Rides for Kids at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe

Universal Orlando is one of the best theme parks in Orlando for thrill rides! But what does that mean for kids who may not be old enough for the inversions and drops of roller coasters?

Luckily, in the past few years, Universal has done a great job adding some rides specifically aimed at younger kids. So there will still be plenty to do for everyone in the family!

While I went to Universal a couple times as a kid and when I was in high school, as an adult I visited with my 11-year old kiddo who still wasn’t ready for some of the biggest coasters. (No judgement…I didn’t ride my first inversion coaster until I was in high school because I was such a scaredy cat!)

So whether you’re visiting Universal with younger kids who will be excited to ride the simplest rides or are going with older kids who still may be hesitant about some of the more thrilling rides, here’s your guide to rides for kids at Universal!

Rides for Kids at Universal Studios

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Height Requirement: 40 inches

A themed indoor queue room with tall windows, playful decor, and multiple screens showing an animated movie scene features a hanging prop with a glowing red light and a painting of a cartoon character on the wall, creating a fun and immersive ride waiting area. — The theming inside Minion Mayhem is super fun!

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is the first ride you’ll encounter when you walk into Universal Studios and it’s a family favorite! This also means that the lines can get a bit long later in the afternoon, so doing this one in the morning is a great idea.

This is a motion simulator where you join the minions and the girls on an adventure. It’s super cute and a pretty mild adventure great for younger kids.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

Height Requirement: None

This is less of a ride and more of a moving sidewalk you stand on while playing a point-and-shoot game. It’s fully chaotic but really fun. But I didn’t really get the hang of finding my laser until close to the end of the game.

If you’re with younger kids, you can ask for a smaller blaster for them to use!

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Height Requirement: 40 inches

This is another motion simulator ride that takes the audience of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on a race through New York and even out to outer space.

It’s pretty mild, so younger kids should do fine on it.

Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl

Height Requirement: None

A colorful alien themed spinning ride features a large green creature with tentacles in the center while guests sit in small circular cars around it, creating a playful and whimsical amusement park scene.

This ride in the Simpsons land at Universal is very much like Dumbo at Magic Kingdom in Disney World. It’s a pretty gentle ride outside where you spin around in circles around a central alien. It should be fine for pretty much everyone in the family.

E.T. Adventure

Height Requirement: 34 inches

This slow dark ride is one I remember from when I was a kid!

It’s very slow and not really scary, although there are a few scenes where the police are shouting and shining spotlights. It’s also dark, so be aware of that if you have a kid who is a little more afraid of darker spaces (you’re never completely in the dark though).

MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack

Height Requirement: 42 inches

While this may seem like a ride that would be too much for younger kids, it’s honestly pretty tame. It’s a point and shoot game where you try to blast aliens with laser guns. It’s pretty slow moving, and the aliens don’t jump out at your or anything.

Honestly, the most intense parts are the couple of sections where your car spins around pretty fast.

The Simpsons Ride

Height Requirement: 40 inches

This is a motion simulation ride that simulates a theme park visit and a roller coaster that gets pretty out of control with the Simpsons characters. I don’t love it (and feel like it needs to be replaced with something newer), but most kids should be okay with it.

Trolls Trollercoaster

Height Requirement: 36 inches

This is a kiddie coaster in the DreamWorks Land. It’s really cute but really short. And it’s a perfect first coaster for kids!

Hogwarts Express

Height Requirement: None

This is a train that goes between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The windows are screens that show Harry Potter related scenes as you move. It’s prefect for the whole family, although be aware that there are some scarier scenes with dementors.

You can also ride this coming the other way from Islands of Adventure (so I won’t repeat it again below).

Note that you must have a Park-to-Park ticket to be able to ride this.

More Universal Studios Rides for Braver Kids

Fast and Furious – Supercharged — I’ll be honest: This is my most hated ride at Universal. (And thankfully it will be closing when the new Fast and Furious coaster opens in 2027.) It’s a motion simulated party bus that gets in danger. It is SUPER loud and somewhat violent. But braver kids may be fine with it. Height requirement: 40 inches.
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts — This coaster with scenes from Harry Potter is SO much fun! But it is a coaster and parts of it are dark, so your kiddo will need to be fine with those things to ride it. The coaster elements aren’t super intense though (no inversions or super big drops), but some of the situational elements may feel intense. Height requirement: 42 inches.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D — This part-dark-ride, part-motion-simulator is VERY loud and very intense. I think it’s lots of fun, but younger kids will need to be brave for it. Height requirement: 40 inches.

