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Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Orlando This Fall

There's nothing that screams "fall" more than visiting a pumpkin patch with kids. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

9/9/22 - By Melanie Preis

Though it may not quite feel like fall (thanks, incessant heatwaves), it's that time of year to celebrate pumpkin-spiced lattes (only the iced variety here in Florida). There are lots of things to do in Orlando in the fall because the temperatures ease up a bit and the holidays increase the amount and cool factor of fall events. Of course this city knows how to throw a fall festival because, Orlando knows how to party for every season of the year.

We've rounded up our favorite things to do in the fall in Orlando, perfect for families of all shapes and sizes. Find Central Florida fall festivals and more Orlando fall activities in our Orlando Fall Guide.

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Fall Bucket List for Kids: Things To Do in Orlando This Fall

1. Pumpkin Patches

Enjoy the quintessential fall activity of choosing the perfect pumpkin to carve, decorate, eat, or all of the above at an Orlando pumpkin patch. Many pumpkin patches also offer additional kids activities like petting zoos, playgrounds, and more.

Have a scaringly good time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Photo courtesy WDW

2. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Walt Disney World kicks off the fall season with the ultimate celebration, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The annual celebration runs from mid-August until Halloween weekend and puts a smile on kids and adults alike.

3. Trick-or-Treat

You can't have a fall activity guide without including a trick-or-treat guide! Kids can beg for sweets in their own neighborhoods or hit up other neighborhoods known to give out those elusive full-size candy bars.

4. Corn Mazes

Get lost among the corn stalks at some wonderfully elaborate Orlando corn mazes. In addition to the maze, many of these sites have more attractions like bouncy houses, live entertainment, and more.

5. Fall Festivals

Throughout Central Florida, there's fall festivals happening almost every weekend during the season. Personally, we're excited for the Winter Springs Festival of the Arts and Falltober Fest in Celebration, both in mid-October.

6. Oktoberfest

There are a TON of family-friendly Oktoberfest activities throughout Central Florida, including German-themed events in Oviedo, Casselberry, Apopka, and more.

7. Weekend Trips

Because of Orlando's mild temperatures during fall, enjoy a trip to the coast or another nearby city when the kids have holiday and fall breaks.

8. Beaches

Take a day trip to a nearby beach this fall and enjoy the sand and surf without all the frenzied tourists and baking sun. Even if the water is a bit too cold to jump in, kids will love to continue building sand castles, searching for seashells, and playing beach games.

9. Natural Springs

Central Florida has some of the most beautiful natural springs in the world, and these magical watering holes stay at 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit year round—never a bad time to take a dip!

Enjoy family bonding time (also see #30) during a camping trip, like at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Photo courtesy WDW

10. Camping

Take the family camping this fall and enjoy building a campfire, sleeping under the stars, and hiking (without the unbearable summer sun).

11. Arts and Crafts

Create fall-related art projects, like leaf rubbings, handprint turkey drawings, spooky spiders, and more!

Make sure to catch an Orlando City SC game before the season ends in October. Photo by Paula Andrea Morales

12. Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride

Cheer on Orlando's Major League Soccer team, Orlando City SC, and its National Women's Soccer League team, Orlando Pride, as the regular season runs through early October.

13. Fairy Doors

Leu Gardens offers a bit of magic every fall with its fairy door exhibit. Look out for these adorable doors throughout the property.

14. Manatees

As the temperatures drop, it becomes the ideal time to catch a glimpse of the Florida's manatee population. From November through early spring, these gentle mammals congregate in freshwater springs throughout the region.

Kids will love the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular this fall! Photo by Charlotte Blanton

15. SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular

Even fish love Halloween! Make your way to SeaWorld any time in September and October for the attraction's holiday spectacular featuring candy, dancing, and mermaids!

16. Hike

Enjoy the great outdoors without summer's brutal heat by taking a fall hike.

17. Brick or Treat at Legoland Florida Resort

Every weekend in the fall, until Halloween, Legoland Florida Resort puts on Brick or Treat, a Halloween-themed event featuring candy (of course), a costume parade, special live shows, and more.

Kids admission is free for Florida residents for all of September at Brevard Zoo. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

18. Brevard Zoo

For the entire month of September, Brevard Zoo is offering FREE kids' admission for Florida residents. Then for the month of October, zoo visitors can partake in Boo at the Zoo.

19. Spooky Activities for Older Kids

Older kids and teens (or those kids who never get spooked) can choose from scarier events happening throughout Central Florida, including haunted houses, creepy mazes, and more. SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream and Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights are theme park events geared for visitors over the age of 13 due to intense themes.

20. Dr. Phillips Center

Take in a show this fall at Dr. Phillips Center, including Blue's Clues and You! on October 2 and Disney Junior Live on Tour on November 18 for young kids, and Hamilton from October 26-November 20 for theater-loving kids and teens.

21. Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center

Gaylord Palms always puts on an epic seasonal celebration and fall is no different! Families can enjoy the Monster Mash Bash, Adventure Kids: A Spooky Celebration, Secret Garden Escape Room, and more. These fall activities run from September 9-October 30.

22. Ghost Tour

There's no better time to take a ghost tour of Orlando than during fall and the spookiest holiday of the year, Halloween! Companies like American Ghost Adventures will take you on a walking ghost tour of the creepiest spots around town.

23. Outdoor Movies

The benefit of having a balmy climate in fall is that you can keep up with fun outdoor activities in October, like outdoor movie nights (many of which are FREE). Watch fall movie showings at Avalon Park Movie Under the Stars, Popcorn Flicks in the Park in Winter Park, and more.

24. Garden Tours

Although the temperatures don't drop too dramatically in Central Florida, fall is a great time to comfortably stroll through one of the fabulous local gardens. Mead Botanical Garden, Bok Tower Garden, Leu Gardens are just a few idyllic spots to visit.

25. Outdoor Picnic

Head to your favorite Orlando park on the perfect fall afternoon for an outdoor picnic. Plan your picnic for a cooler day and let the kids help make some of the meal. Don't forget the sunscreen!

26. Apple Recipes

There may not be a lot of apple picking in Orlando, but we sure have a lot of tasty apples to eat in the fall. Transform these versatile fruits into delectable grandeur with our apple recipes, for dishes like apple pancakes, apple cookies, apple rings, and more.

27. Playgrounds

Nothing like watching your child enjoy the playground instead of watching their sweaty skin stick to the slide and burn from the swing's chains like in summer.

28. Airboat Rides

Up your fall adventures by taking the family on an airboat ride or tour. These fast-moving fan boats allow riders to explore the Florida Everglades and maybe make friends with an alligator or two.

Enjoy a fall trip to Gatorland and enjoy the milder temperatures. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

29. Gatorland

Speaking of alligators, enjoy an entire theme park built around these fascinating reptiles. The park is much easier to tour when the temperatures drop a bit.

30. S'mores

Enough said?!

City Guides Fall Activities Orlando