Airport Lakes Park with Kids, Orlando FL
Airport Lakes Park near Orlando International Airport combines a woodland nature trail and boardwalk with a free nine-hole disc golf course. Older kids can try a casual round and look for wildlife, while younger siblings have separate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12.
Nature trail, boardwalk, age-zoned playgrounds and the disc golf course have no regular admission fee. Bring your own discs.
Park access and costs →Allow about an hour for an easy nine-hole disc golf round, then add time for the boardwalk, playgrounds or a picnic.
Nature exploration and beginner disc golf are the main fit; playground areas separately serve ages 2-5 and 5-12.
Free parking and flexible self-guided activities keep logistics simple; heat, trail surfaces and a spread-out outdoor layout take more planning.
See the full Family Friction score →What can kids do at Airport Lakes Park in Orlando?
Airport Lakes Park in Orlando offers families a mix of outdoor recreation, nature exploration and active play without the crowds or admission costs of a major attraction. One of the park's main features is its nature trail and boardwalk, where children can explore a quieter side of Orlando, look for birds and observe the plants and wildlife around the lake. Paved walking paths provide another option for families who prefer an easier stroll. Older children can turn the walk into a simple nature challenge by identifying birds, comparing plants or spotting changes in the landscape, while parents can choose a shorter route for children who tire quickly.
Another popular kids' activity at Airport Lakes Park is disc golf. The park has a free nine-hole course where beginners can practice throwing discs toward elevated metal baskets. Unlike traditional golf, the game requires minimal equipment, although families need to bring their own discs. School-age children and teenagers can take turns throwing, keeping score and experimenting with different techniques. The course includes wooded sections and open areas, making it a more active alternative to a regular nature walk. Families new to disc golf can focus on a few holes rather than completing the entire course, especially when younger siblings are joining the outing.
Airport Lakes Park also has playground areas designed for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, giving families with different-aged siblings additional options. Younger children can enjoy age-appropriate playground activities while older kids explore the walking paths, practice disc golf or play on the open grassy areas. Other facilities include a fishing pier, soccer field, picnic areas and restrooms, making it possible to combine several outdoor activities in one visit. For families looking for free things to do with kids near Orlando International Airport, the park works particularly well as a relaxed morning or afternoon outing. Its strongest appeal for ages 7-17 is the combination of nature exploration, beginner-friendly disc golf and space for outdoor activity.
Planning more family adventures in Orlando? Explore our Orlando family travel guide for kid-friendly attractions, rainy-day activities, free things to do, and ideas for different age groups.
Nature exploration and disc golf are strongest for older children
Infant
Babies can accompany adults for a short paved-path stroll. The disc golf course and playground equipment are not infant activities; choose cool weather and keep the stroller on suitable paths.
Toddler
Children ages 2-3 can use the age-designated playground with close supervision. A short nature walk may work, but extended disc golf is unlikely to hold their interest.
Little Kids
A good fit for the ages 2-5 playground or short wildlife-spotting walk. They can try tossing a soft disc in an appropriate open area but should not be placed in an active fairway.
Big Kids
Good fit for the ages 5-12 playground, nature observation and a first disc golf round with adult coaching and flexible expectations.
Tweens
A strong fit for learning basic disc golf, keeping a scorecard and exploring the trail or boardwalk. A nine-hole round adds a clear objective to a free outing.
Teen
A strong fit for casual disc golf, bird watching, walking or practicing outdoor skills with friends or family. The open setting makes it easy to choose the length of the visit.
Family Friction: comparing the practical demands of a family outing
KidWaypoint uses eight consistent checkpoints to compare how much planning families need: arrival, queues, weather, walking, mobility, care facilities, sensory demands and flexibility. The score reflects practical effort rather than entertainment value.
Airport Lakes Park is an easy low-cost choice for families who enjoy flexible outdoor time. The parking lot, restrooms, drinking fountains and paved walking option keep basic logistics straightforward, and a beginner can end a disc golf round whenever attention or energy runs low. The main considerations are Florida heat, rain or lightning, and more uneven ground around the nature trail and fairways. Younger siblings can use the age-zoned playground while older children focus on the course.
