Planning to visit Dubai with kids?
Thinking about how you can make it fun for kids and you alike?
You know the famous spots. But still looking for options to make your Dubai holiday unique and memorable? Then read on. Because, in this post you will find 7 recommendations, which do not include the famous landmarks and tourist spots that you’ve already planned. Instead, here you have 7 recommendations, for those days of your trip, when you want to indulge your kids with pure fun and entertainment.
Your holiday in Dubai with kids should not be anything less than amazing. Because, Dubai is one such city, which is nothing less than mindblowing. It really has a lot to offer. And you can never really have enough of it.
Trust me when I say this. I have been living in Dubai for over a year now, and still not able to get enough of it. I have shown the city around to friends of our family who came to Dubai for a holiday and to our family who came to visit us.
Dubai is very touristic, and still has a lot of depth and profoundness of experience for people of different tastes and choices. It is, ‘a fascinating place’.
Dubai can be the perfect holiday destination for your kids. There are plenty of things to do for your kids in Dubai. And No, I am not talking about a visit to the Zoo, to the park or to the beaches. I am not even talking about the iconic landmarks of Dubai. But the places that I am talking about, here, are those which:
- instill curiosity in kids,
- leave a mark on your kids,
- entertain them,
- educate them,
- are pure play and full of fun for kids.
These are all family friendly activities and based on my own experience with the kids of our family and friends in the age group of 2 to 12.
Table of Contents
Oli Oli – Fun Learning Activities in Dubai with Kids
Oli Oli is an experiential play museum for kids. It has over 45 STEAM activities that entertain and educate your kids at the same time. From understanding the Physics behind simple concepts, to exploring different hands-on activities, it is a perfect place for some family bonding and learning time together.
At Oli Oli, you can experience high speed hurricanes, look at tornadoes in action, and experience the power of virtual reality, all at the same place. It is a place to see the concepts of different types of forces, air pressure, aerodynamics, and flow control, live in action.
Oli Oli lets you create and test your own cars. With hands-on activities like these, it helps build your child’s understanding of what goes in to make a strong car. It is also a great place to let their creativity and imagination soar to new heights.
It takes around 2 hours to complete your kid’s edutainment journey at Oli Oli and is one of the best interactive activities for kids in Dubai.
If you have visited the Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam, or the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, then some of the activities and experiments in Oli Oli are quite similar to these Museums. If you are curious to know the similarities and comparisons between the 3 Museums, then let me know in the comments below, so I can write a detailed post covering the same.
Aya Universe
Aya Universe is an immersive and interactive gallery experience, in Wafi Mall Dubai. If you are curious about the name “Aya Universe”, then you are not alone. I had the same question and confusion about the name, until I visited this place.
According to its official website, “it is a 40,000 square feet space, powered by high tech sound, lights and graphics.” It has 12 different zones that create an immersive virtual reality. At Aya, you can experience out of the earth places like the Pandora world of Avatar, upside down waterfall, lunar imagery etc.
Even its location, the Wafi Mall, is an Egyptian themed mall, with big statues of Egyptian Pharaohs and Sphinxes. There is also a light and sound show in the evening at Wafi mall, that you may want to watch. It is fun to watch with family and free.
It takes roughly an hour or two to explore the Aya Universe, depending upon how busy it is, on the day of your visit.
Ski Dubai – Snow Park for kids in Dubai
Fancy a snow park in Dubai? Ski Dubai in Emirates Mall offers a range of fun-filled activities in freezing snow and chilly air. Some of which you may not even be able to do on the snow clad mountain peaks of your nearest hill station. This indoor theme park has:
- Some really chilled out snow rides,
- Skiing
- Chairlift (like the Ice Flyer on Mt. Titlis, Switzerland),
- Snow Zorbing
- Penguin Encounter (Believe me you can touch them. My son hugged a penguin here)
- Zipline
- Mountain Thriller Ride, which is a Mini Tobogan (like Rodelbahn on the way to Mt. Pilatus, Switzerland)
The good part is that you don’t even need to carry your own heavy jackets, winter wear, or snow boots to Ski Dubai. They give you a full body thermal suit, gloves and snow boots of your own size, before you enter the snow park.
