Best Attractions for Young Kids at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood California is a working movie studio, making it a very unique theme park.  Where else can you take the world famous Studio Tour, drink Butterbeer, and hang out with Transformers?  However, will young kids also enjoy it?  From play areas to rides and entertainment, here are the best attractions for young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Disclosures: My family and I received complimentary admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. All opinions, however, are my own. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and buy, The Cactus Chronicles will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping support The Cactus Chronicles.

Best Attractions for Young Kids at Universal Studios Hollywood

1. Super Silly Fun Land
2. DinoPlay and Jurassic World:  The Ride
3. The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash
4. Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge & Super Nintendo World
5. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
6. DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
7. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
8. Transformers:  The Ride
9. Character Experiences
10. Springfield
11. Sweet Treats at Universal Studios Hollywood
12. The Studio Tour
13. Universal CityWalk
14. Special Events

While Universal Studios Hollywood will be a hit with tweens, teens, and adults, what about young kids, like those that are 5 years old and older?  With kid friendly rides like The Secret Life of Pets and play areas like like DinoPlay and Super Silly Fun Land, even young kids won’t feel left out.

I took my son to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time when he was 6 years old and I discovered that he was able to experience most of the attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood!  The magic of movie making comes alive there, even for young kids.  So without further ado, here are the best attractions for young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood!

*Be sure to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood App.  You’ll find itineraries listed, including for young kids!

1.  Super Silly Fun Land

One of the best attractions for young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood is Super Silly Fun Land!  It’s a special play zone in the park geared especially towards young kids.  There’s a playground located in Super Silly Fun Land as well as a ride called Silly Swirly Fun Ride.  Not only can kids burn off some of their energy in Super Silly Fun Land, but they can play in several of the water features.  This is definitely a great addition for families traveling with young kids, so you won’t want to skip this.  Just make sure you bring a change of clothes for your child if they decide to play in the water features 🙂  

2.  DinoPlay and Jurassic World:  The Ride

One of the newer additions to Universal Studios Hollywood is DinoPlay, which is a dinosaur-themed playground located near Jurassic World:  The Ride. There, kids can play on a jungle climber, walk across a rope bridge, and excavate for dinosaur fossils 🙂  Kids must be under 48″ in order to play in this particular area.

Universal Studios Hollywood also has a Jurassic World water ride (mentioned in the paragraph above).  Guests must be at least 42″ tall to ride it and prepare to be soaked!  Caution, though.  Younger kids may get scared because the theme of the ride is centered around dinosaurs escaping from their enclosures and there is also a tense standoff in the dark at the end of the ride, before a large drop.  However, kids (especially those who like dinosaurs) might also enjoy it because it’s not a fast ride (other than the drop) and has an adventure element to it.

3.  The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash

Based upon the popular movies, The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash is the latest ride to make its debut at Universal Studios Hollywood.  It’s a very kid friendly ride especially since guests just need to be 34″ tall in order to ride it.  It’s also a fairly tame ride with several animatronics which will appeal to younger kids.

4.  Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge & Super Nintendo World

Mario Kart is the latest ride to make its debut at Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s located in Super Nintendo World.  Kids at least 40 inches in height can ride it, making it a popular ride, especially for Nintendo fans and video gamers.  And while Super Nintendo World only contains one ride, it has several experiences such as character meet and greets with Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, and Toad, as well as interactive play opportunities.   There is also quick service dining in Super Nintendo World, called Toadstool Cafe.  To find out some of the options to access Super Nintendo World, click here.  And to to read all about my Super Nintendo World tips, click here.

5.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

There is an area in Universal Studios Hollywood devoted to all things Harry Potter called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and young kids will love exploring it!  It’s a replica of Hogsmeade, with shops like Honeydukes.  There is also an attraction that young kids at least 39 inches in height can ride called Flight of the Hippogriff.  Buy an interactive wand at Ollivander’s, and then cast spells at 15 designated areas listed on the map.  And don’t forget to order Butterbeer!  Speaking of Ollivander’s, you’ll want to attend the interactive experience that occurs there, where a wand chooses a wizard 🙂  The experience occurs several times throughout the day and it lasts approximately 10 minutes.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is another ride we love in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  However, the height requirement is 48 inches.  My son, at 6 years old, was taller than average, and was also (barely) able to meet the height requirement allowing him to go on the ride.  Depending on the age, and height of your child, he/she might also be able to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  However, it does have dark themes so keep that in mind if your child does meet the height requirement.

