Dubai is a city of old and new, with skyscrapers overlooking century-old souks and desert dunes. It is a Gulf-straddling metropolis with elegance, excitement (zip lines, dune buggies, theme parks galore), and family fun.
Dubai features extravagant luxury, traditional and new-wave food, and a melting-pot culture. This UAE icon promises family pleasure.
Plan your Dubai vacation now to experience the best for your kids.
Atlantis Waterpark
Atlantis Aquaventure, one of Dubai’s most famous water parks, is located on The Palm.
This theme park has over 100 record-breaking rides, slides, pools, and attractions with 500 meters of sun-kissed beaches, making it one of the world’s most loved waterparks.
With live entertainment, stomach-twisting rides, and fine detail throughout the park, from Atlantean-themed towers & shark-filled lagoons, there is plenty here to keep every age group entertained, whether you love hurtling down death-defying waterslides or floating around in Dubai’s longest lazy river.
The Tower of Poseidon (with its near-vertical plunge), the Leap of Faith, and Splashers Island are highlighted (a play area specifically for the younger tots).
Plus, you can swim with dolphins and sea lions at the Lost Chambers Aquarium and surf on the Surfs Up wave rides.
Dubai’s aquarium and underwater zoo feature sharks
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo have over 300 species, including the world’s most extensive collection of Sand Tiger sharks. You can wander inside one of the world’s largest and biggest suspended aquariums or take a glass-bottom boat ride or cage snorkeling experience.
You can also feed the animals on a behind-the-scenes tour (like the Penguin Encounter). For those who want to keep dry, there is a 48-meter-long underwater aquarium tunnel. The Dubai Mall Aquarium operates daily from 10 am to 10 pm and is a popular family attraction.
Photograph the Miracle Garden
The Dubai Miracle Garden bursts with color and life. This 72,000 square meter park features over 50 million blooming flowers organized in awe-inspiring sculptures.The Dubai Miracle Garden is open from November to May and might get crowded during peak season (December to February), so arrive early. If you are traveling with kids, take advantage of the Butterfly Garden, home to 15,000 free-flying butterflies.
Instagrammers and families should visit the Hearts Passage (the Tunnel of Love) for a touching photo op.
IMG Worlds of Adventure has heart-pounding thrills
With 28 football fields size, IMG Worlds of Adventure is considered one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks. The vast attraction welcomes approximately 20,000 families, thrill-seekers, and average visitors daily. It features four adventure zones: Cartoon Network, the Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure, Marvel, and IMG Boulevard.
Nearly two dozen rides (including roller coasters, spinning sensations, simulators, and kiddie rides) and more than 20 food outlets. Not to add the world’s first Angry Birds World Theme Park and Dubai’s first indoor Ice Rink! In the themed zones, look for Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Finn, Jake from Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, The Avengers, and Ben 10.
The four significant zones are great for older kids and teens (and big kids at heart), but the new IMG Kids Zone is fantastic for little ones, with 17,000 feet of inflatable climbing walls, slides, and more.
3D Selfie Museum
Ready to confound your friends? The Selfie Museum is a one-of-a-kind attraction in Dubai’s Al Quoz area. With 175 mind-bending installations in 9 zones (Jungle, Humor, Arabic, Egypt, Illusion, and more), it is a fun spot to take bizarre selfies.
Perspective tricks that place you within a crocodile’s jaws, life-sized copies of iconic paintings you can step into, the Hall of Mirrors, larger-than-life angel wings, and snake-charming rooms will keep you delighted – and your Instagram followers wondering. This short and charming Al Quoz attraction will likely have the kids grinning.
Dubai Garden Glow’s beauty
Dubai Garden Glow is a must-visit for any visitor, especially families. This first-of-its-kind park comes alive at night with the help of 10 million energy-saving LED lights in various themes and installations in Zabeel Park.
As well as being a mesmerizing feast for the eyes, the different locations offer lots to do Art Park, Dinosaur Park, Magic Park (optical illusions and photo opportunities), and the Garden Glow. Live music, food trucks, and 100 animatronic dinosaurs make it dinosaur heaven for kids.
Talking Tree, Sparkling Garden, and Taste Hotspots are all recommended. Under-3 years get in free, and there is a play area for them if you want to let them run around.
Global Village: 8-hour world tour
Global Village is a family-friendly activity. This popular Dubai destination allows tourists to explore traditions and cuisines worldwide without leaving the city. With 25 pavilions representing more than 90 countries and cultures, there is much to see and do, from exploring traditional handicrafts to indulging in foreign food to riding an adrenaline ride or witnessing a show at the Global Village Amphitheatre.
Take selfies in front of World Heritage Site models like the Great Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower, and if you want to keep some memories, there are plenty of eccentric souvenirs to buy.
Global village tickets are priced at AED 15 when bought online & AED 20 when purchased at the venue. Children below three and senior citizens above 65 are not charged.
BOUNCE out some calories
BOUNCE is an indoor trampoline park that is great for kids and adults when it is too hot outside. Over 100 interconnected trampolines, dodgeball courts, slam dunk activities, ninja warrior courses, a freestyle airbag zone, balance beams, and other activities will keep you engaged for an hour. Really? You will be out of breath in no time.
There are also kid-friendly areas so that everyone may play. A cafe serves snacks and refreshments if you need a break from all the bouncing. With branches in Al Quoz, Al Ain, and the Festival City Mall (Bounce X), you are never far from flipping fun.
The Museum of Illusions will dazzle you.
The Museum of Illusions is a popular family attraction in Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historical District. It is easy to see why. This location will leave you perplexed, bemused, and chuckling, especially when you see your 8-year-old son’s head on a platter.
There are holograms, holographic projections, Ames rooms, rotating rooms, upside-down rooms, and infinity mirror rooms. With a kids’ area, it is ideal for a family outing.
The on-site experts in perspective and perception are happy to explain the different illusions or take Insta-worthy images for you. If you are around Dubai Old City and looking for something different (and enjoyable), visit the Museum of Illusions.
Visit Lost Chambers Aquarium
The Lost Chambers Aquarium is located between Atlantis, The Palm, and Aquaventure Water Park. This Atlantis-themed aquarium is one of the most popular tourist parks in Dubai and the world.
There are over 65,000 marine species on display (including sharks, eels, piranhas, and seahorses), behind-the-scenes excursions, and educational seminars and feedings throughout the day.
You can also discover rays, turtles, and crocodiles in these chambers. If you feel adventurous, you can dive with sharks or do the 20-minute Aquatrek Extreme. The Lost Chambers Aquarium is a must-see for families in Dubai with its 20+ underwater displays.
In peak season, a skip-the-line ticket is worth the extra cash.
Conclusion:
Here are the most significant family activities to do in Dubai with kids, whether you prefer thrills or views. It is a location with camel rides, interactive museums, indoor skydiving, water slides, and rare shark and dolphin encounters.
