18+ Things to Do With Kids in Orlando This September 2026: Free Events, Homeschool Days & Fall Fun

September is here, and Central Florida families have plenty to look forward to!

Whether you’re looking for free things to do with kids in Orlando, affordable homeschool field trips, hands-on educational activities, or the first pumpkin-and-Halloween events of the season, September has a little bit of everything.

And because Florida fall doesn’t always come with cooler temperatures right away, we’re counting pumpkin patches, fall festivals, spooky crafts and family events as our official sign that fall is on the way.

Here are some of the best family-friendly events happening around Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee, Clermont and Central Florida in September 2026.

Know Mom Life Tip: Event details can change, and some workshops require advance registration. Always double-check availability with the venue before heading out.

September 5: Free Home Depot Kids Workshop

📍Participating Home Depot locations

⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

💲 FREE

Home Depot’s monthly Kids Workshop is one of our favorite budget-friendly activities for families.

For September, kids can build their own School Bus Organizer. Materials are provided, and kids get a chance to practice building, following instructions, creativity and fine-motor skills.

This would also make a fun hands-on addition to a homeschool day.

Registration is free, but supplies may be limited, so registering ahead of time is a good idea.

September 5: Storytime in the Park

📍 Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake

⏰ 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

💲 Family-friendly park activity

Take storytime outside!

The City of Orlando and Orange County Library System are bringing families together for an outdoor storytime under the trees near the playground.

Kids can listen to stories, enjoy the park and turn the morning into a full outdoor family day.

Perfect for younger kids and homeschool families looking for an easy literacy activity.

September 5: Hispanic Outreach Festival

📍 McKibbin Park, Sanford

⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

💲 FREE

The Sanford Police Department’s Hispanic Outreach Festival is a free bilingual community celebration featuring music, food, dancing and family activities.

It’s also a fun way to introduce kids to Hispanic culture as Hispanic Heritage Month approaches.

🛍️ September 5: Sanford Artisan Market & Pet Stroll

📍 Henry’s Depot, Historic Downtown Sanford

⏰ 1:00 PM–6:00 PM

💲 FREE to attend

Spend the afternoon exploring local artisans, crafters and pet-related vendors in Downtown Sanford.

It’s an easy weekend outing if you want somewhere casual to walk around, grab food and support local businesses.

🌿 September 7: FREE Day at Leu Gardens

📍 Harry P. Leu Gardens

💲 FREE admission

This is one to put on the calendar!

Leu Gardens is offering free admission on September 7, making it an excellent opportunity to explore the gardens without paying regular admission.

Walk through the gardens, look for butterflies and native plants, sketch flowers, take nature photos or turn the visit into an informal botany lesson.

This is one of our favorite September picks for homeschool families.

📚 HOMESCHOOL EVENTS & DISCOUNTS

September 8 & 10: Central Florida Zoo Homeschool Class — Fabulous Felines

📍 Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford

👧🏾Ages 5–8

📅 September 8 & 10

The Zoo’s homeschool program brings science to life with animal encounters, hands-on activities and outdoor learning.

September’s class for younger students is Fabulous Felines, where kids learn about feline adaptations including speed, strength and stealth.

A great option if your homeschool science lessons include animals, habitats or adaptations.

September 8 & 10: Animal Architects Homeschool Class

📍 Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

👦🏾 Ages 9–12

📅 September 8 & 10

Older homeschool students can participate in Animal Architects, exploring the incredible structures animals build.

Think nests, honeycombs, tunnels, treetop homes and more.

This could pair perfectly with lessons covering habitats, engineering, animal behavior or biomimicry.

🧪 September & October: WonderWorks Homeschool Days

📍 WonderWorks Orlando

💲 $22 per person + tax

💲 Groups of 10+: $19 per person + tax

Florida homeschool families can receive special weekday pricing at WonderWorks throughout September and October.

Students can explore more than 100 interactive exhibits covering science, physics, space, weather and more.

Homeschool rates are available on eligible weekdays until 3 PM while school is in session. Proof of homeschooling is required.

Groups of 10 or more can qualify for the lower rate with advance reservations.

September 16: WonderWorks Homeschool Night

📍 WonderWorks Orlando

📅 Wednesday, September 16

💲 Homeschool pricing available

Can’t make the regular daytime homeschool hours?

WonderWorks is hosting a special Homeschool Night on September 16, allowing homeschool families to use the discounted homeschool rate throughout the attraction’s regular operating hours that day.

This is a great option for families who want an educational outing without trying to squeeze it into the school morning.

👻 THE FIRST FALL & HALLOWEEN EVENTS

September 12: FREE Lowe’s Haunted House Kids Workshop

📍 Participating Lowe’s stores

⏰ Begins at 10:00 AM

💲 FREE

Spooky season starts early at Lowe’s!

Kids will build their own miniature Haunted House during September’s free kids workshop.

This is another activity that combines creativity with simple STEM/building skills while giving kids something cute to bring home for Halloween.

Advance registration is strongly recommended because these workshops can fill up.

September 12: Fandom Kissimmee

📍 Kissimmee Lakefront Park

⏰ 2:00 PM–7:00 PM

💲 FREE

Have a kid who loves Pokémon, anime, superheroes, comics or gaming?

