Hi Nancy,
Taking time during your vacation to explore
Downtown Disney and
Disney's Boardwalk Area is a great idea. There is so much to do at each above and beyond shopping and eating.
At Downtown Disney, I would suggest exploring the West Side. La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, exclusive to Walt Disney World, is located here and is an absolutely amazing show. If your family enjoys arcades, DisneyQuest Interactive Indoor Theme Park is an five-story complex of indoor interactive electronic entertainment. Also be sure to check out Splitsville Luxury Lanes, a new bowling and dining complex.
Disney's Boardwalk Villas is my family's Disney Vacation Club home resort, so we spend a lot of time there. On the Boardwalk, you will find Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar for those over 21 years old. My mother and I had an absolute blast there singing along! Also check out Atlantic Dance Hall for dancing, again for guests over 21 years old. You can rent surrey bikes and ride around the Boardwalk area. This is fun, but be forewarned - pedaling up those hills is harder than it looks!
Please be aware that many of the entertainment options mentioned above do require payment. For a lower (or no!) cost option, I recommend grabbing a snack at one of the carts on the Boardwalk and then simply taking in the ambiance of the area. At night, street performers from magicians to unicycle riders take to the Boardwalk. You can also take a ride on the Friendship Boats. These boats provide transportation between Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and area resorts; however, you can ride them just for fun.
I hope that you have a wonderful time exploring Downtown Disney and Disney's Boardwalk Area. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.