My husband and I recently took our two-year-old and five-year-old to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time, and it was an experience we’ll never forget! Having visited together for a few date nights in the past, we weren’t sure how the theme park would measure up for our little ones. But seeing their faces light up at every corner proved that Universal Studios Hollywood is truly a destination for all ages.
Here are the need-to-know details:
- Universal Studios Hollywood is a great place to bring children of all ages with a wide variety of rides and attractions. Children under the age of two years old are allowed into the park for free, no ticket needed.
- All height requirements for rides and attractions can be found on the Universal Studios Hollywood App to help plan what rides your children are allowed to ride. DinoPlay and Super Silly Fun Land are two areas of the theme park that are popular with young families, as they’re designed for children of all ages.
- The Universal Studios Family Center is a great resource for families coming to the theme park. Located on the Upper Lot near WaterWorld, the Family Center has nursing rooms, baby changing stations, quiet areas and more.
Here’s a guide based on our visit to help you plan a fun-filled day with your little ones, complete with tips, kid-friendly spots, and insights from our family’s adventure.
The Pre-Fun Fun: The Escalators to the Lower Lot
Despite our five-year-old’s usual aversion to long walks, the excitement riding the massive escalators down to the Lower Lot kept her distracted — and ecstatic! Parents, take advantage of that early excitement to tackle longer walks before the inevitable “carry me!” requests begin. Strollers are also allowed on the Starway. But for your children’s safety, they are not allowed to ride in the stroller while on the escalators.
Please note that strollers are not allowed inside of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. Guests are asked to park their strollers in one of the two stroller sections on the Lower Lot, located near DinoPlay and Transformers The Ride-3D.
Start Your Adventure at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
After that adventure, we began our day bright and early SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a dreamland for fans of all ages. The vibrant colors, familiar music, and interactive elements were enough to mesmerize both of our kids. To get the most out of your visit, consider purchasing a Power-Up Band (available at retail locations throughout the theme park and CityWalk) and linking it to the app. This accessory transforms your experience, allowing you to collect digital coins, keys, and engage with interactive activities throughout the land.
To get the whole scoop on Power-Up Bands, check out Discover Universal’s complete guide right here.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge was our first stop. The height requirement for this ride is 40 inches, so my toddler wasn’t yet tall enough to ride. My husband used the Child Switch service to enjoy the ride with my daughter first, while my two-year-old and I explored the interactive Key Challenges (which have no height requirement), and took pictures with Toad, Mario and Luigi. My son and I loved Goomba Crazy Crank and Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, but we saved Piranha Plant Nap Mishap for last — it’s the perfect family challenge. (There are no height requirements for the Key Challenges.) My toddler was convinced he was Mario as he scrambled to “turn off” the clocks.
If you have a Power-Up Band, completing a Key Challenge earns you a digital key. Once you have three keys, you can play Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. There is no specific height requirement, but the recommended age for this interactive activity is five years old. While younger kids might struggle with the jumping and arm-waving required, it’s an engaging and active experience for older ones.
Toadstool Cafe in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD has a dedicated kids menu (for those that are 9 and under) which includes the Mario Mini Burger Adventure Set with a cheeseburger, truffle French fries, corn on the cob, broccoli and a coin cookie. The Power-Up Spaghetti Marinara, is a vegetarian kids meal with spaghetti and marinara sauce, Power-Up parmesan crisps, a Toadstool cheesy garlic knot and a coin cookie.
Want to spend more time in the Mushroom Kingdom with the whole family? Check out Discover Universal’s family-friendly guide to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Swing by DinoPlay: A Parents Rest Stop
After SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, we headed to the DinoPlay area near Jurassic World, which was a great rest-stop…for parents (and play area for the kids!). Before the kids climbed and explored, we stopped by Jurassic Cafe to pick up a Pyroraptor Refresher (a delicious passionfruit and dragon fruit lemonade with mango popping boba). This area is perfect for kids to burn off energy and work up an appetite.
Get Silly at Illumination’s Minion Land
Minion Cafe was a highlight for our little ones. The bright yellow Minion Cafe lured them in with its fun design. There isn’t a dedicated kids menu at the Minion Cafe, but the whole menu is designed to appeal to kids of all ages, with dishes including chicken tenders served with Minion tots and BBQ sauce. A great vegetarian option would be the Carl’s Grilled Cheese, which is served with tomato soup, and a side of Minion tots. The dessert options at Illumination’s Minion Cafe are incredibly hard to resist, especially the Minion Sugar Cookie and the Unicorn or Chocolate Cupcake. With plenty of outdoor seating, this cafe is a great spot to refuel before diving into Super Silly Fun Land.
Super Silly Fun Land is a paradise for kids, featuring carnival games, a water-play zone (perfect for hot days), and Silly Swirly. My husband and I were just as excited as our kids, especially when we saw Despicable Me themed carnival games. Parents, this is your opportunity to win a stuffed unicorn and yell, “IT’S SO FLUFFY!” with no judgment.
Silly Swirly is a ride perfect for every member of the family. While there is no height requirement to ride, anyone under 48 inches must be accompanied by an adult. You’ll board a two-person buggy vehicle, which you can raise and lower yourself while cruising through the air! This ride is especially fun while the sun is setting or at night, when the bright lights of Super Silly Fun Land are on full display.
The main attraction of Minion Land is Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a motion simulator ride that turns you into a Minion to help Gru on his various schemes. You’ll find stroller parking to the right of the entrance. Keep your eyes peeled for a fun Easter egg: Each of the doorbells on the houses outside the ride can be rung, each with their own noise and reaction! The ride exits through Super Silly Stuff, where you can have fun shopping for all things “Despicable Me.”
