Dubai for Kids – Best 14 Attractions for Children (A Complete Guide)

There are countless things to do with kids in Dubai and I promise, after reading this post, this city will not only be every grown-up’s favorite playground, but also every child’s!

If you are travelling with children, you kind of need to be on top of things as there is not much room for improvising! It’s always great to have a plan B of kid-friendly activities planned as children do get tired easily when sightseeing and they WILL let you know if they’re not enjoying themselves! No worries, Dubai is THE city for traveling with kids!

Of course, most of the activities in Dubai like a Dhow Cruise or the Dubai Fountain Show are suitable for kids (please check the full list in my general Things to do in Dubai post). But this post is dedicated to things to do that are specifically geared to the little ones!

If you are wondering what to do in Dubai with kids, I have created this list of things to do in Dubai with the whole family, so adults and children alike end up having a great time!

Yalla!

1. Explore the Dubai Mall and its attractions

Walking through the Dubai Mall is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai. Being the biggest mall in the world, there is no way you even have to see the same thing twice!

It’s a great activity for kids as it keeps them away from the heat of the day, and they get the chance to participate in many of the activities and events that take place in the mall all year round as well as admiring the many statues located in the mall, such as the Human Waterfall!

There are so many things to do in the Dubai Mall that will keep your kids busy and happy! I have put together a list of attractions in the Dubai Mall for the whole family that you might be interested in:

1.1) DubaiDino

Your kids will love this wonderfully preserved 155 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton that is on display at the Dubai Mall. It has been listed for auction, so run to see it before it is bought by an eccentric millionaire, or buy it for AED 14,600,000 (US $3,975,000)!

PRICE: Free

1.2) VR Park

If your children are a little older and you’d like to do something with them, why not head to the VR Park? Go on and challenge your senses and experience this Virtual Reality Park dedicated to people of all ages!

Book your tickets here

PRICE: US $13.35 for a 4-hour unlimited pass. US $40.84 for a skip-the-line ticket

1.3) Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Dubai Mall also houses a 10 million liter aquarium! It’s located on the ground floor and you can see over 140 species of fish there, including 300 sharks, rays and more! Psst, they also have a submarine simulator and glass-bottom boats!

PRICE: The prices on the official website are US $47 (weekdays) and US $61 (weekends) for the Explorer experience for children and adults, but I found discounted tickets for $ US 40 here!

NOTE: Children that are less than 3 years old can enter free of charge.

1.4) Dubai Ice Rink

If you thought that ice and Dubai could not be used in the same sentence then you are wrong! You can go to one of the hottest cities on Earth and also learn how to ice skate! As a great break from the outside temperatures, your kids can learn how to ice skate all year round in an ice rink of Olympic size!

PRICE:US $13.65

1.5) KidZania

For those who are more into educational games, and my favorite out of all the Dubai Mall children activities, KidZania offers your children (aged 4-14) a 4-hour experience where they can try their hand at different professions and careers in a city run by kids only! For instance, they can work for the police force, as builders or even for a delivery company. This whole city is set up so kids can pretend to be adults for a day!

PRICE: Adults for US $19.05 while children cost US $45.72

1.6) Hysteria

If you are a paranormal or horror fan or you’d just like to scare your teenage kids a little, you will enjoy Hysteria, the first haunted attraction in Dubai! Walk through a haunted mansion while you try to solve the mystery that haunts its ghosts!

PRICE: Adults for AED 80 (US $22) while children cost AED 35 (US $9)

NOTE: The Dubai Mall indoor park Sega Republic has been closed since June 2017 so keep an eye on their website if you’d like to know when is it scheduled to open again.

2. Get wet at the Waterparks of Dubai

You will realize when getting to Dubai that waterparks are not only entertainment but sometimes a NEED! The striking heat of this region makes these amusement parks a must stop during your Dubai trip.

