Charlotte B

Latest posts by Charlotte B

Orlando's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Submitted by Charlotte B on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 7:13am

Enjoy a night at the beach with the Sounds of Summer Concert Series at the Daytona Beach Bandshell. Photo courtesy of the event

Enjoy a free concert and outdoor music this summer in Orlando! We've rounded up outdoor summer concerts happening all around Central Florida perfect for families. From country to rock n' roll (and everything in between), you are sure to find free concerts this summer for adults and kids. Many of these outdoor music festivals also offer food trucks or are situated near restaurants, so grabbing a bite to eat before or after the free concert is easy. Some Orlando music festivals offer even more entertainment and activities for the kids! So grab your lawn chairs and enjoy the tunes with your family and friends!

For more free and affordable family fun this summer, check out our list of 50 Free Things to Do in Orlando this Summer and these Free & Cheap Outdoor (and Indoor) Summer Movies.

50 Awesome Free Things to Do in Orlando This Summer With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 10:06am

You can take three different Monorail tracks at Walt Disney World, absolutely FREE. Photo courtesy of Disney

We’ve been working hard to gather FREE things to do in Orlando this summer because we know all about the pressure and price of finding things to do to keep kids entertained when school is out. These free things in Orlando include everything from free splash pads and playgrounds to free shows and attractions, and lots more. See how many of these free things you can check off your summer list before school starts back!

In addition to the list below, be sure to bookmark our Orlando events calendar, and keep checking back as events are added frequently. For more FREE summer fun, visit our Orlando Summer Activities Guide to check out free summer concerts and outdoor music in Orlando, free outdoor movies, and more!

Aquatica Orlando: The Ultimate Guide for Wet & Wild Fun with Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 06/04/2023 - 7:41am

With a variety of Aquatica slides, guests can choose their level of thrill.

We recently visited Aquatica, SeaWorld’s awesome water park, for the ultimate summer outing to beat the Florida heat! This was my first Aquatica visit with all three of my kids (ages 5, 9, and 12), and we had a blast! There is truly something for every age to enjoy at this tropical oasis. Not only is Aquatica Orlando home to many fun water slides and pool areas, guests can also get a glimpse of sea life as well, making Aquatica a truly unique Orlando vacation.

21 Best Things to Do in Orlando June 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 05/28/2023 - 6:59am

Silver Spurs Rodeo, happening the first weekend in June, is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi. Photo courtesy of the rodeo

Start summer break with these fun June events in Orlando, including those involving Father's Day, Juneteenth, and more!

Kick off June in Orlando with a trip to the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee for bull riding, barrel racing, and more rodeo fun. Visit Wild Florida for just a small cash donation during the park's Gator Week event. Celebrate Father's Day with barbecue and a movie at Enzian or a family-friendly improv show. Commemorate Juneteenth with several events around Central Florida, including those in Kissimmee and Longwood. And bookmark our Orlando Summer Activities Guide to help plan the rest of your summer!

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. And get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters!

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Orlando (Plus Sprinkler Parks and Spraygrounds, Too)

Submitted by Charlotte B on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 11:29am

Enjoy the sprinklers the Winter Garden splash pad. Photo courtesy of Winter Garden

Splash pads in Orlando help kids cool down while burning off some energy. We've listed our favorite sprinkler parks around Orlando, and several are adjacent to some of the best playgrounds in the area. These Orlando spraygrounds and splash parks make for a cheap— or even FREE— day of entertainment, especially for little ones. Grab your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen and enjoy fun on hot summer days!

For more ways to cool off this summer, consider visiting one of these Best Florida Beaches or Orlando Pools with Day Passes . Many of Orlando's theme parks and other attractions (such as Gatorland and the Central Florida Zoo) also feature fun splash pads, so be prepared with a swimsuit for little ones when you visit!

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in Orlando: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Charlotte B on Wed, 05/24/2023 - 10:20am

When the sun sets at SeaWorld Orlando, the park comes to life at SeaWorld Summer Spectacular. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Starting Monday, get FREE admission to Wild Florida's Gator Park as part of Gator Week! Stroll the Central Florida Zoo on Friday evening and enjoy crafts, music, and more during Sunset at the Zoo. Visit Orlando theme parks this weekend for some late night fun, including SeaWorld's Summer Spectacular, Busch Gardens Summer Nights, and Disney H2O Glow After Hours. And the long weekend is also perfect for Awesome Summer Day Trips From Orlando or a Visit to a Nearby Florida Beach!

If you haven't already, sign up for our email list for everything happening around Central Florida delivered right to your inbox—for example, get the scoop from our Orlando Summer Camp Guide to help plan your summer!

Cheap and Free Outdoor Movies in Orlando this Summer with Kids: Free Indoor Movies, Too!

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 9:03am

Enjoy outdoor movies in the gorgeous setting of Harry P. Leu Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens

The Florida heat may put a pause on some outdoor movies around Orlando, but we've rounded up places that are still offering outdoor movie nights, including dive-in movies. And to top it off, some of these are FREE outdoor movie nights! We've also included indoor free movies this summer around Orlando, as well as theaters offering low-cost kids movies weekly throughout the summer! Read on for 20+ free and cheap movie events happening in Orlando this summer.

Enjoy more outdoor movies at these Drive-In Movie Theaters near Orlando. And for additional summer fun on a budget, check out our roundup of 50 Free Things to Do in Orlando this Summer.

Best Florida Beaches Near Orlando for a Trip with Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on Sun, 05/14/2023 - 9:00am

Nature lovers and beachgoers flock to Vero Beach, which is surrounded by serene blue-green waters. Photo courtesy of Vero Beach

Take a break from Orlando theme parks with a quick getaway to one of the many Florida beaches near Orlando. Whether you want to take in the sunrise and coastal breeze on the Atlantic side or enjoy the calm waters and picturesque sunsets on the Gulf, Orlando is centrally located, making it an easy drive to either coast.

We've rounded up our favorite Florida beaches within a few hours’ drive of Orlando, so you can pack up your beach gear for a weekend getaway with the kids, or even just a day trip. For those days when a shorter drive is better, consider a swim at these nearby Orlando beaches attached to Florida's natural springs or at an outdoor water park.