Visiting Universal Studios Orlando With Kids Ages 3-8

Visiting Universal Studios Orlando With Kids Ages 3-8

Visiting Universal Studios Orlando With Kids Ages 3-8

In the last few years, Universal has made real, deliberate moves to become more kid-friendly — from DreamWorks Land and Minions Land at Universal Studios Florida, to Seuss Landing and the iconic Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure, to Epic Universe with entire lands built around younger visitors.

Super Nintendo World, Celestial Park, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk all include rides, play areas, and characters designed specifically for kids — and knowing where to find them (and which height cutoffs matter) makes the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one.

We hope you find this post helpful! And most importantly, as Mike mentioned as a “Theme Park Expert” on The Today Show on NBC, don’t forget to take advantage of EARLY PARK ADMISSION whenever possible! If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Universal Orlando for your next vacation, be sure to check out our Universal Crowd calendar!

 Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

What’s the Best Age to Take Kids to Universal Orlando?

This is the question we get asked more than any other, and here’s our honest answer: Universal Orlando works best for kids who are at least 6 years old. Most rides across the resort require a minimum height of around 40 inches, and kids typically hit that mark around that age. Epic Universe follows a similar pattern, with most of its rides also clustering around a 40-inch minimum.

If your top priority is racking up ride count, Universal tends to work better for kids age 7 and up, since anyone under 48 inches needs an adult companion on most attractions. That said, we wouldn’t stress too much about hitting a “perfect” age. There are plenty of kid-friendly attractions and interactive play areas spread across all four parks — you just need to know where to find them and walk in with a plan.

As Mike, our resident Theme Park Expert, put it on The Today Show on NBC: “Having a game plan is key — knowing your must-do rides, the height requirements for your kids, which pay-to-skip-the-line services each park offers, and how to make dining reservations in advance.”

Be sure to read on below as we have specified where you can find the best rides, shows, play areas and character experiences for kids, as well as upgraded experiences throughout the parks. Also, be sure to check out our ultimate guide to planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resorts.

What are the best things to do with kids at Universal Orlando?

• Kid-Friendly Rides: Universal Orlando has several rides that cater to younger guests. Rides like E.T. Adventure, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and The Cat in the Hat are perfect for kids. Epic Universe will offer Yoshi’s Adventure, within Super Nintendo World. All of these offering exciting yet age-appropriate experiences.
• Best themed lands: Dreamworks Land, Minions Land, Seuss Landing, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Super Nintendo World.
• Meet Favorite Characters: Children can meet various characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, the Minions, and characters from Dr. Seuss’s books. And soon this will include Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach in Super Nintendo World. As well as Astrid, Hiccup, and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. These meet-and-greets are great photo opportunities and memorable moments for young fans.

@theparkprodigy

Okay Universal Orlando fans, we have we got some exciting news that might have you making a detour on your next Florida trip! Save this post for future vacation planning or share it with a friend who might be heading to Orlando and loves dragons! One of the most anticipated things is the “How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk” land, where you’ll be able to step into the world of Vikings and dragons. The highlight? A meet-and-greet with Toothless himself! This isn’t just any character appearance; early looks reveal a stunning, lifelike animatronic Toothless that interacts with guests. You might even get to pet him! You’ll also have the chance to meet Hiccup and potentially other characters like Astrid and her dragon Stormfly. The Isle of Berk will also feature thrilling rides like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, the Dragon Racer’s Rally, and the Fyre Drill, plus a live show called “The Untrainable Dragon.” It’s a whole new immersive experience for “How to Train Your Dragon” fans. Epic Universe will feature four other incredible lands: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. #universalorlando #Epicuniverse #howtotrainyourdragon

♬ original sound – The Park Prodigy

• Enjoy Live Shows: Two new shows in Dreamworks Land, including Po Live and DreamWorks Imagination Celebration; Animal Actors on Location, the Frog Choir, and the Triwizard Spirit Rally are entertaining for kids, providing a chance to sit back and enjoy live performances. Look forward to the upcoming Le Cirque Arcanus puppet and performer show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.
• Upgrade to an interactive wand or Powerup Band: Guests visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can upgrade and purchase an interactive wand, which will allow their kids to cast spells throughout all three of the Harry Potter Lands. Guests visiting Super Nintendo World can also purchase Powerup Bands to complete challenges and earn coins in Epic Universe.
• Visit Seuss Landing: This area in Islands of Adventure is specially designed for younger children, with whimsical rides and attractions based on the beloved books of Dr. Seuss.
• Explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: This immersive area is a must-see, offering magical experiences for all ages. Children can enjoy rides like the Hogwarts Express and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Don’t forget to try out interactive wands for spell-casting fun. The magic continues with the opening of the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.

