Summer in Florida can feel like a lot—heat, humidity, and figuring out how to keep the kids entertained without going overboard. That’s why I pulled together this list of family-friendly summertime activities in and around Historic Downtown DeLand. Whether you’re local or visiting for the day, there’s something here for everyone—from low-key evening strolls and cool drinks to creative camps and hands-on nature experiences.
While many of these activities are right in the heart of downtown, some are just a short drive away, and all are within West Volusia. These are the places we’ve loved, the ones we’re curious about, and a few that are still on our list for this year. So grab your water bottle, load up the car, and let’s make the most of those long summer days together.
Table of Contents
- Where is Historic DeLand?
- DeLand Ice Cream Walk
- Playing on the Porches
- DeLand Artisan Alley Farmers Market
- Tropical Nights
- Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off & Ice Cream Churnoff 🔥🍦
- CoolCraft Summer!
- Lyonia Environmental Center
- The Create Space
- Reptile Discovery Center
- DeLand Cat Cafe
- Jazz on the Alley Plus
- Athens Theatre Summer Camp
- Stetson Music Camp
- DynoClimb
- Final Thoughts
- Related Content
Where is Historic DeLand?
Historic Downtown DeLand sits in West Volusia, about 45 minutes from Orlando and just 30 minutes from Daytona Beach. It’s a college town—home to Stetson University—and has a character all its own, thanks to the locally owned shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee spots that line its walkable streets.
Venture beyond downtown, and you’ll find a mix of neighborhoods and businesses surrounded by pockets of conservation land in nearly every direction. To the south, other charming cities are just a short drive away: Orange City with its manatee-populated Blue Spring, DeBary and its peaceful Gemini Springs, and Deltona, where the bright green waters of Green Springs wait to be explored.
DeLand Ice Cream Walk
When: Summer (exact dates on the MainStreet DeLand events page)
Where: Historic Downtown DeLand
Cost: Tickets required (and they sell out!)
This event is a sweet and simple way to explore downtown with your family. You grab your Ice Cream Walk passport at Pioneer Park, then head out to sample fun and creative ice cream flavors in mini cones and cups at participating businesses.
We went for the first time last year and had the best time. Even my teens were into it. It’s a great way to walk around, discover new shops, and make a few summer memories along the way.
✅ Family-friendly
🏠 Walkable downtown fun
🍦 Sweet treat for all ages
Playing on the Porches
When: Usually one weekend in summer (check the site)
Where: Barberville Pioneer Settlement
Cost: Admission fee (check for latest pricing)
This was one of our favorite summer outings last year. We wandered from porch to porch, listening to live music played right on the steps of historic buildings. Some spots had just a few of us listening. It felt intimate and special.
There were also storytellers, farm animals, BBQ, and historical demonstrations. We stayed for hours and left feeling like we had stepped back in time—in the best way.
✅ Live music + history
🙌 Relaxed pace
🐔 Good for kids who love animals or hands-on activities
DeLand Artisan Alley Farmers Market
When: Fridays, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Artisan Alley, Downtown DeLand
Cost: Free to attend
This is a great low-key way to enjoy a summer evening. There’s live music, snacks, and tons of local vendors. The whole vibe is easygoing and family-friendly.
If you’ve got older kids or teens, it’s a nice space for them to wander with a friend while you stay close by (this is what we do with ours). And if you’re just looking to unwind, this is a good one to bookmark.
✅ Free + outdoors
🌙 Evening fun
🍛 Great snack options
Tropical Nights
When: Friday evening in July (check MainStreet DeLand events page)
Where: Downtown DeLand
Cost: Free
I haven’t been yet, but this event is definitely on my list. Tropical Nights brings out the summer spirit—Hawaiian shirts, limbo contests, hula hoops, and conga lines right in the street.
There are fun activities for kids and a tropical hat contest, too. It sounds like one of those events where everyone can just be a little silly and soak up summer.
✅ Family-friendly
🎶 Music + dancing
📷 Perfect for goofy photo ops
Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off & Ice Cream Churnoff 🔥🍦
When: Held annually in early September (check for exact date)
Where: Barberville Pioneer Settlement
Cost: Admission required; includes access to activities and tastings
This one is a flavorful mix of fun and community spirit! Families can sample chili and ice cream made by local groups and individuals and then vote for their favorites. We didn’t attend this past year, but it’s officially on my radar for next time. It sounds like such a fun mix of food, history, and family time.
In 2024, the event featured chili from groups like the Rotaract Club of DeLand and the Alzheimer’s Association, plus creative ice cream like apple pie and dairy-free tangerine sherbet. And yes, the top winners went home with trophies and prizes!
✅ Tasty and unique
🌎 Local community fun
🌭 Great for adventurous eaters
CoolCraft Summer!
When: June to early September
Where: Various locations in West Volusia
Cost: Varies by location, mostly free to browse
CoolCraft Summer is a fun way to sip your way through West Volusia. Each year has a new theme and features kid-friendly drinks alongside adult options at local coffee shops, breweries, and cafes.