There are countless waterparks in Dubai, but the ones I recommend for you to visit with the little ones of the family are the following:

2.1) Wild Wadi

The Wild Wadi waterpark is the perfect place to bring your whole family. While the little ones can enjoy the water guns and racing slides, the grown-ups can experience surfing the waves or relaxing in the lazy river. It has to be one of the most fun activities in Dubai!

PRICE: US $56

2.2) Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

At Aquaventure, located in the humongous Atlantis The Palmma Hotel, you can spend the day enjoying more than 30 waterslides and attractions suitable for the whole family! After a day at the waterpark, you can check out the beach walk, the food stalls around it and grab a bite to eat!

PRICE: US $78.68

2.3) Laguna Waterpark

The Laguna Waterpark in Dubai is a waterpark specializing in surfing! Even though you can enjoy many slides, relax in different areas or have a swim with your toddler, surfing is really their main selling point offering you a 180-degree ride experience!

PRICE: US $27

2.4) Legoland Waterpark

Not only can you enjoy an amusement park when you visit Legoland, but bring your swimsuit as you will be spending a good chunk of the day at their awesome Lego-themed waterpark. From the interactive play structures to the Build-A-Raft lazy river, this is the perfect place for nostalgic Lego fans and their kids!

PRICE: Included in your Legoland Attraction Park Ticket (US $43.50)

2.5) Aqua Fun Dubai

In the Top 5 Dubai Attractions for kids is Aqua Fun Dubai, which is the world’s largest inflatable aqua park located at the Jumeriah Beach! Get your kids on board with this awesome inflatable park while they exercise and use all that energy they were blessed with!

PRICE: Adults are AED 150 (US $40.80) while children cost AED 120 (US $32.60)

3. Wander around the Glow garden

The Dubai Garden Glow is a theme park dedicated to all things glowy!

It is one of the best places to visit in Dubai with family and it opens at 4pm every evening. There, you can explore the different glow-in-the-dark venues and installations and enjoy how the lights change to the rhythm of the music!

If you’re still not sure about the concept, watch this video where you can check out what to expect during your visit!

Depending on the season you will be visiting, the park will look different as its themes change constantly, so many people repeat and go as many times as they can!

PRICE: US $15

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4. Get lost at the Miracle Garden

A perfect place to have a walk with your kids and make you feel like you have stepped into Dubai’s very own Disneyland is to visit the Dubai Miracle Garden!

The largest flower garden in the world, it covers more than 72,000 square meters and is home to more than 50 million flowers! You can explore its different sections such as the Giant Mickey Mouse, the butterfly garden or the Disney Avenue and enjoy this magical place that will leave your kids speechless (and, probably, you too! 😉 )

It is quite an impressive and huge area, so if you want someone to guide you through and take you to the best spots you can book this 5h Flora and Fauna Tour!

PRICE: Single entry is 50 AED (US $14)

5. Have a thrilling time at Dubai’s Parks & Resorts

Going to Dubai with your children and not taking them to a theme park should be classified as some kind of torture. Dubai has probably some of the best amusement parks in the world and that is something you and your family deserve to enjoy!

PRO TIP: If you’d like to stay in the best family hotels in Dubai, check out my Hotels in Dubai post; there are a couple of them in the theme parks’ precinct!

I have created the list below so you can choose the best amusement park for your family to visit during your Dubai trip:

5.1) IMG Park

Enjoy the world of Marvel and Cartoon Network in Dubai’s largest indoor park, the IMG Worlds of Adventure and hop on some awesome rides where you and your family will have the time of your lives! Even though it’s catered to all ages, I would recommend it for kids over 10 years old so you all can take advantage of most of the rides!

If you’d like to explore the different rides to see if this attraction park is for you, check out its rides section here.

NOTE: If your kids are over 5 years old, you can take them to many attractions with you (subject to height restrictions), however if they’re under this age, you might want to stick with the Cartoon Network playground area! You can check the height restrictions here.

