Ever wanted to visit the remarkable desert city of Dubai? We team up with Dubai Wikia to bring you the top 25 things to do with children during your trip
Background
Having grown in wealth and prominence on the back of its rich oil deposits, the desert city of Dubai, located within the United Arab Emirates, has taken strides in recent years to re-balance its economy into other emerging sectors. One major area of growth has been that of mass tourism, with the city now bursting with attractions and facilities to offer visitors of all kinds from around the world. The history and location of Dubai make it a fascinating place to visit at any time.
We actually enjoyed visiting the city ourselves back in 2007, long before having children of our own, enjoying some of the exciting things to do in Dubai. Although we have retained many fond memories of this trip, in order to create this article we have instead turned to a local expert on the ground, who is able to provide a much more in-depth and up to date roundup of all that is now on offer to visitors with children in Dubai. We have collaborated with Neha, from the excellent Dubai Wikia website; itself setup to provide a comprehensive travel guide to Dubai.
So, here are Neha’s top 25 things to do with children in Dubai…
Introduction
Dubai boasts of an enviable reputation for its unrivalled architectural fineness, iconic sights and massive malls. However, the city is not just a haven for sightseers, shoppers and thrill-seekers; it’s as much a destination for families and little ones of all age groups. From awe-inspiring theme parks, some of the coolest ever water attractions, and fantastic museums, to oodles of other immersive and interactive leisure options, there are an endless array of things to do with kids in Dubai. There’s also a great selection of food and drink on offer for all ages. For a treat, take a look at this roundup of the best ice cream in Dubai.
Here I’ve listed some of the best experiences for you to choose. I’m sure you will find something to interest all children, whatever their unique interests or age groups. I have also included the cost for each activity, although rates fluctuate with regular discounts and promotions, so always be sure to look out for the best deals before making any booking.
Dubai Attractions And Experiences
Dubai Activities For Children of all ages
#1 Visit Burj Khalifa
It may sound touristy, but a visit to the Burj Khalifa is something every kid should see or experience at least once in their lifetime. They would certainly enjoy a trip to this colossal building, which is also the world’s tallest man-made structure. Thrill and excitement soar as you ascend one of the fastest ever elevator rides, before taking in the grandstand views over the exquisite cityscape, desert and ocean below, from the observation decks located on the 124th and 148th levels of the building.
Entry Fee for the Top Observation Decks:
124th level: AED 136
148th SKY Level: AED 384
#2 Explore the Dubai Mall
Allow yourself at least four to five hours for this, as there are lots of things to admire in this colossal mall. Besides the 1200 shopping outlets, also head over to its many other attractions such as DubaiDino, Human Waterfalls, Apple Store Terrace etc. Some of these exclusive attractions in the Dubai Mall are expanded on separately later on in this article. There is plenty to pick from, depending on your kids’ abilities and age groups.
Entry Fee: Free
#3 Watch the Dubai Fountain Show
This is one of the most visited attractions in Dubai. Find this extravaganza of choreographed water display (that is synchronised with Arabic and international music) outside of the Dubai Mall and next to Burj Khalifa. If your little one has already watched this show or you are looking for an alternative, you can now also head to a newer version at the Palm Fountain, located at the world-renowned man-made island of Palm Jumeirah.
Entry Fee: Free
#4 Watch an Exciting Show
Dubai is host to entertainment venues like no other, with an event or show ideal for everyone, including your smaller ones. One of the best among them is the La Perle by Dragone show, which you can watch with your kids. See their jaws drop and eyes widen in delight, as they take in this breathtaking aquatic performance, complete with death-defying aerial moves and acrobatic performances.
Entry Fee for La Perle by Dragone Show: AED 414
#5 Dhow Cruise
Admiring the views of Dubai’s dazzling night skyline on a Dhow Cruise offers guaranteed fun and excitement for your children. Besides astonishing sights, you can also experience buffet dining with entertainment shows like Tanura. The best thing is that it also introduces you to Dubai’s cultural and historic side too – riding aboard a rustic Arabian dhow boat once used for transporting cargoes, fishing and pearl farming, all long before the oil boom in the region.
Entry Fee for Dhow Cruise at Dubai Creek: AED 118
Entry Fee for Dhow Cruise at Dubai Marina: AED 190
#6 Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Although you can view a part of it for free on a visit to the Dubai Mall, be sure to still buy Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo tickets, so that your kids can have an exclusive look at this Dubai Aquarium – the largest of its kind. Allow them to take a walk along its 48-meter-long underwater tunnel (with several exuberant marine species swimming overhead) and further participate in a variety of experiences like a glass bottom boat ride and cage snorkeling, as well as a VRZoo experience.
