Universal Orlando offers more than just thrilling rides: There's plenty of fun for younger kids too

While attractions like the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, with its heart-racing 70 mph speed, and spine-tingling events like Halloween Horror Nights might make Universal Orlando seem geared toward thrill-seekers, the park also caters to families with young children with a variety of kid-friendly options.

In June 2024, Universal Studios Florida introduced DreamWorks Land, making it an even more appealing destination for families with kids of all ages.

Here’s everything you should know before planning your next family getaway to Universal Orlando Resort.

Play areas suitable for all ages

My kids are 10, 7, and 5, and we've been taking them to Universal Orlando for years. Although we’re past the stroller stage, I always share this advice with other parents: You can't spend your whole day jumping from one ride to the next and expect your kids to stay in a stroller between attractions. Kids need space to run, play, and burn off energy. Thankfully, Universal Orlando offers plenty of places for them to do just that.

In DreamWorks Land, which opened in June, children can dive into Shrek’s swampy playground, train with Po from "Kung Fu Panda," conduct King Harold’s frog symphony by hopping on lily pads, and more.

At Camp Jurassic in Universal's Islands of Adventure, kids can explore a thrilling prehistoric playground filled with mysterious caves, dinosaur fossils, dilophosaurus-shaped water cannons, and more. While my kids enjoy other rides at Islands of Adventure, they still prefer to spend their time at Camp Jurassic, making new friends and imagining a world where dinosaurs roam free.

Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure features an interactive play area inspired by the book "If I Ran the Zoo," along with several other rides perfect for younger children.

Although it's not strictly a play area, my kids can easily spend hours casting spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (split between both of Universal's parks, linked by the Hogwarts Express). After purchasing an interactive wand (or letting the wand choose you at Ollivander's), there are numerous spots throughout the land where you can use the wand’s magic to bring the world to life.

While the kids may not be climbing or sliding, they are engaging their imagination and learning that what once seemed impossible is actually within reach. These types of interactive play areas are essential at theme parks. They not only provide kids with a chance to just be themselves but also encourage them to dream big.

No matter your age, theme parks are a place to leave reality behind, embrace the magic, and have fun. In today’s world, I’d argue that children need this escape just as much as adults do.

Kid-friendly rides

Universal offers a limited number of rides with no height requirement, but there are still plenty of attractions for kids who are 40 inches or shorter. That means the whole family can enjoy the rides together. One particular ride, Pteranodon Flyers, is exclusively for kids and doesn't allow adults unless accompanied by a child.

Although there aren't many attractions for children aged 3 and under, the park offers excellent play areas that help balance things out. If you're visiting with kids of various ages, Universal's combination of family-friendly rides and thrilling coasters ensures that everyone will find something to enjoy.

What makes Universal stand out: These attractions aren’t what my kids would call ‘baby rides.’ They aren’t the slow, uneventful rides that typically lack excitement.

Some attractions, like Villain-Con Minion Blast, are interactive and encourage friendly competition between families to see who can score the highest. Others, such as Flight of the Hippogriff at Hogsmeade in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Trollercoaster in DreamWorks Land, are gentle enough for younger kids who are ready to try their first roller coaster.

Sure, you can enjoy the fun and whimsy of the rides in Seuss Landing or laugh along with Gru on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem simulator ride. But some of Universal's rides are more than just fun—they’re a rite of passage for kids.

Attractions like Jurassic Park River Adventure and Transformers: The Ride 3D encourage kids to face their fears, whether it’s surviving a terrifying encounter with massive dinosaurs or battling Megatron and the Decepticons to save the world. When kids feel ready to take on these rides, the pride and excitement are clear from the big smiles on their faces.

My seven-year-old won’t even consider a ride unless it’s a roller coaster, and for a long time, his ultimate goal was conquering the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This coaster has a 90-degree vertical climb and plenty of loops and twists. On one of our earlier visits, he was crushed to find out he was just shy of the height requirement.

This time, he had finally reached the required height but started to feel nervous about facing such a high-intensity coaster. After working through his nerves, he confidently climbed the ride's steps. When I saw him at the exit, he had the widest smile—he had faced his fear and overcome it. It was a moment he’ll likely remember for years to come, and I think it will help him be more courageous in the future as he faces other challenges in life.

Perks for families with young children

Like many theme parks, Universal Orlando doesn’t charge for children aged 2 and under. They get free entry to the park. Plus, they don’t need their own Universal Express skip-the-line pass; they can join the Express lines with your group as long as everyone else has purchased Universal Express.

Universal also shines when it comes to child swap programs. While most parks offer some version of a child swap, where parents can stay with younger or scared children while the rest of the group rides, Universal takes it a step further. Many of their attractions feature a family room where one adult can wait with young kids while the rest of the party enjoys the ride.

When the riders return, you can swap places, and the adult waiting can skip to the front of the line for a much shorter wait. These child swap rooms often have TVs showing Universal classics like "Harry Potter" or "Men In Black," making it super convenient for everyone to enjoy their favorite rides.

A bright future ahead

It's clear that Universal Orlando is already one of the most kid-friendly destinations, but it's about to become even more so with the opening of Universal Epic Universe in 2025. The new expansion will feature exciting areas inspired by beloved franchises such as "How to Train Your Dragon," "Harry Potter," Super Nintendo, and more. For the brave-hearted, there will even be a chance to explore Universal Classic Monsters in Dark Universe.

In Texas, Universal is also creating a theme park designed specifically for children, called Universal Kids Resort.

The bottom line

With its vast collection of iconic films, beloved characters, and a variety of rides and interactive play areas, Universal Orlando offers something for every family member. Each visit brings my family closer together, creating unforgettable memories. Some of those moments are big milestones, like conquering the first major coaster, while others are simply silly—like our kids’ tradition of jumping from one bed to another in the hotel room while shouting 'Orlando bellyflop' on every trip.

No matter how young your kids are, they’re sure to have a blast at Universal Orlando.