With Universal Orlando’s reputation for thrilling coasters and adult-centric events like Halloween Horror Nights, you may think all children can do at Universal is follow their older siblings around. However, this is far from the truth! There are many Universal Orlando rides for kids ages ten and under, so they can have as much fun as the big kids. Learn more about the top universal rides and attractions for kids at Universal Studios below.
Does Universal Have Kid-Friendly Rides?
Absolutely! While the park is known for large coasters, there are plenty of rides that children in the 34″ – 48″ height range can ride, which makes them great for most three through ten-year-olds. Our list focuses on attractions that allow children under 48″ inches tall to ride.
It’s always wise to check the list of minimum height requirements before heading to the parks — that way you can set some expectations with little ones ahead of time and avoid disappointment upon arrival.
Top Universal Orlando Rides for Kids
Transformers: The Ride-3D
Location: Universal Studios — New York
Height: 40″ minimum
The comic and TV series turned toy turned movie franchise comes to life in an all-new way. In this 3D simulation ride, you’ll help Optimus Prime and Bumblebee protect Earth from Decepticons who desire to get the AllSpark.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™
Location: Universal Studios — Minion Land
Height: 40″ minimum
Take a peek at Gru’s latest quest, which will require you to become a Minion to help his plan succeed. When things don’t go to plan, chaos ensues and you take a thrilling ride through Gru’s laboratory.
Villain-Con Minion Blast
Location: Universal Studios — Minion Land
Height: Guest under 48″ must be accompanied by supervising companion. No hand-held infants.
The Vicious 6 are at Villain-Con, and you’re invited to use your personal E-Liminator X blaster device to hit interactive digital targets. The ride uses a point-and-shoot gameplay mode that’s somewhat similar to Universal’s Men in Black attraction and Disney’s Buzz Lightyear ride, but these blasters are completely wireless. Guests stand on a moving walkway as the ride system moves you through a series of scenes.
MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™
Location: Universal Studios — World Expo
Height: 42″ minimum
Part video game, part ride, kids of all ages will enjoy competing to see who can blast the most aliens as you attempt to rid New York City from the “scum of the universe.” As MIB’s newest recruits, it’s up to you to save the world. There are several possible ride endings, so each time is a different experience.
Harry Potter and Escape from Gringotts™
Location: Universal Studios — Diagon Alley
Height: 42″ minimum
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a great option for thrill-seeking Harry Potter fans. It has all the thrills of an adult ride, but the minimum height requirement means the average five-year-old could ride. Join Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Bill Weasley on a trip to break into the most secure bank in the Wizarding World.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
Location: Islands of Adventure — Marvel Super Hero Island®
Height: 40″ minimum
Help Spider-Man on a 3D quest to help save the Statue of Liberty after it’s been stolen by the Sinister Syndicate.
Flight of the Hippogriff™
Location: Islands of Adventure — Hogsmeade™
Height requirement: 36″ minimum
This family-friendly outdoor coaster gives you a fast-paced tour around the hut, gardens, and grounds of beloved Hogwarts™ caretaker, Hagrid. Use proper etiquette before climbing atop your Hippogriff, a creature that is part eagle, part horse. This attraction is great for younger Harry Potter fans who may not make the minimum height requirements of larger Harry Potter attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure™.
Pteranodon Flyers
Location: Islands of Adventure — Jurassic Park™
Height: Between 36″ – 56″
Glide over Jurassic Park as you swing under the 10-foot wings of a Pteranodon. This gentle adventure offers great views of the surrounding landscape. This ride is built for kids, so it’s recommended that only guests between 36″ and 56″ ride. Adults may accompany a rider within this height range.
Hogwarts Express™
Location: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios
Height: Any
Enter Platform 9 ¾ and hop aboard the Hogwarts Express for a magical ride through the English countryside. Look outside your window and gaze upon creatures from the Wizarding World. Inside, you may run into some of Harry’s friends. The train transports you between Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Each ride is a different experience, so definitely worth it to ride it both ways. We list this ride as one of the best attractions in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, so make sure to set aside time for it! You must have a park-to-park ticket to ride.
