Just to clarify the two errant posts. Lake Okahumpka Park is not owned by the state, but by Sumter County.

Lake Okahumpka Park | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

Wild fl has a drive through zoo, walk through zoo with tons of alligators and other smaller animals and an airboat ride

Other than the Kennedy Space Center, following are suggestions made by fellow posters….

* Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS), a short distance off 301 in Citra (north of Ocala). Founded, owned, and operated by two women whose life focus is on rescuing what would otherwise be an animal that could never be returned to the wild. Donation plus supplies ro care for the animals; I hey’ll tell you what they need (e.g., paper towels, bleach). Reserve space in advance; a docent will be assigned for your visit. Do a search for their website.

* De Leon Springs State Park, a bit over an hour east of TV. It’s an eclectic experience—the old sugar mill of a former sugar cane plantation is a make-your-own pancake restaurant with griddles built into each table. Regular flour and buckwheat batter are available, as well as a variety of toppings. There’s a beautiful swimming platform built over one of Florida’s huge artesian wells (or are they called .’aquifers’?) There is a small museum in the Park, places for walking, and I believe there is an airboat concession which I would guess also requires reservations. More information can be f:ohdear:ound the rhe Florida Stare Parks website.

* Kennedy Space Center and
* Saint Augustine …
… are a bit far, and one or the other may be of particular interest to older grandkids. The Space Crnter exposes us to the reality of a half century and more of space exploration history; for the young’uns, there might even be a specific area of interest. Saint Augustine is true, hokey, ‘Step-right up, folks’ tourism some will be enjoy these places more than others. Extensive information on both, attractions can be found on their websites.

My kids and grandkids come here regularly, the most recent time being Easter, and their ages go down to 4. Those are some good suggestions but what my grandkids like most and what is free is going to the rec centers outside. Many have shuffleboard, bocce ball, horseshoes and cornhole toss, and some have tennis. They usually have two or three games going, for instance shuffleboard and bocce ball and sometimes three going. The kids will play at one for ten minutes and then will go and play at another. It is also outside so they get to run around and squeal. If there is tennis there will be rackets and balls in the shed and they play tennis. Not tennis like we know it but they like hitting the ball back and forth because they have seen it on TV and they finally get to "play" it. Another fun thing is to reserve the ping pong room at a rec center and they play ping pong. They love hitting the ball back and forth, and again they get to run arou
nd and squeal. Some rec centers have two tables set up and some have four. The kids love the rec centers mainly outside--it is like summer camp.

My 5 year old grandson is visiting and we went to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and it is amazing. It's open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We saw lots of alligators in their natural environment, saw turtles and birds swimming with their tiny babies. It's only 1 hour South of The Villages. The scenery is magnificent and you just drive through in your car. I was amazed. Plus, it's free.

We went to Tampa to see the star of movie dolphin tales. Clearwater marine aquarium. Tour this and took boat ride in the bay for dolphin sightings. They have rescued marine life that can’t live in the wild so they live at this aquarium.