# Things to do with kids in Sanford, FL

> 24 upcoming family events and 2 places and ongoing programs in Sanford, FL (Seminole County, FL), in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford area. Listings whose address is in this town. Dates and times are Eastern Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/sanford-fl

## Events ahead

- [Hot Rod Halloween at Henry's Depot — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/hot-rod-halloween-at-henry-s-depot-sanford--listing-a00cc28a2487efd84f87a01c) — Sat, Oct 24 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Henry's Depot, Sanford · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. The 2nd annual Hot Rod Halloween takes over Henry's Depot food hall in downtown Sanford on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. The free, all-ages event combines a…
- [Zoo Boo Bash at Central Florida Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/zoo-boo-bash-at-central-florida-zoo--listing-f9ff8a85f694b28af8977b58) — Sat, Oct 24 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · With admission · checked Oct 14. Halloween daytime event over three weekends: not-so-scary Zoo decorations and animal enrichment, a trick-or-treat station path, children's activities and games, exclusive food…
- [Tent-or-Treat Parking Lot Party at Texas Roadhouse Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/tent-or-treat-parking-lot-party-at-texas-roadhouse-sanford--listing-11278944b13dd76d888e9719) — Tue, Oct 27 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Texas Roadhouse, Sanford · All ages · checked Oct 20. Texas Roadhouse Sanford and Ladies 327, Inc. host a family Halloween party in the restaurant's parking lot from 5 to 8 p.m. Activities for all ages include a DJ, bounce house…
- [Scare-ford's Not So Spooky Spookyfest — Sanford Police and Fire](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/scare-ford-s-not-so-spooky-spookyfest-sanford-police-and-fire--listing-7b02b806fc9f7be7bd809ab4) — Wed, Oct 28 · 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Sanford Public Safety Complex (courtyard) · checked Oct 24. The Sanford Police Department and Sanford Fire Department host a gentle, daytime Halloween party in the courtyard of the city's Public Safety Complex in the Historic Goldsboro…
- [Spooky Stuffed Animal Sleepover Storytime (Ages 3-7) - North](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/spooky-stuffed-animal-sleepover-storytime-ages-3-7-north--listing-1772808324822a05b8c11c4f) — Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · North Branch Library (Seminole County), Sanford · Ages 3–7 · Free · checked Oct 14. Spooky bedtime storytime in the North Branch Kids Zone; costumes encouraged. Children bring a favorite stuffed animal, tuck it in and leave it overnight for the Spooky Stuffed…
- [FANGtastic FEST at Jeff Triplett Community Center](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/fangtastic-fest-at-jeff-triplett-community-center--listing-231324ed13e33deb8e034499) — Sat, Oct 31 · 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Jeff Triplett Community Center, Sanford · Free · checked Oct 16. Sanford Parks and Recreation's FANGtastic FEST is a free Halloween afternoon at the Jeff Triplett Community Center on Saturday, October 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. Children 12 and under…
- [Halloween on 13th Street — Historic Goldsboro, Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/halloween-on-13th-street-historic-goldsboro-sanford--listing-077a4b5548b04f1061c87855) — Sat, Oct 31 · The Green Store, Sanford · Free · checked Oct 20. The 6th annual Halloween on 13th Street brings a neighborhood celebration to Sanford's Historic Goldsboro on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Hosted by The Green Store, the evening…
- [Sanford Avenue Block Party — Halloween Edition](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/sanford-avenue-block-party-halloween-edition--listing-50a2ad6565e8375d40571bc9) — Sat, Oct 31 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Sanford Avenue between 4th & 5th Streets (El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant) · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. Alive After 5 and Project Sanford close Sanford Avenue between 4th and 5th streets in downtown Sanford for a free Halloween block party on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 5 to 9…
- [The Rock of Central Florida Fall Festival at Fort Mellon Park](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/the-rock-of-central-florida-fall-festival-at-fort-mellon-park--listing-d690b4a242e82230b19790c7) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Fort Mellon Park, Sanford · Free · checked Oct 20. The Rock of Central Florida church holds its annual Fall Festival at Fort Mellon Park on Sanford's waterfront on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrating…
