Things to Do with Kids in Winter Park, FL (2026): 6 Local Picks

Looking for things to do with kids in Winter Park? Start with the Scenic Boat Tour through the chain of lakes, then spot turtles and wading birds at Mead Botanical Garden. Saturday brings the farmers market in Central Park, and the free history museum adds a monthly family day.

6 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Scenic Boat Tour

Tour in Park Avenue, $
Kids ride for $10 on this hour-long pontoon trip through the lakes and narrow, moss-draped canals. Boats leave hourly from the end of Morse Boulevard, first come first served.
- Family
- Outdoor
- Water
- Date idea
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2
Mead Botanical Garden

Park
Free trails, a boardwalk over the wetlands and a pond where kids can spot turtles and wading birds make Mead an easy nature walk in Winter Park.
- Family
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
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3
Winter Park Farmers' Market

Market in Park Avenue
Saturday mornings in Central Park are an easy family outing, with baked goods, plants and room to run on the lawn beside Park Avenue.
- Family
- Outdoor
- Free
- Local favorite
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4
Winter Park History Museum

Museum in Park Avenue
Free museum just off Park Avenue covering Winter Park's past, from its citrus era onward, through rotating exhibits. A monthly family day adds kid-friendly tours and story time.
- Family
- Free
- Indoor
- Rainy day
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5
Howell Branch Preserve

Park
Small Winter Park nature preserve of about 10 acres ringed by wetlands, with a boardwalk and lookout deck for taking in the habitat. A fitness trail, playground and picnic pavilion make it an easy short outing.
- Family
- Walking
- Boardwalk
- Nature
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6
Ward Park

Park
Large 66-acre Winter Park park packed with ballfields, tennis courts and an Olympic-size pool, plus an asphalt walking path and a trail that passes through wetlands.
- Family
- Walking
- Running
- Paved trail
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A kid-friendly day in Winter Park

Start Saturday at the farmers market in Central Park's West Meadow, then walk a few blocks east to the dock at the end of Morse Boulevard for the Scenic Boat Tour. Kids tend to love the narrow canals, and the ride lasts about an hour. The Winter Park History Museum is just off Park Avenue and free, with Discovery Days on the second Saturday of each month.

In the afternoon, head to Mead Botanical Garden for shaded trails, the boardwalk and the pond, where turtles and wading birds are easy to spot.

Tips for families

Boat tour seats are first come first served, so arrive early on weekends and bring sun protection. Mead's shade makes it the best summer stop, and Park Avenue has plenty of spots for a snack between activities. If a summer storm rolls in, the history museum is the natural indoor backup, and the boat tour may pause during lightning, so ask at the dock before buying tickets. Little ones will also enjoy the open lawn in Central Park, a good place to stop for a snack.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 6 kid-friendly activities in Winter Park. You'll find them in Park Avenue.

About Winter Park

Winter Park sits just north of Orlando and is known for Park Avenue, Rollins College, its chain of lakes and brick streets. The city has a dense cluster of independent restaurants, boutiques, salons and professional offices.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do with kids in Winter Park?

Take the Scenic Boat Tour through the chain of lakes, explore the trails and boardwalk at Mead Botanical Garden, and visit the Saturday farmers market in Central Park. The free Winter Park History Museum just off Park Avenue runs Discovery Days with kid-friendly tours and story time on the second Saturday of each month.

How much is the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour for kids?

Tickets are $10 for kids and $20 for adults. The tour lasts about an hour and leaves hourly from the foot of Morse Boulevard. Reservations are not taken, so seats are first come first served, and weekend mornings can get busy. Group rates are available for larger parties.

Is Mead Botanical Garden good for kids?

Yes. Mead is free and has shaded trails, a boardwalk over the wetlands, a creek and a pond that draws turtles and wading birds. There is also a butterfly garden and a greenhouse. The shade makes it one of the more comfortable outdoor spots for kids in summer.