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Things to Do With Kids in Orlando in October 2026: 30+ Family Events & Activities
Updated: 14 hours ago
October might be one of the best months to get out with the kids in Central Florida.
Pumpkin patches are open, farms are packed with fall activities, family-friendly Halloween events are happening almost every weekend, and there are plenty of free and low-cost things to do around Orlando, Winter Park, Sanford, Oviedo, Ocoee, Winter Garden and beyond.
And no — everything on this list isn't Halloween.
You'll also find art, animals, live theater, homeschool activities, farmers markets, toddler events and easy weekend outings mixed in.
This guide currently includes 30+ things to do with kids around Orlando in October 2026, and I'll keep it focused on events with confirmed 2026 information whenever possible.
Know Mom Tip: Event details can change, especially because of Central Florida weather. Always double-check the event's official page before heading out.
Quick Look: Orlando Family Events in October 2026
Event | Date | Area | Cost |
The Great Wax Heist | Oct. 1–31 | I-Drive | Admission required |
Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival | Throughout October | Clermont | Ticketed |
Amber Brooke Farms Fall Festival | Throughout October | Eustis | Ticketed |
Great Scott Farms Fall Festival | Weekends | Mount Dora | Ticketed |
OMA Family Day | Oct. 3 | Orlando | FREE |
Flashlight Safari | Oct. 3 | Sanford | Ticketed |
Crayola Sensory Sunday | Oct. 4 | Orlando | Check admission |
Amber Brooke Homeschool Day | Oct. 5 | Eustis | Ticketed |
Avalon Park Oktoberfest | Oct. 9–10 | East Orlando | FREE to attend |
Creatures of the Night | Oct. 10 | Christmas | $5 |
Gators, Ghosts & Goblins | Select weekends | Orlando | Included with admission |
Oviedo Halloween Parade | Oct. 11 | Oviedo | FREE |
Zoo Boo Bash | Oct. 17–18, 24–25 & 31 | Sanford | Zoo admission |
Winter Garden Halloween Experience | Late October | Winter Garden | Mostly FREE |
Halloween Howl Night | Oct. 23 | Ocoee | FREE |
Brick or Treat | Select dates | Winter Haven | Included with admission |
SeaWorld Spooktacular | Select dates | Orlando | Included with admission |
Peppa's Halloween Party | Select weekends | Winter Haven | Included with admission |
1. The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando
When: October 1–31, 2026
Where: Madame Tussauds Orlando at ICON Park
Best for: School-age kids, tweens and families
Madame Tussauds is adding an interactive mystery to October. Families can use their phones to follow QR-code clues throughout the attraction and search for five missing artifacts connected to the art of creating wax figures.
The Great Wax Heist is included with regular attraction admission, so there's no separate event ticket.
This could be especially good for families who need an indoor Orlando activity on a hot or rainy October afternoon.
2. Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando
When: Saturdays and Sundays through November 1
Where: SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park
Best for: Younger kids and elementary-age children
Kids receive a pirate treasure map and work their way through the aquarium solving clues, searching for treasure and meeting friendly pirates.
The event also includes interactive activities, educational talks and a pirate prize after completing the adventure. It's included with regular SEA LIFE admission.
This is one of my favorite options for families who want Halloween fun without anything actually scary.
3. Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience
When: September 19–November 1
Where: Crayola Experience Orlando at The Florida Mall
Best for: Toddlers through elementary-age kids
Crayola Experience brings its colorful version of Halloween back for fall, making this another good indoor option for October.
The attraction's official calendar confirms Screamin' Green Hauntoween runs through November 1.
Pair it with Crayola's regular hands-on activities like melted wax art, Model Magic creations and making your own personalized crayon.
4. Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival
When: Select Thursdays plus Fridays–Sundays throughout October; also Monday, October 12
Where: Clermont
Admission: Starts around $28.95 when purchased ahead
Southern Hill Farms is basically an entire fall day trip.
The 2026 Fall Festival includes a corn maze, carnival-style attractions, petting zoo, farm wagon rides, playground, face painting, live music, photo spots and access to the u-pick flower fields. Pumpkins, flowers and food are extra.
October hours vary by day, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
KnowMomLife Tip: Go early if you have younger kids. You'll have more time to explore before the afternoon heat and crowds build.
5. Amber Brooke Farms Fall Festival
When: Throughout October
Where: Eustis
Best for: A full fall family day
Amber Brooke Farms' 2026 fall season runs from September 19 through November 22 and includes more than 25 farm attractions.
Expect pumpkins, flowers, jumping pillows, playgrounds, a cow train, bubble barn, petting zoo, photo areas, games and plenty of fall food. Some activities are add-ons.
