By Noelia Trujillo
Updated by Kate Cohen on June 3, 2026
Ready to beat the summer heat and keep the whole family entertained?
Mark your calendars for the 11th Annual Florida Kids & Family Expo on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
This indoor, air-conditioned event is designed to connect families in Central Florida with a variety of entertainment, resources, and activities for all ages.
Here’s how to make the most of your family-friendly fun at the Florida Kids & Family Expo.
Key Takeaways
Entertainment
Hands-on Fun
With over 200 pre-natal, baby, toddler, kid, teen, and family exhibitors, the Florida Kids & Family Expo offers a variety of interactive experiences.
Guests can expect everything from mechanical bulls to bumper cars, bounces houses, dodgeball games, and sports zones.
Creative minds can head to arts and crafts sections, and animal lovers can enjoy a petting zoo and butterfly exhibit.
Touch-a-Truck allows families to tour exciting vehicles like police cars and fire engines, perfect for curious kiddos.
WonderWorks and Orlando Science Center will also have hands-on STEM activities that are both entertaining and educational.
Pro Tip: Some vendors offer extra fun such as carnival rides, animal interactions, face painting, and pony rides for an additional fee, so keep some cash in your pocket for these extra thrills.
Unique Photo Opportunities
Superheroes, princesses, pirates and beyond will be at the Florida Kids & Family Expo to meet and greet guests.
Past guests have enjoyed snapping pictures with characters from Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Tangled, Superman, Batman, and more.
Stay tuned to see what character meets and greets you can look forward to at the 2026 event.
Pro Tip: There are plenty of great photo ops at the event. Bring a portable charging bank to make sure your device has enough life to capture every moment.
Live Performances
Get ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy a show with your family by your side.
At the Florida Kids & Family Expo, you’ll be treated to family-friendly performances, which are included in the price of your ticket.
Past years’ acts included dazzling acrobatic aerial artists, live demonstrations from HBC Wrestling’s T-Bone Funk, and animal presentations from wildlife professionals.
This year, enjoy performances by various live acts, vocalists, dancers, magicians, and more, on two stages – an aerial stage and a wrestling ring.
Pro Tip: Pick up a Florida Kids & Family Expo magazine at the entrance of the event for a full schedule of the weekend’s performances.
Freebies
Who doesn’t love free goodies?
When you purchase a ticket to the Florida Kids & Family Expo, you’re automatically registered for giveaways.
In the past, prizes and freebies have included family tickets to Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens, Disney on Ice, the Crayola Experience, and many more.
Individual businesses and organizations participating in the expo often have their own giveaways at their booths, including small toys, stickers, craft materials, and informational materials.
Attendees also have a chance to win extra prizes from select exhibitors via raffles, contests, and drawings where winners take home goodies such as gift baskets, event tickets, and products or services.
Pro Tip: Bring pre-printed labels with your name, phone number, and email address to save time registering for drawings and freebies throughout the event.
Event Hours and Prices
Doors open for the Florida Kids & Family Expo from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The event was created by Central Florida-based moms who are committed to keeping costs low and accessible to all families.
Tickets are $10 when purchased online and $20 at the door. Children under 3 can attend for free, making this an affordable day for families of all sizes.
Weekend passes are also available, giving guests access to the event on both Saturday and Sunday.
Parking at the Orange County Convention Center has also been discounted to $10 per car for both days of the event.
As a bonus, guests attending the expo on Saturday can present their ticket at Chick-fil-A on Universal Boulevard between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to receive a free kids’ meal with each paid child ticket (valid only on Saturday, August 22, 2026).
Pro Tip: Bring your stroller! There’s a lot of walking at the event, and you can use it to store swag and giveaways.
Enjoy an Affordable Stay in Orlando
For families traveling to Orlando, the Rosen Inn International offers an affordable stay minutes from the Orange County Convention Center.
After a day exploring the vendors, shows, games, and giveaways at the Florida Kids & Family Expo, continue the enjoyment at our hotel’s family-friendly amenities, including two sparkling swimming pools, a playground, and an arcade.
Book your cozy and convenient accommodations at Rosen Inn International today.