If you’ve got a Harry Potter fan in the family, you’re gonna wanna check out our Universal Early Park Admission.

Related Page: Universal Early Park Admission 

Does Universal Orlando Resorts have Upgraded Experiences that are good for kids?

Universal Orlando is very kid-friendly, as it has a fun mix of family-friendly rides, kid-friendly shows, character meet-and-greets, and even upgraded experiences such as the Universal Express Pass. With the Express Pass, you can skip the regular lines for many rides and attractions. If you’re thinking about upgrading to Express Pass please check out our video – Universal Express Pass for Beginners – How it Works.

Parents will also find that for our young Harry Potter fans, just walking around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter can be an incredible thrill, making the series come to life! However, if you’re looking for an upgraded experience throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the Harry Potter interactive wand. The magic continues as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expanded with the Ministry of Magic included within Epic Universe. If you’re looking to take the magic a step further, we can not recommend interactive Harry Potter Wands enough!

This is where early park admission really saves the day! As Harry Potter fans, this will allow you to hop onto the “queue” for Ollivanders Wand Shop at Universal Studios Florida, having a chance to purchase an interactive wand before regular guests even enter the park. And trust us, you won’t want to miss the show as “the wand chooses the wizard” for one special guest!

So, as Mike mentioned as a “Theme Park Expert” on The Today Show on NBC, always take advantage of EARLY PARK ADMISSION whenever possible! Be sure to check out our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Related post: Universal Orlando Dining Plans Guide

Best Universal Orlando Rides for Kids

When it comes to the best Universal Orlando rides for kids, we are typically looking for rides that don’t have a height requirement or those that have a height requirement between 34″ – and 40″ inches as listed below. As discussed, it’s important to keep in mind that these rides are split between both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure Park so you will need a park-to-park ticket if you are trying to visit all of them on the same day.

Universal Orlando Kid-Friendly Rides without Height Requirements:

• Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station – Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – Universal Studios Florida
• Caro-Seuss-El – Islands of Adventure
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – Islands of Adventure
• Storm Force Accelatron – Islands of Adventure
• Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast – Universal Studios Florida
• Constellation Carousel – EPIC UNIVERSE
• Fyre Drill – EPIC UNIVERSE

Universal Orlando kid-friendly rides with height requirements:

• E.T Adventure – 34″
• Yoshi’s Adventure – 34″ – EPIC UNIVERSE
• Cat in the Hat – 36″
• Flight of the Hippogriff – 36″
• Trolls Trollercoaster – 36″
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – 40″
• The Simpsons Ride – 40″
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D – 40″
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon – 40 inches
• The Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man – 40 inches
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – 40” – EPIC UNIVERSE
• Mine-Cart Madness – 40” – EPIC UNIVERSE
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – 40” – EPIC UNIVERSE
• Hiccup Wind Gliders – 40” – EPIC UNIVERSE

Related post: Complete Guide to All Universal Studios Orlando Height Requirements

What families can look forward to at Epic Universe

Universal Orlando Resort was already packed with family attractions, and Epic Universe added a genuinely significant amount of kid-focused activites. Here’s what stands out for families in each land.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This third Wizarding World land draws on 1920s Paris by way of Fantastic Beasts and 1990s Britain by way of the original series, with new interactive wand experiences woven throughout. Families can catch Le Cirque Arcanus, a live puppet-and-performer show, and ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (40″ minimum), which younger kids around 6 and up can typically handle. Younger children will also enjoy spotting the magical creatures from Newt Scamander’s suitcase scattered throughout the land. The Ministry of Magic also includes two quick-service dining spots and a snack bar.

