More than just thrills: There's big fun for little kids at Universal Orlando

12.07.2024 - 16:31 / thepointsguy.com

With attractions like Jurassic World VelociCoaster — which tops out at an eye-watering 70 miles per hour — and spine-chilling annual festivities like Halloween Horror Nights, it can be easy to think that Universal Orlando is only meant for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. While Universal has certainly perfected the formula on their hair-raising rides and events, the park also has plenty to offer to families with young children.

Related: These are the 10 best rides at Universal Orlando

In June 2024, Universal Studios Florida added DreamWorks Land to its property, making Universal even more attractive as a go-to destination for families with kids of all ages.

Here's everything you need to know before your next family vacation to Universal Orlando Resort.

My kids are 10, 7 and 5, but we've been taking them to Universal Orlando for years. Our stroller days are thankfully behind us, but I've always given parents this advice: You can't just run from one ride to another all day and plop your kids in a stroller between attractions. Kids need to run and play and get their energy out. Luckily, Universal Orlando has a lot of places for them to do that.

At DreamWorks Land, which opened in June, kids can explore Shrek's swamp playground, train with Po from "Kung Fu Panda," conduct King Harold's frog symphony by bouncing on lily pads and more.

At Camp Jurassic (in Universal's Islands of Adventure), kids can explore a prehistoric playground decked out with mysterious caves, dinosaur fossils, dilophosaurus-shaped water canons and more. My kids love some of Islands of Adventure's other rides but would still rather be at Camp Jurassic, making new friends and imagining a world where dinosaurs are still alive.

Islands of Adventure is also home to Seuss Landing, which has an interactive play area themed to "If I Ran the Zoo," in addition to several kid-friendly rides.

While not technically a play area, my kids have spent literal hours casting spells at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (which is split between both of Universal's parks and connected by the Hogwarts Express train). After you purchase an interactive wand (or let the wand choose you at Ollivander's Wand Shop), there are spots all over the land where you can use your wand's powers to make magic.

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The kids may not be climbing or sliding, but they are using their imagination and learning that the impossible is, in fact, possible. These types of play areas and interactive experiences are so important at a theme park. Not only do they give kids an opportunity to just be kids, but they also inspire kids to dream bigger.

Regardless of age, theme parks are a place to suspend disbelief, escape reality