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Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in Orlando This Fall
Though it may not quite feel like fall (thanks continuous heatwaves), it's that time of year to celebrate pumpkin spice lattes (preferably the iced variety here in Florida)! There are lots of things to do in Orlando in the fall because the temperatures ease up, and the holidays increase the amount and cool factor of fall events. Of course this city throws epic fall festivals because Orlando knows how to party for every season of the year!
We've rounded up our favorite things to do in the fall in Orlando, perfect for families of all shapes and sizes. Find Central Florida Fall Festivals and more Orlando fall activities in our Orlando Fall Guide.
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There's nothing that screams "fall" more than visiting a pumpkin patch, like East Lake Pumpkin Patch, with kids. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
Fall Bucket List for Kids: Things To Do in Orlando This Fall
1. Fall Festivals
Throughout Central Florida, there's fall festivals happening almost every weekend during the season. Personally, we're excited for Pig on the Pond Community Festival in Clermont, happening mid-October, and Fall Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola in November.
2. Manatees
As the temperatures drop, it becomes the ideal time to catch a glimpse of the Florida's manatee population. From November through early spring, these gentle mammals congregate in freshwater springs throughout the region.
Have a scaringly good time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Photo courtesy WDW
4. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Walt Disney World kicks off the fall season with the ultimate celebration, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! The annual celebration runs from mid-August until November 1, and puts a smile on the face of kids and adults alike.
5. Trick-or-Treat
You can't have a fall activity guide without including a trick-or-treat guide! Kids can venture for sweets in their own neighborhoods or hit up other neighborhoods known to give out those elusive full-size candy bars.
6. Oktoberfest
There are a TON of family-friendly Oktoberfest activities throughout Central Florida, including German-themed events in Oviedo, Casselberry, Avalon Park, and more.
7. Weekend Trips
Because of Orlando's mild temperatures during fall, enjoy a trip to the coast or another nearby city when the kids have holiday and fall breaks.
8. Beaches
Take a day trip to a nearby beach this fall and enjoy the sand and surf without all the frenzied tourists and baking sun. Even if the water is a bit too cold to jump in, kids will love to continue building sand castles, searching for seashells, and playing beach games.
RELATED: Best Shark Tooth Beaches in Florida
9. Natural Springs
Central Florida has some of the most beautiful natural springs in the world, and these magical watering holes stay at 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit year round—never a bad time to take a dip!
Enjoy family bonding time (also see #35) during a camping trip, like at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Photo courtesy WDW
10. Camping
Take the family camping this fall and enjoy building a campfire, sleeping under the stars, and hiking (without the unbearable summer sun).
11. Brick-or-Treat at Legoland Florida Resort
Weekends from September 16 through October 29, Legoland Florida Resort puts on Brick-or-Treat, a Halloween-themed event featuring candy, a costume parade, special live shows, and more.
12. Arts and Crafts
Create fall-related art projects, like leaf rubbings, handprint turkey drawings, spooky spiders, and more!
Make sure to catch an Orlando City SC game before the season ends in October. Photo by Paula Andrea Morales
13. Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride
Cheer on Orlando's Major League Soccer team, Orlando City SC, and its National Women's Soccer League team, Orlando Pride, as the regular season runs through early October.
14. Take a Family Hike
Enjoy the great outdoors without summer's brutal heat by taking a fall hike.
There are several big, fun-climbing trees at the Nature Center at Bonnet Springs Park. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
15. Bonnet Springs Park
Fall is the perfect time to explore Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. Stroll the beautiful nature trails, climb into a treehouse, venture through the treetops on a canopy walk, and explore an array of play areas all throughout the park. And did we mention it's FREE to visit?
16. Disney Junior Live on Tour
Visit the Dr. Phillips Center this October to see Mickey, Minnie, and your Disney Junior faves during Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza.
RELATED: Guide to ICON Park Orlando: An Icon of Entertainment
Kids will love the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular this fall! Photo by Charlotte Blanton
17. SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Even fish love Halloween! Make your way to SeaWorld in September and October for the attraction's holiday spectacular featuring candy, dancing, and mermaids!