Honorable mention: ET Adventure
Location: Universal Studios.
Height: 34″ minimum
Most kids under ten will be able to ride this slow-moving, high-flying bicycle ride to the Green Planet (ET’s home), where you’ll meet his family. Since this Spielberg classic is 40+ years old, your kids may not get the movie references (or may find the aliens a bit creepy). It’s an opening day original and still considered one of the best rides in Universal Studios Florida (perhaps heavily influenced by nostalgia). However, the ride usually has a short line and is air-conditioned, so it’s worth a try!
*Note: A companion may be needed to accompany riders less than 48″ tall for most attractions listed above. Check ride requirements before getting in line.*
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Coming Summer 2024: DreamWorks Land
On November 1, 2022, Universal Orlando Resort announced the closure of most of the Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone section of the park. It was later revealed that this would be a land themed to DreamWorks entertainment.
On February 29, 2024, Universal announced a full list of attractions, shows, and shops at DreamWorks Land.
The new land opens June 14, 2024. Here’s an overview.
Shrek
Shrek’s Swamp Meet
Interact with Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Donkey, just outside of Shrek’s cottage.
Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres
An ogre-sized play area featuring four slides, splash zones, and a playground. Bonus: venture into Shrek’s outhouse.
Mama Luna Feline Fiesta
Inspired by Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish, this new interactive experience takes place in Mama Luna’s retirement home for cats. Play with Mama Luna’s many cats on interactive screens activated by buttons, bells, maracas, and levers. Perhaps you’ll even spot Puss in Boots himself.
King Harold’s Swamp Symphony
Create your own melodious masterpiece! Trigger a choir of ever-changing frog ribbits by stomping on an array of lily pads.
Swamp Snacks
Scrumptious Shrek-inspired snacks, such as the Shrekzel, Far Far A Waffle, Frozen Ogre, and more.
Trolls
Trolls Trollercoaster
Ride the iconic Caterbus, escaping evil spiders and speeding along a bright orange and yellow track aboard this family-friendly rollercoaster.
Poppy’s Playground
Nestled under a giant, 20-foot mushroom, this shaded play area features a bountiful array of fun bouncing and climbing structures for the youngest of trolls.
Trolls Treats
Poppy’s boombox from Trolls Band Together has been transformed into a playful kiosk offering brightly-colored Trolls ice cream treats such as pink lemonade-flavored Poppy-licious Pink and huckleberry-flavored BroZone Berry.
High Five Hideaway
Cloud Guy hosts this shop featuring apparel, plush, and accessories from Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, Gabby’s Dollhouse and more.
Kung Fu Panda
Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp
Inspired by the Kung Fu Panda films, this play area brings the Panda Village to life. Wet and dry play areas offer the opportunity to help the pandas wash and dry their laundry via enormous water cannons, dump buckets, giant fans, and more. Crash an interactive gong. Encounter mischievous, giggling baby pandas. Play among oversized merry-go-round noodle bowls from Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop.
Po Live!
A digital, interactive meet and greet lets you interact with the famous Dragon Warrior himself. He’ll teach you some Kung Fu moves, cook some delicious stir fry, and babysit his little cousin, Ling Ling… all at the same time. What could go wrong?
Additional Experiences
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
Popular DreamWorks Animation stories come to life. This multisensory adventure combines hit pop songs, high-energy dancing, advanced technology, and more to create an imaginative party atmosphere within the all-new DreamWorks Theater.