PRICE: US $49

5.2) MotionGate Dubai

Motiongate is probably one of the most fun children’s activities in the city! This amusement park is perfect for those families with toddlers or young children, as it showcases rides based on the best children’s movies ever made, such as Madagascar, Shrek and the Smurfs and also features several live performances! Happy kids equal happy parents, am I right?

NOTE: It is not age restricted but most attractions have a 100cm height minimum! Check the attractions and height restrictions here.

PRICE: US $43.60

5.3) Legoland Amusement Park & Waterpark

If you want to see something awesome, you have to head to Legoland in Dubai, an amusement park and waterpark featuring real life Lego creations! It has six themed lands which are: Factory, Imagination, Adventure, Kingdoms, Lego City and Miniland! In each one of them you can find attractions and Lego-related playgrounds such as a karting area, a building Lego academy and kids’ roller coasters.

NOTE: Dubai Legoland is aimed at kids between 2 and 12 years old. You can check out the different attractions and height limits here.

PRICE: US $43.50

5.4) Bollywood Park

Focusing on providing an experience for the whole family, Dubai has its very own Bollywood Park due to the big influence of Indian culture on the city. In this amusement park you can watch live Bollywood shows, enjoy 4D rides and experience all types of thrilling rides with the theme of a Bollywood movie and its whole universe. Everyone in your family will love it!

PRICE: US $30.79

If you are looking for good value and you know you will be attending a certaub park more than once a year, you might want to look into annual passes. Check them out down below:

• All Parks Annual Pass: Provides access to all parks throughout the whole year and a 20% discount on food.

PRICE: AED 695 (US $190) for this pass. Free for under 3-year-olds

• VIP Annual Plan: Provides access to all parks throughout the whole year with free valet parking and a free nanny pass.

PRICE: AED 995 (US $270) for this pass. Free for under 3-year-olds

6. Admire Nature at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

This is on the top of my list of favorite family things to do in Dubai. A great way to admire nature with your children is to visit Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary!

You can reach it on your own if you rent a car as it is 17km away from the city center. Alternatively a taxi will be able to take you there. (Please read my post on Things you should know before renting a car in Dubai for more info!).

Ras AL Khor is a wetland reserve that attracts a large number of migratory birds and that makes for an amazing sunset spot! It is one of the few urban protected areas in the world and definitely one of the best Dubai tourist attractions. Your kids and the whole family are going to love spotting the beautiful pink flamingos through the binoculars located at the viewing points!

PRICE: Free

7. Challenge your mind at the Museum of Illusions

If you and your family have had your share of amusement and water parks, why not try something more relaxed but still entertaining like challenging your senses at the Museum of Illusions?

A perfect plan for a relaxed afternoon, it is an ideal activity in Dubai for children with curious minds and an explosive imagination! Explore the anti-gravity room, the vortex tunnel or the clone table, because it is never too late to start looking at the world with child-like wonder!

This is also a great photo opportunity for brightening up your Instagram account! 😉

PRICE: Adults are AED 75 (US $20.40) while children cost AED 55 (US $15)

8. Educate the little ones at Green Planet

The last thing you expect to see in a place like Dubai is an exotic tropical forest with more than 3,000 species of trees!

Green Planet will give you and your family the opportunity to learn about two of the most important ecosystems on Earth in just one trip, the desert and the tropical forest.

An informative, interactive and educational experience that the little ones in the family will not forget!

PRICE: US $20

9. Enjoy yourself at Hub Zero

Hub Zero might be mostly interesting for an older audience as it is focused on video and virtual reality games! Perfect for your teenage kids, it is a venue filled with virtual reality games that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a parallel universe! Psst, it’s one of the best indoor activities in Dubai!

PRICE: Free entry. AED 100 (US $28 USD) for accessing all rides. For just US $32.15 you get a skip-the-line ticket!

