Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World is getting into the summer spirit with Cool Kid Summer, offering a series of kid-friendly activities designed to make the park even more exciting for little explorers.
Explore new nature-based adventures with favorite Disney characters and hands-on activities, earning a limited-time Wilderness Explorers badge (pictured at top). Look for Disney cast members wearing the Wilderness Explorer sash displaying the badges you can earn throughout the park to inquire about earning the special Cool Kid Summer badge.
Here’s the special map showing all the locations throughout the park where you can pick up a Wilderness Explorers Handbook and earn the badge. Download the PDF of the map along with the Cool Kid Summer Adventure Guide for Animal Kingdom to keep a digital copy on your phone.
Each of the Walt Disney World theme parks has one, and you can find them at the links below.
You can also find our articles detailing all the happenings at the three other Walt Disney World theme parks listed below.
- Cool Kid Summer Activities Are Hopping in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
- Is Cool Kid Summer the Ultimate Family Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
- Cool Kid Summer at EPCOT is EXACTLY What Parents & Kids Need at Walt Disney World
Celebrate your day with a Dino Institute Intern at A Celebration Sing-Along at Discovery Island, creating one-of-a-kind songs, highlighting all the creatures you spotted around the park. The times were scheduled at 2:35 pm and 3:35 pm during my visit, but check the My Disney Experience for the most up-to-date schedule.
Be sure to hop on the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station in Rafiki’s Planet Watch for a variety of fun activities for kids.
Near the Affection Section, there are picnic tables set up in the shade where kids can color paper headbands featuring bees and flowers, and/or a paper bracelet with butterflies and flowers.
Inside, there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy, making it the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
The Animation Experience offers guests the chance to learn more about how live animals have inspired some of Disney’s most iconic characters, in addition to providing them with the opportunity to learn how to draw characters from Disney and Pixar’s most popular films.
Pin Trading cast members are located indoors as well. We love seeing so many opportunities for kids to trade pins and hope that they remain after the summer. Trading pins is one of those activities that never gets old and is always so fun for little ones to participate in during their Disney vacations.
While you’re inside, take a moment to walk around and explore the displays in the windows and throughout the space. You’ll find details about various topics, including biodegradation, the Disney Conservation Fund, and so much more.
This fun area always reminds me of the pop-up books I loved as a kid.
On my way back to the train, I found a display with butterfly-friendly gardening tips. You never know what kinds of things you’ll learn while visiting Rafiki’s Planet Watch!
I decided to wander around the Tree of Life during my visit as it was something I’d never done before, if you can believe it. Whenever my family visited Animal Kingdom, they were in a big hurry to leave, as it’s always hotter than anywhere else in Walt Disney World. While wandering, I found a surprise that seemed as if it was left by Pocahontas! I love that it was made with tiny sticks and branches. That painbrush is so cute!
The abundance of characters that are out and about in the parks this summer has been wonderful to see. I especially love how they’re not stopping to allow lines to form, but wandering freely about. The photo above is one of my favorites as a Wilderness Explorer cast member was helping a child find something on the map, and Kevin was supervising. The interaction was adorable and I’m sure that the kid will be talking about it for a long time to come.
On my way out of the park, I saw Goofy in his camping gear dancing with a little one – just the cutest!
Guests visiting the following Disney resorts will find special activities throughout the summer. We’ve got all the details you need in the articles linked below.
If you’re ready to plan your summer vacation and experience Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World, there are a wide variety of ticket and hotel options and promotional offers to take advantage of! Reach out to us at Dreams Unlimited Travel for your no-obligation quote.
Save Big with Special Summer Offers
- 50% Off Kids Tickets: Guests can purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off – available for visits from May 27 – September 20, 2025.
- 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits now through September 22, 2025, for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park only.
- Disney Resort Room Deals: Guests can save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when they stay longer for visits between August 1 and October 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.
- Bonus Resort Offer: Disney+ subscribers can save on rooms at select Disney Resort Collection hotels – starting from $99 per night at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – when staying two nights or longer, most nights from June 29 to July 31, 2025.
- New Florida Resident Summer Magic Tickets: The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket offers four days of fun at Walt Disney World theme parks for just $60 per day (total price: $240, plus tax) for visits through and September 27, 2025 (with an advance park reservation, subject to availability).
