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End of Summer Bucket List: 30 Things to Do in Orlando Before School Starts
With the start of a new school year right around the corner, many Orlando parents are left wondering how to make the most of the end of summer break. Good thing Mommy Poppins is here! We've crafted a list of 30 fun things to do before school starts, including a fairy door scavenger hunt, inflatable water parks, summer day trips, and much more.
Be sure to also visit our Orlando Summer Activities Guide to find more family fun ideas, and subscribe to our email list to get stories just like this delivered straight to your inbox.
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Orlando End-of-Summer Bucket List
1. Fairy Doors
The fairy doors have returned to Leu Gardens! Stroll the botanical gardens while searching for 20 whimsical fairy doors hidden throughout the property.
2. Arcade Games
Play games galore with your kids and teens at a local arcade.
3. Kennedy Space Center
Visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex August 2-4, 2024, during Aviation Weekend, which includes an end-of-summer block party. Don’t miss the Planet Play attraction for the kids while you’re there!
4. Splash Pads
Get little ones out of the house before naptime at a local splash pad, many of which are free!
5. Inflatable Water Parks
Jump, climb, bounce, and slide at these fun inflatable aqua parks.
6. Visit the Beach
Sneak in one last beach trip to one of these Florida beaches near Orlando.
7. Take a Summer Day Trip
Load the kids up in the car and head out for a summer day trip; we’ve rounded up 25 fun destinations all within a couple of hours drive from Orlando.
8. Free Admission to Bok Tower Gardens
There's still time to take advantage of the Wawa FREE Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens. Make a weekend getaway of it with a trip to Peppa Pig Theme Park and Legoland Florida!
9. Summer Concerts
Take in an evening summer concert.
10. Mini Golf
Challenge the kids to a round of mini golf at one of the many fun courses around Orlando.
11. Cool Off with Ice Cream
Ice cream is the perfect end of summer treat, and one of these great ice cream shops around Orlando is the perfect place for a visit.
Little paleontologists will love Dino Digs at the Orlando Science Center.
12. Orlando Science Center
Take a trip to the Orlando Science Center to check out the fun exhibits, and visit the resident animal ambassadors at the new Life exhibit.
13. Indoor Playgrounds
Escape the summer heat and storms at an indoor playground.
14. Indoor Action Parks
Older kids can escape the Florida elements at these indoor entertainment centers.
15. Animal Encounters
Get up close and personal with local and exotic wildlife at an Orlando zoo. A favorite of ours is the Central Florida Zoo!
16. Public Swimming Pools
Take a dip in one of these swimming pools that are open to the public.
17. Water Parks
Take advantage of our proximity to these top Orlando water parks.
18. Museums
Orlando has a variety of fun museums to visit, including a train museum, fire museum, chocolate museum, and more.
19. Splash into the Springs
If you haven’t already visited a Florida freshwater spring, it’s a must-do summer activity! Tip: Plan to arrive early, as most springs hit capacity quickly after opening.
20. ICON Park
Play tourist for the day at ICON Park. Take a ride on The Wheel, pose alongside wax figurines at Madame Tussauds, learn all about creatures of the sea at Sea Life Orlando, and more.
21. Escape Rooms
For tweens and teens, treat them to an escape room adventure with friends.
22. Explore the Local Waterways
Hit the water with these local kayak and paddleboard tours, or take the boat out for one of these kid-friendly boat trips.
Spend the day at Disney Springs.
23. Disney Springs
Get your Disney fix at a fraction of the cost at Disney Springs. While you're there, stay for the new Disney Dreams That Soar drone show, taking place nightly through Labor Day!
24. Camping
Spend a weekend camping at these Florida campgrounds with extra entertainment geared toward kids and families.
Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnett Springs Park takes visitors on a journey through the trees.
25. Bonnet Springs Park
Bonnet Springs Park is a FREE hidden gem that caters to all ages!
26. Scalloping
Partake in an underwater treasure hunt in the Gulf waters during scalloping season.
27. Crayola Experience
Visit this colorful indoor attraction with tons of creative play opportunities.
28. Gatorland
Bite into fun with a visit to Gatorland Orlando. Don't forget to bring swimsuits for the little ones to cool off in the splash pad!
Make bubbles larger than your whole head in the bubble lab at WonderWorks.
29. WonderWorks
Don't miss the iconic upside-down building, home to WonderWorks, an indoor attraction with three floors of fun.
30. Back-to-School Shopping
From July 29 - August 11, 2024, save money on school supplies, clothes, computers, and more during Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.
Photos by the author