We love that the drinks change from year to year, so it always feels fresh. Check out the CoolCraft Summer website for this year’s map and drink list.
✅ Refreshing summer drinks
🧒 Non-alcoholic options for kids
🍺 Something fun for grown-ups too
Lyonia Environmental Center
When: Ongoing, with summer events and camp options
Where: Deltona
Cost: Many events are free or low-cost
This spot is great for families who love nature and want a little learning mixed in. Even if you’re not doing the summer camps, there are hands-on programs, wildlife exhibits, and trails that kids enjoy.
My kids have really loved the activities here (even though we haven’t done the camp part yet). It’s a nice mix of fun and education, especially if you want something that’s both indoors and outdoors.
✅ Nature and science fun
🏢 Air-conditioned indoor options
🦊 Good wildlife spotting
The Create Space
When: Summer camps and open studio hours (check their calendar)
Where: Historic Downtown DeLand
Cost: Varies by activity
If you need a break from the heat, The Create Space is such a fun place to spend time indoors. They offer summer camps, open studio sessions, and even pottery now! My kids really enjoyed their week there—3 hours of focused creativity each day, plus a snack.
Whether it’s tie-dye, clay, or painting, there’s something for everyone. And it’s all set up for you, so no mess at home.
✅ Indoor + air-conditioned
🌟 Great for all ages
🎨 Encourages creativity
Reptile Discovery Center
When: Open weekly
Where: DeLand
Cost: Admission required
If your crew likes the wild side of things, this place is a cool (and safe!) way to see venomous snakes up close. You can even watch a live venom extraction demo, which sounds a little scary but is really fascinating.
There’s a shady trail outside with gators and turtles, plus an indoor exhibit hall that’s great for hot days. My kids absolutely love this place!
✅ Unique and educational
🐍 Reptiles and wildlife
🏢 Indoor + outdoor activities
DeLand Cat Cafe
When: Open weekly
Where: DeLand
Cost: Admission to the cat lounge required
If you’re a cat lover or have animal-loving kids, this cozy cat cafe is a sweet outing. You can sip your coffee while adoptable cats roam freely, and there are even treats you can buy to feed them.
There’s a separate kitten room, too, and they sometimes host events and birthday “pawties.” This is another favorite with my kids.
✅ Indoor, relaxing vibe
🐈 Great for animal lovers
☕ Drinks + cat cuddles
Jazz on the Alley Plus
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Artisan Alley, Downtown DeLand
Cost: Free
Free live jazz in the middle of downtown? Yes, please. This evening event features a student and pro jazz band called The Alley Cats playing everything from swing to funk. Bring your own chairs—seating is limited.
One fun little extra: around sunset, check out the nearby garden to see bats fly out from their houses. It’s one of those unexpected summer joys. This is one we’ve done with the kids and their friends because everything is more fun with friends.
✅ Great for a relaxed evening
🎺 Free live music
🦇 Bat-watching bonus
Athens Theatre Summer Camp
When: Summer (see site for age groups + dates)
Where: Athens Theatre, DeLand
Cost: Tuition required; sibling/educator discounts available
Athens Theatre offers performing arts camps for kids and teens interested in acting, music, and theater tech. It seems like a great way for kids to learn new skills and put on a show at the end.
My kids aren’t into theater (I wish they were!), but if yours are, this could be an amazing experience.
✅ For creative performers
🎭 Historic venue
🤝 Offers full-week programming
Stetson Music Camp
When: Summer (varies by instrument + age)
Where: Stetson University, DeLand
Cost: Tuition required
These music camps are geared toward kids who already play or sing and want to grow their skills over the summer. Options include band, voice, strings, and more.
My kids aren’t into music camp, but it sounds like a great way to keep musical momentum going over the break.
✅ Focused skill-building
🎶 Serious music instruction
👨🎓 College campus experience
DynoClimb
When: Summer camps + single-day options (see their site)
Where: DeLand
Cost: Camp fees vary
If your kids have tons of energy (or love climbing everything in sight), DynoClimb offers indoor climbing summer camps and day sessions that look like a ton of fun. You don’t have to worry about heat or rain messing up your plans either.
We haven’t done it yet, but this place is definitely on our radar. It would be perfect for adventurous kids who like to move and try new things.
✅ Active indoor fun
🧗 Builds confidence + coordination
🏢 Air-conditioning is a bonus
Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to be jam-packed to be memorable. Sometimes it’s a tiny cone of ice cream, a quiet porch concert, or just watching bats fly at sunset that sticks with you. I hope this list helps you find a few new favorites—or reminds you of some you’ve been meaning to try. Whether your kids are into art, animals, music, or just being outside, there’s something nearby that can make a regular summer day feel a little more special.
Related Content
Although I didn’t include these, here are some other local family-friendly options for summer!