This post is sponsored by the Visit Frisco, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.
I Took My Kids to the New Universal Kids Resort in Frisco—Here’s Why We Loved It
I love a little weekend family vacation in theory. But in practice? Taking two young kids to a theme park can be…a lot. Long lines, crowds, overstimulation, approximately 27 snack requests, and the inevitable “I’m tired” meltdown before you’ve even made it halfway through the day. But when I heard about the new Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, I was immediately intrigued by how it’s different from the typical theme park experience. Unlike the massive theme parks that can feel overwhelming (and that’s putting it lightly) with little kids, the Universal Kids Resort in Frisco was designed specifically for younger visitors. And with a 4- and 6-year-old, that sounded much more like our speed.
What I didn’t expect was how much I’d love the rest of Frisco, too. We live in North Texas about 40 minutes away, so we didn’t have to deal with the added stress of flying with kids, but even if we had traveled farther, I’d still consider Frisco a surprisingly low-maintenance family getaway. Most of the places we visited were just a 5- to 15-minute drive from each other, and there were plenty of things to do beyond the theme park. And–most importantly–everyone in our family actually had fun. So, here’s exactly how we spent an epic three days in Frisco, Texas (full itinerary included, of course) with our kids and why I think it deserves a spot on your family travel list.
Our Frisco and Universal Kids Resort Itinerary
For a Frisco weekend trip, I’d definitely recommend giving yourself at least three days. We packed a lot into our trip, but it never felt like we were racing from one activity to the next. Here’s our exact itinerary, with a few notes on what I’d recommend adding (or skipping) depending on your kids’ ages.
Day 1 (Saturday)
Morning: Museum & Discovery Center hopping
Our first morning was pretty easy since we live just a short drive from Frisco. But before we left, I made a guide in my Apple Maps app with every stop we wanted to visit, which ended up making a huge difference (10/10 hack). By doing this, I saw from the jump that almost everything we wanted to do was within a five- to 10-minute drive of each other. Our first stop was the Frisco Discovery Center, which immediately won me over. It has several museums and attractions all under one roof, so you can basically park once and let your kids bounce between activities without having to load everyone back into the car every hour.
First up was the National Videogame Museum, which was a hit for all four of us. There’s an actual retro arcade with games like Pac-Man and Tron, and exhibits showing how gaming technology has evolved over the years. It was adorable watching my kids discover all of the old-school games and gadgets, and as a millennial mom, I will admit that I was pretty into it, too. If your kids are old enough to know what a Nintendo Switch is but have no concept of life before Wi-Fi, this is especially fun.
Next door, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center gave the kids a completely different kind of experience. There were STEM activities, experiments, and interactive exhibits that kept them busy without feeling like we were dragging them through a museum while they begged to leave.
We then headed over to TrainTopia, where we toured a massive model train display kindly donated by Steve Sanders and his family, a local resident with an impressive collection. The kids had a scavenger hunt to complete while they explored the model, which gave them something specific to look for instead of just asking them to stare at trains for half an hour.
Afterward, the Museum of the American Railroad’s tour guide took us to see its collection of antique trains behind the museum lot. This part was a little slow-paced for my kids’ ages, although they did get to climb inside one of the trains toward the end. It was a cool experience, and I’d recommend this stop for older kids or families with a special interest in trains.
Afternoon: Lunch & hotel check-in
By lunchtime, we had worked up an appetite, so we headed to Nerdvana–and I’m not exaggerating when I say this restaurant may have been my 6-year-old’s dream come true. Every table has a TV and gaming system, and you can choose whether you want Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation. We went with a Nintendo Switch table, and the kids (and my husband) had a blast playing Mario Kart and a few other games while we waited for our food. Usually, “there’s a video game at the table” would be enough to sell my kids on a restaurant. What I didn’t expect was for the food to be delicious, too–it was honestly one of the best restaurant meals I’ve had in a very long time. I would literally go back just for the chicken parm sandwich.
After lunch, we checked into Universal Kids Resort Hotel, which was our home base for the weekend. We stayed in a Deluxe Queen with a Theme Park View, which was a major hit with the kids. The room had a queen bed, a bunk bed with a full-size bottom bunk, and a small sitting area with a table in front of the bunks. There was plenty of space for the four of us without feeling like we were constantly stepping over everyone’s luggage. I could totally tell that the rooms were designed with families in mind–things were easy for kids to reach, and the front desk had helpful extras like cribs, sound machines, and step stools available.
