Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland makes the the perfect outdoor day trip.
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Visitors can actually ride the exhibits at the Florida Railroad Museum, which hosts a variety of experiences throughout the year. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Sleepover with the dinosaurs at the Orlando Science Center. Photo by Charlotte B
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Visit Gatorland's play area during a visit to this beloved Florida roadside attraction. Photo Charlotte B
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Tour the Florida Everglades aboard the coolest mode of transportation--airboat! Kids will LOVE getting close to nature on a Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures tour. Photo courtesy Visit Orlando
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Race aboard Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge located within Super Mario Land at the upcoming Universal Epic Universe.
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Gideon's Handmade Cookies, at East End Market, are MASSIVE, like this drool-worthy pistachio toffee chocolate chip cookie. Photo courtesy Gideon's & East End Market
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Stay cool and dry this summer while battling dinosaurs at an Orlando arcade! Photo by author
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Toddlers and young kids can let loose with their prehistoric friends at Dinosaur World's cute playground. Photo by Charlotte Blanton
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Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach is home to more than 900 animals, including giraffes, lions, and zebras. Photo courtesy of the park
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Swim and paddle with adorable manatees during your stay at the aptly-named Manatee Cove Apartment. Photo courtesy of VRBO
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Spend a relaxing day tubing the pristine waters of Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Photo by Jackie Jones
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Celebrate your child's birthday party at Gatorland. Photo courtesy of Gatorland
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Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland makes the the perfect outdoor day trip.
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The beaches of St. Augustine are fun, free ways to spend a weekend trip from Orlando. Photo by Mancy Carter
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Splash and play all day long at the Peppa Pig Theme Park!
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The secluded St. Augustine Beach is a perfect respite from daily life. Photo Photo by Mancy Carter
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Create magical moments at Hollywood Studios, including those with Florida's only snowman, Olaf!
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SeaWorld Orlando theme park, zoo and aquarium offers exciting rides and roller coasters, up-close animal encounters. Photo by the author
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Splash around in the water feature at Bok Tower's Hammock Hollow Children's Garden. Photo courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens
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Get close and personal with the friendly dolphins of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Photo courtesy of aquarium
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See a replica of the moon landing with this Moonscape.
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Spend a few hours exploring Orlando with Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours. Photo courtesy of the company
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Adventures await you and your little piggies at Rebecca Rabbit's Playground at Peppa Pig Theme Park. Photo courtesy of Legoland
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Don’t miss your chance to see what fans love about the Harlem Globetrotters, plus more as the world-famous Globetrotters level-up every game with all-new, exciting challenges in 2025. Photo courtesy of the Globetrotters
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Fun, Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: 30 Free Things To Do in Orlando with Kids

Visit Disney Springs for a special Kids Club event each Saturday in January, featuring interactive family fun. Photo courtesy of Disney
Visit Disney Springs for a special Kids Club event each Saturday in January, featuring interactive family fun. Photo courtesy of Disney
12/29/24 - By Charlotte B

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend and beyond, January is packed with free activities for Orlando kids. Don’t miss our favorite FREE things to do in Orlando with kids this month!

Our wallets are in need of a breather for January after the great spending sprees of December. Here are fun, FREE events in Orlando this January to enjoy memorable experiences without straining your budget. These awesome, free activities in January 2025 include Three Kings Day in Osceola, Cops 'N Cars for Kids in Oviedo, Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe in Sanford, and more. MLK parades and events are taking place in Downtown Orlando, Kissimmee, Eatonville, Winter Park, Ocoee, and Winter Garden. And that's just the beginning!

These are just some of our favorite things to do in January for Orlando kids—we're adding more events to our Orlando Events Calendar every day.

More Things To Do in Orlando This January With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional food as well as dragon and lion dances at the Central Florida Vietnamese New Year celebration. Photo courtesy of the City of Maplewood
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional food as well as dragon and lion dances at the Central Florida Vietnamese New Year celebration. Photo courtesy of the City of Maplewood

Free Things to Do with Kids in Orlando January 2025

Eustis First Friday

Eustis
Friday, January 3, 2025
Visit the streets of downtown Eustis for a First Friday festival, with a different theme each month. This event features food, vendors, music, and more. READ MORE

Lake Mary First Friday Park Party

Lake Mary
Friday, January 3, 2025
Start each month with a First Friday Park Party in Lake Mary's Central Park. Enjoy food trucks, drinks, and entertainment for the whole family. READ MORE

Maitland's Getdown Downtown Block Party

Maitland
Friday, January 3, 2025
This monthly first Friday block party includes a fun zone for the kids, live entertainment, food, drinks, vendors, and more. READ MORE

Home Depot Kids Workshop

Multiple Locations
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Each month at all participating Home Depot locations, kids can complete a different hands-on project. Kids get to keep their craft and will also receive a certificate of achievement, workshop apron, and commemorative pin. READ MORE

Lowe's DIY Kids' Workshop

Multiple Locations
January 4 & 18, 2025
Each month, Lowe's home improvement stores offer a free kids' workshop where kids build their own project to take home. READ MORE

Three Kings Day Osceola

Kissimmee
Sunday, January 5, 2025
The annual Three Kings Day celebration includes a visit from the Three Kings, free snacks, a bike and tablet raffle giveaway, and a toy for kids under 11. READ MORE

Popcorn Flicks in the Park

Winter Park
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Bring your family along with a blanket and snacks to enjoy a classic movie in the park. READ MORE