That leaves just one ride I haven’t talked about in this park: Revenge of the Mummy. It’s a dark coaster full of creepy elements (and a height requirement of 48 inches), so generally not the best for younger kids.

Rides for Kids at Islands of Adventure

Caro-Seuss-el

Height Requirement: None

This is a standard carousel perfect for everyone in the family, except with wacky animals from Dr. Seuss.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Height Requirement: None

Colorful Dr. Seuss themed splash play area at Universal Studios featuring a tall whimsical character holding an umbrella above dolphins and water fountains. Children and families gather around the bright interactive water feature, making it a playful spot among rides for kids at Universal Studios.

This is a Dumbo-like ride where you ride in small vehicles that spin you slowly around a center axis. You can raise your car up for some better views of the surrounding area. And be aware you might get sprayed with water on this one!

This one is perfect for the whole family, too.

The Cat in the Hat

Height Requirement: 36 inches

Giant red and white striped hat from Dr. Seuss towering over a colorful walkway at Universal Studios as families in ponchos walk toward the attraction entrance. Bright pastel buildings and playful designs create a whimsical area designed for younger guests and kid friendly rides.

This dark ride in Seuss Landing is pretty tame. It’s slow moving and tells the story of The Cat in the Hat. Great for everyone in the family (once they meet the height requirement)!

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

Height Requirement: 36 inches

This gentle ride takes you on a train above Seuss Landing. It’s really cute and I love the views you get of the park from here! Plus, there are scenes on top of the buildings built specifically for the storylines told on the train line.

Storm Force Accelatron

Height Requirement: None

Honestly, I’m a little surprised this doesn’t have a height requirement, because it felt a little intense to me! It’s just like the Teacups at Disney, except it moves faster!

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Height Requirement: 40 inches

This ride is half dark-ride half motion simulator. It is a little loud and can have some situations that might seem scary (we’re talking about superheroes saving the world here). And there is a simulated fall that may seem intense to younger kids. But generally most kids will probably be fine on this.

Pterandodon Flyers

Height Requirement: Between 36 and 56 inches

This is a kind of weird ride because adults can only ride with children, and those children must be between 36 and 56 inches.

It’s a kind of suspended coaster where you gently fly over the Jurassic Park area of the park. I think it looks pretty cool, but since I haven’t been to Universal with a child who fits within those height restrictions, I haven’t been able to ride it.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Height Requirement: 36 inches

Family friendly roller coaster train with riders raising their hands as it curves along an elevated track above trees at Universal Studios. The smaller scale track and open seating show a gentle thrill ride suitable for kids and younger guests.

This is a kiddie coaster that, like Trollercoaster at Universal Studios, is a great first roller coaster for younger kids.

The queue is also pretty cool because you get to see Hagrid’s Hut and a Hippogriff. But the line can get pretty long for this one (and I don’t think it’s generally worth a very long wait).

More Islands of Adventure Rides for Braver Kids

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls — This log flume ride has several big drops, with an especially big one at the end. You can see it before you decide to ride though. Height requirement: 44 inches.
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges — This water ride is pretty intense (lots of turning and twisting) and you’re definitely going to get wet. Height requirement: 42 inches.
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — This is, in my opinion, the best ride at Universal! It’s a coaster with scenes from Harry Potter. It moves pretty fast, but there also aren’t any super big drops and no inversions, so a lot of kids will do great on this. Height requirement: 48 inches.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — This motion simulator ride does have some intense situations, but braver kids will probably love it. Just know that this ride is probably the top cause for motion sickness at Universal. Height requirement: 48 inches.
Jurassic Park River Adventure — Most of this gentle river ride is 100% fine for all ages, until the end where you get into a bit of a scary situation (loud alarms going off because dinosaurs have gotten out!) and there is a big plunge at the end. Height requirement: 42 inches.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong — This is a motion simulator ride where you are on a safari vehicle that goes through the jungle. There are definitely some intense and scary situations along with some violence. Height requirement: 36 inches.

