Planning a trip to the 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival with the kids in tow? Great choice!
Epcot’s not just for grown-ups, you know. Amidst all the adult fun, there are a bunch of kid-friendly gems waiting to be discovered – everything from tasty treats to activities guaranteed to keep your little one entertained.
Curious about what you can find? Let’s dive into the most fun options for kids at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival.
What is there for kids to do at the Flower and Garden Festival?
Lots! Just like the adults, there are plenty of things to keep your little ones busy. Plus, there are lots of tasty food and drink items that are very popular with the younger crowd available, too.
First we’ll cover the activities, and then we’ll dive into all the food and drink options we think kids will love.
Kid-Friendly Activities
Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration Scavenger Hunt
We love the little scavenger hunts Epcot does for each of its festivals – but the Spike scavenger hunt just might be our favorite.
It costs $9.99 (you can purchase a scavenger hunt map and stickers at several shops in Epcot), but you’ll likely get hours of fun out of it. Here’s how it works:
As you walk around the World Showcase, you’ll look for Spike the Bee hiding in gardens and foliage. Then, each time you find Spike, you’ll place the corresponding sticker on the map of where you found him.
Once you’ve found each Spike and your map is finished, you’ll bring it to a select location to receive a prize!
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- You don’t need to complete your map in one visit. You can do it at your own leisure.
- You also don’t actually have to finish the scavenger hunt, but simply show the map you purchased in return for the special prize.
You can usually find festival scavenger hunts at the following Epcot locations (and also redeem your map here for your prize):
- Port of Entry (in World Showcase plaza; towards Canada)
- Disney Traders (in World Showcase plaza; towards Mexico)
- Creations Shop (in World Celebration)
- World Traveler (at International Gateway)
- Gateway Gifts (in World Celebration)
Last year’s prizes for Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration are adorable cups and plates featuring Figment Orange Bird, Snow White, and Spike the Bee. You can either choose one cup or one plate as your prize.
There’s also a special Easter scavenger hunt around the World Showcase that runs during Flower and Garden, but it’s only available for a limited-time.
Playground
If your kids need to burn off some energy, they will definitely want to check out the Family-Friendly Garden Presented by OFF!
This is a camp-themed garden where little ones are invited to jump, play, and climb.
You can find it near Creations Shop and across from the Epcot Farmers Feast booth (close to Test Track).
Looking for someplace indoors to let your little one run around? While not festival-specific, Epcot has several indoor playground areas that are great spots for letting little ones work off some energy.
Butterfly House
Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth is a butterfly house, where you can learn about butterflies’ lifecycles.
This is a fun experience for those of all ages. The butterflies are beautiful, and it’s a great way to educate yourself about them.
The butterfly house is located in World Nature near the Imagination! Pavilion
Cute Photo-Op
While certainly not as exciting as a playground, a butterfly house, or a scavenger hunt, this is just a cute photo-op and fun for little ones!
You can find it next to The Honey Bee-stro booth near Port of Entry.
Kidcot Fun Stops
These aren’t festival exclusive, but the Kidcot Fun Stops are a great activity stationed in each country around the World Showcase.
This is a fun family-friendly activity, that’s free and perfect for keeping kids interested.
At each stop, you collect an activity card detailing facts and activities featuring the culture and traditions of each country.
Save this checklist and have your little one check off each Kidcot Fun Stop as you make your way through each country.
What is there for kids to eat and drink at the Flower and Garden Festival?
When it comes to food and drink options at the Flower and Garden Festival, in addition to providing reviews of every single menu item, we also track things that we think kids will love even if we didn’t really enjoy them ourselves.
Don’t let the reviews below in our list of kid-friendly items scare you. You’re looking at what 3 full-grown adults thought about what they were eating and drinking – and our tastes are (probably) not what your typical 5 year-old would enjoy.
Instead, focus on why we thought the snack or drink might be a good option for kids – especially if you were already planning to make a stop at that booth for yourself!
Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany Pavilion)
Potato Pancakes with Applesauce
These potato pancakes are served with house-made apple sauce. This dish is also part of the Garden Graze, the food crawl where you can earn a prize.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Mushy apple sauce topping + soft potato pancakes. It’s fine but I wish it had more flavor.
Heather: I don’t know why these are so limp?!!! It is more than just getting soggy because of the applesauce-it is like they are sitting in juice!
Felicia: The applesauce tastes homemade and is delicious. The potato pancake is potato-y and fine. I don’t personally care for this flavor combination, but it’s well executed.