6.  DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda

DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda is also one of the more recent additions to Universal Studios Hollywood and I wouldn’t skip it, especially if you’re traveling with a young child.  My son loves watching the Kung Fu Panda series featuring Po and friends.

The DreamWorks Theatre does not have a height requirement and is basically an interactive movie theatre.  On the movie theatre screen, there is a raft scene at one point, and the theatre moves as though guests are also on the raft.  It is a fun attraction, and it also gave us the opportunity to rest our feet after walking most of the day. I definitely consider it as one of the best attractions for young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood.

7.  Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood will love the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride.  It’s both 3D and 4D, and kids must be at least 40 inches tall to ride.  My son has ridden both at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando and enjoyed it.  The minions are cute, and you’ll all be saying “banana” once it’s over!

8.  Transformers:  The Ride

One of the other best attractions for young kids at Universal Studios Hollywood is Transformers:  The Ride.  Like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, it’s in 3D and 4D, and kids must be at least 40 inches tall to ride.  This was one of my son’s favorite rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.  Even better, he was able to meet some of the Transformers nearby, like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, and evil MegaTron.  Kids and adults alike can not only have their photos taken with the characters, but the characters also interact with them.  

Be warned, though, some kids might find MegaTron scary.  As a result, you might want to consider just the meet and greet with Bumblebee and Optimus Prime.

9.  Character Experiences

Young kids will also have the opportunity to interact with other characters besides the Transformers.  For example, during our recent visit, my son was able to interact with a Minion and Donkey (from the movie Shrek).  Donkey was not only highly engaging but also funny.  Because our visit was right before Halloween, he even asked my son what he was going to dress up as for Halloween.  

10.  Springfield

There is an area in Universal Studios Hollywood dedicated to the Simpsons called Springfield.  While parents might wish to have a drink at Moe’s Tavern or Duff Brewery, young kids will enjoy the funhouse atmosphere at Krustyland where the Simpson Ride takes place.  Kids that are at least 40 inches tall can ride the Simpsons Ride.  It’s like a virtual reality roller coaster and my son loved the Simpson gags even though he’s not familiar with the classic cartoon.  He especially enjoyed Giant Radioactive Baby Maggie!  Take advantage of several fun photo opportunities throughout Springfield and there are also several carnival games that kids will enjoy playing.  Keep in mind, though, that the carnival games are not included in the price of general admission.

11.  Sweet Treats at Universal Studios Hollywood

I’m not a theme park foodie, but Universal Studios Hollywood impressed me with its snack options, especially for those with a sweet tooth.  Young kids and adults will drool especially over the ice cream from Studio Scoop.  Studio Scoop is located on the lower lot, near the Transformers, and it was the perfect time to sit down, take a break, and indulge in delicious ice cream in the form of sundaes and milkshakes.  Simpson/donut fans will also appreciate Lard Lad Donuts!  

12.  The Studio Tour

I debated whether The Studio Tour should go on this list, but ultimately, there is not a height restriction to go on it, so technically, young kids can go on the Studio Tour.  However, parental discretion is advised.  Always take your child’s personality into account when making a decision.

Preparation is also key.  I’ve been on the Studio Tour before so I had a general idea as to what we could expect.  I let my son know we may see a shark (Jaws), but that the shark wasn’t real.  My son understood that, and he also sat between me and my husband, which turned out for the best since Jaws popped up out of the water right next to my seat on the tram.

To me, the Studio Tour is one of the best attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood and one of the reasons why it’s so unique.  But young kids may be scared with some of the scenes so you’ll want to take that into account.

14.  Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk isn’t located inside Universal Studios Hollywood, but it should definitely be a part of your family’s visit.  Especially since there are plenty of things to do with young kids there as well.  For example, there is a free light show that kids and parents will enjoy.  There are also several restaurants and snacks available for purchase like doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut.

15.  Special Events

Universal Studios Hollywood holds several special events throughout the year, like Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  If you have a young child like my son who loves Dr. Seuss, then this would be a great time to visit.  My family, including my son, loves seeing the whimsical Christmas trees and the holiday decorations throughout the park.

If you’d like to find out more about Universal Studios Hollywood, click here for Universal Studios Hollywood tips for first time visitors.  To find out if the express pass is worth it, click here.  Also, to find out what Universal Studios Hollywood is like during the holidays, click here.

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