Put this one on the calendar.

Fandom Kissimmee is a free outdoor fandom festival featuring:

● Comic books and anime

● Games

● Cosplay

● Trivia contests

● Photo opportunities

● Live entertainment

● Giveaways

● Collectibles and artwork

● Food vendors

Families are even encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters.

September 12: Outpour Market

📍 Iglesia Vida Nueva

⏰ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Outpour Market is a family-friendly, faith-based community market featuring local vendors, music, workshops and activities.

There’s also an inflatable kids’ zone, giving the kids something to do while parents browse.

September 12–18: Crayola Color Days — Purple

📍 Crayola Experience Orlando at The Florida Mall

📅 September 12–18

Crayola Experience is celebrating Purple Color Days with special themed activities before its Halloween season officially begins.

Families can enjoy the attraction’s regular 20+ hands-on creative experiences along with the special color theme.

Beginning September 19: Crayola Screamin’ Green Hauntoween

📍 Crayola Experience Orlando

📅 September 19–November 1

Here’s our first big Halloween event of the season!

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween returns with:

🎃 Halloween crafts

👻 Themed scavenger hunts

📸 Halloween photo opportunities

🍬 Weekend trick-or-treat stations

🎨 20+ regular Crayola attractions

From September 19 through October 4, the special event theme is Princesses & Pirates.

Kids are welcome to wear costumes, although costume masks aren’t permitted.

MORE HOMESCHOOL LEARNING

September 23: Microhabitats Homeschool Family Workshop

📍 Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

⏰ 2:00 PM–4:00 PM

💲 $38 per family of four for passholders

💲 $43 per family of four for non-passholders

This is one of our favorite homeschool finds this month.

The Microhabitats family workshop focuses on pollinators and their importance in our ecosystem.

Families learn together through guided exploration, hands-on activities and animal experiences.

Registration is required in advance, and space is limited.

If you’re using an education scholarship, the Zoo also states that families can request instructor credentials and detailed receipts for reimbursement documentation.

FALL FESTIVAL SEASON BEGINS!

September 26: Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival Opening Day

📍 Southern Hill Farms

⏰ 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

💲 $28.95 per person ages 3+

👶🏾 Ages 2 & under: FREE

This is the event that officially makes it feel like fall in Central Florida.

Southern Hill Farms kicks off its 11th Annual Fall Festival on September 26.

Families can enjoy:

• Pumpkins

• Corn maze

• Carnival rides

• Petting zoo

• U-pick flowers

• Live music

• Fall photo opportunities

• Seasonal treats

• Food trucks

Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time and are not sold at the farm.

September 27: Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival

📍 Southern Hill Farms, Clermont

⏰ 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

💲 $28.95 ages 3+

Can’t make opening day?

The Fall Festival continues Sunday, September 27 and then on select dates throughout the fall season.

This would make a great family day trip from Orlando.

September 27: Rhythms of Autumn Festival

📍 Centennial Park

⏰ 3:00 PM–7:00 PM

Welcome fall with an afternoon in Downtown Sanford.

The Rhythms of Autumn Festival features a live DJ, food, vendors and a family-friendly atmosphere designed to celebrate the beginning of the fall season.

EVERY SUNDAY: Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola

📍 Lake Eola Park

⏰ Sundays, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

💲 FREE admission

For a simple Sunday outing, head to the Orlando Farmers Market.

Browse local vendors, grab something to eat and let the kids enjoy some outdoor time around Lake Eola.

September dates include September 6, 13 and 20, with additional dates posted on the City’s calendar.

⭐ Our Top FREE September Picks

Trying to keep the family entertainment budget low this month?

Start with:

September 5: Home Depot Kids Workshop

September 5: Hispanic Outreach Festival

September 7: Leu Gardens Free Day

September 12: Lowe’s Kids Workshop

September 12: Fandom Kissimmee

September 22: Texas Roadhouse Kids Night activities

Sundays: Orlando Farmers Market

You could easily fill several weekends without spending much at all.

Our Top Picks for Orlando Homeschool Families

September is especially good for homeschool field trips and learning outside the house.

Our favorites are:

• Central Florida Zoo’s Fabulous Felines for ages 5–8

• Animal Architects for ages 9–12

• WonderWorks Homeschool Days throughout September

• WonderWorks Homeschool Night on September 16

• Central Florida Zoo Microhabitats Workshop on September 23

• Leu Gardens Free Day for an easy nature-study day

• Home Depot + Lowe’s Kids Workshops for hands-on building

  
  

Remember: not every educational program automatically qualifies for scholarship reimbursement. Always review your specific scholarship guidelines before purchasing if you plan to submit an expense for reimbursement.

Mama’s Thoughts: Save This September 2026 Orlando Family Calendar 💌

September gives us the perfect mix of free family fun, homeschool learning and the beginning of fall festival season.

And this is only the beginning — once October arrives, Central Florida’s pumpkin patches, Halloween events, fall festivals and trick-or-treat activities really take off.

Bookmark this guide because we’ll continue looking for family-friendly events, homeschool opportunities and budget-friendly things to do around Central Florida.

Have an event we missed?

Let us know! We love adding local family events and hidden gems that Orlando-area parents should know about.

Happy September! 🍂🧡