Children age 2 and younger are free.
6. Great Scott Farms Fall Festival & Corn Maze
When: Saturdays and Sundays, September 26–November 15
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Mount Dora
Great Scott Farms gives families a more traditional farm day with a 7-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, giant slide, playground, farm tours, corn pit and other activities.
Online admission is currently listed lower than the gate price, so this is one I would book before driving out.
7. Orlando Museum of Art Family Day: Hello Lighthouse
When: Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Orlando Museum of Art
Cost: FREE
This is absolutely going on the free things to do in Orlando with kids list.
OMA's October Family Day includes hands-on art, gallery activities, storytelling, music and a Symphony Storytime performance with musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
There will also be activities from Orlando Family Stage and the Orange County Library System.
8. Family Highlights Tour at Orlando Museum of Art
When: October 3 at 1 p.m.
Where: Orlando Museum of Art
While you're at Family Day, families can also join OMA's docent-led Family Highlights Tour, designed to help kids and adults explore the galleries together. Orlando Museum of Art
Because it overlaps with the free Family Day, October 3 is an especially good day to visit.
9. Flashlight Safari: Myths, Mysteries & Monsters
When: Saturday, October 3, 7:30–10 p.m.
Where: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Ages: 5+
See the zoo after dark during a guided flashlight tour.
The evening includes animal encounters and stories about cryptids and misunderstood nighttime animals. Because it runs late and includes slightly spooky storytelling, children must be at least 5. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Advance registration is required.
10. Dinosaur Dance Party & Baby Rave
Through: October 4
Where: Orlando Family Stage
Best for: Ages 1–5
For the little ones, Orlando Family Stage's Dinosaur Dance Party & Baby Rave combines oversized dinosaur puppets, music, movement and interactive play.
The main show runs about 30 minutes followed by a dance-and-play experience.
That sounds like a pretty great toddler morning.
11. Crayola Sensory Sunday
When: Sunday, October 4, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: Crayola Experience Orlando
Families looking for a sensory-friendly outing can add Crayola's October Sensory Sunday to the calendar. The event is listed for October 4 from 10 a.m. to noon.
12. Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola
When: Every Sunday in October, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Lake Eola Park
Cost: FREE admission
You don't need a major event every weekend.
Take a walk around Lake Eola, let the kids get outside and browse the Orlando Farmers Market. October dates are October 4, 11, 18 and 25.
This is also an easy outing to pair with lunch downtown.
13. Strawberry Field Planting & Pumpkin Homeschool Day
When: Monday, October 5, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Amber Brooke Farms, Eustis
Homeschool families, this one is especially worth noting.
Kids will get a hands-on look at strawberry planting, explore the farm and take home a pumpkin during Amber Brooke Farms' October homeschool day.
This one fits beautifully into a fall science/agriculture homeschool field trip.
14. Crayola Toddler Tuesday
When: Tuesday, October 6, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: Crayola Experience Orlando
Crayola Experience has an October Toddler Tuesday featuring hands-on activities and creative play specifically for younger children.
This is another one I'd consider for families with toddlers who don't necessarily need an all-day outing.
15. Ocoee Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
When: Thursday, October 8, 5–8 p.m.
Where: Bill Breeze Park, Ocoee
The City of Ocoee's community celebration includes vendors, food trucks, a DJ, crafts, giveaways and a scavenger hunt with prizes.
This could be an easy evening activity without committing an entire weekend day.
16. Avalon Park Oktoberfest
When: October 9–10, 5–10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Avalon Park
Avalon Park's annual Oktoberfest includes live bands, Alpine dancing, food trucks, vendors and a dedicated kids area and bounce park.
Saturday also includes a kids entrepreneur market and Wiener Dog Derby.
The beer garden is obviously for adults, but the larger community festival has plenty for families.
17. Creatures of the Night at Orlando Wetlands
When: Saturday, October 10, 4–7 p.m.
Where: Orlando Wetlands
Cost: $5; ages 2 and under free
This may be one of the coolest educational October events.
Families can solve a Curse of the Marsh puzzle, meet live animals, play games, get candy and take guided sunset tours while learning about bats, snakes, spiders, alligators and other animals that sometimes get an unfair spooky reputation.
Advance registration is required.
Know Mom Homeschool idea: Turn this into a mini nocturnal-animal science unit before you go.
18. Kids Night Out: Going Batty!
When: Saturday, October 10, 6:30–10 p.m.
Where: Central Florida Zoo
Ages: 5–12
Cost: $35 passholder / $40 non-passholder, plus transaction fee
This one is for the kids — and technically gives parents a few hours too.