That leaves a couple rides I haven’t talked about, mostly the BIG coasters here plus a pretty intense drop ride: Dr. Doom’s Fearfall (Height requirement: 52 inches), The Incredible Hulk Coaster (Height requirement: 54 inches), and the VelociCoaster (Height requirement: 51 inches).

Rides for Kids at Epic Universe

Constellation Carousel

Height Requirement: None

This is a cute carousel ride, except instead of the animals being attached at the top, they are attached at the floor and move in their own little circles, make it feel a bit more unpredicatable.

It’s perfect for the whole family, and there are carousel seat that don’t move up and down too for those that would prefer less motion.

I definitely recommend riding this at night for the best experience!

Fyre Drill

Height Requirement: None

Colorful Viking themed water ride area at Universal Studios with cartoon dragons, wooden boats, and bright flame decorations surrounding splashing water features. The playful design and interactive elements create an adventurous ride environment that fits well among rides for kids at Universal Studios. — Fyre Drill is a very gentle boat ride, except you WILL get wet!

This slow boat ride in Isle of Berk lets you shoot water canons at various targets, and at each other! You will definitely get wet on this ride, but it’s not scary at all and it’s slow moving. So it’s fine for anyone in the family who doesn’t mind getting a little wet.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Height Requirement: 40 inches

Large Viking warrior statue holding a shield and sword rising from the water in a themed kids area at Universal Studios with roller coasters and colorful attractions in the background. Wooden bridges and playful ride structures surround the lagoon, creating an adventurous setting for rides for kids at Universal Studios. — You can see the gray track of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders along the water here. Don’t worry about the yellow and green tracks in the distance…that’s Stardust Racers!

This coaster is probably my favorite ride in Epic Universe! The idea is that it feels like you are gliding on the back of a dragon, and honestly the way they pair the music with the movement of the ride is perfection.

As far as intensity level goes, I think it most closely aligns with Slinky Dog Dash in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a great step up from a coaster like the Trollercoaster but without being too intense.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Height Requirement: 40 inches

Display of Mario Kart themed trophies and power up icons including mushrooms, stars, and shells arranged on pedestals inside a Universal Studios attraction queue. Colorful circular emblems line the wall behind the figures, creating a playful indoor scene that appeals to kids and gaming fans. — Not only is Mario Kart a fun ride, but fans of the game will geek out over the queue details!

This is a slow ride that combines a dark ride with a motion simulator visor that makes you feel like you’re moving faster and allows you to play Mario Kart.

It should be fine for most kids, but younger kids will probably struggle with the game element of it. And it can feel chaotic and may overwhelm some kids.

Mine-Cart Madness

Height Requirement: 40 inches

This is another coaster that’s a great step-up from the beginner kiddie coasters without feeling too intense.

This is a fun one because it is supposed to look like you are on an out of control mine cart that is jumping across the tracks, when in reality the actual ride mechanism is located underneath the show track.

Yoshi’s Adventure

Height Requirement: 34 inches

Mario themed ride vehicle moving through a colorful Super Nintendo World scene with a large Piranha Plant rising from a green pipe ahead. Bright game inspired elements and characters surround the track, creating an immersive ride experience popular with kids at Universal Studios. — Yoshi’s Adventure has super cute scenery! But it’s also a pretty short ride.

Honestly, I’m not sure why this ride has a height requirement because it is probably the slowest and most boring ride at Universal. You ride inside a Yoshi and see a few up-high views of Super Nintendo World along with a few scenes specifically for the ride.

It’s cute and great for kids who need the gentlest rides. But I also don’t think it’s worth the long wait it often has.

More Epic Universe Rides for Braver Kids

If you have a braver kid, they might also like these rides!

