Even though both of us grew up in the Midwest and are big sports fans, it wasn’t until we got to Orlando that we started following hockey. One big reason for our conversion to hockey is Orlando’s ECHL team the Orlando Solar Bears. What started as an excuse to go out and see a sport for pretty cheap quickly turned into a regular occurrence for us during the entire season.

If you’re looking for fun family activity during the fall/winter/spring months, you can’t go wrong with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Who are the Orlando Solar Bears? Are They in the NHL?

The Orlando Solar Bears are a minor league hockey team who play their games at the Amway Center from the fall (usually October) through the late spring or early summer (depending on if they make the playoffs or not). Just like the minor leagues in baseball, the Orlando Solar Bears have an affiliation with a professional team — the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

Because they are a minor league team, the players have a tendency to move between the various minor league levels and overseas. This means it’s pretty rare for a player to be on the team from year to year. It doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the game, but it’s definitely a different way to watch a sport.

What Makes Orlando Solar Bears So Great for Families?

First and foremost, you don’t have to be a hockey fan to have fun at an Orlando Solar Bears game. Outside of the action on the ice, there are plenty of other entertainment options happening like BEAR-a-oke and dancing on the jumbotron and junior hockey matches, dancing and Solar Bears Soccer between periods.

This “something-for-everyone” experience works for the whole family, young and old alike.

Younger Kids

Hockey is the perfect sport for younger kids because it’s constantly moving and has very few stops. Unlike the back and forth of basketball which seems to stop every 90 seconds for a foul or timeout, hockey rarely has a penalty, and timeouts are few and far between.

There are also plenty of dance breaks and silly games to keep them entertained when there is a break from the action.

You also can’t forget about the Orlando Solar Bears’ mascot Shades! Shades is an adorable polar bear with a too-cool-for-school set of sunglasses. Shades will be out on the ice at various times during the game’s breaks, but he’ll also be roaming the stands on occasion as well and is always ready for a selfie.

Younger kids are also more likely to get excited about the special jersey promotions the Solar Bears do throughout the season. Marvel Night, Star Wars Night and many others come with themed promotions and special jerseys!

Older Kids

As they get older, kids will start to appreciate the intricacies of the game and the strategy behind it. They’ll have just as much fun figuring out the defensive positioning on a line change as the young kids will that players are coming on and off the ice. They, too, will appreciate hockey’s flow and they’re the most likely to get amped up when a fight starts to happen.

What About Mom and Dad?

Other than being able to spend a night with the family, mom and dad can appreciate the value you get with an Orlando Solar Bears game. The tickets to a game are very affordable and can often be found with a special BOGO deal. It’s not unheard of to get great seats for only $15 or $20.

Another positive for your wallet is that hockey is a sport that’s best enjoyed from up high, so you don’t have to feel bad about getting the nosebleeds!

Amway Center has plenty of food and drink options. You’ll be able to keep the kids fed and grab a beer or two for yourselves throughout the night.

Our Verdict

Between the action, giveaways, goals and, of course, the fights, a night of hockey is a perfect family outing. It’s something you can bring someone of any age to whether you’re a family of six, four or only two.