Park, 10 minutes (2.7 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Youth (2 to 12) $22 online or $25 at the door, adults $29 online or $32 at the door. Ticket prices start at age 2 (Orlando Science Center, Plan Your Visit).
- Hours and season: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesdays except during Orange County school breaks, and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.
- Ages: Built for 0 to 7, with four floors of exhibits for older siblings.
- Time needed: About 2 to 3 hours, our estimate.
- Booking: Buying online saves $3 a ticket and speeds entry, and walk-up tickets are full price and subject to availability.
- Good to know: The garage at 782 Princeton Street charges $4 an hour. (Orlando Science Center, Plan Your Visit)
- Source: Orlando Science Center, KidsTown, Orlando Science Center, Plan Your Visit, checked September 30, 2026.
Swan boats on Lake Eola
The City of Orlando rents pedal-powered swan boats on Lake Eola, so you see the park from the water and get close to the fountain. A 0.9-mile sidewalk loops the lake. (City of Orlando, Rent a Swan Boat at Lake Eola, City of Orlando, Lake Eola Park)
- Where: The swan boat dock at 195 North Rosalind Avenue, across from Relax Grill on the west side of Lake Eola Park.
- Cost: $15 for a 30-minute rental, debit or credit only, with up to five people per boat (City of Orlando, Rent a Swan Boat at Lake Eola).
- Hours and season: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., last rental 30 minutes before close, closed Mondays. The park is open 6 a.m. to midnight.
- Ages: The city sets no age rule, only a limit of five people and 1,400 pounds per boat.
- Time needed: 30 minutes on the water, about an hour with the loop, our estimate.
- Booking: No reservations. Boats go first come, first served, weather permitting.
- Good to know: A wheelchair-accessible boat is available, and the Orlando Farmers Market runs in the park on Sundays. (City of Orlando, Rent a Swan Boat at Lake Eola, City of Orlando, Lake Eola Park)
- Source: City of Orlando, Rent a Swan Boat at Lake Eola, City of Orlando, Lake Eola Park, checked September 30, 2026.
Crayola Experience Orlando
More than 20 hands-on attractions spread over 70,000 square feet, and the attraction recommends 3 to 4 hours for a visit. (Crayola Experience Orlando)
- Where: The Florida Mall, South Orange Blossom Trail, 23 minutes (8.5 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: General admission $30, or $3 off online. Children 2 and under are free, seniors 65 and over $27 (Crayola Experience Orlando, FAQs).
- Hours and season: Every day of the year, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, with holiday hours posted.
- Ages: Free for 2 and under, and the events calendar lists Toddler Tuesdays.
- Time needed: 3 to 4 hours (Crayola Experience Orlando).
- Booking: Online tickets are valid only on the date you pick.
- Good to know: Parking in front of the attraction is free, and tickets are $10 off in the last two hours before closing. (Crayola Experience Orlando, General Info, Crayola Experience Orlando, Special Offers)
- Source: Crayola Experience Orlando, FAQs, Crayola Experience Orlando, Crayola Experience Orlando, Hours, Crayola Experience Orlando, General Info, Crayola Experience Orlando, Special Offers, checked September 30, 2026.
Harry P. Leu Gardens
The City of Orlando’s botanical gardens north of downtown. The Historic Leu House Museum is temporarily closed. (Harry P. Leu Gardens, Admission and Hours)
- Where: 1920 North Forest Avenue, 11 minutes (3.0 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Adults $15, ages 4 to 17 $10, under 4 free, and free for everyone on set days: October 5, November 2 and December 7, 2026, and January 4, 2027 (Harry P. Leu Gardens, Admission and Hours).
- Hours and season: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 8 to November 18, 2026, then 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to January 3, 2027, with last entry an hour before closing.
- Ages: Free under 4.
- Time needed: About 1 to 2 hours, our estimate.
- Booking: No timed tickets are listed on the admission page.
- Good to know: Bring your own stroller, because the gardens do not lend them, though wheelchairs are free, first come, first served. (Harry P. Leu Gardens, Know Before You Go)
- Source: Harry P. Leu Gardens, Admission and Hours, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Know Before You Go, checked September 30, 2026.
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
An aquarium inside ICON Park on International Drive, next to Madame Tussauds and The Orlando Eye. (SEA LIFE Orlando, FAQs)
- Where: ICON Park, 8449 International Drive, 20 minutes (10.9 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Tickets from $29. Children under 2 are free, and ages 2 to 12 get a discounted child ticket (SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, SEA LIFE Orlando, FAQs).
- Hours and season: Vary by day, posted on the aquarium’s opening hours page.
- Ages: Free under 2, child pricing from 2 to 12.
- Time needed: About 1 to 2 hours, our estimate.
- Booking: Online, with Florida resident offers and a SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds combo from $39.
- Good to know: The ICON Park garage has free parking on levels 4 to 7. (SEA LIFE Orlando, Directions and Parking)
- Source: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, SEA LIFE Orlando, FAQs, SEA LIFE Orlando, Directions and Parking, checked September 30, 2026.
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A zoo and botanical garden north of Orlando with the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, which is included in general admission and open all year. (Central Florida Zoo, Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground)
- Where: West Seminole Boulevard, Sanford, 27 minutes (22.9 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Online on non-peak days, adults $21.95 and ages 3 to 12 $16.95, or $23.95 and $17.95 at peak. Buying at the gate costs $5 more. Children 2 and under are free (Central Florida Zoo, Tickets).
