Free Activities for Toddlers at Disney Springs
One of my favorite stops on any Walt Disney World vacation is a stop to Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney. The area is currently undergoing a huge makeover with new shops and themed restaurants being added.
I was amazed at how much my son (2 years old) enjoyed it…without paying for anything! There are many things to do for free at Disney Springs for adults, but we were focused on entertaining my toddler.
Check out the fun FREE kids activities that we loved:
Splash Around for Fun
Hands down, the Disney Springs splash pads were my son’s favorite activity. At first he was apprehensive, but before I knew it, he was soaked and playing with the other kids! They had benches around the splash pads for the parents too.
Raise your hand if you love Splash Pads!
Eat Free Chocolate
Who doesn’t love a free piece of chocolate? Stop by Ghiradelli’s Soda Fountain for a free sample of chocolate. Fair warning though, you may not stop at one piece and buy one of their famous sundaes.
Build with Legos
The HUGE Lego store at Disney Springs is full of play stations where the kids can stop to play with Legos. My husband and son made a robot together. It was a great place to stay for a minute and escape the heat. I loved that they provided hand sanitizer.
Let’s build Legos with Dad!
Take Family Photos
Take photos with the different signs and statues in the area. There are several locations with statues of your favorite characters that you can pose with. I even had a Photo Pass photographer take photos of us for our Memory Maker package.
I had to take photo in front of the Frozen Fever sign!
Watch Cast Members Make Candy
At Goofy’s Candy Company, you can watch them make candy apples from scratch. This is also a tough activity to do for free without being enticed to purchase something. But if your willpower is strong, let the kids watch them make candy.
Take in the Sights
With so many themed restaurants, like the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Restaurant, there are many sights for the kids to look at. My son loved the huge dinosaur in front of the T-Rex restaurant! We took photos in front of it too. The Rainforest Cafe has an “active” volcano with steam and a moving crocodile statue in front of their waterfall. JP loved taking in the sights.
RAWR! JP loved the huge T-Rex from the T-Rex Restaurant.
Grab Some Water
A cup of water is one of the best free things on Disney property. Without many trees, Disney Springs can feel very hot on a Summer day. Stop by any food kiosk and grab a cup of water for free.
For a limited time, “A Royal Princess Reception” will be available at Disney Springs! October 1st – November 1st, 2016, princesses will be available, with PhotoPass Photographers, at the former Bippidi Bopped Boutique location. The meet and greet will be from 10am-4pm. Arrive early! This is expected to be a very popular experience.
I hope you enjoy Disney Springs as much as we did with a toddler! The hardest part is keeping the kids entertained while waiting for a resort bus. Double check the monitors to see how long of wait you have until your bus comes. You’ll be able to keep them in the stroller longer and worry less.
Do you have a favorite free activity at Disney Springs? Or any tips for taking a child?
I had no idea there were so many fun (and free) thinks for the littles to do at Disney! Thanks for sharing!
My kids love that splash zone and have ever since they were toddlers. Always a good idea to bring a change of clothes.
We haven’t been to Disney in 20 years! All the new things will be so much fun when I get to see them!
We’re Florida folks so frequent Disney trips are our thing! We love the shaded play area adjoining the T-Rex restaurant! Great way to let the kids sneak in a little free time and learning!
All of these activities look like they would be an absolute blast! My kids love splash pads!
Who says toddlers won’t have enough to do at parks, right? I’m sure your son had a blast enjoying all of these activities! I really like the fact that you can have some free chocolate too! Lol.
What fun ideas! We haven’t been since it was Downtown Disney, but I hope to make it this fall. Although not technically a toddler, these will come in handy for my 3-year-old.
My kids love splash pads even as older kids!! What a fun activity for kids at Disney,
I love all the shops and restaurants in Downtown Disney, had no idea there was so many activities for kids.
There’s so much to do at any Disney location. I have always found entertaining a toddler to be easy when we’re there. Granted, not all free. LOL
Great ideas at Disney Springs! In addition to my fitness blog, I also plan alot of Disney and runDisney travel for Clients. I’ll be sharing this post with Clients with toddlers.
I remember when mine were little! I loved watching them take in everything in awe <3 Nice tips! Plus I had no idea about the free water!!! Score!!!
I haven’t been to Disney before but it is great that they have so many fun areas and activities for kids. Its a win win situation.
I love these activities. I hate doing anything outside because its so hot in the South. We went to the Farmers Market yesterday and the kids were miserable.