Why is this kid-friendly?
Both the potato pancakes and applesauce are perfect for kids. It’s not too adventurous of a dish.
If you want the potato pancakes and applesauce served separately, you can always see if that’s possible when you hand the Cast Member your receipt.
Warm Cheese Strudel
A warm cheese strudel with mixed berries. This is the only sweet option on the menu.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Flaky pastry, decent portion, berries lacked any sweetness
Heather: I do like this more than I did last year. Am I maturing? But – it is too chewy and the berry seeds feel funny in my teeth make it stop.
Felicia: The mixed berries were fresh tasting and paired with the pastry well. I didn’t care for the cream and the pastry was soggy. I don’t ever like this sort of food item though so maybe why I didn’t care for it as much as others.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This warm cheese strudel served with mixed berries is a pretty simple dessert that we feel most kids wouldn’t mind.
The Citrus Blossom (Odyssey pavilion)
Orange-Lemon Smoothie
A non-alcoholic Orange-Lemon Smoothie served in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (limit 2 per guest).
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Delicious and refreshing. Like an Orange creamsicle. Cute cup too.
Heather: I did not care for this one at all. The flavor felt so … wrong.
Felicia: The sipper is adorable and the smoothie isn’t bad. Again, I’m not a fan of sweet drinks so I wouldn’t get this personally but if you don’t mind sweet this has good flavor.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This is the Flower and Garden drink to buy for kids. The Orange-Lemon Smoothie is served with an Orange Bird sipper, hence the $15.00 price tag.
Know that the smoothie is served in a different glass than the sipper. It just makes things easier, so you don’t have to worry about rinsing out the sipper in the restroom once you’re finished.
But — you might want to pour the smoothie into the sipper to make it more kid-friendly for your little one to drink (less spillage).
BRUNCHCOT (Near Test Track)
Froot Loops Shake
A Froot Loops Shake. It is exactly what it sounds like.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Fun concept and IG pic, but ultimately way too sweet.
Heather: I only like Grape Nuts, so this feels like a crime against my mouth.
Felicia: Hated this. Tastes like cold milky Froot Loops. Super sweet. Maybe if you like Froot Loops this would be fine for you.
Why is this kid-friendly?
Froot Loops. Need we say more? This literally tastes like a Froot Loop-flavored shake.
It kind of tastes like how your cereal milk does after you’re done eating the actual Froot Loops, which have been sitting in the milk for awhile.
Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites
Fried cinnamon roll bites served with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon. Tip: You can ask for these without the candied bacon.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Crispy outside, soft inside. Warm, delicious. Bit messy though.
Heather: Is it messy? Yes. Is it tasty? Perhaps. Am I tipsy? A little. This tastes best FRESH. Otherwise, it gets extra greasy.
Felicia: Didn’t care for this. The cinnamon roll bites are filled with cream which is gross and weird and hard to eat. The bacon was a nice addition but overall not good. Weren’t served hot either.
Why is this kid-friendly?
These are essentially fried dough filled with cream cheese frosting and topped with candied bacon.
They are sweet, shareable, and not too out there for a kid-friendly dessert. And if you don’t want the bacon, you can ask for them without.
Florida Fresh (Near Disney Traders)
Florida Strawberry Shortcake
A shortcake topped with strawberries and served in the state of Florida. This is a Garden Graze item.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Nice portion, crispy shortcake, light strawberry flavors.
Heather: Great potential, but the strawberry to cake ratio is WAY off – too much of a dense cake means it is just really bland. Double the strawberries and cut the shortcake in half.
Felicia: There is a lot of shortbread and it’s a little dry, but it isn’t too sweet and goes perfectly with the sweet and ripe strawberries and delicious whipped cream. So good. Only complaint is the bread being too dry.
Why is this kid-friendly?
You can’t go wrong with Strawberry Shortcake.
Here, you get two biscuits sandwiched with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries. This is quite a large portion, so you might want to share.
Cucumber Watermelon Slushy
A slushy with hints of cucumber and watermelon. This slushy may also be purchased with gin.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: This non-alcoholic version of the drink is much sweeter than the one with gin. Don’t like it much.
Heather: Both options (with and without alcohol) are very, very tasty. Refreshing – light watermelon flavor.
Felicia: Wow, loved both versions of this. Super fresh and strong watermelon flavor with just a slight hint of cucumber. So refreshing.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This is a really good non-alcoholic beverage (those 21 and older can also order it with gin). It doesn’t taste artificial and has perfect watermelon and cucumber flavors.