Healthy New Year Showcase: Destination Lake Nona

Lake Nona
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Visit Lake Nona for a wellbeing showcase featuring samples from local restaurant featuring fresh/healthy menu items, mocktails, fitness demonstrations for all ages and booths from Lake Nona businesses, all featuring some type of healthy option. READ MORE

Kissimmee Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration

Kissimmee
Saturday, January 11, 2025
This annual community celebration features live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a unity garden, and a kids zone. READ MORE

The Orlando Fringe: Kids Fringe

Orlando
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Join The Orlando Fringe for free crafts, activities, games, and shows that are perfect for kids of all ages. READ MORE

Free Family Funday at the Mennello Museum

Orlando
Sunday, January 12, 2025
On the second Sunday of every month, the Mennello Museum offers Family Funday, with free admission, hourly docent-led tours, and a fine arts project. READ MORE

Third Thursday Free Admission at Orange County Regional History Center

Downtown Orlando
Thursday, January 16, 2025
On the third Thursday of each month, from 5-9pm, guests get free admission to the Orange County Regional History Center. READ MORE

Downtown Orlando Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Downtown Orlando
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Visit downtown Orlando for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade. The parade kicks off at the Downtown Orlando Courthouse and make its way to the beautiful Lake Eola Park. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with vibrant floats, marching bands and community groups. It's a day filled with unity, inspiration, and fun for all ages. READ MORE

Eatonville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Celebration

Eatonville
Saturday, January 18, 2025
The community is invited to this annual event, which includes a parade, food, live entertainment, vendors and more. The 2025 theme is "Illuminating Tomorrow Together."  READ MORE

Fort Christmas Historical Park's Barnyard Banter

Christmas
Saturday, January 18, 2025
On the third Saturday of each month, this historical and educational program is offered for free and is open to the public. Parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy learning together about how things were done in the past. READ MORE

Maitland Movie in the Park

Maitland
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Maitland's Movies in the Park presents a monthly family-friendly movie under the stars at Independence Square Park next to City Hall. READ MORE

Get Hook'd on Lake Monroe Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival

Sanford
January 18-19, 2025
This annual fishing tournament and seafood festival includes more than 30 vendors, live entertainment, conservation/education zones, and more. Kids can partake in a fishing rodeo on Sunday. READ MORE

Pets on the Promenade

Kissimmee
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Celebrate your furry friends at the 5th Annual Pets on the Promenade at the always pet-friendly Promenade at Sunset Walk. Bring the whole family — both two-legged and four-legged — for an afternoon dedicated to Man’s Best Friend. READ MORE

Unity Heritage Festival

Winter Park
January 19-20, 2025
This annual festival celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promotes community and family heritage. Sunday entertainment features music by local gospel bands and Monday includes a special program honoring Dr. King with ongoing musical artists. Special activities include children’s games, career booths, as well as retail and local food vendors. READ MORE

Ocoee Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration

Ocoee
Monday, January 20, 2025
This annual parade starts at 10am on Clarke Road in Ocoee, and a celebration takes place at 11am in the food court area of the West Oaks Mall. READ MORE

Winter Garden's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Winter Garden
Monday, January 20, 2025
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with a parade along Plant Street, followed by a community celebration with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE

Cops 'N Cars for Kids at Oviedo Mall

Oviedo
Saturday, January 25, 2025
This is the largest car show in Central Florida with over 200 of the best classic and modern vehicles. In addition to the car show, there is a huge turnout from law enforcement and fire departments from around the state with speciality vehicles, helicopters, and K9 units. Plenty of family fun including bounce houses, a huge array of vendors, food trucks, trophies. READ MORE

India Fair at Children's Safety Village

Orlando
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Celebrate India's Republic Day at this family-friendly event with food, vendors, music, heritage displays, dancing, games, playground area, flag hosting, and more. READ MORE

Oakland Heritage Day

Oakland
Saturday, January 25, 2025
This annual festival celebrates Oakland's history, nature, and the arts. Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, kids' activities, and more. READ MORE

Orange County Heritage Day

Downtown Orlando
Saturday, January 25, 2025
The Orange County Regional History Center continues its annual tradition of celebrating our county’s official beginnings with live performances and fun activities for the whole family. This year, celebrate the 180th birthday of Orange County by honoring the diverse and vibrant cultural landscape that makes up our community today. READ MORE

Central Florida Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Orlando
January 25-26, 2025
The Vietnamese New Year Festival is the largest cultural event in Orlando, and it promises to be an exciting and vibrant celebration of Vietnamese traditions. READ MORE

ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts - Education Day

Eatonville
Friday, January 31, 2025
Powerful collaborations fuel “Funtastic Experiences” for pre-K through grade 12 guests and their families. Guests can visit ZORA’s STEM explorer’s zone, inspiring young minds through STEM and Arts programming. READ MORE

Fridays on the Plaza

Winter Garden
Fridays in January 2025
Families can enjoy live music every Friday night at the Centennial Plaza Gazebo in downtown Winter Garden. READ MORE

Disney Springs Kids Club

Lake Buena Vista
Saturdays in January 2025
Visit Disney Springs for a special Kids Club event each Saturday, featuring interactive family fun. Activities include Flight Crew: a high-energy dance party with jump rope routines and acrobatics; Wassalou Drum Circle: create music with this vibrant Afropop band; and play games like limbo and hula hoops with DJ "KD Queen." READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Boxi Park

Orlando
Sundays in January 2025
Visit Boxi Park for Family Fun Day, with activities such as bounce houses, live music, face painting, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Your Local Home Depot Store
Lowe's - All Florida locations
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Orange County Regional History Center
Children’s Safety Village
Orange County Regional History Center
Central Florida Fairgrounds
Zora Neale Hurston National Museum