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
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.
Orlando has no shortage of water activities to keep your family cool this summer, including natural springs, public pools, boat trips, nearby beaches, and more. For those families looking for an active adventure on the water, paddleboard or kayak in Orlando for a tour that can’t be beat. There are plenty of places to rent kayaks and paddleboards in Orlando and explore the beautiful natural waterways the area has to offer.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Did you know that July is the official National Ice Cream Month in the United States? In honor of this, we’ve put together a list of the top ice cream shops in Central Florida. Whether you want traditional ice cream, soft serve, gelato, or unique options like rolled ice cream, we've got you covered.
Even if you are reading this outside of the summer months, in Florida you can can enjoy ice cream year-round. So plan a special outing to indulge in a cool treat. And if ice cream is not your thing, we’ve also included places to find other sweet treats, from pies, to donuts, to flavored marshmallows.
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