Camp – More Than Fun For Kids 

When your child goes to camp, you know he’s going to meet new kids, make friends, and have fun. Yet, the camp experience can provide much more than just a great time. Camp offers kids a wide variety of experiences to expand their thinking, strengthen their self-esteem, and enhance their self-reliance. Build Confidence Camp provides opportunities for kids to build confidence. Both... Read More

Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter

Butterflies land on your fingertip and even your nose at this Oviedo attraction! We pulled into the crunchy gravel parking lot at Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter in Oviedo, Florida with a sense of adventure. My grandkids and I were about to embark on a tropical adventure and become one with the butterfly and its habitat. In 2004, the owners of Lukas Nursery, a fourth generation... Read More

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Bringing wildlife and educational fun to Central Florida families since 1923 The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens opened its doors to the public in 1923 with a collection of donated animals from the Sanford Fire Department. Over the years, the Zoo relocated to several locations throughout Sanford, until it finally set down roots at its current location on July 4, 1975. Today,... Read More

Destination Destin – -Love Sparkles on the Emerald Coast of Florida

A Grown Up’s Getaway for Romance and Relaxation It’s not often that Orlando Family Magazine suggests that parents take a break from parenting…but it is Valentine’s Day, after all, so we are going to go out on a limb here and suggest that you plan a getaway to get reacquainted with the love of your life. Even family experts agree that Mom and Dad need a couple of days to... Read More

Over the River and through the Woods: Tips for Family Hikes

Spring is a great time to explore your region’s parks and trails. But you need more than sunscreen, water, and high-energy snacks to enjoy a family hike. To maximize the fun and keep the cries of “My feet hurt…Are we there yet?” to a minimum, hiking experts offer some steps you can take before you hit the trail, as well as during your adventure trek. Ready, Set, Let’s... Read More

Make Winter Vacation Memories Last

Got the post-holiday vacation blues? Here are a few ways to revisit the fun and preserve memories of the good times, good food, and good company. The winter holidays are nearly over and across the country you can hear the familiar sounds that signal the end of the winter break — the sighs of exhausted parents and the groans of kids returning to school. Okay, maybe there is some... Read More

A Real Jungle Adventure with Safari Todd

Professional wild animal wrangler, Safari Todd, is Central Florida’s version of Steve Irwin.   You will find him on any given day interacting with enormous alligators, dangerous cougars, slithering snakes, and creepy arachnids at Jungle Adventures, located a half an hour from downtown Orlando. Watching him handle live exotic animals will leave you simply Awwwestruck! Born and... Read More

Tackle Your Summer Bucket List

When you live, work, and attend school in a tourist mecca that is packed with fabulous water adventures, it’s not surprising that taking advantage of these exciting experiences geared to visitors tends to be relegated to the “we’ll do that someday” file. We here at Orlando Family,  are committed to ticking off items from our personal Summer Water Fun Bucket Lists and... Read More

Splash Pads, A Cool, Affordable Way to Beat the Heat

Whatever they are called…splash zones, splash pads, or spray-grounds, these water facilities are sure to keep the entire family cool. The best way to lower the temperature during Florida’s hot summer season is to get wet and we’re not talking about standing in the rain! Central Florida has many options for water fun, and they are often quite budget friendly. Take a look at... Read More

Throw a Rockin’ Block Party

Inexpensive, Fun Ways to Jazz Up Your Neighborhood Block Party An old-fashioned block party can be one of the true delights of summer. Getting the neighbors together to mingle is not only loads of fun, but it helps keep your neighborhood safe by providing a sense of community and friendship. Let’s think outside the traditional party box, beyond the ho-hum hot dog and potato salad... Read More

An East or West Coast Florida Beach Getaway

Central Floridians will find some of the finest beaches in the nation right in their backyard, and only an hour or two drive away. If you’re thinking about planning a beach getaway, but are short on ideas, we’re introducing you to popular destinations on each coast – Florida’s historic East Coast along the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of St. Pete-Clearwater along the Gulf... Read More

Happy Trails on a Bike

The Ultimate Family Fun on Wheels  – It’s May – Celebrate National Bike Month In the pursuit of health, fitness, and family fun, Derek and Mary Blomberg of Metrowest, and their five-year-old daughter, Annalise, cycle together as often as possible along one of Central Florida’s beautiful biking trails. “It’s a fun way for us to exercise and spend quality time... Read More

Picking Strawberries – Fields of Fun and Yum

There is nothing quite as inviting to the palate as fresh strawberries – juicy, delicious, and good for you too! Whether eaten fresh or used in ice cream or milk shakes, the bright red berries are a favorite of nearly every berry connoisseur. So, imagine your family’s reaction when they spy a whole field of strawberries! Let the picking frenzy begin! As Central Florida residents,... Read More

ZOOm Air Adventure Park Orlando

A thrilling aerial adventure at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford to test your balance and have you flying over the tree tops! Think swinging from tree to tree is something only for the daring in the exotic Rainforest?  Well, you can experience a tropical arboreal escapade right here in Central Florida. The ZOOm Air Adventure Park located in Sanford offers... Read More

Manatee in the Wild… An Unforgettable Family Experience

One summer evening, my husband and I went for a relaxing stroll with our kids along the fishing pier in Ponce Inlet. Our quiet walk was suddenly interrupted by an excited group of people running toward the pier handrail near us and shouting, “Manatee!”  For more than an hour, my daughters were completely captivated, as they watched a mother manatee and her calf frolic in the... Read More