DreamWorks Character Zone
Meet and interact with your favorite DreamWorks characters, including Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Coming May 2025: Kids Rides at Epic Universe
The opening of Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park on May 22, 2025 will bring with it a number of kid-friendly attractions. Here’s what we know so far about which rides there will let kids less than 48″ tall aboard (though a supervising companion is typically required):
- Constellation Carousel — a unique carousel concept that goes beyond the usual merry-go-round — individual rotating animals (inspired by the constellations) whirl around and lift up to 6 feet in the air. No minimum height requirement, but guests under 48″ must ride with a supervising companion.
- Curse of the Werewolf — Admittedly a questionable pick as “kid-friendly.” This spinning coaster’s ride system won’t be too intense for most kids, with a top speed of only 37 MPH. But, the ride’s theme is essentially “careen through a spooky forest trying to outrun a pack of werewolves,” which might not sit well with some kids. Be sure to take stock of your child’s tolerances before deciding to hop onboard. 40″ height requirement.
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders — family-friendly roller coaster allowing you to “fly” alongside Toothless and Hiccup. 40″ height requirement.
- Fyre Drill — A wet and wild boat competition. Guest board colorful dragon-headed boats and blast water cannons at flame-like targets. No minimum height requirement, but guests under 48″ must ride with a supervising companion.
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge — a driving simulation based on the popular video game, using augmented reality and projection mapping alongside 3D sets. 42″ height requirement.
- Yoshi’s Adventure — a family-friendly dark ride featuring indoor and outdoor elements. 36″ height requirement.
- Donkey Kong Country Mine Cart Madness coaster — a mine cart roller coaster featuring a unique ride system which will make riders feel their coaster kart is jumping gaps in the track. 36″ height requirement.
Toddler and Preschool Attractions at Universal Studios
While the lists on this page are geared toward attractions that are great for children ages five through ten, there are several things toddlers and preschoolers can do at Universal, too. Here are the best Universal Orlando rides for children five and under:
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™
Location: Islands of Adventure — Seuss Landing™
Height: Any
Spin and soar on a slow-moving flying fish around squirting fountains themed after Dr. Seuss’ classic counting book. Preschoolers will enjoy getting to control their fish with the ability to raise it over 12 feet in the air.
Caro-Seuss-el™
Location: Islands of Adventure — Seuss Landing
Height: Any
A wacky carousel filled with characters from the mind of Dr. Seuss. You’ll see creatures from tales such as Horton Hatches the Egg, McElligot’s Pool, and If I Ran the Zoo come to life. Riders can control different functions by pulling on the reins or pressing buttons on each creature’s back.
High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
Location: Islands of Adventure — Seuss Landing
Height: 36″ minimum
Get a Sneetch eye view of Seuss Landing with this overhead trolley that travels around the land. There are two separate tracks for more fun.
The Cat in the Hat™
Location: Islands of Adventure — Seuss Landing
Height: 36″ minimum
Enter the world of the Dr. Seuss classic. Ride through scenes of the Cat in the Hat’s various antics and attempt to get everything in order before Mother returns home.
Play Areas
In addition to the many Universal Orlando rides that are great for kids, there are also interactive play areas kids under ten will enjoy.
Camp Jurassic
Location: Islands of Adventure — Jurassic Park
Dig into this dino-themed outdoor playground filled with fossils, skeletons, and rope suspension bridges. If you want to cool off, step inside the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, where you can see baby Velociraptors as they hatch, learn about DNA, and view a T-Rex fossil replica.
Other Stuff
Other attractions at Universal Orlando that are great for kids under ten include two arcades: one in the New York area (Universal Studios) and one at Marvel SuperHero Island (Islands of Adventure). There are also two carnival game areas, located at Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure and in the Springfield, USA section of Universal Studios.
Best Rides for Kids at Universal Studios: Final Recap
While Universal is known for thrill rides for teens and adults, there is plenty that children under ten can do while visiting Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios. Kids at least five old will probably have the most fun at Universal, as they will recognize some of their favorite characters from comics and children’s books while being able to ride most rides with height requirements under 48″ tall.
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