Curse of the Werewolf — This coaster in Dark Universe gets its intensity from the fact that the cars spin unpredictably and the fact that it’s located in the spooky Dark Universe. There aren’t particularly big drops though and I thought it was really fun! Height requirement: 40 inches.
Dragon Racers Rally — This ride takes you VERY high up in the sky. And you have to sit in your own seat separated from everyone else, so kids will need to fine with that. You can watch the ride operate from Isle of Berk before you decide to go on it though. Height requirement: 48 inches.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry — The most popular ride at Epic Universe! This is a largely motion simulator ride that is VERY cool, but some kids may find it intense. Height requirement: 40 inches.

That just leaves a couple rides I haven’t talked about. And these are probably going to be too intense or scary for most kids: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (Height Requirement: 48 inches) and Stardust Racers (48 inches).

Shows for Kids

One great thing at Universal to do with kids is to see some of the shows! There are some really great kid-friendly shows at the parks, especially the two main shows at Epic Universe!

Indoor stage show at Universal Studios with a large glowing map projection featuring dragons and fantasy illustrations displayed across a wide set. Guests sit in rows facing the stage as part of an immersive show experience that adds variety beyond rides for kids at Universal Studios. — Waiting for the Untrainable Dragon Show to start!

Animal Actors on Location! — A great kid-friendly show in Universal Studios showcasing how animals perform in movies and TV shows.
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration — A show in Universal Studios specifically geared toward younger kids with their favorite characters from Shrek, Trolls, and more.
Oh! The Stories You’ll Hear! — Another shows built for kids, this one feature Dr. Seuss characters in Islands of Adventure.
The Untrainable Dragon — A really cute show in Isle of Berk in Epic Universe that fans of How to Train Your Dragon will love!
Le Cirque Arcanus — A magical creatures show in the Harry Potter area at Epic Universe, great for all ages. This was one of my favorites! Although younger kids will have a harder time seeing the pre-show in the crowded standing room only area. (The main show has seats though.)

And don’t forget about street entertainment and smaller scale shows in some of the lands! The Harry Potter areas particularly have some great outdoor shows during the day.

Meeting Characters

Meeting characters is another great thing for kids to do in Universal Orlando! Here’s where you can find some favorite characters for kids. As always, check for you Universal app for times when characters will be out.

Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma pose together in front of a blue wall at Universal Studios. The colorful character meet and greet creates a fun photo opportunity that appeals to kids visiting the park. — We got to meet the Mystery Gang at Universal Studios!

Universal Studios Characters

Hollywood Character Zone near the front of the park at Universal Studios can have characters like the Mystery Gang from Scooby Doo, Hello Kitty, and more.
You can meet the Transformers near the Transformers ride.
Meet SpongeBob SquarePants near the entrance to DreamWorks Land.
Meet Shrek and Donkey in DreamWorks Land.

Islands of Adventure Characters

Meet Dr. Suess characters like the Grinch or The Cat in the Hat in Seuss Landing.
Meet classic cartoon characters like Popeye and Betty Boop in Toon Landing.
Meet Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, and more in Marvel Super Hero Island.

Epic Universe Characters

Meet Mario characters like Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach in Super Nintendo World.
Meet Toothless in Isle of Berk (but know this always has a LOOOONG wait!).
Meet classic monsters like Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride or The Invisible Man in Dark Universe. I know this may sound scary for younger kids, but the character actors actually do a great job understanding what level they should talk to the kids on and making them feel comfortable.

Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando With Kids

Universal Orlando is largely seen as a theme park geared toward older kids, but in recent years they’ve made some great additions to the park for a wider family appeal (like DreamWorks Land and several of the rides in Epic Universe!).

Here are some tips though if you are visiting Universal with younger kids.

Watch ride POVs before you go. There are videos for so many rides online, so if you’re unsure about a ride look up a video for it before you go.
Use the family waiting areas. Universal has great family waiting areas, especially for some of their bigger rides that not everyone in the family can ride. The whole family waits in line together. Then the first parent can ride while the second parent waits with the kids in the family waiting area. Then the second parent can ride without having to wait again.
Stay hydrated, fed, and cool! The biggest causes for meltdowns at parks (besides being too tired) are being too hungry, too thirsty, and too hot. So pack accordingly with plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks!
Mix up non-kid-friendly rides with kid-friendly ones. It may cause a little more bouncing around the park, but it will keep the kids happier if you make sure there is something they can ride between the bigger rides parents want to go on.