Things to Do in Orlando with Your Children...

There are many splash pads and local pools to visit. I don't know where you live, but Pump It Up, Ipez, or other inflatable jump houses have open gyms. www.Pumpitupparty.com, do a search for Ipez in altamonte springs for that web site. Soccer season is starting at local ymca's and you can join even if you are not a member. Pinnochi's Marninotte theater is the Waterford Lakes area which is a fun event www.pinocchios.net . Orlando Science Center is fun for the kids, its a hands on museum. The beach is always fun and free. Maybe going to www.yahoo.com and doing a Group search for a moms group in your area would help, since they tend to do a variety of activies and can at least give you some ideas. www.Orlandokidsdirectory.com may also have some ideas. Hope this helps.....

At the Fort Wilderness Campground at Disney they offer a free movie outside with a campfire with Chip and Dale every night. I would suggest waiting until the weather cools. October is a good time to go. They have smores you can buy for about $5, and I think you can bring your own marshmallows if you want (I always forget and end up buying the pack of smores). The movies are on a rotation schedule. You can find out by calling Disney at ###-###-####... this is an information number. They can tell you what time and what movie is playing each night. Park at Fort Wilderness and take the bus over to the Pioneer Hall area and ask a cast member to direct you from there. They also have a free petting farm and pony rides for $4. I hope this helps!

Welcome to the area.
I can recommend a family membership to the Orlando Science Center. There are great play and learn areas for ALL ages. and our 2- and 4-year old grandsons want to go there every time they come to Orlando for a visit. It's even fun getting from the parking garage (shade!!!) to the Museum via skybridge. The boys like to watch the cars come and go under them. Lots of cool stuff in the Museum shop, too. (And no - I don't work for them.)

The big screen CineDome is awesome for the little ones and big people alike. Our kids always loved museums in general and that's rubbing off on the next generation now.

You can find tons of Information at: http://www.osc.org/

My boys love Pinocchio's marionette theater, as someone already suggested. Shows are about 40 minutes long, so little ones won't get too restless. The Orlando Science Center is a big hit for kids of all ages. You can go in for the day, or you can pay $110 (I think) to get a yearly family membership. This is a great air conditioned activity that can last an hour or the whole day. They have a great cafeteria/snack bar. Check with the library near your house. They have different programs for kids of all ages. I think someone already suggested this, but the library is a favorite of my very active, outdoorsy boys. We also like to go to one of the parks along the West Orange Trail (Chapin Station is one of my favorites - search for Orange County Parks & Recreation online). You can rent a trail-a-bike or pull-behind trailer for the little ones if you like. Another option that requires a small investment up front is Sea World. Every year, we buy the "fun card" in about February. It is about the cost of a one day admission, and lets you get in every day until December 31st. If you're in Southwest Orlando, Sea World also has lots of awesome summer camps, sleepover camps in the fall, and other activities. Go to Sea World's website for more information.

Hope this helps.

K. geever-C. wrote:

> Here are some ideas: Somethings are free and some are not.
> REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS:
> First Sat. Each Month 10am �Noon First Saturdays at Orlando Museum of Art - First Saturday is a fun, affordable opportunity for families to explore art, music and stories together. Each month the theme changes, and there are five stations in which you can participate. www.omart.org ($5 per family)
>
> Every Saturday 7am-1pm Winter Park Farmer�s Market The Farmers� Market is held at the old train depot that has been restored into an historical landmark that hosts this NUMBER ONE produce and plant market in Central Florida. The market takes place every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is a popular community gathering place that provides fine produce, plants, baked goods, and so much more.
>
> Every Sunday 9:30am-2pm Lake Eola Sunday Market -Offering a variety of baked goods, live plants, original artwork, crisp produce and fresh flowers, the �pet friendly� Downtown Farmers Market is a great place to shop year-round!
>
> IPEZ Bounce House [$6] Indoor padded play zone www.ipezorlando.com
>
> MUSIC CLASSES
>
> * In the SW Orlando/Kissimee/St. Cloud area Kindermusik with Hari Berzins, ###-###-####, ____@____.com
> * In the Oviedo/East Orlando Area Kindermuisk with Rachael Joachim [____@____.com] www.growandsing.com
>
> Also in Oviedo Music Together with Sherri Tantleff www.sunnysongz.com
>
> * In Downtown/Baldwin Park Area Jennifer Dunham at Enders Community Center ____@____.com
> YOGA CLASSES
>
> * Full Circle Yoga � Mom & Baby Yoga (Birth to Crawling) http://www.fullcircleyoga.com/Class_Descriptions.htm
> * Mom & Toddler Yoga with Becca Schmidt ____@____.com
>
> Library has stuff here and there, check out there events - http://www.ocls.info/flashDefault.asp?bhcp=1
>
> Go City Kids is a good site to check out - http://www.gocitykids.com/?area=176
>
> Barnes and Nobles and Books a Million (all locations) have a Thomas the train table in the kids area.
> Chick fil a and McDonalds are good for there play areas.
>
> Have fun!
> K.
> I am a Mother of a three year old in Downtown Orlando.

Leu Gardens! It's a beautiful place for a good nature walk for everyone plus they have story time from the orlando library - it's really good and fun.Here's the latest info:

Place - Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando
Time - 10:00 a.m.
Cost - FREE

More info.-
<http://www.leugardens.org/events.html&gt;

Leu Gardens and the Orange Co. Library System offer "Storytelling at the Gardens" on the 3rd Monday of every month at 10 a.m. (For those who don't already know, Leu Gardens is open FREE to the public every Monday before noon.)

They actually have 3 storytimes: 10:00 for 18 mos. and younger, 10:20 for toddlers, and 10:40 for 3 & 4 yr. olds.
or just give them a call for the details - (side bar) same place is great for just the adults when the have jazz festivals in the evenings. Hope this helps.
A.

F.,
I found it to be such a blessing when I stated going to church and found out about the activities that are involved. I think if you could find a local church you'd find fullfillment for everyone, including you........
Church is no longer just about pounding in God, it has groups for the children to attend that are based like the Boy/Girl Scouts and woman groups where you get to interact with grown ups!
Hey a little God never hurt anybody.....
Bless you and good findings.