More Than Just Rides: Top Activities for Kids at Walt Disney World

As we plan for a trip to Walt Disney World, most of us focus on the rides we will experience. We have must-do lists for each Disney Park. These rides are fantastic and fun for the whole family. However, there are also excellent activities for kids to enjoy beyond the rides.

We will share some of the top activities for kids at Walt Disney World that don’t ride. Kids will enjoy these fun experiences just as much as the rides.

Explore the Parks

Instead of rushing from ride to ride when visiting Disney Parks, slow down and explore the hidden gems. At EPCOT, kids can learn about the different countries in the World Showcase. At the Kidcot stations, kids are given stamps and coloring items and can ask questions about the country.

Kids can explore the World Showcase in the Play Disney App by playing the DuckTales World Showcase Adventure. This has kids explore different countries by searching for specific items and helping the DuckTales crew. This is interactive and a lot of fun for kids of all ages.

During the festivals at EPCOT, kids can also enjoy the different scavenger hunts. This takes kids to other countries where they will search for Olaf, Orange Bird, or Spike. These cost money, but kids are given a prize at the end of the hunt.

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, kids can become Wilderness Explorers. Kids are given a booklet that will take them throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Kids will learn about animals and other parts of nature at different stations from Cast Members. Once completed, they will earn a badge. This is a fun way to discover some hidden gems in this Park.

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head back to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you can transform your phone into a datapad via the Play Disney Parks App. You can complete missions, help the First Order or Resistance, and translate the language throughout Batuu. Star Wars fans will love being part of the story.

These are all great ways to explore Disney Parks without rushing from ride to ride. They allow Guests to slow down and discover some of the hidden gems that make the Parks magical.

Water Fun

No matter how old your Disney kids get, they will still love being able to play in the water when at Disney. Step away from the Parks and enjoy some time at the fantastic Disney Resort pools. The Resorts have great activities most afternoons making the feature pools full of fun, games, and music. Build swimming into your Disney vacation.

When you are in Disney Parks during the day’s heat, enjoy the water features to cool off. One of the best ones is located in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is an adorable and fun water play area.  Just make sure to pack extra clothes.

You will also find misters throughout Disney Parks that are perfect for a quick cool down. We love the ones in Adventureland and over in Tomorrowland. They are a welcome relief during a hot day.

Miniature Golf

Walt Disney World has two miniature golf courses for Guests to enjoy. Fantasia Gardens, Fairways Minature, and Winter Summerland Minature Golf are fun for the whole family. They both are well-themed and a fun activity for everyone to enjoy together.

If you are looking for a challenge, then try out Fantasia Gardens. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, then head to Winter Summerland.

FootGolf

For those looking for something unique to do together, look into FootGolf. This newer activity is played at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, a 9-Hole FootGolf course.  This new game has players kicking a soccer ball at a cup. Like traditional golf, you want to get it into the cup in as few shots as possible.

As this is a lot of walking, it might be best for older kids looking for something active to do during their vacation time. It is a newer activity that is become popular with Disney Guests.

Resort Fun

We have mentioned time at Disney Resort pools but explored the different Resort recreation. At many Disney Resorts, Guests can enjoy ping-pong, tennis, basketball, or volleyball activities. You will often find yard games to play, including chess and checkers.

Spend time at the arcade or playground, and catch the Movie Under the Stars each evening. You can often find a campfire for making s’mores. During the day, you can often find crafts for kids to participate in. From tie-dye t-shirts to painting, creating something to take home from vacation is fun.

The Disney Resorts have a lot of great activities for kids to enjoy. When rushing to the Parks, we often miss out on some of these. Take a day to enjoy the pool and the great activities that your Disney Resort has to offer.

Rides are a big focus of any Walt Disney World vacation. They are what most of us head to Walt Disney World to experience, but they shouldn’t be the only thing we share. There are so many unique experiences throughout Walt Disney World that don’t include rides.

We hope that by sharing these ideas, you will find some fun and unique experiences to do with your kids during your vacation. From swimming to exploring the World Showcase, Walt Disney World has many experiences for Guests of all ages to explore. It all comes together to create the magic.

Related: 8 Quick Tips for Taking Kids to Disney

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