Can't-Miss August Events for Orlando Families

1. Aviation Weekend at Kennedy Space Center - Merritt Island

Celebrate aviation and exploration at the Kennedy Space Center August 1-3, 2025. While you're there, explore the Planet Play attraction for the kids while you’re there!

2. Back-to-School Events & Fairs - Multiple Locations

There are great back-to-school fairs happening throughout August, in Orlando, Winter Garden, and more.

3. Monster Jam at Kia Center - Orlando

Get loud and dirty at the beloved monster truck show, Monster Jam, on August 2-3, 2025. 

4. Sea World Summer Spectacular - Orlando

Enjoy the last days of summer at Sea World Orlando with the theme park's seasonal festival, featuring fireworks and drones, running until September 1, 2025. 

5. Majik & Mythk Festival - Kissimmee

On August 16, enjoy the fun of a renaissance festival indoors, featuring over 200 exhibitors, live entertainment, costumes, and more.

6. Tay Tay Dance Party - Orlando

Get your Taylor Swift fix at Dr. Phillips Center for a fun dance party on August 16, 2025

7. Kennedy Under the Stars - Merritt Island

On August 30, 2025, enjoy a celestial after-hours experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, for cosmic mini golf, a dance party, science experiments, and more!

8. Disney on Ice at Kia Center - Orlando

Experience the magic of Disney on ice at this beloved show, coming to the Kia Center on August 29-31, 2025.

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Orlando with Kids

9. Leu Gardens Free Entrance Day - Orlando

On the first Monday of the month, August 4, 2025, Leu Gardens offers free admission for guests.

10. Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse - Orlando

Through August 7, 2025, Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse offers big-screen movies for $1.75!

11. Free Entrance Day for National Parks - Various Locations

On August 4, 2025, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee.

Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnett Springs Park takes visitors on a journey through the trees.

12. Bonnet Springs Park

Bonnet Springs Park is a FREE hidden gem that caters to all ages!

13. Studio Movie Grill Children's Movie Series - Kissimmee

Don't miss the last movies before this film series ends on August 14, 2025. Tickets are $6 and include a small popcorn and small drink.

14. UCF Football FanFest - Orlando

Head to Addition Financial Arena on Satuday, August 16, 2025 to meet UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn as well as members of the football team.

15. YMCA Healthy Fun Day - Multiple Locations

This free community event takes place several YMCA locations across Central Florida. Enjoy interactive activities, workshops, and more.

16. Free Admission to Bok Tower Gardens - Lake Wales

There's still time to take advantage of the Wawa FREE Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens on August 29, 2025.

17. Florida Kids and Family Expo - Orlando

On August 23-24, 2025, this two-day event brings together over 200 exhibitors including schools, entertainment, sports, businesses and more.

18. Summer Concerts

Take in an evening summer concert throughout Orlando and Central Florida.

19. Camping

Spend a weekend camping at these Florida campgrounds with extra entertainment geared toward kids and families.

20. Back-to-School Shopping

From August 1-31, 2025, save money on school supplies, clothes, computers, and more during Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.

21. Walk the Boardwalks

Take a stroll along some of the best Orlando boardwalks, perfect for a free afternoon of fun.

22. Orlando Tours

Take a family tour and explore Orlando in a whole new way. Enjoy an Everglades airboat tour, scenic train rides, and more.

Outdoor Adventures To End Summer with a Splash

23. Splash Pads

Get little ones out of the house before naptime at a local splash pad, many of which are free!

24. Inflatable Water Parks

Jump, climb, bounce, and slide at these fun inflatable aqua parks.

25. Visit a Florida Beach

Sneak in one last beach trip to one of these Florida beaches near Orlando.

26. Take a Summer Day Trip

Load the kids up in the car and head out for a summer day trip; we’ve rounded up 25 fun destinations all within a couple of hours drive from Orlando.

27. Public Swimming Pools

Take a dip in one of these swimming pools that are open to the public.

28. Water Parks

Take advantage of our proximity to these top Orlando water parks.

29. Explore the Local Waterways

Hit the water with these local kayak and paddleboard tours, or take the boat out for one of these kid-friendly boat trips.

30. Splash into the Springs

If you haven’t already visited a Florida freshwater spring, it’s a must-do summer activity! Tip: Plan to arrive early, as most springs hit capacity quickly after opening.

31. Scalloping

Partake in an underwater treasure hunt in the Gulf waters during scalloping season.

32. Lazy Rivers

Take a relaxing dip at some of the best lazy rivers in Orlando to cool off.

33. Animal Encounters

Get up close and personal with local and exotic wildlife at an Orlando zoo. A favorite of ours is the Central Florida Zoo!

Indoor Escapes for Beating the August Heat

Little paleontologists will love Dino Digs at the Orlando Science Center. 

34. Orlando Science Center

Take a trip to the Orlando Science Center to check out the fun exhibits, and visit the resident animal ambassadors at the new Life exhibit.

35. Cool Off with Ice Cream

Ice cream is the perfect end of summer treat, and one of these great ice cream shops around Orlando is the perfect place for a visit.

36. Indoor Playgrounds

Escape the summer heat and storms at an indoor playground.

37. Arcade Games

Play games galore with your kids and teens at a local arcade.

38. Indoor Action Parks

Older kids can escape the Florida elements at these indoor entertainment centers.

39. Mini Golf

Challenge the kids to a round of mini golf at one of the many fun courses around Orlando.

40. Museums

Orlando has a variety of fun museums to visit, including a train museum, fire museum, chocolate museum, and more.

41. ICON Park

Play tourist for the day at ICON Park. Take a ride on The Wheel, pose alongside wax figurines at Madame Tussauds, learn all about creatures of the sea at Sea Life Orlando, and more.

42. Escape Rooms

For tweens and teens, treat them to an escape room adventure with friends.

Spend the day at Disney Springs before school starts. 

43. Disney Springs

Get your Disney fix at a fraction of the cost at Disney Springs. While you're there, stay for the new Disney Dreams That Soar drone show, taking place nightly through Labor Day!

44. Crayola Experience

Visit this colorful indoor attraction with tons of creative play opportunities.

45. Gatorland

Bite into fun with a visit to Gatorland Orlando. Don't forget to bring swimsuits for the little ones to cool off in the splash pad!

Make bubbles larger than your whole head in the bubble lab at WonderWorks.

46. WonderWorks

Don't miss the iconic upside-down building, home to WonderWorks, an indoor attraction with three floors of fun.

End-of-Summer in Orlando: FAQs

Q: What are good day trips from Orlando with kids before school starts?
A: We have a lot of great day trips from Orlando, including Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine.

Q: How can I make the last days of summer special for my kids?
A: Spend time with them! Also, check out our curated itineraries for Orlando kids who love space, dinosaurs, and more. And don't forget about your teens this summer, too!

Q: Should I head to Orlando theme parks for the end of summer?
A: Be prepared for pricey tickets and long lines at Orlando theme parks, but also be prepared for lots of fun rides, tasty treats, and cool shows! We recommend Orlando's newest -- Universal's Epic Universe.

Photos by the author