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Time Out Dubai

The best family days out in the UAE

Looking for fun things to do with kids in Dubai? From splashy water parks and neon-bright gaming zones to scenic walks and exciting kids' activities, there's no shortage of places to visit in Dubai with families. To make life easier, we've pulled together some of the best family days out, perfect for your next adventure with the little ones in tow. Whether you're planning a weekend packed with thrills or just want a cheap family day out, this list has you covered — theme parks, nature trails, indoor fun and even great spots to eat with the whole crew. P.S. If you're loving this, you should check out the best family restaurants and indoor play zones that'll keep the kids entertained whatever the weather. Here are some of the best family days out in Dubai and beyond. JUMP TO: Best family days out in the UAE Al Barari Playground For a fun family morning, pitch up early at Al Barari Playground. From there the kids can enjoy splashing about in the shallows, clambering up cargo nets and across rope bridges, navigating stepping stones and exploring pirate ships. Mon-Thurs: Dhs45 for 2 hours. Fri-Sun: Dhs65 for 2 hours. Open daily 8pm-8pm, Al Barari. (056 686 7439). Aventura Parks Let the little ones run wile at Aventura. Thanks to the outdoor zipline and so many more activities are on offer, they'll be occupied for hours. Prices start from Dhs35. Wed-Thu, midday-6pm, Fri-Sat, 9am-9pm, Sun, 9am-6pm. Mushrif Park, Gate 1, Dubai, (052 178 7616). Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo An underwater, ocean-life-filled wonderland awaits at the Dubai Aquarium. It is a 10-million-litre aquarium tank boasting a spectacular tunnel before heading for the impressive underwater zoo to get up close to hundreds of sea creatures. Prices start at Dhs199. Open Mon-Fri 10am-10.15pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 11.15pm. The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Jubail Mangroves Park The one-of-a-kind family-friendly park is perfect to keep the little ones entertained but also a great chance to get in on the topic of biodiversity. Mangroves are carbon sinks and one of nature's best ways to tackle climate change. Open daily from 7am to 9pm, this park is perfect for a stroll. It's a 1 to 2km boardwalk that winds through clear turquoise waterways, lush greenery and plenty of aquatic life along the way. Open daily 7am-9pm. Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. (02 546 8341) Dubai Garden Glow Back for a 10th season, Dubai Garden Glow is one of the most visually striking attractions in the city. It is a stunning place to explore filled with vibrant light installations, 3D artwork and even a dinosaur park. The world's largest glow-in-the-dark garden is a great place to explore for kids (and adults) of all ages. Make sure you've got a nice camera. From Dhs78.75 (Garden Glow and Dinosaur Park). Mon-Fri, 5pm-11pm, Sat, 5pm-midnight, Sun, 5pm-11pm. Zabeel Park, Gate No 6 & 7, Area B, (055 918 8126). Dubai Miracle Garden (Credit: Supplied) The 72,000 sq m flower park is located in Dubailand. Boasting more than 150 million flowers – and more than 120 different varieties – Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest natural flower garden in the world, and 2024 is season 13. From Dhs95. Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun, 9am-11pm. Dubailand, (04 422 8902). Jebel Jais Adventure Park Credit: Jebel Jais Adventure Park If you're keen on a properly thrill-filled, outdoorsy family day out, RAK is where it's at. At Jebel Jais Adventure Park you can't help but have yourself a super-fun, adrenalin-charged time, thanks to an array of attractions including the likes of the Jebel Jais Flight (the world's longest zipline), the Jais Ropes Course and self-guided Sky Maze or the Jais Sledder. From Dhs50. Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm. Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah. Mleiha National Park Mleiha National Park Glamping Experience Drive up to Mleiha National Park, tucked away in Sharjah's quiet desert just an hour from the city. The park includes an Archaeological Centre, under-the-stars glamping and stargazing. It's a breathtaking destination where you can go on a historical adventure and be one with nature. Open Sun-Wed 9am-7pm, Thu-Sat 9am-9pm. Al Khatim, Sharjah. (06 802 1111) Let the kids eat free at Radisson hotels (Credit: Certo) Running until Thursday February 13, families can enjoy the ultimate dining experience across Radisson hotels and restaurants in Dubai with the Family Foodcation offer. The offer? Kids aged 12 and under get to eat and drink for free from a special kids' menu when you dine at participating restaurants. With every main course an adult orders, up to two kids get to enjoy a delicious meal on the house if you've signed up for Radisson Rewards. Whether you head to Certo in Media City or the Live Inn restaurant in Motor City, you're in for a great (and cheap) time. (04 249 4100). The Byron Bathers Beach Club & Bar Haul the entire family out to Palm Jumeirah for a stand up paddle session and then enjoy a well-earned breakfast. That'll be 40 minutes of paddle boarding along with breakfast and coffee by the beach for Dhs139, available from Wednesday to Sunday. For kiddos who haven't got the hang of a paddle board yet, they can join the fun on a kayak, which is available for rent. Dhs139. Wed-Sun, 8am-11.30am. Al Manhal Building, Palm Jumeirah. (04 323 7378) You might also like: The best Omani Chips dishes in Dubai (and where to find them) Louvre Abu Dhabi One of the most beautiful, architecturally awe-inspiring buildings in the region also happens to be home to one of the coolest attractions for kids, too. The Louvre Abu Dhabi Children's Museum is a space entirely dedicated to youngsters. Not only is all artwork displayed at the child's eye level, the family days out UAE but there are also loads of interactive exhibits and immersive mini-experiences, as well as hands-on activities, educational workshops and changing exhibits throughout the year. Dhs63, free for under 18s and over 60s. Open Tues-Thu 10am-6.30pm. Fri-Sun, 10am-8.30pm (varied timings for different exhibitions). Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, (600 565 566). Ribambelle (Credit: Supplied) Head over to Bluewaters with the little ones this weekend and get a table at Ribambelle, the restaurant that comes complete with an in-house slide and ball pit. Designed to give the kiddos a magical experience while you finally get to enjoy that coffee (or glass of grape), the play zones include candle-making and even t-shirt painting. Daily 9am-11pm. the Wharf, Bluewaters Island. (04 572 2296). Ripe Market This seasonal al fresco market celebrates all things local and homegrown (both food and small businesses). See a brilliant array of stalls and stands selling everything from fresh out-the-ground fruit to homeware and handmade jewellery, there are plenty of activities aimed at kids too, think pony rides and animal petting, storytelling sessions and live music on the grass. You might also like: 6 outdoor markets in Dubai to discover The market has now moved inside for summer, so you can catch them at the Springs Souk every Saturday from 10am-10pm. Indoor market open Sat 10am-10pm, Springs Souk, Topgolf Whether you're a golf enthusiast or just looking for a fun new activity, Topgolf has something exciting for everyone to enjoy. It's the perfect place to stay cool, with air-conditioned bays allowing you to practice your swing all day without breaking a sweat. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-2am, Sat-Sun, 9am-2am. Emirates Golf Club, (04 371 9999). Wavehouse Wavehouse brings together live music, gaming, bowling, dining and a wave machine all in one place, giving you more options for those day-to-night outings with the brood. Located in The Avenues and overlooking Aquaventure Waterpark, it blends grown-up time with family activities so that you can spend the day with the kiddies without jumping into a ball pit. For youngsters and adults seeking a good strike, a ten-pin bowling alley awaits complete with visual 3D mapping projections (and super plush couches). Open daily noon-11pm. The Avenues, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, (04 426 2000). Global Village Global Village (Credit: Global Village) One of Dubai's most popular and super affordable family-friendly attractions, Global Village is known for its numerous pavilions, array of international cuisines, market stalls, rides and shows. Global Village Dubai is officially back for Season 29 and promises to be even bigger and better than before. And we're all set for a bumper season as the closing date has also been confirmed as Sunday May 11 2025, longer than the previous predictions of April. Opening Wed Oct 16. 