By Kate Cohen
August 12, 2026
Orlando is a city known for its world-class family-friendly entertainment.
While the theme parks are one of Central Florida’s biggest draws, there is so much to explore here that isn’t related to the theme park trifecta of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando.
Take, for example, Orlando Science Center (OSC).
This local institution has been welcoming guests for 30 years, engaging minds with hands-on learning, immersive exhibits, and interactive play.
Today, OSC has more to offer than ever before.
Located in Loch Haven Park near downtown Orlando, this is a wonderful attraction to explore with kids of all ages.
Here’s a look at how you can fill your day with family-friendly fun at Orlando Science Center.
Key Takeaways
- Morning: High Energy Play to Start the Day
- Midday: Shows & Quiet-Time Activities
- Lunch Break: Easy Options for Families
- Afternoon: STEM Adventures for Curious Kids
- Tips for Your Visit to Orlando Science Center
- End the Day with a Stay at Rosen Plaza in Orlando
Morning: High Energy Play to Start the Day
Begin your day at OSC with some interactive play to engage young minds and bodies.
KidsTown is the perfect attraction for toddlers and young children who love hands-on learning that feels like playtime.
Designed for little ones ages 0 through 7, KidsTown offers 11,000 square feet of skill-based activities across seven themed zones.
Explore how citrus travels from the tree to the table in the Orange Grove, a space full of dynamic machinery that encourages curiosity and imagination.
Kids ages 4 to 7 will love Climb Time, an exciting structure for exploration through physical activity. Just past Climb Time is Drip Drop Splash, a system of water tables that lets children experiment with physics and fluid dynamics as they splash, touch, and pour in a safe, gentle environment.
Toddler Town is the perfect place for babies and toddlers under the age of 2 to explore the world around them. Self-paced activities and gentle structures in this area are ideal for physical development and confidence-building.
Explore It offers kids the chance to experiment with cause-and-effect through interactive activities with air pipes, scarves, toy cars, light walls, and more.
After spending time in KidsTown, make your way to the Kinetic Zone for a variety of interactive guest experiences. Here, you can experiment with amazing STEM principles through circuits, pulley systems, zip lines, air rockets, and more.
One of the most popular areas of OSC is DinoDigs. This exhibit features towering dinosaur fossil replicas that bring the scale of these prehistoric creatures to life.
Play paleontologist in the Jurassic Ridge dig pits, where secrets and surprises are waiting to be uncovered one brush at a time.
Midday: Shows & Quiet-Time Activities
Ready for a little break?
Check out a show at the newly reopened onsite theatre, The Dome.
This spectacular 8-story domed theatre shows a variety of short films throughout the day covering topics like space, dinosaurs, Africa’s savannahs, and the mysteries of the ocean.
Comfortable seats offer a welcome break after a morning of active exploration, and the cutting-edge technology used to bring these larger-than-life adventures to the screen amazes audiences with every showing.
Multiple shows are offered throughout the day, so check out OSC’s schedule to see which titles you can expect on the day of your visit.
While impressive and awe-inspiring, the scope of this incredible theatre can be a little overwhelming for young patrons or those with sensory processing differences.
Alternately, Science Live shows are a great screen-free alternative that give everyone a chance to catch their breath without losing steam.
These engaging live shows bring OSC exhibits to life with a knowledgeable host leading demonstrations of fascinating experiments and science explorations.
Lunch Break: Easy Options for Families
When it’s time to refuel, 4Roots Cafe is the perfect pit-stop.
With a culinary program from Orlando’s own 4Rivers Smokehouse, this exclusive menu features delicious and nutritious food for every guest.
Build your own bowl with fresh, wholesome ingredients like locally sourced vegetables, hearty proteins, and healthy grains.
Sandwiches, salads, and wraps are also available at affordable prices that make dining out with the family an easier option.
Pickier palates can order from the kid’s menu, which features crowd-favorites like baked dino nuggets, hot dogs, sun butter and jelly sandwiches, and more.
The cafe has plenty of seating, as well as highchairs, that make lunch breaks easy and comfortable for everyone.
Of course, the learning doesn’t stop during lunchtime – the cafe is part of the immersive Food Heroes exhibit. Explore where food comes from, how it’s prepared, and how it relates to your health all while refueling for an afternoon of fun.
Afternoon: STEM Adventures for Curious Kids
After lunch, it’s time to keep the adventure going.
Check out the Life exhibit, one of the newest permanent installations at OSC.
This fascinating collection explores nature and conservation through interactive areas that showcase three unique ecosystems: the rainforest, ocean, and swamp.
Life is home to a variety of fascinating animals, including alligators, sloths, tamarins, free-flying birds, sharks, tropical fish, squirrels, owls, and other furry, feathered, and scaly residents.
The hands-on learning in this exhibit is designed to teach guests how everything on our planet is connected and the efforts we can make to protect our natural resources.
If you have a kid who loves making things, check out The Hive. This area for kids 8 and up cultivates creativity through hands-on activities like sewing, 3D printing, model making, soldering, and so much more.
In addition to their permanent installations, OSC hosts traveling exhibits throughout the year that are always worth checking out, too.
After a full day of learning and exploration, it’s time to head to the gift shop to find a souvenir to take home. You never know what treasures you might find!
Tips for Your Visit to Orlando Science Center
A trip to Orlando Science Center is a wonderful way to spend a day in Orlando, especially if you’re looking for something indoors and away from the theme parks.
Purchase your tickets online beforehand to save a few dollars on admission. There is an attached parking structure across the street from OSC connected by a covered walkway for comfort and convenience. Parking is $4 per hour.
Guests are welcome to bring their own strollers, or you can rent one directly from OSC. Wheelchairs are also available for rent.
While you can purchase food from 4Roots Cafe and The Coffee Spot within OSC, it’s also smart to pack a few snacks to keep everyone in your group from getting hangry.
Think you’ll be back again soon? Consider an OSC membership to save on admission, parking, and dining. Plus, you’ll get exclusive invites to popular events hosted throughout the year.
End the Day with a Stay at Rosen Plaza in Orlando
When it’s time to call it a day, head back to your comfortable hotel room at Rosen Plaza.
Our onsite restaurants are the perfect way to end a day of discovery with a delicious meal. Burn off any lasting energy splashing in the seasonally heated pool and then cuddle up with the fam in your room for a good night’s sleep.
OSC is one of many amazing ways to spend the day in Orlando. When you stay at Rosen Plaza, you’re close to everything The City Beautiful has to offer.
We can’t wait to host you and your family for your next stay.