Of course, there are always the attractions and theme parks, most of which offer annual passes and special deals for Florida residents. But, that can get expensive, and after awhile, even the most popular roller coasters and thrill rides lose their appeal.
If you're at your wit's end and just can't stand to hear little Jane and Johnny whining "I'm bored. What can I do?" one more time, you've come to the right place. There are literally hundreds of unique places to go and fun things to do in Central Florida, and many of them will cost you little to nothing. We've assembled just a handful of suggestions here to get you started. Whether you're looking for family fun on a budget or activities geared to the younger crowd, we've got you covered.
A student's ability to travel is a privilege. They should always remember that any holiday break should be accompanied by precaution.
CollegeSafe.com offers an online guide of how to plan and maintain an enjoyable and safe holiday, whether or not you are a student. The guide provides a full range of safety issues, including:
- Getting organized
- Safe driving tips
- Foreign travel safety
- Drinking responsibly
- Dangers of date rape drugs
- Beach safety
 Spend a night under the stars or, more specifically, under the giant Apollo/Saturn V moon rocket at Kennedy Space Center. Worlds apart from Orlando’s theme parks, but only 45 minutes away. Plan on a full day to explore NASA’s launch headquarters, located on a huge island wildlife refuge eight times the size of Manhattan.
One day not enough? Give your children (8-14) some real space this year with Kennedy Space Center Programs and Summer Camps. They'll spend five days touching, building, experiencing and imagining space exploration in the future. For information on kids summer programs, please call 321-449-4400.
Parks, lakes, recreation areas, springs, wildlife refuges, beaches and forests are scattered across Central Florida. Few regions have such an abundance of natural resources. Weekends, holidays and summers are great times to explore them with your children and nurture an appreciation for nature's wonders. Plan an afternoon outing and a picnic. Go bird watching. Rent a canoe and paddle to a secluded, unspoiled spot to experience Florida's wildlife up close and personal. Plan a weekend camping trip. The possibilities are endless.
  Florida's 150 state parks feature pretty much what you'd expect: picnic tables, nature trails, and lots of trees, grass and water. Detailed information on all of Florida's state parks can be found at Florida State Parks.
Cape Canaveral National Seashore / Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers year-round recreation including fishing, boating, canoeing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, camping, nature and historical trails. Learn more and watch a video about Playalinda Beach, located at the national seashore.
Want to take a hike? The Florida Trail Association is there to help guide your way, with maps and condition reports on the Florida National Scenic Trail. They even sponsor local hiking events.
Prefer to stick closer to home for a quick picnic? Check out our county park listings for Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia counties.
Entertainment and education don't have to be mutually exclusive. Here are a few alternatives to movies, video games and other fun but frivolous pursuits:
 St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, is home to a host of historic sites and structures, including Fort Matanzas National Monument, pictured at right, and the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument. The heart of the city retains the characteristics of a Spanish Colonial walled town, and several homes and historic buildings have been preserved or restored.
The city also is home to:
• Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum
• Potter's Wax Museum
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Central Florida, St. Augustine makes for a fun and educational day trip or weekend excursion for the whole family.
The Orange County Regional History Center offers a variety of programs exploring the people and events that shaped the Central Florida region. Located at the heart of downtown Orlando, the Orange County Regional History Center offers five floors of Central Florida's past, presented in dynamic fashion.
They also offer an educational summer camp. Visit the History Center Web site, for more information or call (407) 836-8545.
 Although you can't be a knight, that doesn't mean you can't cheer for one. If you like watching movies or reading books about the knights of old and of legend, then Medieval Times is the place to go.
You arrive in an arena, where you cheer for your knight as he competes in sword fighting, jousting and horse show contests. Employees are never out of character, as they serve you food to eat in the traditional manner of the time - with your hands!
 If your children enjoy aquariums and zoos and are constantly watching shows about wildlife, you're bound to find something here they'll enjoy:
At GatorLand, children can feed and hold alligators and participate in hands-on activities with other Florida wildlife, exotic species and fish. Regular admission is $19.95 plus tax for adults and $12.95 plus tax for children of ages 3-12. The attraction also offers several different "Swamp Tracker Camps" for children of ages 6-12. You can find more information on the GatorLand Web site, or call (800) 393-JAWS.
Silver Springs is a 350-acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida.
Wekiva Springs State Park in Apopka offers similar recreational activities and facilities.
De Leon Springs State Park just north of DeLand and Blue Spring State Park in Orange City.
 For a real hands-on experience, saddle up and head on over to Horse World Riding Stables. The 750-acre farm just south of Orlando in Kissimmee offers trail rides and riding lessons, as well as half-day horse camps for children 7-15 every Saturday. The camps concentrate on stable management, horse care and safe trail riding.
For more information, visit the Horse World Riding Stables Web site or call (407) 847-4343.
There's one thing you can be sure about in Central Florida -- it's gonna get hot! Fortunately, there's no shortage of beaches, springs, rivers and water parks that provide a plethora of pleasant ways to cool off.
Although there are dozens of beautiful beaches around Florida, few are better known or more popular than Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach. There's no better way to beat the heat in Central Florida, and you sure can't beat the price. Just pack up a cooler and hit the road for a day of sun and fun, sand castles, surfing, sailing or simply relaxing and soaking up a few rays.
 For more information about Volusia County beaches, directions, weather conditions, beach cams, and more visit:
• Volusia County Beach
• Daytona Beach Visitors Bureau
To learn about Brevard County beaches, read the AroundCentralFlorida.com feature "Coasting along Brevard County Beaches," which includes lots of videos, as well!
The Central Florida YMCA is a great resource for fun. In addition to swimming lessons, the YMCA offers computer classes, singing, nature hikes and other youth sports and activities. For more information, call (407) 896-9220.
The Orlando Science Center has been intriguing, entertaining and educating Central Florida youths for decades. With hundreds of interactive exhibits and activities, it's a great place to take your children to spark their imaginations and keep the learning going while school is out. Admission prices vary. The center also offers a variety of classes, camps, workshops, travel expeditions and other fun science and math programs for youths of all ages. Visit the Orlando Scient Center Web site or call (407) 514-2076.
VisitFlorida.com will help you choose from many of Florida's attractions.
The site helps you decide on everything from lodging accommodations to travel safety tips. Visit their Web site for more information.
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