Celestial Park

At the center of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is home to the Astronomica interactive wet play area — worth checking out after dark, when it lights up with color and music — plus the Constellation Carousel, which has no height requirement. Stardust Racers, the park’s headline coaster, does have a 48″ requirement and isn’t built for young riders, though it does offer Child Swap for parents who want to trade off.

Isle of Berk

Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will find plenty here for kids, including the Viking Training Camp interactive play area and Fyre Drill, a target-based water ride with no height requirement. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (40″) is also geared toward families, and meet-and-greets with Hiccup, Astrid, and Toothless round out the land.

Super Nintendo World

For kids who love video games, Super Nintendo World will be a dream come true. Families will step into the colorful, interactive world of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, featuring meet and greet’s with our favorite Nintendo characters, as well as many kid-friendly rides: starting with the most kid friendly – Yoshi’s Adventure with a height requirement of 34,” Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a 4D motion simulation ride with a height requirement of 40″, and Mine-Cart Madness, a thrill ride with a height requirement of 40.” A fun feature of Super Nintendo World is the use of Interactive Power-Up Bands. These allow young guests to play mini-games and collect digital keys throughout the land. This is a great way to keep kids engaged with the land and keep the fun going while making your way through the park.

What are the Best Characters at Universal Orlando Resorts for Kids?

Universal Orlando Resorts offer a wide array of character meet-and-greet opportunities that are particularly enjoyable for little kids. These Universal character meet-and-greets can be found throughout the new Isle of Berk at Epic Universe, Marvel Superhero Island, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Seuss Landing, and the Jurassic Park section of the park. We would also say that one of the things that we love about Universal Orlando compared to Disney is that you will typically find lower wait times for these characters’ meet and greets as well, which will allow you to get more done throughout your days in the parks. On the flip side, guests can only find two character dining experiences: the Marvel Character Dinner at Cafe 4 in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and a Grinch & Friends character breakfast, which you can only experience during the holiday season.

Epic Universe Characters for kids

• How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup and Toothless, Astrid and some of your favorite dragons.
• Super Nintendo World: Mario and Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong.

Universal Studios Florida Characters for kids

• Minions and Other Despicable Me Characters: These popular characters, including Agnes, Edith, and Margot, are typically found near the exit of the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction.
• The Simpsons Characters: Meet Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, Krusty the Clown, and Sideshow Bob in the Springfield area.
• Transformers: The larger-than-life Transformers characters, including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron, make appearances outside the Transformers: The Ride show building.
• Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang: Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Fred, and Daphne often hang out with the Mystery Machine van in the Hollywood Boulevard area.
• Knight Bus Conductor: This character from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located outside the Knight Bus in the London section​.

Islands of Adventure Characters for kids

• Marvel Characters: Meet Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Doctor Doom, and Green Goblin, all located within Marvel Super Hero Island​​.
• Dr. Seuss Characters: In Seuss Landing, you can meet characters like the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Sam I Am, the Grinch, and the Lorax.
• Blue the Velociraptor: For dinosaur enthusiasts, the Raptor Encounter in the Jurassic Park area offers a thrilling experience.

Best Universal Orlando Shows for Kids

There are two new shows in DreamWorks Land, including Po Live and DreamWorks Imagination Celebration.

1. DreamWorks Imagination Celebration: Spark your imagination with an incredible new live show, featuring DreamWorks characters from Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. This spectacle combines live actors, animated Dreamworks characters, and dancers.
2. Po Live: Meet and talk with Po on a digital animated screen. He’ll train you in the ways of kung fu while babysitting his mischievous baby cousin and cooking some delicious snacks. Skadoosh!
3. Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear: At Seuss Landing, this show retells Dr. Seuss’s stories like The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch with song and dance, and characters from the stories make appearances for meet and greets.
4. Animal Actors on Location: A live show that features animals, including dogs, cats, pigs, and birds.
5. Triwizard Spirit Rally and The Frog Choir: In Hogsmeade, these shows offer a glimpse into the magical world of Harry Potter, with performances inspired by the Triwizard Tournament and enchanting songs from the Frog Choir. We love this and think that it is one of the best Universal shows for kids, especially our Harry Potter fans!
6. The Tales of Beedle the Bard: Also in Diagon Alley, this live performance retells the stories of “The Fountain of Fair Fortune” or “The Tale of the Three Brothers” using live acting and puppetry. The detailed puppets and engaging storytelling capture a sense of wonder, also making it a must-see for our Harry Potter fans.
7. Universal’s Musical Street Shows: These include several performances, such as The Beat Builders in the Hollywood area, Marilyn Monroe & The Diamond Bellas in New York, and Drive-In and Dance near Mel’s Drive-In. Each show has its unique flair, offering musical entertainment that appeals to all ages​.
8. The Bourne Stuntacular: This action-packed show in the Hollywood area features incredible stunts, special effects, and technology, showcasing scenes from the Jason Bourne series. It’s an impressive display of stunt coordination and is suitable for families who enjoy thrilling action.