| Factor | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Parking & Arrival | 0/5 | The city lists a public parking lot and bike racks at the park. General access does not require an admission ticket or shuttle. |
| Queue & Wait Time | 0/5 | There is no regular ticket counter or scheduled admission queue for casual walking, playground use or public disc golf; popular areas can still be busy. |
| Heat & Weather Exposure | 4/5 | Trails, playgrounds and the disc golf course are outdoors. Heat, strong rain and lightning can interrupt a visit; the park is not a rainy-day option. |
| Walking Distance & Terrain | 2/5 | The park has a paved walking path and natural trails; a full disc golf round covers about 0.9 mile according to UDisc, with surfaces varying by route. |
| Stroller & Mobility Access | 2/5 | The city lists disabled-accessible amenities and a paved walking path. Nature-trail and disc-golf surfaces should not be assumed fully step-free or smooth. |
| Restroom & Baby-Care Access | N/A | Public restrooms and drinking fountains are confirmed, but specific baby-changing facilities or a private feeding room are not established. |
| Sensory & Crowd Load | 1/5 | Most activity takes place in open-air space, making it possible to move away from groups, though sports activity and nearby roads or aircraft can bring noise. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1/5 | The park is open daily 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; casual play, walking and disc golf are self-directed. Soccer-field reservations are separate. |
| Scored total | 10/35 | Low Friction |
Paved paths make short stroller walks possible
Families with strollers can use the paved walking path for an easier visit, but should treat natural trails and the disc golf course as different terrain and check conditions before setting out.
The official city listing identifies a paved walking path, a practical option for strollers and younger siblings.
Watch for discs in flight and pause when other players are throwing, especially with toddlers or strollers.
Restrooms and drinking fountains are listed, but outdoor play still calls for hats, water and sun protection.
Trail and boardwalk conditions may differ from paved paths; avoid assuming that every segment is suitable for a wide stroller.
Is Airport Lakes Park free to visit and play disc golf?
Entry to Airport Lakes Park, nature trails, public playgrounds and the nine-hole disc golf course is free. Bring your own discs; organized athletic-field reservations and personal supplies are separate.
| Activity or service | Cost | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Park admission | Free | Public city park, open daily during posted hours. |
| Nature trail and boardwalk | Free | Self-guided walking and wildlife observation. |
| Paved walking path | Free | Useful for a short family stroll. |
| Disc golf course | Free to play | Nine public holes; bring your own discs. |
| Playgrounds | Free | Separate age zones for ages 2-5 and 5-12. |
| Parking | Public lot listed | No standard parking charge is posted for ordinary use. |
| Soccer field reservation | Separate rental | Call the city for availability and price. |
| Discs, snacks or other supplies | Varies | Personal equipment and purchases are not included. |
Family cost example: Two adults and two children can use the park, playgrounds, trails and disc golf course for $0 in admission. Bring discs from home; transport, snacks and any sports reservations are separate.
What time does Airport Lakes Park in Orlando open?
- Open daily: 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Walking paths, playgrounds and disc golf follow general park access hours.
- Natural light matters for disc golf and boardwalk visits, even though the park closes at 9 p.m.
- Check the city park page for temporary notices before a planned outing.
The city publishes the same park hours seven days a week. Visit in daylight for nature walks and disc golf, especially when children are learning an unfamiliar course.
Make a free nature walk and disc golf round work for kids
Pack for a self-guided outdoor visit and choose a realistic route for each child.
- Bring your own discs.The public nine-hole course is free, but do not assume discs are supplied or rentable at the park.
- Start with a few disc golf holes.New players may enjoy short throwing practice before a full nine-hole route; let other groups pass if needed.
- Watch throwing lanes.Keep younger children off fairways while players are throwing and wait until the landing area is clear.
- Walk the boardwalk during daylight.Bring water and take time for birds, trees and lake views without rushing to finish a fixed route.
- Use the right playground zone.The city lists play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12; older kids can focus on disc golf and the trail.
- Pack for Florida weather.This is entirely outdoors; plan a cooler hour and leave exposed areas during thunderstorms.
Airport Lakes Park Orlando: family questions
Quick answers about free access, playgrounds, disc golf and nature activities with children.
Where is Airport Lakes Park in Orlando?
Airport Lakes Park is at 7098 Shadowridge Drive, Orlando, FL 32812, just off State Road 436 near Orlando International Airport.
Does Airport Lakes Park Orlando, FL have a playground?
Yes. The City of Orlando lists two age-specific play areas, one for ages 2-5 and another for ages 5-12. Both are public park amenities.
What is a good kids activity in Airport Lakes Park?
For ages 7-17, a beginner-friendly disc golf round or nature scavenger hunt along the boardwalk can make a free outdoor visit more engaging. Younger children may prefer the playground.
Do you need tickets to play disc golf at Airport Lakes Park?
No. UDisc identifies the nine-hole course as free to play, and the city lists disc golf among park amenities. Bring your own discs and respect other players on the course.
What are Airport Lakes Park opening hours?
The City of Orlando lists hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Daylight is preferable for disc golf and natural trails.
Are parking, restrooms and stroller paths available?
The city lists a public parking lot, accessible amenities, restrooms, drinking fountains and a paved walking path. Natural trail conditions may be less stroller-friendly than the paved route.
