Given its reputation for soaring skyscrapers, glitz and sizzling summer heat, parents would be forgiven for overlooking Dubai as a destination for a chilled-out family holiday.
But, actually, quite the opposite is true: from waterparks to desert fun to pools and beaches, Dubai is chock full of activities for families, with the added benefit of being extremely safe.
Unlike many global destinations, children are not merely tolerated in Dubai but actually central to the emirate’s tourist infrastructure. Indeed, Emirati culture, in general, is family-orientated, and it is not unusual to see children in restaurants or walking the promenades with their families late into the night. These are the top things to do when visiting Dubai with your kids.
1. Blow their little minds at Aquaventure World
Atlantis’ Aquaventure World waterpark is mindblowing for children and adults alike, with a sprawling lazy river, death-defying waterslides, shark tunnels, and toddler-friendly splash zones, as well as a dedicated private beach, with myriad food and drink options for little ones. Once you’ve finished at Aquaventure, check out the Lost Chambers Aquarium next door.
2. Take a surreal tour at Dubai Miracle Garden
If your little ones like colorful flowers, check out Dubai’s charmingly absurd Miracle Garden, where 150 million flowers are shaped into hearts, butterflies and even a full sized A380 Airbus passenger jet covered in 500,000 individual flowers. Nearby is the Dubai Butterfly Garden, housing 15,000 butterflies in ten custom-built domes. Both destinations close during the hot summer months (open between November and April) so do check ahead to avoid disappointing tiny travellers.
3. Get face-to-fin at Dubai Aquarium
Break up a shopping trip at Dubai Mall to check out the aquarium, where sharks, rays and the occasional human divers glide above your head as you walk through the 48-metre glass tunnel. If you’re visiting Dubai on a budget, you don’t even need to buy a ticket to glimpse the underwater magic – a huge glass wall gives a preview to shoppers of what delights lie within.
4. Skate at Dubai Ice Rink
Located in Dubai Mall, Dubai Ice Rink is an Olympic-sized skating rink which offers one-off sessions and courses for tourists and locals alike. It also hosts regular events, from themed nights to ice skating discos, and ice hockey tournaments for those who’d prefer to be a spectator. Kids are welcome and provided with penguin-shaped skating stabilisers. Ice-skating lessons are also available and super popular with kids in Dubai.
5. Take the slow road through Dubai Safari Park
Home to a staggering 3,000 animals across 119 hectares, Dubai Safari Park is divided into regions including Africa, Asia and Arabia and allows families to observe birds, mammals and reptiles in their natural environments. There is also a Kids Farm that is popular with younger children and home to sheep, donkeys, ponies and goats.
6. Build a day around Legoland Dubai
Aimed firmly at younger children (those aged 2 to 12), this Lego-themed amusement park includes rides, interactive attractions and – of course – the opportunity to actually build things out of Lego across six themed ‘lands’. It is also home to a ‘Miniland’, which includes models of various global landmarks and is constructed out of a staggering 20 million Lego bricks. Legoland Water Park is next door, offering an alternative to Aquaventure World and Wild Wadi. There’s even a hotel onsite for true Lego super fans who just can’t get enough.
7. Let them run wild at The Beach
JBR is one of the few places in Dubai where you don’t need to spend a dirham to have a good time. Kids can paddle, climb, or jump on the beach train while you settle in with a coffee. The water is not rough and there are lifeguards on duty at peak times. If you want to go upmarket, a number of the hotels offer beach clubs with dedicated zones for kids.
8. Hit the desert on a dune-bashing desert safari
Probably one for slightly older kids – particularly when it comes to dune bashing – many desert safari operators will have trips specifically designed for families, most of which will include camel rides, sandboarding and falconry demonstrations. It is worth specifying the ages of your kids when booking – particularly if they are younger – to ensure the tour is age-appropriate.
9. Head to the park for the day
Do as the locals do and head to Mushrif Park for playgrounds, horse and pony riding, and a train ride. There are lots of spots for picnics and barbecues, as well as sports facilities including swimming pools and a football pitch. Mushrif is also home to the tree-top Aventura Park, which has 80 challenges for older children including a zipline.
10. Explore the rainforest at The Green Planet
An impressive biodome that recreates a tropical rainforest ecosystem and is home to 3,000 plants and animals, including sloths, toucans, and various species of reptiles and fish, Green Planet is a hot favourite with families in Dubai. Kids can explore the distinct different habitats – or ‘levels’ – of the rainforest, including the forest floor, the mid-story and the canopy, all three of which have their own distinct plant and animal ecosystems. At various times during the day, zoo-keepers allow visitors to interact with animals.
11. Let them take over at KidZania Dubai
Located in Dubai Mall, KidZania is designed as a miniature city with real-life streets, buildings and shops all built to a scale for kids aged between two and 16. It allows kids to take on jobs, earn money, and spend it within real life scenarios. Interestingly, the experiment actually works and the kids love the opportunity to play at being firefighters, cabin crew, DJs or pilots within their very own world.
12. Pick a hotel that will entertain your kids
Atlantis has its aquarium. Jumeirah Beach Hotel has a giant turtle in the lobby. And Lapita is walking distance from three theme parks. Most large Dubai hotels offer kids’ clubs, interconnecting rooms, and enough pools to make them their very own waterpark. While the city’s hotels and resorts usually cater to children, double check when booking what *exactly* is on offer, particularly for those travelling with younger kids.
