Activities For Kids In Dubai: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction – Activities For Kids in Dubai

Activities for kids in Dubai is something many families look for, as a way to cary up the holiday, or have an alternative to the midday heat. It can be hard to find the right balance of pool time, relaxation, and more educational activities for the kids when on holiday.

Dubai is a kids paradise, so you won’t be short of things to do if you’re thinking of going on holiday there. There are theme parks and desert adventures galore. But without guidance you might miss out on some of the best bits or end up at attractions not suitable for your kids’ ages. That’s where this handy guide comes in.

In this post I am going to cover the best kids activities in Dubai so your family holiday is one to remember. From indoor fun to outdoor adventures. Let’s get started!

TL;DR:

• Dubai has a lot of activities for kids, education and entertainment

• Indoor activities are air-conditioned fun and learning

• Outdoor activities introduce kids to Dubai’s nature

• Cultural activities help kids learn about Emirati culture

• Many attractions offer family discounts and age specific programs

• Proper planning is key to a smooth family experience

Indoor Adventures and Activities For Kids in Dubai: Beat the Heat

Dubai in the summer is HOT. Especially if you’re over there with little ones – babies and toddlers- you’re going to be looking for some fun indoor activities that will keep the kids excited and entertained. And provide options for things to do well beyond what you can do at home. Luckily the city has plenty of air-conditioned attractions that are genuinely so much fun, so your children can be entertained for hours.

Dubai Mall: A World of Fun

So you might be thinking- why would I choose a Dubai shopping mall for a kids activity!? WELL. it’s not just a shopping mall, it’s also a really cool  family entertainment destination with an aquarium, ice rink, and virtual reality park to mention just a few of the activities. Here’s what you can find in more detail:

• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: This is home to literally thousands of marine animals, and is an incredible underwater experience. You’ll be able to walk through a 48 metre tunnel and watch sharks and rays swim above you. It’s so cool, and a great opportunity for kids to learn about marine life and ecosystems.

• VR Park: This is a place children from all ages can have a good time, and there are small and gentle rides for the younger kids, and slightly wilder thrilling rides for the older kids and teenagers! I personally think it’s a good way to expose children to some incredible technology in a controlled environment. 

• Dubai Ice Rink: Ice skating might not be the first thing that springs to your mind when you think of things to do in Dubai with kids, but this Olympic sized ice rink is a place you have to visit! They hold sessions for all levels, so whilst not ideal for babies and toddlers, you’ll want to check it out if you have older children.

• KidZania: There are a few KidZania parks around the world- essentially a mini city where kids get to role play different adult professions in a setting that resembles real life. It’s super cute! There are sections for pilots, chefs, doctors, firefighters, and beyond! 

My top tip for visiting the Dubai Mall is to go on a weekday if you can. It’ll get super busy on the weekends. Also look out for family packages where you can save some cash buying tickets for everything in one go. 

Indoor Theme Parks: Year Round Fun

Dubai’s indoor theme parks are always going to bring the fun. Even though they’re not outdoor, the air conditioned environment can provides a great break from the heat of the city, and ensures activities for kids are plentiful:

• IMG Worlds of Adventure: Okay so this is the largest indoor theme park IN THE WORLD! And you’ll find different zones each with their own theme- I’m talking dinosaurs, Marvel superhero characters, and other cartoon characters. With attractions for all ages it’s fun for the whole family.

• Dubai Parks and Resorts: This complex includes MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai. Each park has its own unique experiences, from movie themed rides, to LEGO building and Bollywood shows.

There are different height restrictions for the rides, so worth checking this for each one before the kids get excited they can go on… 

Museums and Educational Centres

Fun and learning at these places:

• OliOli: OliOli is the Hawaiian word for joy! Here you’ll find  an interactive children’s museum with 8 galleries and over 45 individual exhibits that have been designed by artists and developmental psychologists. It’s somewhere you can definitely spend a morning or afternoon. There are loads of stations that allow a bit of hands-on exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. From aerodynamics to massive climbing structures, OliOli makes learning an adventure.

• Dubai Museum: This is a lovely location to learn about the city’s history, where children can see life sized dioramas of traditional Emirati life. This museum was opened in 1971, by the Ruler of Dubai. His goal was to educate on the traditional way of living in the days before the discovery of oil.

• Green Planet: I love this one. Found at City Walk, this is the first tropical rainforest biodome (enclosed ecosystem) in the heart of the city, recreating the world of a tropical forest with over 3,000 plants and animals. There are 4 levels and you’ll be able to see so many beautiful plant and animal species across the levels. It’s a lovely way for kids to learn about rainforest ecosystems and conservation, whilst in the desert!