The combination isn’t overpowering. If you’re little one wants a fancy festival drink, this is a solid choice, especially since it’s not overly sweet.
Hanami (Japan pavilion)
Frushi
Frushi is strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in sweet coconut rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Looks cuter than it tastes. Sweet fruit and whipped cream made up to look like sushi is a cute concept but not the best food option.
Heather: Over hyped. I don’t like it.
Felicia: This just fine. Tastes like fresh fruit and whipped cream. It’s not as good as people have pretended it is, but it’s pretty good. It’s also cute.
Why is this kid-friendly?
Warning: this texture might not be for everyone, including both kids and adults. But, if you’re kiddo likes to try new things, Frushi is a decent choice.
It’s a good way to also teach them about Sushi and how to eat it properly.
What is Frushi? It’s strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in sweet rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut.
The Honey Bee-stro (Near Port of Entry)
Honey-Peach Freeze
A frozen smoothie with honey and peach.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: The peach flavor is delicious and especially refreshing on a hot day.
Heather: Very peachy. Would be good as a dessert – but it is over the top sweet.
Felicia: This is very creamy and thick but the streusel is good and the flavor isn’t too sweet or strong, not for me but kids may like.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This non-alcoholic Honey Peach-Freeze is similar to a vanilla milkshake. The peach and honey flavors are the right amounts.
It’s the perfect size for those kids who want something sweet or a treat that resembles a milkshake.
Lotus House (China pavilion)
Classic Bubble Milk Tea
This is a non-alcoholic Bubble Milk Tea.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: A nice surprise at an otherwise meh booth. Big portion, cute cup, great flavor.
Heather: I’m not a huge fan of boba, and this one isn’t bad – but it isn’t great. Just so darn expensive.
Felicia: Tastes like milky black tea. Good if you like that thing, but I’m not into milky things.
Allyson: I’m just not a fan of bubble milk tea. Much too creamy.
Why is this kid-friendly?
Not all kids are fans of bubble milk tea, but if your little one is, then you might want to purchase this Classic Bubble Milk Tea.
You get a good-size (sharing is always an option) and it’s a simple bubble milk tea without any extra flavors.
Northern Bloom (Canada pavilion)
Chocolate Maple Whisky Cake
A chocolate bundt cake with maple and whisky flavors.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: So good. Nice portion. Delicious chocolate. Maple flavor is slight.
Heather: Delicious-just heavy and very, very rich. Definitely good for sharing!
Felicia: Not much whiskey but there is a good maple flavor, and it’s dense and rich chocolate cake with good flavor. Kid friendly.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This is a fantastic chocolate cake. It’s not too rich, the perfect texture, and kids will love it.
You mainly taste just chocolate, so don’t worry about those maple and whisky flavors.
Pineapple Promenade (Near Port of Entry)
DOLE Whip with Fanta
DOLE whip topped with pineapple Fanta and is a non-alcoholic beverage.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Delicious if you’re a Dole Whip fan. Melts quickly.
Heather: Absolutely nothing special about this.
Felicia: Just like Dole Whip. Fanta didn’t add anything to it.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This is Pineapple Dole Whip — but with a twist. It’s topped with Pineapple Fanta! Kids will love this just as much as regular Dole Whip, which is also available at this same booth.
Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade
The Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade is non-alcoholic and a fan-favorite.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Always popular at the festival. Pretty, refreshing, could be too sweet for some.
Heather: I know people love this but it just tastes like sugar water.
Felicia: Liked this more last year than I did this year. It’s fun, pretty, and sweet but not too bad. Easy to drink for those that like this sort of thing. Kind of a weird artificial flavor to it, though.
Why is this kid-friendly?
This is one of the most popular drinks at Flower and Garden. It returns every year and for good reason.
It’s basically a violet-lemonade frozen slush and it’s delicious. Kids and adults will love it.
Refreshment Outpost (between China and Germany)
Ice Cream Float
A float made with Barq’s Red Creme Soda and tangerine soft-serve ice cream.
Our Thoughts
Shannon: Yum! Like the tangerine soft serve by itself, and also good with this cream soda.
Heather: It is totally fine – EXCEPT, tangerines are orange, aren’t they?! I’m so confused.
Felicia: Just tastes like fruity ice cream float. Kids would probably like it. The tangerine flavor is artificial.
Why is this kid-friendly?
Ice cream is always a kid-friendly treat. This float is made with cream soda and tangerine soft-serve ice cream. It’s refreshing and something kids will enjoy.