End of Summer Bucket List: 30 Things to Do in Orlando Before School Starts

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, many Orlando parents are left wondering how to make the most of the end of summer break. Good thing Mommy Poppins is here! We've crafted a list of 30 fun things to do before school starts, including a fairy door scavenger hunt, inflatable water parks, summer day trips, and much more.

Be sure to also visit our Orlando Summer Activities Guide to find more family fun ideas, and subscribe to our email list to get stories just like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Orlando End-of-Summer Bucket List

1. Fairy Doors

The fairy doors have returned to Leu Gardens! Stroll the botanical gardens while searching for 20 whimsical fairy doors hidden throughout the property.

2. Arcade Games

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

3. Kennedy Space Center

Visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex August 2-4, 2024, during Aviation Weekend, which includes an end-of-summer block party. Don’t miss the Planet Play attraction for the kids while you’re there!

4. Splash Pads

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

5. Inflatable Water Parks

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

6. Visit the Beach

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

7. 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.

8. Free Admission to Bok Tower Gardens

There's still time to take advantage of the Wawa FREE Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens. Make a weekend getaway of it with a trip to Peppa Pig Theme Park and Legoland Florida!

9. Summer Concerts

Take in an evening summer concert.

10. Mini Golf

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

11. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. Indoor Playgrounds

Escape the summer heat and storms at an indoor playground.

14. Indoor Action Parks

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

15. 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!

16. Public Swimming Pools

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

17. Water Parks

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

18. Museums

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Escape Rooms

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

22. 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.

Spend the day at Disney Springs. 

23. 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!

24. Camping

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

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

25. Bonnet Springs Park

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

26. Scalloping

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

27. Crayola Experience

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

28. 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.

29. WonderWorks

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

30. Back-to-School Shopping

From July 29 - August 11, 2024, save money on school supplies, clothes, computers, and more during Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.

Photos by the author