Dubai offers a wide range of activities for families and kids, ensuring a fun-filled experience for first-time visitors. Here are some of the best options:
1. Dubai Mall and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Location: Downtown Dubai
Details: The Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world, featuring an indoor ice rink, VR Park, and KidZania, an interactive city made for children. The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, located within the mall, houses thousands of aquatic animals, including sharks and rays. It also offers a unique walk-through tunnel experience.
Tips: Allocate a full day to explore the mall and its attractions. Consider purchasing tickets for the aquarium online to avoid long queues.
2. Dubai Parks and Resorts
Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali
Details: This complex includes three theme parks and one water park:
Motiongate Dubai: Hollywood-inspired rides and attractions.
Bollywood Parks Dubai: Bollywood-themed rides, shows, and attractions.
Legoland Dubai: Perfect for kids aged 2-12 with Lego-themed rides and interactive experiences.
Legoland Water Park: Designed for families with children aged 2-12, featuring water slides and pools.
Tips: Plan to spend at least a day here. Consider buying multi-park passes for better value.
3. Dubai Miracle Garden
Location: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand
Details: The world’s largest natural flower garden, featuring over 50 million flowers arranged in stunning designs. Highlights include a life-size Emirates A380 airplane covered in flowers and the Disney Avenue.
Tips: Visit during the cooler months (November to April) as the garden is closed during the summer. Arrive early to avoid crowds and bring a hat and sunscreen.
4. Dubai Safari Park
Location: Al Warqa 5
Details: Home to over 2,500 animals from around the world, the park is divided into different zones: Arabian Desert Safari, African Village, Asian Village, and Explorer Village. It offers interactive experiences like feeding sessions and educational shows.
Tips: Arrive early to make the most of your day. Wear comfortable walking shoes and carry water bottles.
5. Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa
Location: Downtown Dubai
Details: Witness the world’s tallest performing fountain, with daily shows set to music and lights. Combine this with a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, for breathtaking views from the observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors.
Tips: Book Burj Khalifa tickets in advance, especially for sunset times. The fountain shows are best viewed in the evening, starting from 6 PM.
6. Dubai Dolphinarium
Location: Creek Park, Umm Hurair 2
Details: Offers interactive dolphin and seal shows, where kids can enjoy watching these intelligent creatures perform acrobatics. The Dolphinarium also has a mirror maze and a bird show.
Tips: Purchase tickets online to secure the best seats. Arrive early to explore Creek Park before the show.
7. Desert Safari
Location: Various desert locations around Dubai
Details: Families can enjoy a range of activities, including dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and traditional entertainment like belly dancing and henna painting at a Bedouin-style camp.
Tips: Choose a reputable tour operator for safety and quality. Morning and evening safaris are available, with evening safaris offering dinner and entertainment.
8. IMG Worlds of Adventure
Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
Details: The world’s largest indoor theme park, divided into four zones: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure, and IMG Boulevard. The park features thrilling rides, interactive attractions, and live shows.
Tips: Allocate a full day to explore the park. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking.
9. The Green Planet
Location: City Walk
Details: An indoor tropical rainforest with over 3,000 plants and animals. Visitors can walk through different layers of the rainforest and interact with sloths, birds, reptiles, and more.
Tips: Visit early in the day to avoid crowds. Purchase tickets online for convenience.
10. Dubai Creek and Al Seef
Location: Dubai Creek
Details: A blend of traditional and modern attractions along the historic Dubai Creek. Families can enjoy a boat ride on a traditional abra, explore the heritage area of Al Fahidi, and visit the modern waterfront promenade of Al Seef with shops and restaurants.
Tips: Take an evening stroll along the creek for a relaxing experience. Try the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants in Al Seef.
11. Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium
Location: Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Details: Aquaventure is a thrilling water park with slides, a lazy river, and a private beach. The Lost Chambers Aquarium features underwater tunnels and marine exhibits.