- [Magnolia Fall Festival — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/magnolia-fall-festival-sanford--listing-cbcddb2a8e5f9f427ba5704a) — Sat, Nov 7 · 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Dees Brothers Brewery, Sanford · Free · checked Oct 16. Dees Brothers Brewery and Ladies 327, Inc. host the Magnolia Fall Festival in downtown Sanford on Saturday, November 7, from 4 to 9 p.m. The free Kid's Zone has a bounce house…
- [Tween Extreme Gingerbread Challenge (Ages 8-12) — North Branch](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/tween-extreme-gingerbread-challenge-ages-8-12-north-branch--listing-e548de21d9e6652d127408cd) — Sat, Nov 7 · 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM · North Branch Library (Seminole County), Sanford · Ages 8–12 · Free · checked Oct 20. Tweens at the Seminole County Public Library's North Branch in Sanford compete to design and build the most impressive gingerbread creation on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 2…
- [Veterans Day Weekend at Central Florida Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/veterans-day-weekend-at-central-florida-zoo--listing-7bb811973fd29d4f26964458) — Nov 7 – Nov 11 · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 20. From November 7 to 11, 2026, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford thanks service members by offering free admission to veterans and active-duty military with valid…
- [Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/asian-lantern-festival-into-the-wild--listing-ed324c73f4b360dd6ba378f5) — Nov 13 – Jan 17 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 14. After-hours walking event on a three-quarter-mile path through the Zoo with all-new handcrafted LED lantern scenes: North American wildlife, celestial and space displays, the…
- [Holiday Dulcimer Concert at North Branch Library — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/holiday-dulcimer-concert-at-north-branch-library-sanford--listing-c29d2295ac1a643c428aa1e8) — Sat, Nov 21 · 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM · North Branch Library (Seminole County Public Library), Sanford · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. Local musicians play a free holiday concert in the North Branch library in Sanford, featuring the dulcimer alongside a variety of other instruments. The 90-minute Saturday…
- [Family Karaoke Night - North](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/family-karaoke-night-north--listing-edbc0b6c8bb9129818977162) — Mon, Nov 23 · 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · North Branch Library (Seminole County), Sanford · Free · checked Oct 14. The North Branch brings out the disco lights for a family karaoke party with lots of songs to choose from; songs will be family-friendly. No registration is required and the…
- [Thanksgiving School Break Camp at Central Florida Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/thanksgiving-school-break-camp-at-central-florida-zoo--listing-463bedb6f763c9831e5b459c) — Mon, Nov 23 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · Ages 6–12 · From $175 · checked Oct 16. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens runs a three-day Thanksgiving Break camp for two age groups, 6-8 and 9-12. Campers get up-close animal encounters, hands-on STEM…
- [Family Craft Day at the Sanford Museum](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/family-craft-day-at-the-sanford-museum--listing-4ef347181b9369605b75babc) — Sat, Nov 28 · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Sanford Museum · Free · checked Oct 16. The Sanford Museum holds its annual free Family Craft Day on Small Business Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children make take-home projects at hands-on stations…
- [Paws & Claus Pet Adoption Event with Santa — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/paws-and-claus-pet-adoption-event-with-santa-sanford--listing-dfc004f66a4d244452d7d587) — Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Fort Mellon Park / Sanford RiverWalk · All ages · checked Oct 20. Seminole County Animal Services kicks off the holiday season with its 4th annual Paws & Claus adoption event at Fort Mellon Park and the Sanford RiverWalk on Saturday, December…
- [2026 St. Lucia Festival at the Museum of Seminole County History](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/2026-st-lucia-festival-at-the-museum-of-seminole-county-history--listing-86c723ea335420252f30e2cc) — Sat, Dec 12 · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Museum of Seminole County History, Sanford · Free · checked Oct 16. The Museum of Seminole County History in Sanford celebrates the Swedish St. Lucia tradition with a free afternoon festival. Families can visit a children's craft area, watch…
