Legoland for 5 to 9-year-olds - best rides and queue tips
Which rides are the best, how to beat the queues and make the most of your day at Legoland Windsor with primary schoolers
Legoland Windsor is, quite simply, made for 5 to 9 year olds. There are over 55 interactive rides, live shows, workshops and other attractions – and 80 million Lego bricks (and counting!)
It’s impossible to do everything in one day, unless it’s unusually quiet with no queues. So we’ve picked our 11 best tried and tested Legoland highlights for 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 year olds.
Queues are the enemy at Legoland – at very busy times, they’re long enough to make some parents even regret coming. So planning is key! Read our recommendations, including ways to beat the queues, and use the Legoland website to familiarise yourself with the layout and where you’ll be heading. Have a brilliant day!
For younger children, we have a guide to the best Legoland rides for 2 to 4 year olds. For more theme park fun, take a look at our roundup of the best UK theme parks.
Book in advance to save money on Legoland tickets 2023
1 Lego City Driving School - Lego City
Where is it: Traffic in Lego City
What is it: This is one of the most popular rides throughout the whole theme park. Unusually it puts the kids in charge – they are fully in control of a motorised car, driving around a fairly large road system
Why it’s great: After watching a short road safety video, kids get to run to their chosen car and then navigate roundabouts, traffic lights and other drivers! At the end of the experience they earn their own Legoland Drivers Licence
Peak queues: As one of the most popular rides, it also has one of the longest queues. At peak times, waiting times can go well beyond the hour mark. If you want to do this ride, make it your first stop of the day
Suitable for: 6-13 year olds
MFM tip: The staff can be quite strict on age for this ride, so don’t queue up hoping that a nice smile at the ride attendant will get your 5 year old in. We’ve seen several upset youngsters turned away. However, we also think the Legoland website is being a bit OTT when it warns parents to bring photographic identification (such as a photocopy of a valid passport) to ensure minimum age requirements are met. In fact, when we asked Legoland, we were told it’s unlikely you’d be asked for your child’s ID as all rides are guided by height or other requirements. May be worth thinking about only if your child looks very young for their age
2 Hydra’s Challenge
Where is it: Lego Mythica
What is it: An immersive water ride with twists and turns that you can control yourself using the jet boat steering wheel
Why it’s great: It’s great fun for all ages as you can control the boat yourself and spectators can squirt water cannons from the side for extra water fun!
Peak queues: It can be busy at peak times as it’s in the new area of the park Lego Mythica
Suitable for: Children must be a minimum of 1m to ride, but we’d suggest ages 4+
MFM tip: Really fun for both adults and kids but make sure you wear a waterproof jacket to avoid a wet back
3 The Dragon
Where is it: Knight’s Kingdom
What is it: An indoor and outdoor rollercoaster
Why it’s great: This is a ride of two halves. First you get a fun, fast trip within the Knight’s Kingdom Castle. You’ll encounter many animated medieval Lego figures including the fearsome Red Dragon! Then the ride speeds up, heading outside for a breathtakingly fast circuit of a twisty track
Peak queues: It’s a must-do experience with older kids, so be prepared to queue, as it can get very busy
Suitable for: Kids must be at least 0.9m to ride, and you’ll need to accompany any children under 1.3m. It’s a real rollercoaster, so fine for brave 6 years+ but you may want to wait a little longer if your child is cautious
MFM tip: Although the queue line takes you through the castle ramparts, with Lego models to look at, it can be a long, winding line. However, there are usually two dragons running at any one time and they pack a big group of people in each time, so the queue will move relatively quickly. The only thing that will really slow it down is if there are lots of Q-bot holders, who get to jump the queue. If the queue is spilling out in the courtyard, come back towards the end of the day when it’s quieter
4 Pirate Falls Treasure Quest
Where is it: Pirate Shores
What is it: A very wet, but exhilarating boat ride and drop
Why it’s great: The first part is a gentle trip past Lego pirates and skulduggery, which occasionally squirt a jet of water at you. And then the chains crank you up a long slope before dashing you down into an enormous splash pool
Peak queues: Long queues for this very popular ride and it’s only 4 people in a boat. Don’t be misled by the compact nature of the queue, it snakes around a small space. You can get a Q-Bot for this ride, which can slow things up even more if you’re in the queue
Suitable for: Your child will need to be a minimum of 1m tall for this ride, and you’ll need to be in the boat with them (why wouldn’t you?) if they’re under 1.3m
MFM tip: You will get wet but the wettest place to sit is the front. Take it from a seasoned Pirate Falls-er, sit at the back and duck your head as you hit the water for a smaller splash. If the weather’s cold and grey, avoid wet clothes misery by buying the delightful yellow Legoland ponchos
5 Jolly Rocker
Where is it: Pirate Shores
What is it: A rocking ride that’ll more than likely be your child’s introduction to a ‘proper adult’ theme park ride experience
Why it’s great: It is a thriller, better for brave buccaneers, but once you have a ride you’ll want to go on it again and again. We went on it three times!