Children get animal encounters, a flashlight zoo tour, games, crafts and a snack while learning about misunderstood animals.
19. Gators, Ghosts & Goblins at Gatorland
When: October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Gatorland
Gatorland's daytime Halloween celebration is included with regular admission.
The 2026 event features themed characters, animal encounters, vendors, games, candy giveaways, Halloween entertainment and a children's costume parade with treat bags for participants.
Florida residents are also currently being advertised a discounted admission offer, so check the current requirements before buying tickets.
20. The Best Halloween Ever at Orlando Family Stage
When: October 10–November 1
Where: Orlando Family Stage
For a Halloween outing that isn't centered on candy, try live theater.
The Best Halloween Ever is a stage adaptation of Barbara Robinson's children's book and has public performances throughout the second half of October.
This would pair really well with reading the book beforehand.
21. Oviedo Spooktacular Halloween Parade
When: Sunday, October 11 at 6 p.m.
Area: Oviedo
Cost: FREE
Oviedo's Halloween parade includes costumed walkers, floats, decorated vehicles, music and treats as the parade travels toward Center Lake Park.
This is a good option if your kids want to dress up without attending a major ticketed attraction.
22. Bilingual Storytime at Orlando Museum of Art
When: Sunday afternoons through October 11, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Where: Orlando Museum of Art
OMA is hosting Spanish-and-English storytimes connected to its Sophie Blackall exhibition.
The sessions are drop-in with no registration required. Orlando Museum of Art
This one could be especially nice for families working on Spanish exposure at home.
23. Schools Out: Greetings, Earthlings!
When: Monday, October 12
Where: Orlando Family Stage
Grades: K–5
Kids create alien characters, masks and costumes while imagining a visitor from another planet trying to understand life on Earth at Orlando Family Stage.
A fun option for families looking for structured programming during the school holiday.
24. Homeschool Creative Drama: Tiana and Ray's Bayou Boogie
Begins: October 14
Runs: October 14–November 18
Where: Orlando Family Stage
Grades: 1–2
This one gets a special callout for my Orlando homeschool families.
Orlando Family Stage is offering a fall homeschool creative drama class inspired by Tiana and Ray's Bayou Boogie for first- and second-graders.
25. Zoo Boo Bash
When: October 17–18, October 24–25 and October 31
Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Central Florida Zoo
Kids can wear costumes and trick-or-treat through the zoo while enjoying games, themed decorations, character appearances and special activities.
Activities are included with Zoo Boo Bash admission. Annual passholders pay a special-event admission fee.
The October 31 event also includes Sanderson Sisters character meet-and-greets.
26. ¡Viva Oviedo! Festival
When: Saturday, October 17, noon–9 p.m.
Where: Oviedo
Cost: FREE
¡Viva Oviedo! celebrates Hispanic heritage with entertainment, food and children's areas.
Another good choice if you're trying to balance the month's Halloween-heavy calendar with cultural events.
27. Story Stroll: Bluey's Boppin' Beat
When: October 17
Where: Loch Haven Park / Orlando Family Stage
Ages: 2–3
Toddlers and their grown-ups move through Loch Haven Park during a creativity-and-play experience inspired by Bluey.
Yes, this one is very specifically toddler territory — and that's exactly why it's worth including.
28. Enzian Kids Halloween Party
When: Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m.
Where: Enzian Theater, Maitland
This year's Kids Halloween Party features Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Families are encouraged to come in costume, and the event includes a costume parade, crafts and trick-or-treating following the film.
29. Winter Garden Halloween Experience
When: Late October through October 31
Where: Historic Downtown Winter Garden
Historic Downtown Winter Garden turns into a walkable Halloween destination with themed decorations, photo opportunities, a hay maze and special programming.
The city's current seasonal information describes Halloween light displays, live entertainment, a moonlight movie, a spooky caboose and Halloween-themed farmers market activities as part of the experience.
This is one of the options I'd put high on the list for families wanting Halloween atmosphere without paying theme-park prices.
30. City of Orlando Fall Festival & Teen Hideaway
When: Friday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Engelwood Neighborhood Center
Cost: FREE for the family festival
The City of Orlando is hosting a family-friendly fall festival at Engelwood Neighborhood Center.
A separate Teen Hideaway opens at 6 p.m. for middle- and high-school students and requires student ID; the teen activities cost $5.
31. Ocoee Halloween Howl Night
When: Friday, October 23, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Bill Breeze Park, Ocoee
Cost: FREE
Ocoee's Halloween Howl includes trunk-or-treating, rides, food trucks, contests and other Halloween activities.
