Lakeland’s best stop for little kids is Bonnet Springs Park, where the children’s museum and a big playground sit side by side.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
A big nature preserve on Lake Hancock with a free Nature Discovery Center for a short indoor stop.
A large park with a train-themed playground and stroller-friendly paths, next to the children’s museum.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Two floors of hands-on play with a daily story time at 10:30.
A free art museum with short galleries that suit a quick visit.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in Lakeland without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Lakeland.
4399 Winter Lake RoadCircle B Bar ReserveA big nature preserve on Lake Hancock with a free Nature Discovery Center for a short indoor stop.Free400 Bonnet Springs BlvdBonnet Springs ParkA large park with a train-themed playground and stroller-friendly paths, next to the children’s museum.Free
Florida Southern College, 800 E Palmetto StAGB Museum of ArtA free art museum with short galleries that suit a quick visit.FreeFree or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
under 2
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in Lakeland.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Lakeland right now.
Yes. The Florida Children’s Museum lets kids under 2 in free, and the Bonnet Springs playground is next door.
Bonnet Springs Park, the AGB Museum of Art and neighborhood trick-or-treating at Lake Morton.
Florida Children’s Museum: Under 2 free. See best for under 3s.
Every one of the 4 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 3 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check.
Under 2; kids 2 and up: $20; adults: $20. We checked this on its official site on Oct 30, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Lakeland.