Peak queues: As it’s for older kids, you might find the queue isn’t as bad as some of the other rides, but you’ll likely wait a little
Suitable for: From 8+, kids under the heights of 1m and 1.3m have to ride with an adult
MFM tip: It’s best if you sit nearer to the centre of the boat and adults have to sit at the side. If you’re pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart problems, neck problems, back problems or broken limbs, this is not the ride for you!
6 Ferrari Build & Race Experience
Where is it: Bricktopia
What is it: 3 interactive zones — The Garage, Build and Test and Race — as well as the chance to build your own Ferrari race car, test drive it through 3 tracks and then digitally build and race the car on the Lego virtual track. Younger children can also use the Duplo build zone.
Why it’s great: It's a great interactive activity where kids get to build their own car — car-mad kids in particular will love it.
Peak queues: It's a new attraction for 2023 so at peak times it may be busy.
Suitable for: All ages — the Duplo build zone is suited for younger children.
MFM tip: It's undercover, so if you do need to escape the rain, we recommend heading here.
7 Vikings' River Splash
Where is it: Land of the Vikings
What is it: A fast-running, squirt-filled water ride, which twists you round in your own Viking vessel
Why it’s great: It’s great fun and one you can share with the whole family – as each boat takes about 12 people. You can take 2 children with each adult
Peak queues: The queues are long, but with lots of people in each boat, the queue does keep moving
Suitable for: You need to be over 1.0 metres to ride this. It does get a bit bumpy at times, so to get the most out of it it’s best for 6 years+
MFM tip: You are going to get wet – so you may want to invest in the lovely yellow Legoland ponchos
8 The Flight of The Sky Lion
Where is it: Lego Mythica
What is it: The UK’s first flying theatre. It’s a flight simulator where you are transported to a mythical world, flying through the air - swooping, crashing, twisting and turning and meeting many characters including Hydra and the Alicorns
Why it’s great: It feels so real to life with sound, sights and even smells. It’s a jaw dropping and a mind blowing experience
Peak queues: Can be very long, so best to go at quieter times at the end of the day or at the very beginning. Downloading the Legoland app will ease boredom in the queue as there are scanning points throughout the queue to see AR experiences on your phone
Suitable for: You must be a minimum of 1m to ride but Made for Mums would strongly recommend an older audience of 8+ There are scary monsters and dragons and it feels like a very intense ride – definitely not suitable for sensitive under 6’s
MFM tip: Be aware this can be frightening but the height requirement means that younger ones will be allowed in with a parent so make sure it is right for your child if they are younger before taking them on!
