Universal Orlando Resort is known for its big thrills around every corner. One of my favorites is Jurassic World Velocicoaster, which blasts riders up to 70 miles per hour. Of course, you might be wondering what there is to do with little kids at Universal Orlando when tiny tots may be too small for most of the rides.
I’m here to tell you there’s still plenty of fun to be at Universal Orlando Resort, even if you’re traveling with kids up to pre-school age. Think of everything from kiddie-sized roller coasters and shows with beloved characters, kid-friendly dining, and of course, great hotels that are right in the middle of the action. If you’re planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort with little kids anytime soon, keep reading for our best things to do. Plus I’m sharing a few tips to make your day even easier.
Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is one of the two currently open theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. This is where you’ll find some of the most kid-friendly IPs, including Trolls and Despicable Me.
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Start your day in DreamWorks Land
Families with little kids will love DreamWorks Land, the newest area to open at Universal Studios Florida. The space near E.T. Adventure (which you should also ride), was built with the littlest theme park adventurers in mind. Here, you can hop on the Trolls Trollercoaster, a family-friendly coaster great for a first rollercoaster experience. Just know that kids have to be 36 inches tall to ride.
Then get out of the heat and enjoy singing along with your favorite DreamWorks pals at the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration. The cute show features characters from Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda who come out to sing, dance, and show where imagination can take you. Don’t forget to grab some pictures with characters at Shrek’s Swamp Meet or the DreamWorks Character Zone. On the way out of the land, get a snack at Trolls Treats. The lemonade soft serve ice cream is a tasty option.
Hang out with Minions at Universal Studios Florida
At the front of Universal Studios Florida, you’ll find Illumination’s Minion Land. The adorable land looks like it popped out of the movies and into the park, complete with visits from the Minions and Gru. Hop in line for Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, a blaster-type gaming attraction where you get your chance to become a supervillain. The attraction has no height requirement, though younger kids may need help holding the blaster.
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Where to eat at Universal Studios Florida
If you’re looking for a bite to eat that will please everyone in your family, head to Mel’s Drive-In. The quick service restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Everything from burgers and chicken tenders to hot dogs and salads is on the menu. Alternatively, Illumination’s Minion Cafe is a fun option. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with menu items like cheesesteak sandwiches and Szechuan chicken for adults. Kids can enjoy grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or spaghetti and meatballs. I love going to Minion Cafe for the Minion tots, which are tasty tater tots that look just like the adorable Minions.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Islands of Adventure is the spot to be for families looking for a mix of big thrills and kid-friendly attractions.
Take on a rollercoaster at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
Another great “first rollercoaster” experience is Flight of the Hippogriff inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. The coaster has a height requirement of 36 inches. While riding you’ll have great views of Hogwarts Castle as you spiral around the nearby pumpkin patch. The coaster isn’t too fast, so even apprehensive, but excited kids, should enjoy this one.
Ride everything at Seuss Landing
I love that nearly everything at Seuss Landing is made with little kids in mind. Your entire family can hop aboard The Cat in the Hat, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!, the Caro-Seuss-el, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. The first two attractions in this list have height requirements of 36 inches. Kids can also run around in the If I Ran the Zoo pay area.
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Where to eat at Universal Islands of Adventure
Look no further than the Three Broomsticks for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Islands of Adventure. The quick service restaurant is inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Breakfast here is served until 10:30 a.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to hit a ride or two before sitting down to a hearty meal of pancakes or a traditional English breakfast. Lunch and dinner offer the same menu of fish and chips, smoked chicken, or salads for adults, plus chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, or fish and chips for youngsters. On nice days, I like to take my meal outside to the patio, which overlooks a small waterway and part of the track for Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Kids will love watching the rollercoaster cars whizzing past while waiting for food to arrive.
Where should families with younger kids stay at Universal Orlando Resort?
For a budget-friendly option, consider staying at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The hotel is part of Universal Orlando’s Value Inns and Suites hotel class, meaning it has some of the cheapest rooms the theme park resort has to offer. Some rooms face the water park, Volcano Bay. This is an incredible view to wake up to every morning, trust me. Family suites can accommodate up to six people with two queen beds in the main bedroom and a sleeper sofa in the living room. The kitchenette in the family suites is also a great addition for those who want to cook a few easy meals.
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If you’re willing to splurge a little, Loews Royal Pacific Resort is part of Universal’s Signature Collection of hotels and great for families. The resort is within walking distance to the theme parks, though water taxi and shuttle bus transportation are also available. The biggest perk to staying here is the free Universal Express Unlimited passes for everyone in your room. This means you can skip the lines of your favorite attractions throughout your stay without purchasing Express passes separately. The standard rooms here are fine for families, but for something a little more fun consider the Jurassic World Kids’s Suite. The dinosaur-themed suite has one bedroom with a king bed, plus a separate kids’ room with two twin beds.
Four tips for taking little kids to Universal Orlando Resort
Use the Hogwarts Express
If you have a park-to-park ticket use the Hogwarts Express train to get from one park to the other. You can catch the train inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both parks. You can use a Universal Express Pass at the attraction if you have it. The train ride is about four minutes long. So not only are you saving time by not walking across CityWalk, but you’re also saving tiny feet from getting worn out too quickly.
Seek out kids’ play areas
Look for kids’ play areas around both theme parks. At Islands of Adventure, you’ll find Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon, and Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park. Over at Universal Studios Florida, DreamWorks land has a lot of play areas, too. At the kids’ play areas, children can just run around and get some energy out by climbing nets, playing with interactive elements, and taking the slides down to the bottom. There are even some water elements.
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Use rider switch for attractions
Utilize rider switch when your kids are too small or don’t want to go on an attraction. The child swap program is available at every ride and attraction at both theme parks. At the entrance to the ride, you’ll let the attendant know you want to ultimo child swap and they will take one adult and the child to the family room to wait while the rest of the family rides the attraction. Once group one has ridden, they will swap with the person or people who sat out to watch the kid so the other group can ride. Alternatively, an adult can take the non-riding child to any of the other great things to do with little kids at Universal Orlando while the other part of the family rides the bigger attractions.
Take daily breaks
Take a break back in your room. This may seem counter-intuitive since theme parks are expensive and there’s a limited amount of hours the parks are open during the day. But trust me when I say everyone will be much happier if there’s a break in the middle of the day. During your break, you can do everything from swimming and enjoying a meal to taking a nap and watching a movie. Whatever you do, you’ll be away from the crowds and noise of the park. This is just the reset everyone will need to have a great evening enjoying all that Universal’s theme parks have to offer after the sun goes down.
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