Orlando with kids: city playgrounds, the Lake Lorna Doone splash pad, free museum days, story times and rainy-day picks, with hours from official pages.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Park details come from the City of Orlando parks directory; county splash pads from Orange County Parks and Recreation; museum hours from each museum’s own site. Hours change for holidays and events; check before you go.
Orlando has more than 50 city parks and neighborhood centers with playgrounds, a city splash pad at Lake Lorna Doone Park, free museum days and free story times. This guide covers outdoor play, water play, story times and indoor ideas for rainy days. School break camps are on our spring break and summer camps and pools pages.
At a glance
- Free museum day: Mennello Museum, second Sunday of every month
- Free garden day and story time: Leu Gardens, first Monday of every month
- Splash pad: Lake Lorna Doone Park, two sessions a day in season
- City recreation: Families, Parks and Recreation, 407-246-4300
Playgrounds
These city parks have separate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12, the city’s parks directory shows:
| Park | Address | Also there |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Eola Park | 512 E. Washington St. | Swan boats, amphitheater; park open 6 a.m. to midnight |
| Blue Jacket Park | 2501 General Rees Ave. | Bike and jogging trails |
| Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake | 3401 S. Hiawassee Road | Fishing pier, nature trails, disc golf; daily entry fee per car |
| Park of the Americas | 201 Andes Ave. | Trailhead for the Lake Underhill Path, dog park |
| Airport Lakes Park | 7098 Shadowridge Drive | Fishing pier, trails |
| Demetree Park | 650 Santiago Ave. | Fishing pier, trails |
| Delaney Park | 1055 Delaney Ave. | |
| Wadeview Park | 500 E. Harding St. | |
| Mayor Carl T. Langford Park | 1808 E. Central Blvd. | |
| Cherry Tree Park | 2725 E. Jackson St. |
The city also runs the Mercy Drive Playground at Children’s Safety Village, 910 Fairvilla Road, and playgrounds at most of its neighborhood centers.
Splash pads
Lake Lorna Doone Park, 1519 W. Church St., is the city’s splash pad. Its schedule on the park’s page:
| Season | Days | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| OCPS spring break, March 15-22 | Daily | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. |
| March 23 to May 30 | Saturday and Sunday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. |
| May 31 to Aug. 9 | Daily | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 2:30 to 7:45 p.m. |
| Aug. 15 to Oct. 26 | Saturday and Sunday | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. |
| November and December | Closed |
Orange County runs splash pads at Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive; Capehart Park, 715 Capehart Drive; and Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Ave., in sessions from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. with a break from 2 to 3 p.m., and at Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, the county says. City pools are on our summer camps and pools page.
Story times and free days
- Leu Gardens Free Day and Story Time, first Monday of each month except holidays. Garden admission is free, and the Orange County Library System reads Baby Tales (to 18 months) at 10 a.m., Toddler Tales (18 months to 2) at 10:20 a.m. and Preschool Tales (3 to 5) at 10:40 a.m., the gardens say. Upcoming free days: Nov. 2 and Dec. 7, 2026, and Jan. 4, 2027.
- Mennello Museum Free Family Funday, second Sunday of every month, with free admission, docent-led gallery tours and a fine art project, at 900 E. Princeton St., the museum says.
- Storytime in the Park, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Bill Frederick Park, on the city’s events calendar.
- Library branches post their own story times on the Orange County Library System calendar.
Rainy-day picks
- Orlando Science Center, Loch Haven Park. Exhibits, a planetarium dome and KidsTown for young children. The center asks visitors to reserve timed-entry tickets online; daily hours and showtimes are on its calendar.
- Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St. Open 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays. Children under 6 are free, and children 6 to 17 pay a reduced rate, the museum says.
- Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., downtown. Its free Trick or Treat Safe Zone is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, with a museum scavenger hunt, the downtown events calendar says.
Seasonal
Halloween, holiday lights and egg hunts are on our seasonal pages: Halloween events, holiday lights and Christmas events and Easter.
Related: free things to do, parks and trails, dog-friendly Orlando and schools.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free splash pad in the city of Orlando?
Yes. The city’s splash pad at Lake Lorna Doone Park, 1519 W. Church St., runs daily in summer and on weekends in spring and fall, in two sessions a day. It is closed in November and December.
Which Orlando museum is free for families?
The Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton St., holds Free Family Funday on the second Sunday of every month, with free admission, docent tours and an art project. Children under 6 are always free.
Where are the best playgrounds in Orlando?
City parks with playgrounds for both ages 2-5 and 5-12 include Lake Eola Park, Blue Jacket Park, Bill Frederick Park, Park of the Americas, Delaney Park and Wadeview Park.
Is there a free story time in Orlando?
Leu Gardens hosts free Orange County Library System story times on the first Monday of each month, when garden admission is also free: Baby Tales at 10 a.m., Toddler Tales at 10:20 a.m. and Preschool Tales at 10:40 a.m.
What can kids do in Orlando when it rains?
Indoor options include the Orlando Science Center in Loch Haven Park, which asks visitors to book timed-entry tickets, and the Mennello Museum.
Have your say