Kissimmee sits right next door to the biggest theme parks in the world, which is exactly why so many families end up needing a break from them. Long lines, crowded walkways and 20,000 steps a day add up fast. The good news is that some of the best things to do in Kissimmee with kids have nothing to do with roller coasters.
Here are our favorite family picks, starting (of course) with the cows.
1. Pet And Bottle-Feed Highland Cows At Mini Moo Land
Yes, we are biased. But there are not many places near Orlando where kids can cuddle a real Highland cow. At Mini Moo Land, inside Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, kids pet, cuddle and hand-feed a herd of gentle mini Highland cows with our team guiding every interaction.
- Admission: $29.99 per guest, or $19.99 with an airboat combo.
- VIP Bottle Feeding Experience: $65 per guest, admission included. Hold the bottle for a baby Highland calf daily at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM.
- Good for: All ages. Toddlers love it, and teens love the photos.
2. Take An Airboat Ride At Boggy Creek
Right next to the cows, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures runs airboat tours through the wetlands at the headwaters of the Everglades. Kids get speed, wind, and a real chance to spot alligators, turtles and wading birds in the wild. Boggy Creek is a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice park with more than 9,000 reviews, and you can choose a one-hour tour, a sunset tour, or a night tour under the stars for older kids who want something a little spookier. The one-hour airboat and Mini Moo Land combo saves $10 and covers two of the best experiences in town in one stop.
3. Dig For Gems And Visit The Butterflies
Also at Boggy Creek: the 70-foot Prospector Gem Mine, where kids sift buckets of dirt for semi-precious stones, fossils and crystals, Lily's Butterfly Garden full of native butterflies and plants, and a Gator Pond. Add lunch at Boggy Bottom BBQ on the lake and you have an easy, full day without ever moving the car.
An easy Boggy Creek morning with kids
- 9:30 AM: Arrive, park and check in. Mornings are the coolest part of the day.
- 10:00 AM: Bottle-feed a baby Highland calf (VIP), then pet and hand-feed the herd.
- 11:00 AM: One-hour airboat tour through the headwaters of the Everglades. You choose your tour time when you book.
- 12:15 PM: Lunch at Boggy Bottom BBQ.
- 1:00 PM: Gem mine, butterfly garden and the Gator Pond before heading back to the hotel for a pool break.
Booking the 1-hour airboat and Mini Moo Land combo covers the cows and the airboat for $10 less than buying them separately.
4. Meet The Alligators At Gatorland
A Central Florida classic on the Orlando and Kissimmee line, Gatorland has been showing off alligators and crocodiles for decades. Expect live shows, a free-flight bird aviary, a small petting zoo, and a zip line over the gator ponds for older kids and adults. Plan on a few hours, and check their website for current shows and pricing.
5. Spend An Evening At Old Town Kissimmee
Old Town is an open-air shopping and entertainment district along W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (US 192). It is free to walk around, with rides, arcade games, shops and plenty of places to eat. It is an easy, low-key evening for families after a big day.
6. Play At Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Downtown Kissimmee's lakefront park sits on the shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. It has playgrounds, a fishing pier, a splash pad, picnic pavilions and some of the best sunsets in the area. It is a perfect free stop when kids need to burn off energy. Check the City of Kissimmee website for current splash pad hours before you go.
7. Paddle Shingle Creek
Shingle Creek Regional Park covers around 1,000 acres of trails and waterways at the headwaters of the Everglades, with kayak and canoe rentals and a restored historic homestead. Paddling under the cypress trees is one of the most peaceful things you can do in Kissimmee, and older kids usually love being in charge of their own paddle.
8. Catch A Dinner Show
Kissimmee is home to several dinner shows, including the long-running Medieval Times, where families watch knights joust and cheer for their section's champion over dinner. It is loud, silly and a big hit with kids in the 6 to 12 range.
Tips For Visiting Kissimmee With Kids During The Holidays
Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving falls on November 26 in 2026) and the weeks around Christmas and New Year are some of the busiest times of the year in the Orlando area. A few things that help:
- Book timed experiences early. Popular slots, like our bottle feedings (limited spots at each time), fill up first.
- Go early. Mornings are cooler and calmer almost everywhere.
- Mix in a non-park day. Splitting up theme park days with something slower keeps kids (and parents) happier.
- Enjoy the weather. Late fall and winter are mild in Central Florida, which makes it the most comfortable season for outdoor attractions. It is also when Highland cows look their fluffiest.
