Like Dubai, and many other destinations in the Arabian Gulf, Abu Dhabi is an excellent destination for a family holiday, and not only because of the famous Emirati hospitality, general safety, and accessible and eminently reliable transport infrastructure.
Children are very much part of life in the Gulf both before and after sundown, and it is not uncommon to see families out strolling the corniche, eating in restaurants, or ambling around malls late into the night, a marked contrast to many other global destinations.
This is especially true in the summer months when adults and children alike tend to become nocturnal, sleeping during the hottest hours of the day and enjoying the cooler evenings. In the hottest months of the year, indoor attractions cater to both young and older children, while a range of international cuisines will satisfy even the most discerning young palettes.
1. Ride the rollercoasters at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The superlatives rack up at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, with the world’s fastest rollercoaster, loop ride and tallest space-frame structure as well as other attractions that will keep your kids enthralled. Kids can ride scaled down F1 cars, try their hands at electric go-karting, and enjoy epic rollercoasters, although note that most rides have an 130cm height restriction. Ferrari World is entirely located indoors, making it a great summer destination.
Top tip: Buses not only serve the park from nearby Saadiyat Island but also from Dubai.
2. Splash around at Yas Waterworld
Few nations do waterparks like the Emiratis, and Yas Waterworld is no exception: 45 rides, slides and other attractions are on offer at this epic waterpark just minutes from Ferrari World. Most families spend about three hours at Yas Waterworld to do it justice, and that is no exaggeration. As well as the gravity-defying drops and slides, there is a lazy river and a surf pool, and more than enough to do for families, whether you have babes in arms or unruly teenagers.
Top tip: If you plan to visit a few Yas Island attractions during your stay, consider getting a multi-park pass to save money.
3. Check out the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s kid-focused displays
Even if your kids are too little to enjoy perusing the galleries, the Louvre offers family workshops and interactive kid-friendly tours at a dedicated Children’s Museum, aimed at those aged between six and 12. Current exhibitions include Picturing the Cosmos, an interstellar journey that spans three floors and includes a planetarium. The museum also provides special wristbands for children that provide age-appropriate context about artefacts and exhibits.
4. Unwind on kid-friendly beaches in Abu Dhabi
Whether it is a public facility on the Corniche (with separate sections for families and solo men) or a club on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi’s beaches are orientated towards families and kids of all ages. Older kids can enjoy paddle-boarding, kayaking, jet-skiing and even scuba diving, while younger children can paddle in the surf. When it comes to public beaches vs beach clubs, the price is obviously the biggest factor. If you are planning to spend the day, it is nearly always worth splashing out for a hotel beach club as it often includes pool access too.
5. Check out a city run by children at Kidzania at Yas Mall
The Kidzania franchise has taken the UAE by storm, with popular branches in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For the uninitiated, the popular attraction is a 55,000-sq-ft city where children aged between four and 16 can take part in role-playing exercises to earn money and learn a little bit about potential future careers. Note that it is open late, until 8pm in the week and 11pm on weekends.
6. Go trampolining (and more) at Bounce Abu Dhabi
Located at Marina Mall, Bounce Abu Dhabi is an indoor trampoline park with freestyle trampoline zones, dodgeball courts, slam-dunk hoops, obstacle runs and a giant airbag. Children under six (or under 140cm) can hang out in a dedicated miniBOUNCE area, while older kids and adults can use the main zones, with entry starting at a very reasonable AED 80 for miniBOUNCE and AED 90 for standard one-hour passes. The venue also offers themed nights (like Friday Trick Night) and is open until midnight on weekends.
7. Check out the fish at Abu Dhabi National Aquarium
The National Aquarium at Al Qana is one of the largest in the region, with more than 300 species ranging from reef fish and rays to sharks and sea turtles. The space is divided into ten themed zones, such as the Red Sea wreck and Amazon rainforest, each designed to highlight different habitats and overall home to a staggering 46,000 creatures. For an additional price, visitors can walk across glass bridges, ride in glass bottom boats and even meet the sea life.
8. Get your theme park fix (again) at Warner Brothers World
Abu Dhabi has gone big on theme parks, and Warner Brothers World will appeal to older kids due to its adrenaline-pumping rides and familiar characters from the Justice League franchise. But younger kids (those over 80cm) have not been forgotten, and rides such as Cartoon Junction Carousel means that the little ones won’t be completely left out. Like Ferrari World, Warner Brothers World is entirely indoors and air conditioned, making it a good summer stop.
9. Head out to the desert on a safari
One of the best ways to enjoy the unique landscape of the UAE is on a desert safari, and Abu Dhabi is closer to the more impressive dunes of the Empty Quarter and beyond than Dubai, making it an excellent jumping off point. Kids will love activities like sandboarding, camel riding, and even dune bashing, although if you have younger children you may want to ask the driver to take it easy – for their stomachs and your nerves. Myriad operators offer tours, most with hotel pickups and some with overnight stays (including camping, music, food and stargazing). Be sure to shop around for the best deal.