Related Page: Complete Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Shows

Tips and Tricks for Visiting Universal Orlando With Young Kids

Strollers at Universal Studios Orlando

Parkgoers can rent single strollers for both parks for a price of $15 per day and double at $25. Parents can also rent “Kiddie Cars” that feature a plastic steering wheel for their kids for $3 more. There is a $50 deposit that’s required, but it will be fully refunded once you return the stroller. If you plan to leave the park and come back or switch parks during the day, you can get a free stroller by showing your receipt. Although there is no Universal Orlando stroller policy, it’s recommended you use one so you don’t have to carry your little ones around all day (because you know they won’t walk).

Child Swap at Universal Studios

Parents, we know you are kids at heart. But we also know you’re tired of going on rides for toddlers at Universal and want to experience some of the more thrilling stuff. If you’re not willing to sacrifice all the adult rides for toddler rides at Universal Studios Orlando, then you’re going to want to take advantage of “Child Swap.”

There must be two adults present for this to take place. The adults and children wait in line together. Once you get to the entrance of the attraction, tell the team member you want to child swap. You’ll be directed to the attraction’s loading area, and one adult will ride while the other waits in a special child swap-holding area with the kids. When the first adult is done riding, they will switch roles and watch the kids while the other adult goes on the ride. If one of the kids is old enough to enjoy the ride, they can ride twice, one time with each adult. It’s a win-win!

Character Meet-and-Greets

• Wait Times: Generally, the wait times for characters are not too long, often around 10 minutes. During busy days, wait times might slightly increase.
• Random Appearances: Some characters may make periodic appearances, and their locations can vary.
• Character Dining: Character dining is a unique experience that combines meeting characters with dining. Options include the Grinch Meet and Greet Breakfast and the Marvel Character Dinner.
• App and Maps: To find specific characters and their appearance times, it’s best to refer to the Universal Studios app or park maps upon arrival, as schedules and locations can change.

Ollivanders Wand Shop and interactive wands

A very popular attraction for kids and adults in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley is Ollivanders Wand Shop. Small groups are allowed into Ollivanders, and one guest is chosen to experience the coveted wand selection. An Ollivander’s Wand Specialist brings to life what every witch or wizard is waiting to experience: the wand choosing the wizard! Just know that only one individual is chosen to “choose their wand,” but the experience is magical for everyone involved. Whether or not you are chosen, you have the option to purchase an interactive wand from Ollivanders and participate in spellcasting experiences. There is a special map with all the locations in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley where you can try out your spells. You can only enjoy this experience if you purchase an interactive wand through Universal, starting at $55 per wand.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Get the Butterbeer! – It’s a non-alcoholic treat that everyone can enjoy!
• Upgrade to an interactive wand
• Go in for early park admission
• Take advantage of child swap 

Related post: Complete Guide to the Universal Superstar Shuttle

Visiting Universal Orlando with Kids FAQ

Which Universal Park is better for toddlers?

So, which Universal Park is better for toddlers? We still feel Universal Studios would be the best option when visiting Universal with small kids. Overall it has more rides, shows, and characters. We also feel like it has a more laid-back vibe when compared to Islands of Adventure.

Are there rides at Universal Orlando Resort for kids?

We are going to start this guide with one of the most common questions we receive: Does Universal Studios have kiddie rides? In total, Universal Studios Orlando has six rides for kids, which do not include a minimum height requirement. Plus, there are plenty of more rides that will be a great fit for kids who are 36-40 inches in height.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs. buying directly, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits that can help save you up to three hours in the parks!