Want to learn everything there is to know about Minion Land? Read Discover Universal’s guide to Minion Land at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Don’t Miss Illumination’s Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
One of the most immersive rides for kids at Universal Studios Hollywood is Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, with a minimum height requirement of 34 inches. You can use the stroller parking across the street, next to the entrance to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Our kids adored the queue experience, where they peeked into the homes of their favorite pets from the film.
Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is a slow ride that takes guests into the bustling streets of New York City, where they “become” stray puppies searching for their forever homes. There are parts of the ride that are dimly-lit, but the vibrant animatronics, and playful interactions are perfect for little ones. My two-year-old and five-year-old were completely captivated by the ride, as they spotted familiar characters like Max and Gidget. This ride kept my kids entertained from start to finish, and the ride’s gentle pace was perfect for my toddler. For families with young kids, this ride is an absolute must!
Take a Magical Stop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Even though my two-year-old son was napping during our time in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, my five-year-old daughter and I still made the most of the experience—and it turned out to be one of her favorite parts of the day.
There are two rides in this area: Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Flight of the Hippogriff is the more family-friendly option of the two rides in the wizarding world. This smaller rollercoaster has a height requirement of 39 inches and has no giant drops or loops, nor does it go upside down. It serves as the perfect introduction to roller coasters for little ones. Stroller parking for this ride is located across from the entrance to Flight of the Hippogriff. Heads up for our non-British guests: It’s labeled as “Pram Parking,” as it would be in the U.K.
Although it is a family-friendly coaster, my daughter wasn’t quite ready to brave Hippogriff, but she loved exploring the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade, marveling at the castle, and trying out casting spells with my interactive wand at the wand magic locations. Watching her excitement as she magically made objects move was a special moment this Harry Potter-loving mama will never forget.
For parents with young kids, the Harry Potter section is more about soaking in the atmosphere and having interactive fun rather than tackling the bigger attractions. If you have a wand, definitely bring it along — or pick one up from Ollivanders! This interactive show brings the magic to life as you can witness a wand choosing a witch or wizard.
PRO TIP: There is also a kid’s menu option at the Three Broomsticks, inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It features chicken tenders and macaroni cheese, so if you have picky eaters this is a great option for you.
To make sure no bit of magic goes undiscovered, read our Guide to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood before your visit.
Call Lights, Camera, Action with The World-Famous Studio Tour
The World-Famous Studio Tour is where Universal Studios Hollywood first started. The tour, which takes guests through Universal’s real working movie and television studio, is family-friendly and has no height requirement. The Studio Tour mixes film history and education with fun immersive experiences like a flash flood in Old Mexico or a visit to Jupiter’s Claim to hear real movie sound effects. It runs about an hour long, so it’s a fun time while giving your feet a break.
Some elements such as King Kong 360 or Earthquake can be overwhelming for some children. To see if this experience is a fit for you and your family check out Discover Universal’s Guide to The World-Famous Studio Tour.
Universal Studios Family Center and Other Services
Universal Studios Family Center is located near the entrance. This space is a lifesaver for parents, offering nursing rooms, baby-changing stations, and quiet areas to take a break from the excitement. Other helpful services include stroller rentals near the entrance and the Child Switch program, which ensures parents can still enjoy the rides while taking turns with younger kids. Teaching your kids where to go if they get separated is also a good idea, as staff are well-trained to assist in these situations.
Take a Stroll Through CityWalk
After your time in the theme park, Universal CityWalk Hollywood is a perfect spot to wind down and explore with the family. It’s packed with dining, shopping, and entertainment options, many of which are kid-friendly. Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe was a big hit with my kids, who loved the supercute themed treats and colorful decor. Just next door, the Sanrio Smile Shop is a must-visit for fans of Hello Kitty and her friends, offering plenty of fun merchandise to take home.
For unique souvenirs, Cartooniversal is filled with toys and keepsakes featuring popular Universal characters. And don’t miss the dancing water fountain across from NBC Sports Grill & Brew. It’s a perfect spot for kids to splash around and burn off a little extra energy while parents take a break.
Escapology is home to nine different escape rooms, including problem-solving adventures designed just for kids! In the room “Who Stole Mona?”, you and your kids can uncover clues to solve the mystery of who stole one of the most famous paintings in the world. You must have a minimum of two players to try to solve this brainteaser in 60 minutes. All of the rooms are family-friendly, though it’s not recommended to bring children to Haunted House or 7 Deadly Sins.
CityWalk is a family-friendly addition to your Universal Studios Hollywood adventure, and a great way to end (or start) your day with a smile.
Pro Tips for Families
- Pack Smart: Bring a lightweight stroller, a portable charger, extra clothes, comfortable walking shoes, hats, sunscreen, snacks, and refillable water bottles. If you plan to play in the water areas, don’t forget towels, swim diapers, bathing suits and water shoes.
- Stay Sanitary: Keep wet wipes and hand sanitizer on hand for messy hands after interactive elements.
- Leverage the App: The Universal Studios Hollywood App can provide information on wait times, height restrictions for rides and attractions, showtimes, character meet-and-greet appearances, and finding nearby amenities.
- Take Breaks: Don’t feel pressured to tackle everything in one day. Plan rest stops to recharge. To find a spot for you and your family to take a breather, check out our article, Where to Take a Break at Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk.
- Universal Express ticket: While we managed without one, the Universal Express ticket can significantly reduce wait times and stress, especially with little ones.
Our first visit to Universal Studios Hollywood as a family was full of unforgettable moments. With careful planning and an open mind, Universal Studios Hollywood proved to be a great destination for our little ones. With so many interactive rides and elements, character meet-and-greets and delicious bites, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. So pack your bags, charge your phone, and get ready to make magical memories at Universal Studios Hollywood with your little ones!
What are you most looking forward to experiencing with your family at Universal Studios Hollywood? Let us know in the comments below.