Central Florida Zoo with Toddlers (& Why It’s Perfect for Littles!)

One of my very favorite memories from the last few years is standing at the railing of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, watching my toddlers feed the giraffes. I’ve been there pregnant with my second, pushing a newborn in a bassinet, and even holding that same baby up to offer lettuce when he was just a year old. We’ve visited in every season of raising babies, toddlers, and now preschoolers – and the giraffes have been our constant. If you’re an Orlando local looking for a simple, enjoyable zoo day for the whole family, a morning at the Central Florida Zoo is a must!

Why We Love This Zoo for Toddlers

To be honest – the Central Florida Zoo isn’t big – or fancy. But they clearly care for their animals, and it’s the perfect size for a morning visit before naptime.

Here’s why it works so well with toddlers:

1. Shady Paths: Almost every sidewalk is shaded by trees. (A big bonus if you’ve spent any time in Orlando in the summer!)
2. Rarely Crowded: Even during field trips, we’ve never had a zoo day so busy that we couldn’t stroll and see the animals.
3. Just the Right Size: You can see almost the whole zoo in 2-3 hours – short enough to avoid (most!) meltdowns, and long enough to feel like an outing.
4. Surprisingly Good Food: Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but the burgers, wraps, and fries are genuinely good (and easy to split with a hungry toddler!). Tip: Arrive on the early side for lunch or mobile order to avoid long waits.

All of these add up to a place where we could journey easily – no matter my kids’ ages – and at a relaxing pace.

Our Toddler-Friendly Zoo Itinerary

Since we’ve been so many times, we eventually found a rhythm that worked for us – short attention spans and snacks built in! If you want to check it out ahead of time, here’s a map of the Central Florida Zoo!

Arrival & First Stops

Tip: Before you arrive, buy your tickets online to save $2 per ticket AND walk further down the sidewalk to the “quick scan entrance” (rather than the ticket booth!). This is the same entrance that Annual Passholders use! (If you’re planning to visit more than 3 times in a year, the family annual pass is worth it! Plus, you can get other adults in for $10, which is how we visited the zoo with family members multiple times.)

Once we’re inside the zoo, my kids typically beg for the herpetarium. I’m not a big fan of snakes, but there’s something about it that the kids just love! Be aware that the doors are fairly narrow – I typically have to take the cupholder off of the Zoe Double for it to fit through the door.

From here, we circle around to the Florida Trek Nature Walk to see the bald eagles and Florida black bears (which are a rescued brother and sister pair!). We’ve encountered keepers at the bear exhibit multiple times, and they’re great about answering your little one’s questions!

Snack Break!

The Nature Walk puts you out in the back of the zoo, near the rhino – which is a perfect place to stop for a snack! There are often picnic tables by the rhino (or by the snack stand – “Swirl”). While the zoo has a no food policy, many families bring a small snack for their toddlers, and we’ve never had an issue. Just be respectful!

After snack, walk around this area to see more animals – like lemurs, fossa, Amur leopards, otters, and porcupine!

Zoo Trip Highlight

Up next – my family’s favorite part of the zoo: the giraffes! Feeding them costs $6 for a few lettuce leaves (discounted if you’re a member), and while it’s a short experience, the kids LOVE it. I usually save this until almost last, since the feeding deck isn’t always open at the start of the day. But every single time – whether I was pregnant, juggling a newborn, or watching my preschoolers squeal with delight – this has been the memory that sticks with me.

Wrap-Up & Lunch

As long as your littles are still going strong, you can take one more loop through the zoo to see animals like the cheetahs, peccary, Aldabra tortoise, and cougar. The Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo is fun, too! Think goats, alpaca, and chickens.

If you’re planning to eat at the zoo, Graze has surprisingly good food! Depending on field trips or other families, there may be a wait, so either head to lunch a little earlier or use mobile order. A single hamburger and fries is usually enough to share with one little, and once both were older, a single order of chicken strips worked well – especially if I brought a piece of fruit or an applesauce pouch to supplement. But a reminder – all of the seating is at outdoor tables in the Florida heat.

Quick Tip: If you’d prefer a sit-down option nearby, our choice is always F&D Cantina in Lake Mary. It has excellent Mexican food, air conditioning, and the best strawberry basil margaritas – perfect for a relaxed lunch before heading home.

Extra Planning Tip: If you’re exploring more toddler-friendly spots around Florida, you can find plenty of ideas on my Florida page!

Optional Extras: If You Have Time

• Tropical Splashground: Right by the entrance, there’s a small splash area. We have only used it once or twice – my kids were usually too excited to see the animals (and it kept me from having to change all their clothes!). On weekends and holidays, bigger kids may be playing here, which can be tricky if your toddler is still learning to walk.

• Mini Train: For an extra fee, there’s a small train that runs through the zoo parking lot and woods nearby. We’ve never ridden it, mostly because I didn’t want to pay or wrestle our stroller into the car beforehand.

Even if you skip the extras, a morning at the Central Florida Zoo is plenty to tire tiny legs and fill little hearts with fun memories.

Perfect Outing: Central Florida Zoo with Toddlers

Over the years, feeding the giraffes has become our little family tradition, and something my kids look forward to every time we visit the Central Florida Zoo. A morning at the zoo is simple, low-stress, and full of tiny adventures. The kind your toddlers (and you!) will remember long after the lettuce is gone.