10. Become a Monkey at Aventura Parks

If your kids love the outdoors and all things adventure, then strolling through the Dubai Mall most likely won’t do it for them! Instead, check out the Aventura Parks, an obstacle park where you can zip-line, go rock climbing and jump around through all sorts of different obstacles!

Your child will get to be a monkey for a day at Aventura Parks, but there is no need for you to worry as this Park has all the required safety measures in place!

PRICE: Adults are AED 185 (US $50) while children cost AED 149 (US $40)

11. Have a Blast at Mattel Play! Town

If you are looking for some more kids entertainment in Dubai, know that Mattel Play! Town is a great park for toddlers! Mattel is one of the most loved toy brands out there and this place will not only entertain your kids but also educate them with a wide range of games, shows and learning activities. It’s a great way to keep your kids busy, having fun and learning at the same time!

PRICE: A ticket for adults costs US $15 while a ticket for children is US $27

12. Relax at the Dubai Beach

One of the best things to do with kids in Dubai has to be visiting its many beaches! Simple as that sounds, it has it all because you get to spend a fun and nice day outside with your family!

Dubai is famous for its beaches and it does not matter much whether they’re artificial or not, the family won’t even notice!

The most popular beaches are Marina Beach and Kite Beach. The latter one is famous for its kite surfers and is a great spot to entertain yourself with the kids while watching people surfing with the wind and on top of that, you get an amazing view of the Burj Al Arab building. How about that?

I also recommend you go to Julmeirah Open Beach or the chill Palace Beach, both of which are also free and public!

CAUTION: Even though the waters look nice and calm, Dubai beaches have quite strong currents so you might want to stay close to shore!

PRICE: It is usually AED 100 (US $27) for an umbrella and two chairs, but free if you bring your own.

13. Exercise & Play at Bounce Dubai

Is your child an energy bomb? Do they need lots of exercise in order to fall asleep easily? Then get them to literally BOUNCE non-stop at Bounce Dubai!

Great for kids of all ages and adults alike and an amazing Dubai attraction for families, you can freestyle bounce as much as you want in Dubai’s biggest indoor trampoline park! Being indoors, you can rest assured that your kids will be away from the sun in a safe area.

PRICE: You can get a family ticket (2 adults plus 2 children under 16) for US $69. Alternatively tickets are US $23.60

14. Entertain your kids at Children’s City Dubai

Funded by the Government of Dubai, Children’s City is a discovery center located in Creek Park that offers educational activities for the whole family for an extremely affordable price.

For instance, you can check out the planetarium, nature center, or earth science gallery. With lots of interactive activities and different events going on, your kids as well as you are bound to have a great day getting your hands dirty and learning while doing it!

PRICE: Adults are AED 15 (US $4) whilst children cost AED 10 (US $2.70)

🤩 Range of activities:	Large
🎡 Best kids activity:	Waterparks
🏛️ Best museum:	Museum of Illusions
🚶🏽‍♂️ Best free activity:	Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
🌱 Best green space:	Dubai Miracle Garden

BONUS: Extra things to do with kids

Ok, I could not let you go without a brief description of other (more general, but not less important) things to do in Dubai – they are a must do with or without kids (but suitable for them as well; I am sure they will love each of the below activities!).

1. Burj Khalifa

One of the most popular things to do in Dubai with family is visiting the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world; the little ones in the family will definitely have a great time visiting it and will love to tell their friends they have been there. A visit to the observation deck on the upper floors is kid-friendly and many families visit this landmark on a daily basis.

I have written an entire article about getting tickets for the Burj Khalifa. If you are travelling with your family it is important that you plan your visit as much as you can. This guide is going to help you do it and find better deals on Burj Khalifa tickets!

2. Admire the Dubai Fountain

In front of the mall you can find the Dubai Fountain where you can enjoy a free light and music show that will definitely leave you and your kids speechless! A great thing to do with your whole family without having to break the bank!