38C5+F57, (04 362 4114). Family-friendly theme/adventure parks Action Park This indoor and outdoor adventure park opened at the end of 2019, bringing with it the city's second Smash Room and a super cool paintballing arena. The high-octane destination, which can be found at The Last Exit on the way to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, also features a converted, open-top London-style bus that serves up refreshing drinks and snacks. Prices start from Dhs59. Open Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri- Sat 10am-1am. The Last Exit, Sheikh Zayed Road, (04 235 8893). Air Maniax Air Maniax's inflatable zones are loved by kids of all ages – and adults too. Older children will love the challenging obstacle courses, zip lines and laser tag games, while the littlest bouncers have their own dedicated toddler area to go crazy in. Prices start at Dhs85. Opening times Abu Dhabi: Sun-Thu 10pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 10pm-midnight. Opening times Dubai: Mon-Thu noon-8pm, Fri noon-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm. Al Quoz 1 (04 348 8981). Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Home to the world's fastest rollercoaster, this huge theme park is a big hit with fans of fast cars or thrill-seekers in general. The major attraction is Formula Rossa, which reaches speeds of 240km an hour and heights of 52 metres, so you'll certainly get a great view of the island while you're up there too. There are other adrenaline-fuelled rides, but if being twisted upside down and thrown along at high speeds isn't really your thing, there are also loads of gentler rides, plus big displays showcasing Ferrari cars and explaining the history of the company. Dhs345 (park entry). Sun-Wed, 10pm-8pm, Thu-Fri, 11am-8pm. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 496 8000). Hatta Wadi Hub Credit: Hatta Wadi Hub If you're after an action-packed trip, then Hatta Wadi Hub will impress. It's known for offering a whole host of exciting activities such as kayaking, hiking, ziplining, mountain biking and the iconic Hatta Drop-in water slide. Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta. IMG World of Adventures One of the biggest indoor theme parks on the planet features three zones – The Marvel Zone for diddy superhero fans, The Lost Valley where you can spot a dinosaur or two and The Cartoon Network Zone where favourite, colourful characters like the Powerpuff Girls and Ben 10 are hanging out. Dhs365 (general admission), free (kids under 1.05m in height). Mon, midday-midnight, Tue-Thu, midday-10pm, Fri-Sun midday-midnight. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai, (600 500 962). LEGOLAND The Legoland extravaganza at Dubai Parks and Resorts has successfully brought Lego to life with more than 40 rides, shows and attractions on six themed lands crammed with 15,000 Lego models and more than 60,000 Lego bricks. Start off at the factory where you'll get a guided tour and find out how Lego bricks are made, before moving onto Lego City where you can learn to drive an electric car and fly a Lego plane. If you want to extend the fun (and really impress the kids), book into the LEGOLAND Hotel for the night. From Dhs295 (online booking), Dhs330 (on the door), free (kids under three). Open daily 11am-8pm. Dubai Parks And Resorts, Jebel Ali, Dubai, (04 820 0000). Motiongate With two of the fastest rides in Dubai – The Madagascar Mad Pursuit and The Bullet Train – as well as plenty of tamer rides and an entire indoor area housing four themed zones – Kung Fu Panda, How to Train your Dragon, Shrek and Madagascar – there is something for everyone, all year-round at this cool theme park. From Dhs295 (day ticket). Open Sun-Thu,11am-8pm, Fri-Sat, 11am-9pm. Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, (04 820 0000). Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park where little adrenaline junkies can work their way around the various areas which include a foam zone, dodgeball arena and zip line. From Dhs150 Mon-Thurs, noon-10pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-11pm, Sun-10am-10pm. Persia Court, Ibn Battuta Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, (800 759 9663). The Arcade by Hubzero This fully immersive, virtual reality gaming park is located at Al Khawaneej. It offers more than 50 cool video games including artificial intelligence, virtual reality and motion capture options, all housed in a funky space where graffiti adorns the brick walls. Free entry. Sun-Thu, 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-11.30pm, Al Khawaneej Walk, Dubai, (800 7699). VR Park VR Park is home to a host of virtual reality games for kids of all ages, meaning they can challenge reality and learn at the same time. Among the 18 separate attractions (within which there can be multiple games) found inside VR Park, you'll be taken to distant planets and visit both the far-flung future and the not-so-distant world of a fully virtualised Dubai, thanks to a series of games specially designed with some of the world's top VR production houses. Free entry, pay per attraction. Open Sun-Wed 10am – 10pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (800 382246255). Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi This immersive indoor theme park has 29 rides all based around the most popular Warner Bros. stories. Kids will be in their element, and they'll even be able to meet some of their favourite characters. This theme park is 1.53 million square feet and some of the highlights include getting to chomp down on a Bronto burger in Fred Flintstone's favourite diner, and exploring Gotham City with Batman in the Knight Flight ride. From Dhs345. Sun-Mon, 10am-8pm, Tue-Thu, 11am-7pm, Fri, 11am-8pm, Sat, 10am-8pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, (600 511115). Family-friendly waterparks Aquaventure Waterpark This huge waterpark is splashing fun for all the family, from the tiniest tots up to the biggest kids. There are loads of cool rides offering varying levels of terror. The younger kids' area allows little ones to roam around, as they make their way up, over and through the giant wet pirate ship and try to avoid the enormous bucket that dumps out water periodically. Older kids and adults meanwhile can tackle those 28-record-breaking waterslides. Sun-Fri, 9am-5.30pm, Sat, 9am-9pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 2000). LEGOLAND Water Park Dubai You'll find aqua fun for the whole family at this water park. The Joker Soaker kids' area has the perfect mix of tumbling buckets of water, water shooters and slides and the lazy river is a great way to chill out and stay cool. From Dhs295 (online booking), Dhs330 (on the door), Free (kids under three). Open daily 11am-8pm. Dubai Parks and Resorts, Jebel Ali, Dubai, (04 820 3123). Wild Wadi With more than 30 rides, a wave simulator and a lazy river, Dubai's original waterpark has a lot going for it. The park's main attraction is the Jumeirah Sceirah, which has two 32-metre-high tandem slides and whizzes you downwards a speed of 80kph. General admission from Dhs295 (adult over 1.1m), Dhs245 (child under 1.1m). UAE residents' rates from Dhs215 (adult over 1.1m), Dhs195 (child under 1.1m). Open daily 10am-6pm. Umm Suqeim, (04 348 4444). Yas Waterworld Yas Waterworld boasts more than 40 slides, rides and attractions. A day here will have you sliding through a giant snake, plunging from the top of a mountain and screaming yourself hoarse on the Bandit Bomber rollercoaster. You can recover afterwards on one of the poolside sun loungers, have a go at surfing on the world's largest sheet wave and watch a film in a 5D cinema. From Dhs295 (adults), Dhs225 (junior), free (children under the age of three). Open daily Island, Abu Dhabi, (02 414 2000). Kid-friendly encounters Aquaventure Swim (and interact) with the fishes at Aquaventure's Dolphin Bay Lagoon. Kids can learn how the professionals take care of the marine mammals and get a close-up look at them too. The experience is open to anyone eight and up. From Dhs575. Sun-Fri, 9am-5.30pm, Sat, 9am-9pm. Atlantis The Palm. (04 426 0000). The Camel Farm If you want to get the kiddos run around and be wild, this is the place for it. Let them run free while getting up close with desert animals – from camels to tortoises, lambs, cows and a whole flock of birds. There are even rabbits hopping around waiting for a cuddle. Best part? You can feed many of them and go on camel rides. Dhs50 (guided tour and feeding). Dhs15 (camel ride). Open Tue-Fri 8am-noon, 3pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. Dubai Butterfly Garden (Credit: Instagram/dubaibutterflygarden) Arguably the world's largest covered butterfly garden, this must-visit animal encounter has more than 15,000 butterflies of 50 different varieties flitting about the place. Kids can learn all about the different stages of a butterfly's life and how they evolve. And they can experiment with their photo-taking skills; with such pretty subjects the result is bound to be winning. From Dhs55. Open daily 9am-6pm. Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand Area, (04 422 8902). Green Planet (Instagram/thegreenplanetdubai) Give your child the gift of being a zookeeper for a day – the experience at Green Planet will get them up close and personal with the many denizens of the bio-dome and they'll get to shadow a biologist for the day. (There's no cap on age when it comes to the experience. We are just saying.) Take on the Jungle Quest adventure in the biodome where families can get up-close animal interactions and kids can take part in loads of fun activities. From Dhs155. Open daily 10am-6pm. City Walk, Al Wasl, (800 7699). JA Hatta Fort Hotel Credit: JA Hatta Fort Hotel Introduce your kids to animals in a safe and secure space at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, which allows dogs as guests, has deer in an enclosure and peacocks running free. There are also horses (they can ride) and rabbits (they can feed). Free for hotel guests. Hatta Oman Road Hatta Roundabout 9277. (04 809 9333) Sustainable City Equestrian Club (Credit: Instagram/Sustainable City Equestrian Club) Has your teen been pestering you for a pony? How about teaching them about the four-legged beauties by first learning to ride. Get them to saddle up or the 30 minute lessons for beginners and canter their way to the 45-minute sessions for intermediates. There are also grooming and stable management classes. From Dhs1,700 (ten 30-minute classes). Sun-Fri, 8am-midday, 3.30pm-7.30pm, Sat, 8am-11am. Dubai Sustainable City. (04 557 6611). Dubai Safari Park (Credit: Instagram/dubaisafari) The sixth season of safari is here on Tuesday October 1 following extensive enhancements to the park. Home to more than 3,000 animals representing 78 mammal species, 50 types of reptiles and 111 kinds of birds, it's one of the top destinations in the country to see wildlife from across the world. From Dhs50 (adult), from Dhs20 (kids aged three-12). Open daily 9am-6pm. Dubai Safari Park, Al Warqa 5. Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary (Credit: CanvaPro) Turtles may have thick shells but they are still vulnerable creatures. The Hawksbill turtle, native to the Middle East, is critically endangered. Kids can see the recovery process and even help feed these amphibians on the daily at 11am at Jumeirah Al Naseem's Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary. Free. Jumeirah Al Naseem's Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary. (04 3665 000). Cheap family-friendly days out Abu Dhabi Corniche Sometimes we forget the joys of what we have on our doorstep. How long is it, for example, since you and the family spent the day wandering Abu Dhabi corniche? This beautiful waterfront has family-friendly things to do such as barbecue pits, badminton courts and a concrete maze. Lake Park has plenty of fountains, bridges and walkways for exploring, the giant sundial in Recreation Park always proves popular and at Family Park you can explore and hire bikes. Free. Off Corniche Road. The Desert Lakes Pack up a picnic, throw some outdoorsy games in the back of the car, make sure your phone is fully charged (these pools of water look great on the 'gram) and ponder what you and the family want from your lake day out. Free. Al Qudra, Dubai. Have a beach day (Credit:Supplied) Whether your idea of the perfect family beach day involves surfing, swimming and stand-up paddle boarding or centres firmly around sandcastle building and ice cream slurping, you'll have no trouble finding a sandy strand to fit your needs in the UAE. From serene spots such as Dubai's Al Sufouh Beach (the vibe is calm and the Burj Al Arab views excellent) and Mirfa Beach in Abu Dhabi to large sandy enclaves jam-packed with things to do, see and eat (JBR Beach in Dubai and Al Hudayriat Island in the capital spring to mind), the country we're lucky enough to call home has a string of magnificent