Kids at Play: A Parent’s Guide to Lake Nona

Find never-ending ways to keep the kiddos occupied in Lake Nona.

Looking for a little family-friendly adventure? In Lake Nona, you don’t have to go far to find it. Here’s a list that will tickle every kids’ fancy — they won’t even realize they’re also learning and growing. 

Blaze the Trails 

With more than 44 miles of paved and unpaved trails to explore, Lake Nona is the perfect spot to hitch up the bikes and go for a ride or a nature walk. Soak in the sights and sounds from the flora and fauna around you or make a scavenger hunt for the kids to keep busy as you enjoy Florida’s natural scenery.

Be the Talk of the Town Center 

Lake Nona Town Center is the beating heart of the community, and it’s a hub for families looking to unwind after a long day or week. Start with dinner at Park Pizza & Brewing Co., Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine or Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen.

The green space is a perfect spot to wait for a table, snag a snap in front of the angel wings mural, or let the kids play while you lounge on one of the patio chairs and soak up the moments of sunshine. At Boxi Park, the playground, pavilion and dog run areas are a high priority for kiddos to meet and greet each other and watch their favorite pups play.

Scavenge for Art 

Lake Nona is home to dozens of art installations that feature different art forms including sculptures, murals, digital art, and live performances. Take the kids on a scavenger hunt to find these art installations throughout the community on the sides of buildings and parking garages, in gardens and courtyards, indoors and out.

Select pieces of art in Lake Nona have QR codes installed in front of the installations. Scan them to learn more about the artist and inspiration behind each of these unique pieces.

Dive into Laureate Park Aquatic Center 

It’s hot out there! If you’re a Laureate Park resident, grab the kids, their swimsuits and towels and splash away the day at the Laureate Park Aquatic Center, which recently grew by 17,000 square feet.

There’s a new pavilion for picnicking and a five-lane lap pool for your little Michael Phelps to practice his butterfly. On land, the half-sized basketball court and beach volleyball courts are perfect for playing before taking a dip.

Learn to Drive

Okay, not in a car, but in one of the bays at Drive Shack Lake Nona. Kids will love competing with each other (and you!) to see how far they can drive the ball. The climate-controlled bays make this a fun outing even in the hot summer months. Inside, kids will find a virtual reality driving range and golf course to practice in the cool of the air conditioning, as well as retro arcade games, basketball, foosball, shuffleboard and more. 

Kicking and Screaming

XL Soccer World offers programs and leagues for little Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of all ages, from programs for toddlers as young as 18 months to recreational and competitive leagues for ages 6 to 14. They also offer a fantastic program specifically designed for kids with special needs and an all-girls program with a Girls Director of Coaching, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion Sydney Leroux. 

XL Soccer World has recently expanded its facility to include two full-size outdoor fields which play host to international youth tournaments, adult leagues, recreational programs and is home to the Orlando City Soccer School.

Hit the Sand with Olympic Champions 

In 2020, pro beach volleyball players and Lake Nona residents, Phil and Jennifer Dalhausser, launched the Phil Dalhausser Beach Volleyball Academy at Boxi Park. The classes are designed for kids and teens of all skill levels (plus there are adult social leagues if you’re looking to get your own spike on).

As parents themselves, Phil and Jennifer are always on the lookout for fun things to do in town. With the academy in Lake Nona, they’re looking to inspire kids to kick up some sand and enjoy the fun of beach volleyball, which here at Lake Nona, we’re lucky enough to take part in year round.

Get a Taste for Adventure

Nona Adventure Park is an active kid’s wonderland. With inflatable slides and obstacles, they’ll feel like they’re on an episode of Wipeout while they traverse the cable park, scale the 60-foot climbing tower, swing through the ropes course and more. Water-based sports are a big draw here, and little daredevils can try their balance and participate in a wakeboarding, kneeboarding or waterskiing lesson at Nona Wake. 

Play the Day Away 

Lake Nona kids can make the most of sunny days by playing at the neighborhood playgrounds complete with slides, rope climbs, and custom features made with little ones in mind.