Entry Fee: Starts from AED 174
#7 The Green Planet
For your little nature lover, this indoor rainforest recreated in the middle of the desert should not be missed and, of course, is a sight to behold. It is sure to leave everyone in awe as you explore the many exotic and fascinating flora and fauna that thrive around a life-sustaining, biggest of its kind, man-made tree. The Green Planet is located at City Walk, one of Dubai’s trendiest neighbourhoods.
Entry Fee: AED 120
Activities For Smaller Ones, Below 12 Years Old
#8 Take them to KidZania
One of the attractions in the Dubai Mall, KidZania will definitely be a firm favourite with your loved ones. It’s open for kids from 2 to 16 years, but it’s best suited for children below 10 years old. The high-point is that it gives your kiddos the chance to experience their most beloved adult job or profession for a few hours. No matter if they fancy piloting an aircraft, or want to strut their stuff along a cat walk, it’s possible for them to experience all this and more in this miniature city.
Entry Fee: AED 90 / per person
#9 Spend a Day at LEGOLAND Dubai
Nothing can beat this destination when it comes to a wholesome fun and entertaining day out for families with children from 2 to 12 years. LEGOLAND Dubai is located inside the region’s first integrated resort, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and has many exciting rides and innovative games to enthral all members of your group. It is also possible to pair a visit with a trip to the LEGOLAND Water Park, situated right next door.
Entry Fee for LEGOLAND Dubai: AED 275 / person
Entry Fee for LEGOLAND Water Park: AED 275 / person
#10 Enjoy a Wonder Bus Tour
Gift your child a Dubai city tour which gives them the once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience Dubai’s main attractions from both land and water. After all, this amazing tour aboard a vibrant amphibious vehicle will take you around the region’s main attractions, prior to splashing into Dubai Creek. Don’t miss this – it’s one of the best ways to excite your little ones.
Entry Fee: AED 175
Unmissable Dubai Experiences For Your Little Adventurers
#11 Desert Safari
Joined by a teen who is difficult to please? A desert safari would perfectly fit the bill. The many pulse-raising activities and experiences involved in this off-road adventure are sure to keep them wanting to come back. The highlight of a desert safari is undoubtedly the dune bash, which is an electrifying 4WD ride over the desert sands. There is also a short camel ride – For more on riding these majestic desert animals, take a look at this guide to riding camels in Dubai. It is also possible to add many other desert inspired pursuits, such as sandboarding, quad biking, dune buggy ride etc., plus expect a whole host of cultural experiences that honour the age-old Bedouin traditions.
#12 Indoor Sky Diving
Sky Diving may be too extreme for your kids, but iFly Dubai, located at the Playnation Level of Mirdif City Centre, offers an extremely safe environment for your kids to enjoy sky diving indoors. Just make sure that your child is above three years old and meets all the height / weight criteria. The centre is equipped with a first of its kind wind tunnel and comes with all safety equipment.
Entry Fee: AED 230
#13 Karting at Ekart Zabeel
A part of the Zabeel Extension at the Dubai Mall, this is a genuine must-have experience for your thrill-seeking kids while in Dubai. It’s the first indoor karting attraction in the country. This is where your older children (above 14 years old) can make the most of the highly advanced and latest electric go-karts. These karts at Ekart Zabeel are environmentally friendly, being free of any emissions. Besides whizzing through the twists and turns of the track lanes, it lets your kids contest against you, as well as the other racers in the facility. Lap times can be tracked and shared online.
Entry Fee: AED 75
#14 Dubai Ice Rink
When the weather becomes unbearably hot outside, Dubai Ice Rink at the Dubai Mall is a fantastic place for a blast of super cool air and massive family fun. Helped by the right skating aids (that take the form of bob skates, penguin pals, and snowmen) and with an array of skating packages and lessons to choose from, it’s even perfect for your tiny nippers (above four years old). Not to mention the adult skating sessions, where you can sign up for freestyle skating, family DJ party, DJ night disco, as well as a dreamy skating session set against a backdrop of falling snow flakes. So, forget about that blistering heat – just come and take a whirl on this Olympic sized ice rink in Dubai.
Entry Fee: AED 100
#15 Have Family Fun with Escape Rooms
There is no better way to indulge your little Sherlock Holmes style detective, than taking her or him to an escape room experience in Dubai. Packed with several perplexing activities and mind-bending mysteries to solve, in order to unlock the room or complete an adventure within a given timeframe, they also form an amazing activity to try with your whole family. Some of the must-try escape rooms in the city are Phobia Dubai, Brain Game Dubai, Escape Hunt Dubai, Escape Reality Dubai, Hinthunt Dubai, Jumble the Urban Maze, and Nowayout Dubai. So, whether you want to try an escape room with more physical activities, or would rather experiences that develop your kids’ intellectual side, there is an escape room for every preference.