9 Live show - Lego Friends To The Rescue/Pirates Of Skeleton Bay Stunt Show
Where is it: HeartlakeCity
What is it: A choice of live shows: one is based on Lego friends (which is a TV cartoon as well as a Lego brand), the other is a pirate action adventure. They play several times daily in the harbour area
Why it’s great: Lego Friends: Girls on a mission offers dancing, water-works (entertainment rather than tears) and LEGO dolphins. Return to Skeleton Bay offers acrobatics, jet ski chases and high tower stunts
Peak queues: There aren’t any queues, but at peak times you’ll need to get there around 15 minutes before the start to bag a good spot with a view. If you want to get really involved, look for the water squirter pumps on the right hand side of the action (as you look towards the water tower)
Suitable for: All ages
MFM tip: The Lego Friends show is quite girly, and my eldest daughter didn’t really enjoy it as she wasn’t keen on the singing. The Pirate Show should suit all tastes
10 DUPLO Dino Coaster
Where is it: Duplo Valley
What is it: The world’s first DUPLO brick rollercoaster for the younger riders
Why it’s great: It’s gentle enough with a tiny bit of a thrill as the ride speeds up very slightly. Great for a first roller coaster experience!
Peak queues: Very long. This is a fairly new ride which launched last year and is set within the newly refurbished Duplo Valley so it gets very busy
Suitable for: This gentle rollercoaster is designed for toddlers, pre-schoolers and early schooler's. With a minimum height of 0.9m, most 3 year olds and some taller 2 year olds will be able to ride. Children under 1.3m must be accompanied by an adult, and as there are only two seats per row you’ll need an adult for each child. Reviewer Neve’s daughter is 6 and wanted to go on this one over and over again
MFM tip: The queues for Dino Coaster can be very long, but don’t be tempted to make it your first ride. It’s one of the rides that’s nearer to the entrance/exit and so queues are particularly long in the morning and also towards the end of the day, when families with pre-schoolers give it one last go before leaving. We found queues are slightly shorter at lunchtime, early afternoon or during the last hour (when lots of pre-schoolers have headed home)
11 Lego Studios 4D
Where is it: Imagination Centre
What is it: A free ‘4D’ cinema, which means you watch 3D films with added water, wind and snow effects
Why it’s great: This is a great place to rest weary feet for just over 10 mins or shelter from the rain – and experience some amazing Lego film action, which is entertaining enough for you as well as your children. In 2015, you can choose from:
- Lego Mythica – journey to Mythica 4D
- LEGO City 4D – Officer in Persuit
- LEGO Ninjago – Master of the 4th Dimension
Peak queues: There are lots of performances throughout the day. At peak times, just make sure you’re there 15 minutes before the film starts
Suitable for: Even young ones, once they can sit comfortably through a 12 minute film
MFM tip: You’ll be warned at the beginning which seats are likely to get you wet – if you want to enjoy some sprinkling, sit in the middle
Other attractions and rides that are good for 5yrs+
- Fire Academy – lots of water pumping required – long and slow queues
- Fire and Ice Freefall – a drop tower ride for the mini thrill seekers
- Lego reef – A place to dive in a build your very own digital Lego fish
- Spinning Spider – twisting barrel ride – can get pretty fast so don’t go on straight after eating
- Fairy Tale Brook – love this, even though it’s for a young audience – a gentle but oh-so-clever nursery tale boat ride
No queuing required - hurrah!
- Miniland – Don’t walk past this – it’s a breathtaking series of cities and scenes built from Lego bricks. Wonderful
- The Enchanted Forest – An enchanted outdoor walk
- Castaway Camp - A perfect way to run off energy after queuing
- Drench Towers – Bring a swimsuit and towel for a big splash area – open during the warmer months
If you're short of time, give these a miss
- Coastguard HQ - it's a great ride, but the queues are massive...
- Hill train - not a ride, just a means of transportation
- Dino Safari - very basic and slow, not entertaining enough for older kids
- Dragon's Apprentice - very, very slow queue for a short ride - better to queue for The Dragon
- Sky rider - Long queues for one of the first rides you encounter. It's very basic and there's so much better within the park
Read more...
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