Dubai is a vibrant city known for its glitz, glamor, and futuristic skyline, a city where the old meets new, with towering skyscrapers on one side and the century-old souks and desert dunes on the other. Dubai is not just a destination for adults seeking luxurious experiences. It is also a haven for families travelling with children, offering a variety of exciting and kid-friendly activities. Dubai with kids is action-packed, with everything from thrilling rides in water parks to enthralling roller coasters in theme parks.Kids will also have a great time visiting iconic landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and Atlantis as well as exploring traditional Arabic culture at Al Fahidi Historical District.
Here is a list of the best things to do in Dubai with kids.
1) Feel the chill at Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai offers the thrill of winter activities in the middle of the desert. Located inside the Mall of the Emirates, this snow-filled paradise houses ski slopes, a chairlift, a penguin encounter, and a cafe. Kids can learn to ski and snowboard from the professionals. They can toboggan down snow hills, slide down icy slopes, or indulge in snowball battles. Regardless of the season, Ski Dubai provides a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults to escape the heat and experience snow and winter activities.
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2) Learn about Emirati culture at Dubai Museum
Dubai has a rich past and is a blend of different cultures. The Dubai Museum, nestled within the Al Fahidi Fort, will take you on a trip through time. This fascinating museum will captivate young minds as they discover the region’s past, with everything from traditional Emirati dwellings to ancient artefacts.
3) Play with friendly dolphins at Dubai Dolphinarium
The Dubai Dolphinarium is a family-friendly attraction in Creek Park where kids enjoy seeing dolphins, seals, and birds perform antics. See the magnificent live performances by these sophisticated marine creatures performing astounding acrobatics. Kids can engage in interactive sessions and get up close and personal with these incredible creatures.
4) Spend time at AYA Universe
AYA Universe Dubai, located in Wafi City Mall, is one of the most popular entertainment destinations that will transport you to another world of imagination. AYA Universe combines cutting-edge technology, immersive experiences, interactive displays, light, and music to form twelve separate zones, each with its own tale. Purchase your AYA Universe Dubai tickets ahead of time to ensure a seamless and entertaining experience.
5) Feel adventurous at Aventura Parks
Aventura is Dubai’s adventure playground surrounded by lush Ghaf tree forest, spread across 35,000 square meters. The park includes 24 zip lines, 80 obstacles, and five circuits. This park offers up to three hours of exciting and adrenaline-pumping tasks, including a 25-metre Tarzan jump, a leap of faith, rock climbing, and a rope walk. There is a children’s play area with engaging activities such as a little rock-climbing wall, an animal interaction area, and even a zipline.
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6) Go on a Desert Safari Tour
A must-do thing to do with kids in Dubai is to go on a Desert Safari tour. It is the perfect way to introduce them to Bedouin lifestyle and give them a taste of authentic Arabic culture. Dune bashing, quad biking, sandboarding, camel riding, learning about the falconry history, seeing a stunning sunset in the desert, and enjoying a delicious BBQ buffet beneath the stars while watching live performances by artists will captivate their minds.
7) Visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Head to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, located inside the Dubai Mall, where visitors can walk through a fascinating tunnel surrounded by over 33000 aquatic animals. Kids can dive with sharks and stingrays under expert supervision or take a glass-bottom boat ride for an unforgettable cage diving experience.
8) Enjoy water sports activities at Kite Beach
Kite Beach, overlooking the Burj Al Arab is a favorite among kids looking forward to enjoying water sports activities in Dubai. The beach is a premier destination for kite surfers and water sports enthusiasts. You can try paddle boarding, jet skiing, kite surfing, and kayaking. The XDubai Skatepark attracts visitors who want to try skateboarding and rollerblading.
9) Get wet in Aquaventure Water Park
Immerse yourself in a world of aquatic thrills on a visit to Aquaventure Waterpark. This spectacular water park on the Palm Jumeirah boasts thrilling slides, lazy rivers, and a children’s play area: the Splasher’s Lagoon & Cove. Let your kids experience the thrill of plunging towering water slides or interacting with dolphins at Dolphin Bay.
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10) Have a fun day out at Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai is well-known for its exceptional theme parks that appeal to the interests of every child. Begin your adventure and enjoy a fun-filled day at Dubai Parks and Resorts, a sprawling complex housing three exciting theme parks – Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and Legoland Dubai. Here, kids can go on adrenaline-pumping rides, explore famous movie sets, and meet their favorite characters.
11) See the installations at Dubai Garden Glow
Dubai Garden Glow is a one-of-a-kind glow-in-the-dark exhibit featuring around five hundred art installations that glow using energy-saving bulbs and recycled materials. This park, created to draw attention to the issues of global warming and growing carbon footprint, is divided into five sections, each with its theme, ranging from floating aquatic life to the Jurassic era.
12) Be amongst nature on a visit to the Green Planet
The Green Planet is Dubai’s very own tropical forest in the middle of the city, home to more than three thousand animal, bird, and plant species like sloths, toucans, and piranhas. The Green Planet, with its one-of-a-kind collection of animals and birds, allows youngsters to learn and experience nature like never before. Kids can learn about the behaviors of nocturnal jungle species and watch the birds’ encounter, where they can see rare Toucans swooping across the dome.
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13) Explore the Dubai Safari Park
A visit to Dubai Safari Park is a must for animal lovers. This vast wildlife reserve is home to approximately 2500 animals. The park features villages dedicated to different animal species, such as Arabian Desert Safari, African Village, and Asian Village, allowing kids to witness and learn about the animals in their natural environment. Children can spend time on the kid’s farm, interact with the animals, and feed the goats, ponies, and ducks.
14) See the butterflies in the Butterfly Garden
Visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden and immerse yourself in a peaceful and beautiful world. This wonderful garden, home to hundreds of colorful butterflies, enables youngsters to see the magical transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly up close. Take the kids through informative displays and guided tours as you stroll around the dome-shaped butterfly habitat, surrounded by colorful butterflies.
15) Soak in breathtaking views from the top of the Burj Khalifa
A trip to Dubai is incomplete without a visit to the world-famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Ascend to the 148thfloor observation deck on the fastest elevator, where you can witness stunning panoramic views of Dubai. Be in awe as you gaze down upon Dubai’s impressive skyline and admire the vastness of the desert beyond.
Dubai stands out as a place offering a variety of activities to keep children engaged and entertained. Whether your child enjoys adventure or is interested in learning about art and nature, there are several activities for kids here as well as for families looking to create cherished memories with their children.
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