The lobby had games for kids (the giant UNO cards were a favorite), there was a large pool with plenty of seating and life jackets for different ages, and there were activities outside of the pool, too. The on-site cafe was open before sunrise and after sunset, which is exactly the kind of convenience I want on a family trip. And if you’re staying at the hotel, the park is literally right next door. There’s a dedicated entrance, and you can take advantage of early park admission. Plus, if you buy something in the park, you can have it delivered directly to your hotel room, which means you don’t have to spend the rest of the day carrying around a giant Minions souvenir.
The resort itself struck the sweet spot between having everything we needed and not being so enormous that I felt like I needed a map to get anywhere. We’ve stayed at other popular kids’ resorts before, and while the giant resorts can be awe-inspiring in their own way, they can also be exhausting to navigate with small kids. Here, everything felt manageable. Basically, logistics are a 10/10.
Evening: KidZania
After checking in, we headed to KidZania for an indoor activity before calling it a night. The concept is really cute: Kids can explore a massive kid-sized city and take on different real-world “jobs,” earning KidZos and getting a chance to make decisions and try things independently. It’s especially fun for elementary-aged kids who are starting to learn about careers and how money works.
We ended up grabbing dinner during the kids’ “build-your-own pizza” activity, and headed back to the resort at 7:00 p.m. We let the kids watch a couple of shows after bath time, and then it was lights out by 8:30 p.m. to rest for the full park day ahead.
One of my favorite things about staying at Universal Kids Resort was how easy it made the actual theme park day. The kids ate every single meal at the resort during our stay, which, if you have a picky eater, you know is basically a five-star review in itself. And after breakfast, we walked straight from the hotel into the park. No loading everyone into the car. No figuring out where to park. No shuttle or tram to navigate. No long trek with two kids who suddenly have legs that apparently no longer work. That is my kind of theme park morning.
The rest of the day: The Universal Kids Resort rides and attractions we loved
The biggest thing I noticed about Universal Kids Resort is that it really does feel like it was created with younger kids in mind. There were rides for kids who wanted a little thrill, but also splash pads, play areas, dance parties, characters, and indoor experiences for kids who couldn’t spend the entire day on rides. My kids are 4 and 6, and there was plenty for both of them to do.
Illumination’s Minions: We started with the Bello Bay Cruise, which both kids could ride. Fair warning: You will get wet on this one, but we visited on a hot Texas day, and it felt less like an inconvenience and more like a bonus. We also did the Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby, which both kids could ride–and it goes surprisingly fast. I just expected the kids to enjoy it and then ended up having just as much fun spinning with them.
SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom: The Barnacle Bus was another ride both kids could enjoy. This area also had a splash pad, snack bar, and Goofy Goober’s dining area—definitely a nostalgic experience for my husband and me, too, as childhood SpongeBob fans.
Jurassic World Adventure Camp: This was probably the biggest age split between my two kids. My 6-year-old absolutely loved the Cretaceous Coaster and rode it twice. My 4-year-old wasn’t tall enough to ride, but she was perfectly happy exploring the dry play area and sensory garden. She and I also did Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin together, which gave us a spectacular view of the whole park. I really appreciated how each area has something for every age.
Puss in Boots Del Mar: The Swings Over Del Mar were another favorite for my 6-year-old. They go much higher than I expected, and I will be honest: I got a little spooked. But him? Absolutely thrilled. Meanwhile, my daughter got to meet Puss in Boots, which was absolutely adorable.
Shrek’s Swamp: The splash pad at Shrek’s Swamp was basically mandatory given the Texas heat that day. My biggest tip for visiting during warmer months: dress the kids in swimsuits. You’ll thank me when everyone can cool off at the splash pads without having to change clothes afterward (I’d also pack water bottles, cooling towels, and portable fans. You can bring your own water into the park). All four of us got soaked and loved it, and it was a good reminder that the best memories don’t always need to include the biggest rides or most extreme attractions–sometimes it’s just the kids running through a splash pad, completely soaked and laughing their heads off.
TrollsFest: TrollsFest was probably my 4-year-old’s favorite area. We rode Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express and Hair in the Clouds, both of which the kids could enjoy. We also met Trolls characters and danced at King Trollex’s Techno Dance Party, which was indoors and perfect for cooling off. And, obviously, we had to get the BroZone Cones (both adorable and delicious).