- Hours and season: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., last admission 3:30 p.m.
- Ages: Free for 2 and under.
- Time needed: Half a day, our estimate.
- Booking: Buy online in advance to save $5 a ticket.
- Good to know: The splash ground closes when the air is under 65 degrees or there is lightning within 10 miles, so pack swimsuits on warm days only. (Central Florida Zoo, Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground)
- Source: Central Florida Zoo, Tickets, Central Florida Zoo, Plan Your Visit, Central Florida Zoo, Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, checked September 30, 2026.
DUPLO Valley at LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND’s DUPLO Valley Schoolhouse is a bright, air-conditioned soft-play space for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, with climbing and crawling areas and a touchscreen for letters and numbers. (LEGOLAND Florida, DUPLO Valley Schoolhouse)
- Where: One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, 1 hour 7 minutes (52.7 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Children aged 1 and under enter without a ticket, and everyone 2 and over needs one. Multi-park bundles such as the Ultimate Florida Ticket start from $114 a person (LEGOLAND Florida support, tickets for children under 2, LEGOLAND Florida, Tickets).
- Hours and season: Vary by date, posted on the park calendar.
- Ages: The Schoolhouse is built for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Time needed: A full day plus the drive, our estimate.
- Booking: Tickets and hotel packages online.
- Good to know: LEGOLAND suggests the Schoolhouse as a break from the Florida heat or a sudden rain shower. (LEGOLAND Florida, DUPLO Valley Schoolhouse)
- Source: LEGOLAND Florida, DUPLO Valley Schoolhouse, LEGOLAND Florida support, tickets for children under 2, LEGOLAND Florida, Tickets, checked September 30, 2026.
Magic Kingdom with a toddler
Disney’s own toddler guide covers what matters with a two-year-old. Every theme park has a Baby Care Center with changing tables, a feeding area with high chairs and a kitchenette with a microwave and sink, and strollers can be rented at all four parks and Disney Springs. (Walt Disney World, Toddlers and Young Children Guide)
- Where: Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, 28 minutes (21.7 miles) from Lake Eola by our Google Maps reading.
- Cost: Priced by date on Disney’s ticket page (Walt Disney World, Theme Park Tickets).
- Hours and season: Vary by day, on the Park Hours page.
- Ages: Rider Switch lets one adult wait with a child who is too short to ride while the rest of the party rides.
- Time needed: A full day with a midday break, our estimate.
- Booking: You need valid admission, and you may also need a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day.
- Good to know: Use the Baby Care Center for the nap-time feed rather than a bench, since it has seating and a television. (Walt Disney World, Toddlers and Young Children Guide)
- Source: Walt Disney World, Toddlers and Young Children Guide, Walt Disney World, Theme Park Tickets, Walt Disney World, Disney Genie, checked September 30, 2026.
Free and Rainy-Day Picks
For free, walk the 0.9-mile loop around Lake Eola and catch the Sunday farmers market, or go to Leu Gardens on one of its free days. For rain, KidsTown, Crayola Experience and SEA LIFE are all indoors, and our guide to Orlando with kids when it rains has more.
A One-Thing-a-Day Plan
- Day 1: KidsTown when the Science Center opens at 10 a.m. (not on a Wednesday), lunch, a nap, then a swan boat on Lake Eola before the 6:30 p.m. last rental.
- Day 2: Crayola Experience in the morning, with free parking at The Florida Mall, and the hotel pool in the afternoon.
- Day 3: The Central Florida Zoo at 9 a.m., swimsuits packed if it is warm enough for the splash ground, and back for the nap.
Book Ahead
Crayola Experience, SEA LIFE Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida sell tickets online, and each button below searches GetYourGuide for that attraction.
Where to Stay in Orlando
Staying downtown puts Lake Eola, the Science Center and Leu Gardens within about ten minutes of each other, and staying near International Drive puts SEA LIFE and the big parks closer. Our guide to the best family hotels with pools in Orlando scores the pools.
FAQs
What is there to do in Orlando with a toddler besides Disney?
KidsTown at the Orlando Science Center is built for children 7 and under, Crayola Experience is free for 2 and under, and the Central Florida Zoo’s splash ground is included in admission. (Orlando Science Center, KidsTown, Crayola Experience Orlando, FAQs, Central Florida Zoo, Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground)
Is the Orlando Science Center good for toddlers?
Its KidsTown exhibit is designed for children ages 0 to 7, with 11,000 square feet of play. Tickets start at age 2, at $22 online. (Orlando Science Center, KidsTown, Orlando Science Center, Plan Your Visit)
How much are the Lake Eola swan boats?
$15 for 30 minutes, card only, with up to five people per boat. They run Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (City of Orlando, Rent a Swan Boat at Lake Eola)
Do toddlers need a ticket for LEGOLAND Florida?
Children aged 1 and under get in without one. From age 2, every child needs a ticket. (LEGOLAND Florida support, tickets for children under 2)
What free things can you do in Orlando with a toddler?
Walk the 0.9-mile loop around Lake Eola, visit the Sunday farmers market in the park, or pick one of Leu Gardens’ free days. (City of Orlando, Lake Eola Park, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Admission and Hours)
More Family Travel Guides for Orlando
- Things to do in Orlando with kids
- Orlando with kids when it rains
- The best family hotels with pools in Orlando
- The closest beach to Orlando
- A lazy 3-day weekend in Orlando
Every price and opening time on this page was checked against the operator’s own page on September 30, 2026. They change, so check the linked page before you go.