As many places plan the process of reopening, we know so many parents are looking ahead and planning what their first outings will look like.

The city of Orlando is so much more than theme parks and Mickey Mouse. You’ll also find a ton of museums and learning centers that know how to capture your son or daughter’s imagination.

If you’re planning a visit to Orlando soon or if you’re a local, you’ll want to consider making a few of these places on our list a destination to stop in at.

Check out some of the best educational experiences in Orlando that are worth checking out.

Kennedy Space Center

Located on Florida’s east coast and an hour from downtown Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center is a great place to get caught up on Nasa’s past and present. There are thousands of exhibits and artifacts that will wow you and your family. If you’re visiting at just the right time, you might witness a rocket launch or have the chance to meet a real astronaut.

Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center has been around for a long time while providing fun and exciting ways for children to learn about the world around them. Your kids will have the chance to dig up dinosaur bones, see reptiles up close and learn some of the fundamentals of physics. There’s even a fun play area called KidsTown for smaller children.

Crayola Experience

How about a visit to the home of the world’s largest crayon? The crayon weighs a staggering 1,352 pounds and is over 15 feet long! At Crayola Experience, your kids will get the chance to see how crayons are made right before their eyes. They’ll also get the chance to create artwork and even digital art. There are all kinds of hands-on activities and fun learning that your kids won’t even realize they are doing it.

WonderWorks

You’ve probably seen the upside-down building called WonderWorks and wondered what all the hype is about. There are 6 Wonder Zones for you and your family to explore several educational and interesting exhibits.

Gatorland

At Gatorland in Orlando, you’ll find more than just alligators and crocodiles, but also snakes, tortoises, tropical birds, and other animals. At the Gator Jumparoo Show, your kids will learn all kinds of interesting facts about gators and then get a chance to zip down the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line. There are also other rides to enjoy, along with other learning exhibits that will hold your children’s attention.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

When you first walk up to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, you’ll notice it appears the building is sinking down into a sinkhole. You’ll find over 600 artifacts and exhibits that are hands-on learning, for young and old alike. At Ripley’s, you’ll find shrunken human heads and rare animal skeletons and plenty of other out of this world oddities.

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

Our last educational experience that’s a blast can be found at the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. There you will witness marine life that can be found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and there’s even a walk-through tunnel where sharks will zip over your head.

The aquarium holds over 350,000 gallons of water, and also stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and more. There are also divers that will teach you facts about these creatures, and you’ll even get to watch them feed the creatures.

These are some fun and educational experiences in Orlando that your family needs to check out. If you’re from the Orlando area, what are some other neat educational experiences to see?