Tips: Purchase a combo ticket for both attractions. Arrive early to secure a good spot and make the most of your day.
12. Ski Dubai
Location: Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha
Details: An indoor ski resort offering skiing, snowboarding, and other snow activities. It also features a Snow Park with tobogganing, ice caves, and penguin encounters.
Tips: Wear warm clothing as the temperatures inside are below freezing. Book ski lessons in advance if needed.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors:
Transportation: Use Dubai’s efficient metro system and taxis for convenient travel. Consider renting a car if you plan to explore beyond the city.
Weather: Dubai can get extremely hot, especially in summer. Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening and stay hydrated.
Dress Code: While Dubai is relatively liberal, it’s respectful to dress modestly, especially in public places. Swimwear is acceptable at beaches and water parks.
Safety: Dubai is a safe city for tourists, but always keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings.
Enjoy your family trip to Dubai with these exciting activities and experiences!
Dubai is an ideal family destination with endless activities tailored to children and families alike. Here are some top recommendations to make the most of your time in this vibrant city:
1. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Located in The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium houses one of the world’s largest suspended tanks. Kids can marvel at over 140 species, including sharks and rays, and even walk through a 48-meter-long underwater tunnel. For a more interactive experience, try the glass-bottom boat ride or snorkeling cage!
2. LEGOLAND Dubai & LEGOLAND Water Park
Part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, LEGOLAND Dubai is perfect for children aged 2-12, with over 40 interactive rides, shows, and attractions. The neighboring LEGOLAND Water Park is equally thrilling, featuring water slides, a lazy river, and the popular Build-A-Raft River, where kids can customize their own floating rafts.
3. IMG Worlds of Adventure
This is the largest indoor theme park globally, offering something for everyone, from thrilling rides based on characters like the Avengers and the Powerpuff Girls to milder experiences for younger kids. The Lost Valley section is packed with animatronic dinosaurs and roller coasters, creating excitement for older children and adults.
4. Dubai Miracle Garden
For families looking to enjoy a more relaxed day, the Dubai Miracle Garden is a fantastic choice. Open during the winter months, this blooming paradise showcases incredible floral sculptures, including a life-sized Emirates A380 airplane covered in flowers. Kids will love the Butterfly Garden, home to over 15,000 butterflies.
5. Desert Safari with Dune Bashing & Camel Riding
A family-friendly desert safari is a thrilling experience unique to Dubai. You can choose milder dune rides, perfect for younger kids, and enjoy activities like sandboarding, camel rides, and henna painting. Evening safaris include cultural performances and a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the stars.
6. Kite Beach
One of Dubai’s most popular beaches, Kite Beach offers plenty of space for the kids to play, along with playgrounds, food trucks, and beach volleyball courts. Adventurous families can try kitesurfing, and little ones will love the Splash N Party waterpark nearby, with slides and water play zones.
7. Dubai Fountain Show & Burj Khalifa
Families can enjoy the Dubai Fountain Show in front of the iconic Burj Khalifa. The synchronized music, water, and lights make for a mesmerizing experience. You can also head up to the Burj Khalifa observation deck for panoramic views of Dubai. Pre-booking is recommended for both activities.
8. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
Aquaventure is an award-winning waterpark on the Palm Jumeirah, offering thrilling water slides, a lazy river, and a dedicated children’s play area. Families can also swim with dolphins, meet sea lions, or snorkel in a massive aquarium filled with tropical fish.
9. Dubai Garden Glow
For a dazzling night-time adventure, Dubai Garden Glow in Zabeel Park is an enchanting attraction featuring glowing installations and displays. The Dinosaur Park, with animatronic dinosaurs, is a highlight for kids. The park also has Art Park and Ice Park zones for more immersive experiences.
10. The Green Planet
Dubai’s Green Planet is a biodome that recreates a tropical rainforest environment, complete with over 3,000 plants and animals. Kids can meet sloths, toucans, and other exotic creatures up close while learning about the importance of rainforest ecosystems.