Things to do at Universal Orlando That Will Sneak in Learning

Planning a Universal Orlando vacation? These Universal Studios Orlando attractions and free activities to do before or after your trip will keep the fun… and the learning… going long after you pack away your wizard hat.

Finding learning opportunities everywhere totally counts as a mom superpower. How hard is it to exercise those superpowers at Universal Orlando? Probably not as hard as you might think.

Ok. So I admit it. I’m more “Team Disney” than “Team Universal”. My family might argue I’m WAY more so. In fact, it took a lot of trips to Orlando before I would tear myself away from Walt Disney World to visit “the other theme park”.

It’s just that I love Disney for the nostalgic “take me back to my childhood” theming and the great customer service. There are hidden-in-plain-site educational opportunities galore and Disney sparks my kids’ imaginations. Every. Time. (Yes, that may have been a hint of a whine detected in my voice there.)

Universal is known more for its older kid vibe and thrill rides. I mean, I love a good super hero as much as everyone else. (I feel like this is a good time to point out that I’ve dressed up like Superwoman TWICE for Halloween.) But, where was the educational value going to be in a trip there? Exactly what horizons were going to be proverbially expanded while walking around Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone or the Home of the Simpsons?

But, I love to find inspiration for learning in unexpected places. And I was up for the challenge of doing that at Universal Orlando.

Turns out, it was way easier than I expected.

The details at the Wizarding World make you feel like you’ve stepped inside the book.

Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Learning at Its’ Best

Number one on the list might not be so unexpected. The village of Harry Potter and all his wizard friends has gotten a lot of attention.

And for good reason.

The shops, taverns, scenery, and attractions are nothing short of fantastic. Just walking around the area, which expands to both parks, is like stepping into the movies. The best part? They really do inspire READING! I absolutely love that all of the magnificence of this entire area was inspired by ... what else? ... a book! (Ok, technically, a series of books.) I know, I know... you could skip straight to the movie version of the magnificence but it’s true what they say - the book is always better (or at least that’s my story, kids, and I’m sticking with it.)

Our time in the Wizarding World really did inspire my third grader to want to begin the book series. AND since all the kids had now been introduced to Harry Potter, we found some fun resources to extend the learning at Rock Your Homeschool. Writing goes with reading almost as naturally as peanut butter goes with jelly and these free activity ideas check both the “pb” and the “j” boxes.

Sneaking in Learning at Universal Orlando

The Lost Continent Is Fantastic Learning About Greek mythology

The Arabian and Ancient Greek-themed area of the park, which is known as The Lost Continent, doesn’t offer many attractions but the theming is perhaps one of the best outside of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Based on legends and stories, this section of the park is all about Geek gods, myths and the lost city of Atlantis. One of our favorite sections was Sinbad's Bazaar, which is themed around ancient Arabian myths like Sinbad the Sailor.

The Lost Continent definitely inspired me and my kids to learn more about Greek mythology after our trip to Universal Orlando. We found free, fun post-trip learning ideas HERE. My favorite assignment in the link? Pretend that Zeus is retiring. Have your child apply for the job.

“Oh the Places You’ll Go” (and Learn) at Seuss Landing

It doesn’t take a lot to inspire me to read more Dr. Seuss books to my kids but oh my goodness! This area at Universal Orlando definitely made me want to whip out every last one of Seuss’s classics. The attractions in Seuss Landing are geared toward younger kids, but the theming is so good that even my older kids enjoyed it. Our favorite ride was the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, which gives riders a birds-eye view of Seuss Landing while traveling through several book-based scenes.

When we got home, we loved doing a free activity we found at Inner Child Fun based off of the Seuss book “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” I found the activity was easy to adapt to different age groups by just lessening or expanding the writing requirements, which was a huge bonus.

Prehistoric Travel and Learning at Jurassic Park

What kid doesn’t love learning about prehistoric creatures who once roamed the earth? Jurassic Park, located in Universal's Islands of Adventure, features a playground area, a chance to get up close with a Velociraptor and two rides. (I have to say even though the Pteranodon Flyers is not a big thrill ride, I thought it was pretty cool to fly over the lake like the ancient creatures.)

The best part though? An interactive center where dinosaurs have been brought back to co-exist with humans. Kids can test their DNA to see what kind of dinosaur they would be, play games and examine dinosaur eggs at the prehistoric nursery. Yep. Learning! (Shhh! Don’t tell the kids!) We loved coming home and getting out our dinosaur books, dissecting dinosaur names, and doing this free activity found on Teachers Pay Teacher.

50’s Themed Restaurant and Cars in Marvel Super Hero Island

My older daughter was just finishing up a unit on the 1950s when we went to Universal Orlando so we were thrilled to round a corner in the park and come upon some vintage 1950s cars and a diner. A perfect way to sneak in some extra learning at Universal Orlando.

I love bringing a history lesson alive by letting the kids actually feel like they’re in that time period. My kids have always been fascinated by how life has changed over the generations. It makes for great discussions about how things are the same and how they’re different. (Hint: The excitement of learning to drive those cars during the 1950s? The same. Driving cars with NO seatbelts? Different.)

And for free activities related to the 1950s aspect of the park, download this slide presentation, crossword puzzle, and graphic organizer, all about the 50s and all free from Teachers Pay Teachers.