Charlotte Blanton
Charlotte Blanton, a Central Florida native and mom of three, holds a business degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). After a career in corporate finance, she pivoted to stay home with her kids and found her passion for writing through Mommy Poppins. She loves exploring local theme parks and discovering fun activities for families in Central Florida.
Latest posts by Charlotte
First birthdays are a big milestone, especially for parents who persevered through those difficult first 12 months of life. It’s no wonder parents want to go all out to celebrate the occasion. But planning a first Orlando birthday party can add a lot of undue stress, so why not choose a venue that can alleviate some of the tasks involved in party planning? We’ve rounded up some wonderful Orlando birthday party venues perfect for hosting a first birthday party in Orlando.
In addition to the venues below, local playgrounds and splash pads are also very popular party options for first birthday parties. For a complete list of all the great ways to celebrate birthdays locally, check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in Orlando.
Ahoy there, mateys! Legoland Florida’s newest fully immersive hotel–Pirate Island Hotel–opened to the public just last year. My family recently got a chance to visit for my son’s birthday, and we had a blast. It is a great addition to the other two onsite hotels: the attached Legoland Hotel and the nearby Legoland Beach Retreat. Read on to discover all the cool details about Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, and how to squeeze as much fun in your hotel stay, brick by brick (get it)!
Gainesville, Florida, may be known as a college town, but there are so many other things to do in this city north of Orlando—and much of it is perfect for families and kids. As a Florida native and a University of Florida graduate (Go Gators!), I love to take the trip to Gainesville, FL, with my kiddos whenever I get the chance.
Here are some of our favorite activities and attractions in and around Gainesville, FL. From outdoor activities and sports, to museums and festivals, you are sure to find something that peaks your family's interest.
For more fun destinations for families around the Sunshine State, visit our Florida Family Travel Guide.
Cooler weather in Orlando is the perfect time to get outdoors, and miniature golf is a fun, easy outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. We’ve rounded up a list of Orlando mini golf courses and around Central Florida sure to entertain kids of all ages!
Another great side of miniature golf is that many of these attractions host birthday parties and other group events. Visiting Orlando on an epic family vacay? No trip is complete without a game of mini golf and getting the best souvenirs—those tiny pencils and bragging rights for a hole in one.
Read on to find out where to play mini golf with the kids in Orlando, and spend a day (or evening) on the green. For more outdoor family fun, why not take a family boat trip, visit a drive-thru safari, or check out a new playground?
Enjoy an afternoon of indoor family fun at one of these Orlando escape rooms! Put your inner Sherlock Holmes to the test with puzzles, riddles, and challenges to work together as a team and beat the clock in these themed experiences. These Orlando escape rooms are great entertainment for tweens and teens, but some are kid-friendly to ages as young as 7! Many of these locations offer birthday party options as well.
Dance classes for kids in Orlando are fantastic extracurricular activities to get boys and girls moving while having fun. Dancers from 18 months to 18 years can choose from a host of dance classes in Orlando and around Central Florida to bust a move. Whether your child wants to learn the fundamentals of ballet, hip hop, jazz, or tap, or even cultural dance styles such as Irish step dancing, Latin salsa, or Bollywood, there's an option for in Orlando. Several of the businesses listed even offer a free trial class!
Orlando is a prime location for over-the-top water parks, and the newest way of cooling off in Florida's warm weather are inflatable water parks. These bouncy aqua parks make for a great day of summer fun with school-age kids, as well as tweens and teens. Sometimes it's harder to entertain, or even hang with, teens, so we parents are usually willing to try any option—even if we seem a bit crazy out there on the ninja warrior course.
Looking for more swimming and splashing spots for the kids near Orlando? Check out our guides to local splash pads, natural spring swimming holes, and nearby Florida beaches.
Orlando’s weather can be brutal (rain, heat, or worst case, both); luckily, families have a plethora of indoor entertainment centers to visit where kids and adults can have a blast away from the elements. From arcades and indoor go-kart tracks to trampolines and laser tag, there's something for all ages to experience at these indoor attractions. All of the locations listed offer stress-free birthday parties as well, so keep them in mind when planning your child’s next birthday.
For little ones, be sure to check out our roundup of local indoor playgrounds as well.
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