Beat the Heat: Indoor Activities for Families in Orlando, FL

Summer is the perfect time to lounge by the beach or pool while your kiddos splash in the water and dig in the sand. It's also an excellent time for playdates, the park, and ice cream walks. But sometimes, especially in Florida, the heat can't be beat by any amount of shade, water, or ice cream. For those days when you need some AC and entertainment for your kids, we've compiled a list of indoor activities for families in Orlando, FL. Whether you're looking for an option that'll burn off energy, provide a learning opportunity, guarantee laughs for the whole family (not just the wee ones), or foster creativity, there's an option for you. 

Indoor Activities for Families in Orlando, FL

Best for Physical Activity

Aiguille Rock Climbing Gym

Aiguille Rock Climbing Gym offers a fun climbing experience for the entire family. Participants must be at least five years old and weigh a minimum of 25 pounds. Day passes, which give you access to the whole facility, are available $20 for adults and $17 for students and hero occupations such as teacher, EMT, firefighter, law enforcement, nurse, and doctor (harnesses included). Shoe rentals are $4. If it's your first time, ensure that you fill out the waivers for everyone before arriving at the gym to expedite the check-in process. You can find the online waiver to complete here. 

The facility features 10,000 sq. ft. of climbing area, including top-rope walls (a certified belayer is required), auto-belays (no belayer needed), and bouldering. There's also a fitness area with a selection of cardio machines and free weights.

If you're in charge of wrangling your kids and their friends, consider booking a group event that includes a two-hour climbing package, all necessary gear, and a staff member to belay and assist the kids as they climb. For more information on group event pricing, visit the Group Events at Aiguille page on their website.

Elev8 Fun

Elev8 is an indoor adventure park offering go-karts, arcade games, bowling, laser tag, ropes course, mini-golf, axe-throwing, and billiards. Food and drinks are available for purchase, featuring select items from the California Pizza Kitchen menu. Their Kids Menu features fan favorites like pizza, mac n cheese, and chicken tenders. 

Promos worth mentioning include ½-price arcade games every Wednesday and 2-for-1 Go-Kart races on Thursdays.

Best for Educational Experiences

Orlando Science Center

Orlando Science Center offers hands-on, immersive exhibits for all ages. Current exhibit halls include:

• DC Super Heroes

• Life - a conservation exhibit

• KidsTown - creative play activities for kids ages 0-7

• Kinetic Zone - explore engineering design processes

• DinoDigs - roam around the prehistoric world 

• Our Planet, Our Solar System - dive into all things atmospheric and earth sciences 

• Fusion: A STEAM Gallery - an art gallery centered around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics themes. 

• Food Heroes - learn about the global food system

• Tiny Green Home - learn about sustainability and recycling

You can receive a discount on tickets when you purchase them online, so consider buying in advance to save.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium 

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers nine interactive zones, including, but not limited to, a 360 Ocean Tunnel, Jelly Wall Exhibit, Indian Ocean, Feeding Frenzy, and a Coastal Rockpool Exhibit. You can easily purchase bundle tickets that give you access to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds (a wax museum), The Orlando Eye, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort. 

Best for Family Fun

 

Dezerland Park Orlando 

Dezerland is Florida's largest indoor adventure park, offering over 20 attractions, including the longest indoor go-karting track and the largest pinball arcade. Other attractions include an auto museum, a gel blasters area, axe-throwing, bowling, an arcade, a trampoline park, laser tag, a movie theater, a mini train ride, mini golf, bumper cars, a kids' spa, a photo studio, and an ice skating rink. 

Each attraction has a separate entry fee, but Dezerland offers three different pass options that allow you to choose multiple attractions to visit and save money. Learn more about their daily promotions and pass options on their website at

Main Event Entertainment  

Similar to Dezerland, Main Event Entertainment offers a variety of family-friendly activities under one roof. Experiences include bowling, virtual reality, laser tag, billiards, games, escape rooms, mini golf, gravity ropes, multiball, gel blasters, and human crane. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Current promotions include:

• Kids Bowl Free: Kids 15 and under bowl free for two games Monday through Friday from open until 5 pm

• Kids Eat Free Tuesdays: Kids under 12 eat FREE when you buy a full-price menu item. 

Best for Creative Kiddos

Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall 

The Crayola Experience is for all the kids who love to color and create. You'll have the opportunity to meet retired crayon characters, paint with melted wax, star in a personalized coloring page, see the largest Crayola crayon, make arts and crafts, play on a crayon-themed playground, watch a variety of live shows, and more. Annual passes are available for $44.99, allowing you to enjoy the experience many times.

My Little Town

My Little Town may be the sport for you if you have youngsters aged 6 months to 8 years old. It is an indoor play space offering 2 hours of play time for $16.99. Up to two parents per child can enter for free. Highlights include dress-up clothes, Cozy Coupe cars, play kitchens, dollhouses, sensory toys, and more. 

Next time you need a break from the heat and want to have fun with the family, consider one of these indoor activities. From rock climbing at Aiguille Rock Climbing Gym to the Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall, pick your adventure and have fun!