beaches that are either free to enter or cost mere dirhams to do so. Various locations, Dubai. Town Square Park (Credit: Supplied) Nothing beats a family park day and there are masses of brilliant parks in the UAE, but if you're after somewhere to spend a good few hours, Town Square Park is a top pick. The massive playfield makes for an ideal base from which to set up camp, there's a decent-sized playground with enough apparatus to appeal to all ages and a fun splash zone for cooling off. Free entry. Open Sun-Thu, 11am-9pm. Al Quadra Road, Kids attractions that families love Adventure Island (Credit:Supplied) The attraction has now opened in JBR, offering you and the little ones hours of fun. Start off with some games of Pixl which can involve the whole family, followed up by a game or two of laser tag. Chase each other around the course as you duck and dive to avoid being hit by your opponents. Open Mon-Thu, noon-10pm, Fri noon-11.30pm, Sat-Sun noon-midnight. Bahar Plaza, Jumeirah Beach Residence, (058 833 9204). AYA Universe (Credit: Supplied) The interactive exhibition is a tour through 12 different zones, all of which invite you to open your eyes to the cosmos. The only one of its kind in Dubai, you can enjoy each room as you experience the wonders of the universe. Think giant galaxy ball pit, running through the rain, and a spot to lie down and look up at the stars. You might have only gone to Wafi City, but you'll feel in a whole other world at AYA. Dhs135. Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. AYA, Wafi City, Oud Metha, (04 542 0300). BOUNCE X Park is a brilliant way to find your inner Spider-Man and jump around its many obstacles and pipes will certainly work up a sweat. Kids meanwhile can unleash all their pent-up energy in the parkour zone. From Dhs55. Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm, Sun, 10am-8pm. Al Quoz, (04 304 9333). Chaos Karts If the love for Mario Kart runs in your family, Chaos Karts is the perfect place to take the family. Guests can get behind the wheel of karts, and enjoy several races– which lasts about 20 minutes – all varying in design, complete with music and kart powers to help racers battle it to the finish line. The Dubai branch in Al Quoz will be the second in the world, with the original based in Manchester, England. Riders need to be aged nine and above or be at least 1.30m tall to get stuck in. From Dhs140. Mon-Thu, 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sat, 11am-midnight, Sun, 11am-11pm. 6A St – Al Quoz.@chaoskartsuae. Cheeky Monkeys A world of colour and fun awaits little explorers at the Cheeky Monkeys soft play centres. Innovative neon-lit slides, mini zip lines, brilliant dressing-up areas and enormous ball pits provide endless entertainment that energetic tots love. Plus, there's a café serving hot kid-friendly meals and Starbucks coffee for the mums and dads. Dhs63 (first hour), Dhs35 (subsequent hours). Times vary. Various locations including J3 Mall and Arabian Ranches 2 in Dubai and Al Forsan Village, Abu Dhabi, (04 276 0011). KidZania There's just something fun about pretending to be a doctor, a fireman, a chef or a builder. KidZania is a magical world of make-believe where children can role-play more than 40 professions and earn their own KidZania money, which they can then spend in the on-site shop. From Dhs80. Sun-Mon, 10am-11pm, Tue-Thu, Fri-Sat, 10am-11pm. Dubai Mall, (04 448 5222). Oli Oli With eight galleries and more than 40 exhibits inspired by the work of leading educators, artists and development psychologists, this fabulous indoor space is all about positive play and the power of imagination. From Dhs69 (standard visit, 1 toddler aged 12 months – 23 months and 1 adult). Sun-Mon, 10am-9pm, Tue, 1pm-6pm, Wed-Thu, 9am-6pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-9pm. Al Quoz 1, Dubai, (04 702 7300). Woo-hoo This centre aimed at kids up to the age of 12 is a blend of education, discovery, development and play across 10 themed galleries. Each gallery hosts cool interactive exhibits designed to spark children's curiosity, imagination and innovation whilst delivering clear learning objectives. Dhs110 (1 child and 1 adult), Dhs60 (1 toddler aged 12 months- 24 months), Dhs30 (1 infant aged 0-11 months and 1 adult). Open daily 10am-7pm. Al Quoz, (800 966 466). 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