Definitely one to add to a free Halloween events near Orlando roundup too.
32. Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida
When: Select October dates through October 31
Where: LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Winter Haven
LEGOLAND's kid-focused Halloween event brings trick-or-treating, LEGO Monsters, live entertainment, building activities and its new Brick or Treat Street to the park.
October event dates currently include October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, and Brick or Treat is included with eligible general admission.
33. Peppa's Halloween Party
When: Select October weekends and Halloween
Where: PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida
For toddlers and preschoolers, this may be one of the least overwhelming theme-park Halloween options.
The event includes trick-or-treat stations, Halloween character appearances, themed episodes in the cinema and seasonal activities. Trick-or-treating runs from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on event dates.
It's included with regular park admission.
34. SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
When: Select dates through November 1
Where: SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld's daytime Spooktacular focuses on younger families, with costumes, candy trails and colorful Halloween characters rather than haunted houses.
The event is included with park admission on participating dates.
35. EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival + Pumpkin Hunt
When: Food & Wine runs through November 21
Where: EPCOT
Food & Wine isn't just an adults' festival.
Families can do Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt around the park, enjoy the Jammin' Chefs and explore foods from different countries.
And there's an extra October-specific activity: Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit, which runs September 25 through November 2 and lets families search for hidden Disney-themed pumpkins.
36. Oviedo Mall-O-Ween
When: Saturday, October 31, 5:30–7:30 p.m.Where: Oviedo Mall
Cost: FREE
Kids can trick-or-treat indoors at participating businesses throughout Oviedo Mall.
The air conditioning alone may make this one worth considering on Halloween night.
37. Story Stroll: Boo to You, Winnie-the-Pooh
When: October 31
Where: Orlando Family Stage
Ages: 2–3
Orlando Family Stage is offering a special Halloween Story Stroll for toddlers with a Boo to You, Winnie-the-Pooh theme.
This could make a cute daytime Halloween activity before trick-or-treating later.
38. Baby & Me: Little Boo & You
When: October 31
Where: Orlando Family Stage
Ages: Birth–24 months
And babies don't have to miss October fun either.
Little Boo & You combines storytelling, dramatic play, movement and sensory activities specifically for babies and caregivers.
One Big 2026 Update: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
You'll probably see Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on almost every Orlando Halloween list online.
It is running on select nights through October 31, but Disney currently lists all 2026 party dates as sold out.
So I'm not counting it as one of our main recommendations for families still making October plans.
If you already have tickets, enjoy them. If you don't, there are plenty of alternatives above that are still worth doing.
Best FREE Things to Do With Kids in Orlando This October
If October is already getting expensive, I'd prioritize these:
Orlando Museum of Art Family Day — October 3
Orlando Farmers Market — Sundays
Oviedo Spooktacular Halloween Parade — October 11
¡Viva Oviedo! — October 17
City of Orlando Fall Festival — October 23
Ocoee Halloween Howl — October 23
Downtown Winter Garden Halloween Experience — late October
Oviedo Mall-O-Ween — October 31
That gives you several weekends of plans without purchasing four theme-park tickets every time the kids say they're bored.
Best October Activities for Toddlers
For toddlers and preschool-age kids, I'd look first at Peppa's Halloween Party, Crayola Experience, Dinosaur Dance Party, Story Stroll, Baby & Me, SEA LIFE's Pirates of the Haunted Seas and daytime visits to one of the farms.
A morning farm visit can also be easier than evening Halloween events if your little one still has an early bedtime.
Best October Activities for Homeschool Families
October has some really good field-trip opportunities too.
Try Amber Brooke Farms' Strawberry Field Planting & Pumpkin Homeschool Day, Creatures of the Night at Orlando Wetlands, the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, the Central Florida Zoo or Orlando Family Stage's homeschool creative drama program.
You can easily turn a fall outing into lessons on agriculture, plant life cycles, nocturnal animals, ecosystems, art, storytelling or theater.
Mama's Thoughts 💌: How I'd Plan October Without Overbooking the Kids
You absolutely do not need an activity every weekend day.
Pick one bigger fall outing, like Southern Hill Farms or Amber Brooke Farms; one Halloween event, like Zoo Boo Bash or Gatorland; and then fill in the month with free things like farmers markets, community festivals and parks.
October in Orlando has enough happening that you can be selective.
And if the weather is questionable, keep Crayola Experience, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Orlando Museum of Art and Orlando Family Stage saved as indoor backups.
More Fall Family Ideas From KnowMomLife
Also read:
This is where I'd use internal links heavily because people landing from Google for October events are very likely to click into another fall or Orlando-family article.
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