Whether you’re looking to relocate to Lake Nona and are planning ahead for things to do with the kids, or if you’re a current resident wanting some fresh, family-friendly entertainment ideas, you’ve landed on the right corner of the internet. Living in Lake Nona, Florida, provides plenty of amusement and recreational opportunities for families, whether your kids are teenagers or still riding around in the stroller. Lake Nona has a light suburban feel with highly-rated public schools, providing the perfect place for young professionals and families to grow some roots.
A mere 25 minutes from Orlando, Lake Nona has practically everything you need: mouthwatering dining options, endless entertainment, and fantastic shopping possibilities. If you’re looking for either indoor family-friendly activities or a way to get the kids outside, you won’t find yourself short of options in Lake Nona.
Living in Lake Nona
Officially part of Orlando City, Lake Nona is a great neighborhood housing some of Orlando’s best dining, entertainment, and sports opportunities. It’s a fast-growing community full of innovation and excitement. The 17-square-mile area is famed for its disruptive innovations in technology, well-being, and mobility. When you live in Lake Nona, you know you’re among some of the top businesses and environments in the country.
Keep in mind that this well-connected community isn’t just for businessmen and women. It offers a thriving community for its variety of residents, including engaging art installations, cultural landscapes, bustling events, world-class sports facilities, endless public parks and trails, and more. The heart of the community, the Lake Nona Town Center, provides a healthy mix of retail, entertainment, and dining suitable for children and adults.
Some of the best things about living in Lake Nona for families include but are not limited to the following:
- A+ schools for children of all ages
- Restaurants that will satisfy the pickiest or most adventurous eater
- Avenues to innovate, learn, and grow in almost any field
- Endless outdoor spaces for recreation and fun
12 Family-Friendly Activities in Lake Nona
1. Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
Anywhere you can go to see animals always seems to be a fun time for kids. The
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge not only provides the chance to spot interesting creatures, but it’s a great opportunity to learn something new while supporting a good cause. This refuge focuses on rescuing injured animals, so it has a lot of residents that are native to Florida. They have foxes, bobcats, owls, raccoons, and other interesting critters for the kids to see.
This wildlife refuge hosts tours, games, and plenty of other interesting exploration opportunities. It also hosts special events throughout the year, especially around holidays like Christmas and Easter. If you’re able to visit one of their events, you’ll be able to see the animals during all the festivities. The refuge’s current hours of operation are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM through 4 PM. You can find location and admissions details on their website.
2. Canvas
Image courtesy of Lake Nona
If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant with the best view in all of Lake Nona, look no farther than
Canvas. It’s a wonderful spot if you’re hoping to snag a delicious breakfast, enjoy the overlook of the water, or grab a quick cup of coffee before tackling shopping, parks, or whatever other plans you have for the rest of the day. You can enjoy their garden area or let the kids run around while you sink into their comfy outdoor couches. They often host fun brunches or other events for holidays, so be sure to check those out. You can find details about their hours and menu on their website.
3. Live and Local
If you’re looking for a way to get the kids outside more, check out Live and Local in Crescent Park. Thursday nights are a popular time for live performers, food trucks, and plenty of open spaces for the kids to run around and play. All the music played is family-friendly to keep the show inclusive and welcoming.
4. Drive Shack
Photo Courtesy of Lake Nona
All ages are welcome at this Lake Nona driving range.
Drive Shack offers plenty of games to help improve your golf skills, whether you’re an adult or a child hoping to beat the competition. The best game recommended for children is Monster Hunt, where kids can improve swing and accuracy by taking down monsters with golf balls. When you reserve a space at Drive Shack, you get an entire private bay to yourself. You can have food delivered, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of golf with the kids. Check their website for details on their hours and current promotions.
5. The Slime Factory
Photo Courtesy of NJ Family
Educational, fun, and creative,
The Slime Factory is a great place to keep your kids entertained and excited. They can become experts at slime making, satisfying their curiosity and creativity in a safe environment. You can either book a full or express experience, both of which teach how to make slime and offer tons of time to squish and play. With the Full Experience, you get to make two different slimes, choose toppings and foam beads, access the Gooey Slime or Seasonal pool, take selfies at the photo booth, and get your own commemorative certificate. Review their website for current prices, promotions, and hours.
6. Heroes Community Park
This is the perfect place for Lake Nona residents and guests to get outside, bring their kids, and let them get some energy out.
Heroes Community Park features a stellar playground, well-groomed soccer fields, and a surplus of hiking and biking trails to keep the whole family occupied. Their amenities are lit for night activities, so you never have to cut playtime short. The park is open from 6 in the morning until 11 at night every day.
7. Moss Park
Another stunning example of what Lake Nona has to offer in terms of natural environments, Moss Park is a lovely reserve you should definitely have on your list of things to do. It has hiking trails, places for kayaking and canoeing on the lake, and even hosts campers overnight if you’re interested. If you have little kids, you can take them to the playground for a guaranteed afternoon of fun.
8. Nona Adventure Park
Photo Courtesy of Groupon
The
Nona Adventure Park is a water-based entertainment spot, and it’s the perfect weekend activity for you and the kids. Featuring amazing ropes courses, a giant inflatable aquapark, and plenty of other things to climb on, this park is ideal for kids ages six and up. While you can feel free to bring your younger children, they may face some challenges on the inflatable course, so come prepared to be out there helping them over and through obstacles. There’s also a cable park and extra water sports that are great for older kids and parents looking to water ski, wakeboard, or kneeboard. They offer lessons for anyone in need. Check their website for prices, hours, and current activities.
9. The Little Gym
If you want to give your little ones a chance to learn a skill — like gymnastics, dance, or karate — then
The Little Gym is the ideal spot for you and your family. The Little Gym preaches that kids should be free to act like kids and that fun environments are conducive to a child’s ability to learn and prepare for life’s many adventures. They provide a wealth of unique programs focusing on active play while providing traditional school experience and education. Explore their classes online to find one that’s perfect for your child.
10. redCone Ice Cream
Image courtesy of redCone
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity that everyone will enjoy, you can’t go wrong with ice cream. At redCone, every serving comes with a piece of the ice cream parlor’s signature red cone to keep things colorful, fun, and exciting for the kids. You can choose from their extensive menu — cup or cone, crepe or pop, chocolate or vanilla. It’s a great place for the entire family. They’re located at 14846 Wyndham Lakes Blvd Suite 1, Orlando, Florida, and you can order ahead if you want to be sure your favorites are available.
11. Universal Studios
Photo Courtesy of Tripadvisor
If you’re living in Lake Nona and looking for family-friendly things to do, you can’t forget about the ever-popular Universal Studios Resort. The resort boasts three exciting theme parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Be sure to visit their
website to find out how to visit all three parks and explore the plentiful dining, entertainment, and shopping options nearby.
12. Walt Disney World Resort
Photo Courtesy of SilverKris
Living in Lake Nona means you’re less than 30 minutes from the famous
Walt Disney World Resort. It’s the world’s most magical place and the perfect location to keep the whole family amused. Enjoy roller coasters, family-friendly activities, food, and Disney experiences whenever you want. Check their website for details on all of the different things to do, as well as how to purchase an exclusive annual pass for Florida residents.
Meet Toni Marie Cafferty
If you’re looking to relocate to Lake Nona, Florida, or if you’re hoping to upgrade from your current location to a luxury estate or unique property, then you want to get in touch with
Toni Cafferty. In the past five years, Toni has managed over $74 million in sales and has no plans to slow that down any time soon. Instead, she’s expanding her reach and expertise to help even more buyers find their luxury property, setting records for her sellers as she does so.