- [Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR. (West End Prep youth production)](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-jr-west-end-prep-youth-production--listing-73b63af357a05b7cc50a0cbe) — Dec 12 – Dec 13 · Theater West End, Sanford · checked Oct 24. Kid-powered 60-minute holiday musical presented by West End Prep, Theater West End's arts education program for young performers. Rudolph, an outcast for his glowing nose, meets…
- [Sanford Holiday Parade of Lights](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/sanford-holiday-parade-of-lights--listing-28e9bda9ae0593fca9850913) — Sat, Dec 12 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Downtown Sanford (1st Street route) · checked Oct 16. Downtown Sanford's Holiday Parade of Lights rolls along a one-mile route on a Saturday evening in December with illuminated floats, decorated vehicles, dance groups and marching…
- [Elf The Musical JR. (West End Prep youth production)](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/elf-the-musical-jr-west-end-prep-youth-production--listing-4a9e1a908fe6b2404044b393) — Sat, Dec 19 (+1 more date) · Theater West End, Sanford · Paid · checked Oct 24. Theater West End's youth education program, West End Prep, stages Elf The Musical JR., a 60-minute musical comedy version of the holiday film. Students in grades 2 to 8 play the…
- [5th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Market — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/5th-annual-holly-jolly-holiday-market-sanford--listing-07f104095776a15ab79c9975) — Sun, Dec 20 · 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM · Sanford Civic Center · Free · checked Oct 16. The 5th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Market is an indoor holiday market at the Sanford Civic Center on Sunday, December 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Artisans, makers, boutique…
- [MLK Day Camp: Zoo Adventures! at Central Florida Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/mlk-day-camp-zoo-adventures-at-central-florida-zoo--listing-d8002935d928904c0af6ee8c) — Mon, Jan 18 · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · Ages 6–12 · From $85 · checked Oct 20. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford runs a single-day camp on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Campers are grouped…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/central-florida-zoo-and-botanical-gardens--listing-70c2fa40bad32ad7cced531d) — Daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m., open to 5 p.m. on select days · Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford · All ages · From $16.95 · checked Oct 14. AZA-accredited zoo and botanical gardens in Sanford. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (to 5 p.m. on select days). Save $5 per ticket buying online in advance; peak pricing applies on…
- [Seminole State College Planetarium Public Shows](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/seminole-state-college-planetarium-public-shows--listing-0ee156c3ebbc59fd0510362e) — Select Friday evenings, September–May; show times on the ticket page · Seminole State College Planetarium, Sanford · All ages · From $4 · checked Oct 20. Seminole State College's planetarium hosts public shows on select Friday evenings from September through May. Upcoming programs include Into the West (Oct 23), The Spooky Star…

## Recently ended

- [Storytime at the Zoo (October)](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/storytime-at-the-zoo-october--listing-a19361b37dcf15ce218d45dd) — ended Wed, Oct 14

## Nearby

- [Things to do with kids in Seminole County, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/counties/seminole-county-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/counties/seminole-county-fl.md)
- Other towns in Seminole County, FL: [Winter Park, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/winter-park-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/winter-park-fl.md), [Altamonte Springs, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/altamonte-springs-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/altamonte-springs-fl.md), [Longwood, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/longwood-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/longwood-fl.md), [Casselberry, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/casselberry-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/casselberry-fl.md), [Oviedo, FL](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/oviedo-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/towns/oviedo-fl.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Orlando](https://grassyknees.com/orlando) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando.md)
- [This weekend in Orlando](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/this-weekend.md)

Town pages are listed once a town has 3 current listings, county pages at 10.