Entry Fee for Phobia Dubai: AED 115
Entry Fee for Escape Hunt Dubai: AED 170
Entry Fee for Escape Reality Dubai: AED 100
Entry Fee for Hinthunt Dubai: AED 110
Entry Fee for Nowayout Dubai: AED 110
Best Dubai Attractions For Theme Park Lovers
#16 Motiongate Dubai
Motiongate Dubai is one of the newest theme parks in Dubai. The star attraction is its vast spectrum of rides, games and other attractions, all inspired by iconic Hollywood movies and characters. It’s attached to Dubai Parks and Resorts, which is also popular for its three other theme parks: Bollywood Parks Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, and LEGOLAND Water Park.
Entry Fee: AED 275
#17 IMG Worlds of Adventure
This biggest of its kind indoor theme park is full of exciting rides spread across four zones at the IMG Worlds of Adventure. Take to superhero-inspired rides as you enter the Marvel Zone. Cartoon Network is a surefire hit among both young and young at heart. At the Lost Valley, experience heart-racing adventure and fun themed around dinosaurs. More cool and spooky experiences await you in the foyer section, IMG Boulevard.
Entry Fee: AED 299
#18 Ski Dubai
Dubai is a treasure trove of surprises and one of them is Ski Dubai, allowing your kids to enjoy skiing and snowboarding even when the mercury rises to its maximum in the city. So why fly to a far-flung freezing destination or wait for winter to try your favourite snow activity? Simply head to this unique theme park (inside Mall of the Emirates) for the most authentic snow and skiing experience! Several thrilling snow rides plus amazing Penguin encounters add to your fun and thrill in Ski Dubai.
Entry Fee: AED 270
#19 VR Park
The VR Park Dubai is where your kids can experience the finest in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), through its 20 plus immersive rides and games. Buy the right pass such as VR Park 7 and this gives you the flexibility to choose your desired VR park experiences, ranging from Burj Drop, Dune Bash, and VR Maze to Cozmojet, XD Ride, and Flying Chairs.
Entry Fee: AED 175
Top Dubai Experiences For Water Lovers
#20 Laguna Water Park
Water ride enthusiasts can’t visit Dubai without enjoying some of its high-end water parks. If you’ve already been to Dubai’s classic parks such as Wild Wadi, this time take your kids to the latest Laguna Water Park at La Mer. It has some amazing rides, including WaveOz 180 FloRider, which is not only the ultimate surfing attraction but also the first of its kind in the region.
Entry Fee: AED 158
#21 Atlantis Aquaventure
Whether you’re accompanied by your tiny tots or daring older ones, a trip to the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis, The Palm resort, is sure to delight every age and skill level. This is thanks to a mixture of nerve-wracking, milder and uber-relaxed rides and experiences.
Entry Fee: AED 280
#22 Dubai Dolphinarium
Regardless of your kids’ age group, the dolphin and seal show at Dubai Dolphinarium is one experience that you should not miss in Dubai. You’ll find this inside Dubai Creek Park, one of Dubai’s oldest and most visited parks.
Entry Fee: AED 87
Best Budget Things To Do In Dubai With Kids
#23 Discover Dubai Museum
This little gem in Dubai’s old city is a great place to visit with your little ones. There is a huge collection of art and artefacts which give you an enlightening insight into the Emirati culture and history. The best thing is that an entry here won’t cost you more than AED 2 per person.
#24 Take an Abra Ride
This is one of the super affordable ways to discover the waters of Dubai. It cruises you down Dubai Creek aboard a no-frills traditional wooden boat. You’ll be surprised to know that this ride will set you back just AED 1.
#25 Plan a Beach Day Out
The desert city has some cool beach parks which you can visit either for free or for a nominal charge (not more than AED 7). They are pristine and most come with the prestigious Blue Flag status.
Conclusion
Whether you’re off to Dubai for a full-on leisure holiday, or a whirlwind business trip, be sure to bring your family and children along. With ample attractions and entertainment options at every turn, you can be sure that they will never be bored while visiting this amazing city. We hope that this comprehensive list of kid-friendly experiences can help you to plan and execute a perfect family holiday of your own to Dubai.
For inspiration for more great experiences and ideas for things to do while in Dubai, be sure to also check out the Dubai Wikia website (https://www.dubaiwikia.com/).
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