We’ve rounded up a list of activities + hangout spots for every family this season – with hopes to take the phrase “I’m bored” out of your little one’s vocab.
Whether you’re hoping to awaken an inner Piccaso, bolster up a new hiker, or help cultivate a future avian, we’ve got you covered with 25+ different ideas to choose from (and bonus activities from surrounding parts of Polk County).
Indoor Activities
Pick, pack + sort your way through Fla. orange groves
Explorations V Children’s Museum
, 109 N. Kentucky Ave.
| $9+
Explore the interactive art exhibits and learn how technology + art collide.
Inspire a future Picasso
Polk Museum of Art
, 800 E. Palmetto St.
| Free
Swing by the student gallery for a look at artwork from local Polk County students.
Test your spy skills with laser tag
Family Fun Center
, 4825 S. Florida Ave.
| $3+
Bonus: Check out the Willy Wonka arcade game + win the ‘Golden Ticket.’
Make memories with the whole fam
Lakeland Public Library
, 100 Lake Morton Dr.
| Free
PSA: Books aren’t the only thing you can check out at the library. See a full list of kid-friendly events here
.
It’s elementary, my dear Watson
Lakeland Escape Room
, 308 E. Pine St.
| $30
Put their problem-solving skills to the test and see if you can escape in time.
Fly all summer long
DEFY Lakeland
(previously named 2INFINITY), 6220 U.S. Hwy. 98 N.
| $12+
Work up an appetite bouncing over to their cafe. Nachos, pizza + smoothies are calling your name.
A Lakeland tradition since the ‘70s
Skate World
, 911 N. Lake Parker Ave.
| $3+
What’s a more important lesson than learning to get back up? Don your skates and make your way around the rink.
Take on the warrior course
Urban Air Adventure Park
, 3800 U.S. Hwy 98 N.
| $13.99+
#Shoutout to the #1 listing in the ‘Top 100 Franchise in 2019 by Entrepreneur Magazine.’
Right up your alley
Orange Bowl
, 4318 U.S. Hwy 98 N.
| $4+
Spare no extra time— take the kids to out for a strikingly good time.
Are you raising a future avian?
Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum
, 4175 Medulla Rd.
| $8+
Enjoy planetarium shows and inspire an interest in aviation.
Outdoor Activities
Watch a film at the first drive-in in Lakeland
Silver Moon Drive-In
, 4100 New Tampa Hwy.
| $2+
Keep up-to-date on their Facebook page
for giveaways + discounts.
An expedition for the young + the young at heart
Safari Wilderness
, 10850 Moore Rd.
| $99+
Get up-close and personal with the wildlife at this Polk County safari.
Calling all future park rangers
Saddle Creek Park
, 3716 Morgan Combee Rd.
| Free
With over 70+ parks in Lakeland, it might be difficult to know where to start. Check out our park guide here
.
For all the water guppies
The Gandy Pool
, 404 Imperial Blvd.
| $4
Check out our Lakeland + Polk County swimming pool guide
for ways to stay cool.
Hey batta, batta
Lakeland Flying Tigers Game
, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
| $4.50+
Check game schedules for the best time to hear “play ball!”
Raising up a future David Beckham
Lakeland Tropics Game , 1125 N. Florida Ave. | Tickets | Come out + support our local team. #GetTropical
Creative Activities
Art camp or bust
Art Centric Studio
, 1035 Florida Ave. S. #180
| $160
Help kids flex their artistic muscles at this studio for budding artists.
For all the wannabee mermaids
Picassoz Art Cafe
, 4632 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
| $24
#ProTip: Stay refreshed by swinging by Tea Largo, afterward.
Learning Activities
Book*worming* our way through the summer
| Huntington Learning Center
, 6655 S. Florida Ave.
| Free, RSVP
Bring your little intellectual out for readings and more.
Other Polk County Adventures
Everything is awesome
Legoland Florida Resort
, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven
| $84.99+
Help Emmet find his friends in The LEGO® Movie™ World.
Scope out a 205-foot tall singing tower
Bok Tower Gardens
, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
| $5+
DYK you can feed the koi fish?
TBT to 250 million years ago
Mulberry Phosphate Museum
, 101 S.E. 1st S.t, Mulberry
| Various Prices
From science experiments to helping design museum displays, check the museum’s Facebook page for new events
.
Got a sweet tooth?
Davidson of Dundee
, 28421 U.S.-27, Dundee
| Free
Bring the kids to watch the creation of candy + make sure to pick up a bottle of marmalade.
The largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi
Westgate River Ranch
, 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch
| $7+
Pony rides, petting zoo, archery range, rock climbing, zip lines, mini-golf, horseback riding, and more.
Get cultured
Mulberry Cultural Center
, 103 E. Canal St.
| Free
Creating art projects is a great way to pass the time while making memories.
Looking for more kid-friendly adventures? Check out Lakeland Mom
for additional summer activities.