The best part is that you can enjoy experiences that may otherwise require a trip to Switzerland. And I haven’t yet visited a place that lets you this close to the beautiful penguins. So this place, truly is a steal.
We went to Ski Dubai after lunch, around 1:30 pm and did not want to come out until we were hungry for dinner, around 8:00 pm. It is fun and full of entertainment for the entire family. It is truly one of the must do activities with kids in Dubai.
Explore Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world by total land area. While this is actually a place for you to shop until you drop, there are a wide range of activities for kids and families here, that do not include shopping.
Now I am sure that you may think, “it may be a costly affair to visit Dubai Mall”. But trust me when I say this, “It is just the place for some free family entertainment and sightseeing.”
To begin with, let’s talk about free things. First and Foremost, this is “the place” to see the iconic and majestic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. It has free attractions like the Dubai Dino, The human Waterfalls, and Dubai Aquarium. You can’t help it to not stop and admire the beautiful marine life, as you walk around the Dubai Aquarium. Trust me your kids will love the free experience, even if you don’t want to pay and go inside.
One of the best free activities with Kids in Dubai Mall is to watch the Dubai Fountain Show and The Burj Khalifa Light Show. No matter how many times I’ve watched this spectacular show, I am still amazed and mesmerised every single time.
The paid experience for kids in Dubai Mall include Kidzania, Play DXB, Ice Skating Rink etc, among others.
Visit the Aquaventure Waterpark
Dubai is home to the world’s largest water park – Aquaventure Atlantis Waterpark. From the highest and the fastest rides to the relaxing lazy river – the Aquaventure has it all. Located in Atlantis, the Palm Resort, Aquaventure has a 2.3 km stretch of river rapids, a dedicated private beach and a great variety of food to indulge you in a wholesome experience.
Legoland, Dubai
Every parent would swear on this, “No matter how much Lego you buy for your kids it is never enough!”
They want this new Spiderman Lego, That New Batman Lego, just one more Star Wars Lego, The Burj Khalifa Lego and so on. The list never ends.
Legoland is simply not the place to miss- for the incorrigible lego fans in your home. Like other Legoland parks, Legoland Dubai is buzzing with fun family rides, live shows, lego workshops, and awe-inspiring Miniland areas, built using the Lego brick.
It is a full day activity and one that is a pure delight for your little Lego fans.
Visit IMG Worlds of Adventure
IMG Worlds of Adventure is Dubai’s largest indoor theme park. A visit to IMG World is surely going to be a memorable one for your little Marvel Fans. This theme park is divided into 6 zones namely, Marvel ,Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure, Haunted Hotel and IMG Kids Zone.
IMG World offers spectacular roller coaster rides, and thrilling attractions based on Marvel Super Heroes, popular Cartoon network characters and the mighty dinosaurs.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What activities are there for kids in Dubai?
There are indoor activities like visiting museums, indoor theme park, and visiting shopping malls for kids in Dubai. There are outdoor activities like Desert Safari , visiting waterpark, visiting beaches etc that can be done with kids in Dubai.
Is Dubai a good place to visit with kids?
Yes, Dubai is a great place to visit with kids, with a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. There is also plenty of sightseeing, tourist attractions and famous landmarks in Dubai, that make it just the place to visit with kids.
Is there a Disneyland in Dubai?
No, there isn’t a Disneyland in Dubai yet.
Which activity is best for kids in Dubai?
There is a wide range of activities available to do in Dubai for kids. The best activity is the one that is according to your child’s interests, and which keeps him/her busy and entertained.
Are kids allowed in Desert Safari?
Your trip to Dubai is incomplete without Desert Safari. It is only natural to wonder whether small kids and toddlers are allowed for Desert Safari.
Yes, kids are allowed in Desert Safari. There is no minimum age for the desert safari. However, children aged 3 to 11 years must be accompanied by an adult during the camel ride and dune ride experience. It is also suggested to call your desert safari operator to request for any car seat requirements, while booking your tickets.
What to buy for kids in Dubai?
There is no dearth of shopping options for kids in Dubai. You can buy new clothes, toys, Lego boxes, date chocolates, luxury chocolates etc for your kids in Dubai.