Isle of Curiosity: Here, we caught Gabby’s Cat-Tastic Dance Party, where Gabby and her crew performed amongst the crowd rather than simply staying on a stage. That made it really easy for the kids to interact with the characters afterward. And as Gabby fans, we had to grab a couple of Cakey’s cupcakes from the Cakey-themed food truck.
What made Universal Kids Resort so much easier with little kids
After spending an entire day there, I completely understood why Universal Kids Resort is geared for families with younger kids. The first time we took our kids to a big amusement park, they were 2 and 3 years old. It was great, but it was also a lot to handle. There was so much stimulation, so much walking, and so much waiting that by the end of the day, everyone was beyond exhausted. But Universal Kids Resort felt different.
For kids under 10, I think Universal Kids Resort is the ideal option for a first theme park experience because there’s something for even the littlest visitors. They can play on playgrounds, splash in the water, dance with and meet their favorite characters, and enjoy smaller rides while older kids in the family can still get some of the thrills they’re looking for.
The park is also easy to navigate on foot, and there were plenty of places to take a break when we needed one. We even rented the park’s double stroller to test it out. My 6-year-old is definitely approaching the end of his stroller era, but both kids could still fit side-by-side when his legs needed a break. And after a full day at a theme park, those breaks were very welcome. The combination of rides, splash areas, shade, indoor experiences, and character entertainment made it much easier to pace the day.
Day 3 (Monday)
After an early checkout, we intentionally kept our final morning a little slower, which I think is one of the reasons we actually made it through the weekend without feeling completely burned out. We started with breakfast at Eggsquisite Café, where the kids got cute character pancakes. The food was really good, and it was a fun way to start the morning without rushing straight into another major attraction.
Then we headed to Kaleidoscope Park, which ended up being one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. The six-acre park has a really beautiful mix of greenery, art, open space, and play areas. Because it’s nestled between larger buildings, there was a surprising amount of shade, which kept temps cool. My kids could have played there for hours. And honestly, this was exactly what we needed after a full day at a theme park: no schedule, no waiting in line, no “we have to be there at 10:15.” Just let the kids run around without an agenda.
Our final stop was The Star in Frisco, home to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. This is a stop I’d really recommend if your family is into sports. The open plaza is cute for photos, would make a nice spot for a casual picnic, and is surrounded by tons of restaurants and shops to walk around.
Afternoon: The easiest departure ever
Then it was time to head home–and, remarkably, nobody had a complete meltdown the entire weekend. I considered that to be the biggest success.
Eggsquisite Cafe
Kaleidoscope Park
The Star
Why Frisco Belongs at the Top of Your Family Travel List
If there’s one thing I took away from this trip, it’s that Universal Kids Resort may be the reason you initially put Frisco on your radar, but it’s not the only reason to go. We went into the weekend expecting the theme park to be the main event, but what ended up making the trip feel so easy was everything around it. The museums, restaurants, parks, and other family-friendly activities are all close together, so we never felt like we were spending half our vacation in the car or rushing from one activity to the next.
This was probably the lowest-maintenance, lowest-stress trip we’ve ever taken with the kids. Sure, living just 40 minutes away meant we skipped the whole flying-with-kids portion of the experience, but I genuinely think Frisco would still be worth the trip if you’re coming from a bit further out. There’s enough to keep little kids entertained without making parents feel like they’ve signed up for a three-day marathon of children’s activities.
For families with younger kids, I think that’s the sweet spot. Universal Kids Resort gives you the big theme park experience in a way that feels so much more manageable for little ones, while Frisco gives you plenty to do once you’re ready for a break from rides and characters. If you can, I’d plan for at least two or three nights so you can take your time, build in some downtime, and actually enjoy the city instead of trying to check every box.
Because at the end of the day, my favorite family trips aren’t the ones where we do the most—they’re the ones where nobody is completely defeated by the time we get home. Those are the memories my kids end up cherishing the most: a vacation where mom and dad aren’t perpetually overwhelmed and have just as much fun as them. And somehow, after three very full days in Frisco with a 4- and 6-year-old, we actually managed to pull that off pretty effortlessly.
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph finds joy in creating beautiful yet relatable stories surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She uses her real-life experiences and eight years of marketing expertise to produce authentic branded content that aligns with our reader’s interests.
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This post is sponsored by the Visit Frisco, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.