18. Pumpkin Recipes
Kids will love helping out in the kitchen to make these pumpkin-flavored treats!
Kids admission is free for Florida residents for all of September at Brevard Zoo. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
19. Brevard Zoo
For the entire month of September, Brevard Zoo is offering FREE kids' admission for Florida residents. Then for the month of October, zoo visitors can partake in Boo at the Zoo.
20. Spooky Activities for Older Kids
Older kids and teens (or those kids who never get spooked) can choose from scarier events happening throughout Central Florida, including haunted houses, creepy mazes, and more. SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream and Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights are theme park events geared for visitors over the age of 13 due to intense themes.
21. Goblins & Giggles at Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms always puts on an epic seasonal celebration and fall is no different! Families can enjoy a Monster Mash Bash, Pirate's Treasure Escape Room, Phantom of the Atrium Light Show, and more. These fall activities run from September 9 through October 28.
22. Ghost Tour
There's no better time to take a ghost tour than during fall and the spookiest holiday of the year, Halloween! Our favorites include Sanford Ghost Tours and Mount Dora Ghost Tours.
23. Outdoor Movies
The benefit of having a balmy climate in fall is that you can keep up with fun outdoor activities in October, like outdoor movie nights (many of which are FREE). Watch fall movie showings at Oviedo Movie in the Park, Avalon Park Movie Under the Stars, Popcorn Flicks in the Park in Winter Park, Longwood Movie in the Park, and more.
24. Garden Tours
Since the temperatures don't drop too dramatically in Central Florida, fall is a great time to comfortably stroll through one of the fabulous local gardens. Mead Botanical Garden, Bok Tower Garden, and Leu Gardens are just a few idyllic spots to visit.
25. Outdoor Picnic
Head to your favorite Orlando park on the perfect fall afternoon for an outdoor picnic. Plan your picnic for a cooler day and let the kids help make some of the meal. Don't forget the sunscreen!
26. Apple Recipes
There may not be apple picking in Orlando, but we sure have a lot of tasty apples to eat in the fall. Transform these versatile fruits into delectable grandeur with our apple recipes, for dishes like apple pancakes, apple cookies, apple rings, and more.
Navigate the Mission to the Moon corn maze at Corn Maze Orlando, open daily through November 30. Photo courtesy of Corn Maze Orlando
27. Corn Mazes
Get lost among the corn stalks at some wonderfully elaborate Orlando corn mazes. In addition to the maze, many of these sites have more attractions like hayrides, playgrounds, live entertainment, and more.
28. Playgrounds
Nothing like watching your child enjoy the playground instead of watching their sweaty skin stick to the slide and burn from the swing's chains like in summer.
29. Pumpkin Patches
Enjoy the quintessential fall activity of visiting a pumpkin patch in Orlando to carve, decorate, eat, or all of the above. Orlando pumpkin patches also offer additional kids activities like petting zoos, playgrounds, and more.
30. Airboat Rides
Up your fall adventures by taking the family on an airboat ride or tour. These fast-moving fan boats allow riders to explore the Florida Everglades and maybe make friends with an alligator or two.
Enjoy a fall trip to Gatorland and enjoy the milder temperatures. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
31. Gatorland
Speaking of alligators, enjoy an entire theme park built around these fascinating reptiles. The park is much easier to tour when the temperatures drop a bit.
32. Orlando's Secret Spots
Fairy trail, monster truck tours, butterfly gardens, and more... these secret Orlando spots are perfect for fun outings this fall!
33. Central Florida Zoo
Feed giraffes, take a monkey selfie, and spot playful otters at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford.
34. Train Ride
Take a scenic train ride this fall to explore the beautiful Sunshine State. And don't forget, the Brightline Orlando train debuts soon!
35. Visit the Theme Parks
With cooler weather and lower crowd sizes, fall is the perfect time to visit Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, and Legoland. At Universal, guests can check out the new Minion Land.
35. S'mores
Enough said?!