Outdoor Adventures: Dubai’s Natural Wonders

Of course, you can’t spend your whole time in Dubai inside, and activities for kids in Dubai can be found outdoors too!! When it’s the right temperature for outdoor exploration beyond the pool, there are some amazing activities that will highlight the natural beauty of the city and give you a really unique experience. 

Beaches

Although many resort hotels have their own private beaches, there are also a number of public beaches where you’ll find heaps of water sports and beach games to try out.

• Kite Beach: this one is great if you’re a really active family and want to get involved in some watersports, including kite surfing and paddleboarding. Alternatively, it’s a beautiful place to just build a couple of sand castles 😀 

• La Mer: This is a beachfront with splash pads and playgrounds. The area often has family friendly events so it’s a lively spot for a day out.

• JBR Beach: If you’d like a camel ride on the beach, JBR beach is the place to go. There’s also a beautiful promenade and some gorgeous beachside cafes to stop by, so it’s another place for a great day out for the family in Dubai.

It goes without saying but I’m always going to be the one with the reminder- remember to reapply sunscreen on the whole family more frequently than you think you need to. The sun and UV rays are really strong here, and if you’re in the water the reflection of the water will amplify the rays hitting your face. Especially for the little ones, reapply as frequently as you can. 

Parks and Playgrounds

Dubai’s has a number of green spaces (which I actually wasn’t expecting considering it’s in the desert), but spending time there provides a breath of fresh air from the city:

• Zabeel Park: Has the Dubai Frame and large play areas. The park also has a boating lake and mini train, hours of outdoor fun.

• Creek Park: Has barbecue areas and mini golf. The park’s Children’s City is an educational centre where kids can learn about science, nature and technology.
• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Great for young birdwatchers, this urban wetland is home to flamingos and other migratory birds.

Desert Adventures

You can’t reeeally make a trip to Dubai without visiting the desert, and there are loads of experiences and activities for kids in Dubai that make for a magical trip::

• Desert safaris: There are a number of family friendly desert tours on offer, with gentle dune bashing. Loads of the tours include sandboarding, camel rides and falconry demonstrations. Cool huh?

• Camel rides: this is a traditional way to see the desert, meet these gorgeous animals, and really take in Dubai

• Stargazing: One that absolutely tops my list – 10/10. Stargazing in the desert is one of those things that is going to stay with you as a forever memory. Away from the lights of the city, the sheer number of stars really let’s you contemplate how small we are on this world, and how vastness of the universe is! The sight is absolutely stunning, and this is a bucket list activity for sure. Many tour operators offer night desert experiences where families can escape the city lights and look up to the huge blanket of stars scattered across the night sky. Do it do it do it! You won’t be disappointed.

Remember if you’re out in the desert, always bring home any litter with you. Littering is a big issue in the desert and can be quite bad in some of the tourist areas. Animal welfare is obviously extremely important and if a camel were to eat any litter dropped it would be very bad for their health. 

Activities for Kids in Dubai: Top Tips for a Family Friendly Dubai

1. Book in advance: Popular attractions can sell out so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
2. Check the age restrictions: Many activities have minimum age or height requirements.
3. Think transport: Dubai’s metro is totally stroller friendly, and connects all major attractions.
4. Stay hydrated & sun protected: Bring water bottles with you when you’re out and about, and remember to top up your sunscreen regularly
5. Be respectful: Dress modestly when you’re visiting cultural sites.
6. Vary your activities: Balance the high energy activities with some chill pool time.
7. Balance: Don’t try to do too much each day, just enough to keep everyone content – especially if you have young children, as days rarely go exactly as you’d planned.
8. Stay in a family friendly hotel. You can find my top 3 luxury family friendly hotel recommendations here

Conclusion: Dubai for Kids

Dubai is a wonderful destination to visit on holiday with your family, and the amount of fun on offer makes it a playground for everyone. Activities for kids in Dubai ranges from the Burj Khalifa all the way to the desert, the city has a combination of modern and natural wonders in abundance. 

You’ll be able to combine indoor and outdoor activities, cultural experiences and fun adventures to create an extremely well rounded trip itinerary, and your kids will be asking to come back! Or you can just relax by the pool and no doubt have a wonderfully relaxing time!

But now you have the secrets to a successful family trip to Dubai. Drop me a comment to let me know if you visited any of the attractions I’ve talked about! 👇👋🏼🌴