If you are visiting the UAE with your family and looking for the best things to do in Dubai with kids, you’ve come to the right place. Dubai isn’t just a paradise for thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts; it’s a fantastic destination for families with kids, too!
Dubai, the city of dreams in the desert, is a paradise for little explorers. Imagine towering skyscrapers touching the sky, a skyline that looks like a giant LEGO creation, and the opportunity for endless photos to share on Instagram. You can easily combine exciting attractions with immersive experiences to make your itinerary a perfect blend of fun and learning.
Speaking of learning, if you’re a parent aiming for a more immersive travel experience, I have a unique suggestion. Why not consider adding a Riyadh to Dubai leg to your flight itinerary? A detour to Saudi Arabia will introduce your family to the authentic cultural tapestry of the Middle East beyond the glamour and glitz of Dubai.
Best things to do in Dubai with kids
Anyway, here is an assortment of the most popular and highly recommended family-friendly activities in Dubai. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do together, there’s enough variety here to make everyone happy.
1. Ski inside a mall
Explore winters right in the desert, and all you need to do is head for Ski Dubai, an indoor ski and snow park. Watch your kids have endless fun skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing in the mall. You can enjoy building snowmen or engage in snowball fights.
This is a wonderful experience for children who have never seen snow in their life.
2. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
What child doesn’t love animals? You’ll certainly unleash your children’s sense of wonder and excitement here, where over 30,000 marine creatures await.
Adventurous families can go cage diving or take a thrilling glass-bottom boat ride, offering a captivating close-up view of marine life. And don’t miss the Underwater Zoo, where interactive exhibits and fascinating aquatic creatures will spark everyone’s imagination.
3. KidZania
Let your kids enter a world of imagination and dreams with a visit to KidZania. Watch them pick from different professions and enjoy the role-play of a firefighter, chef, doctor, policeman, and more. KidZania fosters creativity and teamwork with the family, and your children can take advantage of the entertaining and educational experience.
4. Play DXB
There is plenty to do and enjoy at the indoor amusement park, Play DXB, as it offers an augmented virtual reality impact. Watch your young ones propel down the side of the Burj Khalifa and enjoy the thrilling experience. Or, they might be navigating a spaceship to safety or surviving the attack at The Walking Dead Outbreak. There are different experiences to enjoy with the children and families.
5. Go sandboarding in the desert
Have you ever met a kid who didn’t enjoy getting dirty? Your children will simply love this; all they need to do is get on the sandboard and slide down the sand dunes!
Sandboarding is basically a desert version of snowboarding, and Dubai is a top destination for sandboarding due to its unique desert landscape. It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s actually a top excursion for families!
You may have a blast watching your kids go up and down the sandy hills with their sandboards, but the kids will enjoy it even more if you join in.
Sandboarding may sound scary, but it is actually quite safe. Sure, you can hit some pretty impressive speeds as you zoom down the dunes, but falling is totally normal (and part of the fun!). And if you are still nervous about falling, you can always sit on the board.
6. Enjoy the flowers at Dubai Miracle Garden
If you visit Dubai between October and April, be sure to take your family to Dubai Miracle Garden. With more than 50 million flowers and 250 million plants, this floral paradise is the largest natural flower garden in the world and an ideal backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos.
The garden has many kid-friendly attractions, like the Smurfs Village and the Floating Lady. Your family can also enjoy a peaceful stroll in Lake Park, explore the flower-covered A380, meander through intricate structures and archways crafted entirely from blossoms, or walk through the umbrella tunnnel.
Additionally, the Garden offers a variety of entertaining performances. Be sure to see the Flower Parade; with bands and performers in colorful costumes, it’s the most spectacular.
7. Go to the beach
Dubai is known for its beautiful beaches, both natural and man-made. Some of the popular beaches in Dubai include Kite Beach, Jumeirah Public Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Marina Beach, and JBR Beach.
Public beaches, such as Jumeirah Public Beach, offer a long stretch of sandy beach, changing rooms, and sun lounges for hire, making them perfect for family picnics and relaxation. Private beaches, on the other hand, often include facilities, pools, and non-motorized water sports in their entry fees.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
For a family vacation loaded with excitement, stay at Dubai Parks and Resorts. It’s an integrated theme park destination featuring four separate parks. Take your pick.
8. Bollywood Parks™ Dubai
This isi the park for Bollywood fans. It features over 16 rides and attractions inspired by popular Bollywood movies. Some of the popular attractions include the Lagaan: Thrill of Victory, Sholay: The Hunt for Gabbar Singh, and Don: The Chase.
9. LEGOLAND® Dubai
This park is designed for families with children aged 2-12. It features over 40 rides and attractions. Popular ones include the Dragon Coaster, Lost Kingdom Adventure, and LEGO® City Airport.
10. LEGOLAND® Water Park
This park is located within LEGOLAND® Dubai and features over 20 water slides and attractions. Attractions include the Wave Pool, Build-A-Raft River, and Splash Out.
Along with the above parks, there’s also Riverland Dubai, a themed retail and dining destination, and the Polynesian-themed family resort, Lapita Hotel Dubai.
11. MOTIONGATE™ Dubai
This Hollywood-themed park features over 27 rides and attractions inspired by popular movies and TV shows. Some of the popular attractions include the Green Hornet: High-Speed Chase, Madagascar Mad Pursuit, and The Hunger Games: Capitol Bullet Train.
Considering all the thrilling rides, interesting sights, and captivating live shows that Dubai Parks and Resorts has to offer, your kids will want to stay here for days. Let’s face it: You might as well book a hotel here
Conclusion
Hopefully, you can see that Dubai is a family-friendly destination and has a wide array of attractions and activities specifically designed to cater to families.
From world-class entertainment facilities to unique experiences such as indoor skiing, the city would be a top choice for your next family vacation.
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