Orlando is the sixth-largest city in the state of Florida and serves as the county seat for Orange County. In 2009, 45.3 million people visited the city, according to USA Today. Many travel to Orlando to visit attractions nearby the city like Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, but the city of Orlando itself offers numerous activities for families and children year-round.
The Orlando Science Center is on East Princeton Street near Camden Road in downtown Orlando. The facility has had activities for children since it opened in 1955, and has operated from its Princeton Street location since 1997. The center held Zagat ratings of "very good to excellent" for its appeal, facilities and service, as of November 2010.
The Orlando Science Center covers four floors and features hands-on activities that encourage kids to learn through doing. At the Kidstown exhibit, children who are less than 48-inches tall can explore a special city scaled for them, enjoying tasks like picking oranges in a grove and building bridges. Daily star and laser light shows are held in the center's planetarium. Parents can treat their kids to educational and first-run entertainment films at the on-site IMAX movie theater.
Orlando Science Center is open Thursday through Tuesday, closing Wednesdays, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Children, senior citizens and students with identification enjoy discounted admission rates. An on-site, pay parking garage is available.
WonderWorks is on International Drive in Orlando. From the outside, the attraction sparks children's imagination due to the fact that the building is upside down; the structure is positioned with its roof on the ground rather than its floor. Inside, kids can explore 100 different exhibits and games.
The facility has a ropes obstacle-course that includes a 36-foot climb and a suspension bridge as part of its 20 different physical challenges. WonderWorks has a laser tag arena on site and flight simulators that allow kids to pretend they are pilots. Each night, the Outta Control Dinner Show entertains families with a magic show and a pizza dinner.
WonderWorks is open daily, closing on some major holidays. Children and senior citizens receive reduced admission prices. Shows and some of the rides require an additional fee. The nearest parking is behind the center in the Pointe Orlando Parking Garage.
The Orlando Public Library is on East Central Boulevard between North Magnolia and Rosalind Avenues in downtown Orlando. Established in 1923, the facility serves as the headquarters for the Orange County Library System. The branch covers 290,000 square feet of space.
For long-time residents and visiting parents who are looking for an inexpensive way to spend a day with their kids, the Orlando Public Library has options. Public story times are available for children from birth to 18 months, 18 to 36 months, 3 to 5 years and school-age kids. Programs last 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the age level and include a read aloud story and activities like songs and games. The library also hosts craft sessions with a variety of themes, such as classic Disney films. Children can also attend special events like movie nights.
Orlando Public Library is open daily. Times for children's programs at the library may vary throughout the year. The library does not charge a fee for its kids activities. The nearest parking facility is across the street from the library on East Central Boulevard and is a pay garage.