NOTE: Currently, the shows take place in the afternoons and evenings starting at 1pm, from Saturday to Thursday. However, to find what time would be more suitable for you, you can check the schedule here.

PRICE: Free

3. Hop on hop off Bus Tour

If your children get tired easily and you are worried about having them walking around the city all day, get on the Hop On Hop Off Bus, the famous bus taking tourists from one landmark to the other in Dubai!

You can select how many days you want to book it to enjoy its 8 routes around the city. Each route is designed to last around 2 hours but whether you get off or you stay on the bus, it’s your choice!

PRICE: US $72 for a 24 hour pass that includes entrance to the Dubai Museum and a cultural Dhow Cruise at Al Asef!

4. Navigate Dubai on a Cruise

In Dubai, you can book a Dhow Cruise, a typical ship from the Arabian region used by locals for years in order to cross the creek and navigate Dubai.

Cruises are a great way to have the family do something special without breaking your bank because they’re affordable, easy and entertaining!

You can book a Dhow Cruise such as this 1 hour sightseeing cruise through the Dubai Marina where you’ll get to admire places such as Atlantis and The Palm (with a couple of drinks in hand which usually helps!)

PRICE: Adults are US $13.65, children are US $7.65

5. Check out Ferrari world

Visiting Abu Dhabi after reading how easy it is to rent a car in Dubai? Then you should not miss Ferrari World!

Whether you are a Super Car aficionado or not, you and your family will enjoy this Ferrari-themed amusement park that has more than 37 different rides including the world’s fastest roller coaster!

If you want to give your partner a great surprise or get yourself a little treat, you can book one of the Ferrari driving experiences that they offer around Yas Island for AED 795 (US $216.40).

PRICE: US $67 for an entry ticket

6. Get Sporty at Ski Dubai

Whether your family has never tried skiing, or you are experts in this field, you might want to check out Ski Dubai!

After all, not many can say that have been skiing in the Middle East, right?

The Slope Park has an 85m mountain with 5 slopes of 400 m in length and the venue caters to skiing, snowboarding and even bobsledding aficionados! But if you are a bit wary because you or your kids have never skied or snowboarded before, don’t worry, you can check out their lesson packages and even filter them by age here! For instance, you can book a discovery lesson package for AED 340 (US $92).

Your family can also get a Snow Park package and enjoy activities such as bobsledding, snow bumper karting, climbing, playing at a snow playground and visiting an ice cave!

PRICE: AED 210 (US $57) for a single pass at the Slope Park (same price for adults and children), AED 190 (US $52) for a single pass at the Snow Park (same price for adults and children). What’s more important, they provide outfit rental as well!

7. Go on a Desert Safari

On a completely different note, you have to go on an excursion to the desert during your Dubai trip, and I am certain that your whole family will love it!

You can either rent a 4Wheel Drive and do it on your own (I explained how to do this in the How to rent a car in Dubai post). Stock up on water, food and supplies and maybe some shisha and picnic mats! There are several spots where you can enjoy a great view and an awesome drive over the dunes such as Liwa or Al Qudra!

Alternatively, you can book an evening Desert Safari (from 3pm to 9pm) where you and your kids will get to be driven around the dunes and have a great barbecue while watching traditional performances under the golden sky!

PRO TIP: If you go on your own, I recommend doing it if your trip falls between November and March. Otherwise, it will be too hot and you don’t want to get stranded out there under those temperatures, believe me!

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Conclusion

There is probably no place on earth more family-friendly, kid-friendly or baby-friendly than Dubai, so rest assured you will have some unforgettable holidays and plenty of family activities in Dubai!

Just chilling on the beach, or riding the metro can be an adventure for the little ones, but there are so many more kids activities in Dubai that your children will enjoy that I could not help but write a post about it!

I hope you found this post useful. Let me know if there is anything else you would add or how your experience went in the comments below!

Happy Travels!

Yulia

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