Rainy Day Activities in Orlando

Sometimes it rains, even in Orlando. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty to do without ever stepping into a theme park. You can learn to fly, create a laser show, discover art, design a roller coaster and escape from nefarious evildoers.

You will have so much fun at the indoor attractions that you might even secretly wish for another rainy day.

iFLY Orlando

Even the most blasé of ‘tweens and teens get excited about indoor skydiving at iFLY. Once your gravity-bound youngster enters the wind tunnel accompanied by an instructor, the strong air currents lift her off the ground. Look ma–she’s flying like Supergirl! It’s an Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat moment.

Orlando Science Center

The magic of science rules at this museum. Pre-schoolers can unearth fossil replicas in a sand pit at DinoDigs. Grade-schoolers build boats at Engineer It! and create laser shows at Science Park.  And you and your children can learn about robots, whales, airplanes and other topics at the museum’s theater (the films change periodically). Allow time to check out the museum’s special exhibits too.

Splittsville Luxury Lanes

Like to bowl? When your kids stop rolling their eyes, take them to Splittsville. The alley’s motto: reinventing America’s game. The facility accomplishes this with a sleek retro look and a menu designed for both kids and adults. Along with such staples as pizza and burgers, you can opt for edamame and sushi. Bowling is fun and it gives you a great opportunity to clap for your kids.

Orlando Museum of Art

The wide range of art covering diverse time periods at this museum gives you much to discuss with your kids. Jaguar warrior figures, jade designs and painted pottery are just some of the pieces in “A Trek From North to South,” an exhibit of items by the ancient peoples of the Americas. Switch perspective to admire canvases by post-World War II abstract expressionists and color field artists in the J. Hyde Crawford and Anthony Tortora Collection. A guided family highlights tour (no extra charge) takes place from October through May.

WonderWorks

It’s likely you’ve driven past this upside-down building many times. Take advantage of a rainy day to enter this hands-on, interactive facility. You and your kids can experience the force of 71-mph hurricane winds; climb in a replica of a Mercury space capsule; design and experience your perfect combination of roller coaster pitches, rolls and flips; and make your way through an indoor, glow-in-the-dark ropes course.

Escapology 

Team up with your children to solve murders, contain a deadly virus or escape from being kidnapped aboard a ship. The only way to free yourselves from these and other inventive scenes is to work together to discover clues and solve riddles that free you. Puzzles last about 60 minutes and the experience is recommended for those ages seven and older.

Where to stay in Orlando? Spread out in a vacation rental villa that still has access to resort-style amenities.