Winter Activities for Children in Central Florida

Looking to stimulate your children's holiday spirit this Christmas? Orlando, Florida is undoubtedly the best city to accomplish just that. Not only does Orlando have several theme parks, but each park has a unique attraction, event, or activity that provides for an extensive holiday celebration and much excitement for kids. Take your kids on an adventurous ride at Cypress Garden, a vivid performance by Shamu at SeaWorld, or Santa's freezing Toyland at ICE. From making dreams come true at Disney World to meeting the Grinch at Universal Studios, your kids will preserve these wonderful memories for a lifetime.

Walt Disney World: There's no question that every child desires to visit the most magical place on earth and meet their favorite Disney movie stars. Disney World is even more magical during Christmas and New Year's, with many holiday events that both children and adults would enjoy.

At the Magic Kingdom Park, children will love Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Sip hot cocoa while watching Disney characters parade amid the effervescent fireworks. Live performance shows and cookies included.

Want to turn the holiday fun into an educational experience for the kids? Teach your kids about the Holidays Around the World at Epcot! Holidays Around the World include exposing kids to holiday food, music, and entertainment from all over the world.

Light the Christmas tree with Mickey and friends whilst listening to international festive music at Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat. Every night at 6 PM. Kids love stories; join the Holiday Storytellers to learn about international holiday folktales, featuring Santa, Noels and much more. Teach your kids about promoting global peace through IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, at the World Showcase Lagoon and listen to the classic "Let There Be Peace On Earth." Listen to a celebrity give a Christmas anecdote at the Nightly Candlelight Processional. Cuba Gooding Jr. will appear as a raconteur for this event December 21-23.

If your kids love animals, they will adore Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade and Santa Goofy's Wild Wonderland at the Animal Kingdom.

Finally, if your children have been good for Christmas, treat them to a gift from Once Upon A Toy or the LEGO Imagination Center from Downtown Disney's Festival of the Seasons.

Universal Studios: Enjoy Universal Studios events, shows, and other holiday entertainment free with theme park admission. Universal Studios provides entertainment for children of all ages. For children ages 1-6, sing-along to Barney's Christmas Show with Barney, BabyBop, and BJ.

Meet and take a photo with the Grinch from Dr. Seuss at Islands of Adventure. For children of all ages.

Watch the Macy's Holiday Parade ornate with balloons, clowns, marching bands, characters, and, of course, Santa; à la Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

And last but not least, head over to the KidZone Holiday Show to watch cartoon characters singing carols and dancing to holiday music. A perfect upbeat show to express your holiday spirit.

All events take place from December 8 through January 1.

Cypress Gardens: At Cypress Gardens, you can choose from forty-one rides. Red Baron, Upsy Daisy, TinyTrotters, and Dizzy Dragons are among some of the nine children's rides Cypress Gardens offers.

If your children love animals and the outdoors, check out Nature's Way at Cypress Gardens. A massive garden complete with crocodiles, birds, butterflies, and, of course, sunshine. A very uncommon, yet beautiful, way to spend the holidays.

Cypress Gardens even has free sports activities for your kids, such as the Junior Water Ski program. For children ten years or under.

Listen to live holiday music at the Jingle Jam on December 10 with Jonas Brothers, Truth Squad, and Katelyn Tarver. Jingle Jam, by Radio Disney, caters to kids of all ages.

Treat your kids to fun, Christmas-in-the-summer type food at the Jubilee Marketplace. Choose from sixteen different restaurants, including three ice cream parlors.

ICE at Gaylord Palms: Looking to experience a cold, wintry holiday? Head to ICE at Gaylord Palms and view the ICE exhibit made with more than two million pounds of ice. The ICE theme this year is 'A Season of Wishes' with a temperature of only 9 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your kids will be marveled by Santa's ToyLand, Christmas Castle, and Church in the Woods with three-dimensional, translucent sculptures that resemble something out of a museum and slides à la a playground. Among the new developments this year are the sculpted horse carriage which allows kids to sit on, a Victorian house, and locomotive. This attraction seeks to balance kids Christmas-in-the-summer experience at the previous parks, and in Florida as a whole, with another perspective.

Event going on now through January 2nd. Be sure to wear a coat!

SeaWorld Orlando: Present your child with a different side of the world at SeaWorld. Animal attractions include, but are not limited to, the Wild Arctic (an appropriate attraction for the holiday season), an imitation of the Arctic Ocean with a plethora of polar bears, seals, trout, and other Arctic animals; the Penguin Encounter, which supports four types of penguin in a frosty habitat -- another suitable attraction for the holidays. Kids will also enjoy the Game Room for a chance to win one-of-a-kind SeaWorld toys and other merchandise.

Now roller-coasters are available to kids of all ages with the new Shamu Express ride.

Children will enjoy watching SeaWorld's many shows, such as, Blue Horizons, a dolphin performance with an aesthetic display which portrays where the sea meets the sky. Kids will also enjoy Pets Ahoy, a comedy performed by real, talented animals doing skits. Another show which may interest kids, is the unconventional, humorous circus called Odyssea. And finally, don't miss out on the Shamu Happy Hour to wish Shamu a very merry Christmas.

Orlando offers a dynamic, educational, and cultural experience for children of all ages. Kids have the opportunity to experience Christmas in a climate comparable to summer whilst experiencing attractions, such as ICE at Gaylord Palms which expose kids to a snowy, icy side of Christmas. Disney teaches kids about international holiday music and food, as well as folktales and peace on earth. While SeaWorld educates kids about different types of species and habitats. Universal Studios provides pure entertainment, and Cypress Gardens indulges kids in outdoorsy and sporty activities. Though they may seem alike, each theme park has something essential and distinguished to offer. Give the gift of Orlando to your child.