Dubai, United Arab Emirates, one of the seven sheikhdoms that make up the UAE (United Arab Emirates), is one of the most modern and fastest-growing cities in the world today. It’s also family-friendly and has lots to offer families looking to have a great time while they’re on vacation in Dubai, whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re already a veteran of the city. There are several places in Dubai that children love to visit and especially enjoy such as indoor theme parks, outdoor sports arenas, water parks, beaches, and much more! Here’s a comprehensive list of family-friendly places in Dubai that you can check out when you visit the city with your loved ones!
Theme Parks
If your kids love thrills, Dubai offers many theme parks that are full of rides that they’ll absolutely love. The theme parks have lots of local rides, animal shows, aquariums and water parks that are sure to bring hours of enjoyment. IMG World of Adventure, Legoland, Motiongate, Olioli and Dolphinarium to name a few. If you fancy something a little more laid back, you can always take a trip down memory lane at one of Dubai’s vintage car museums or go for a boat ride on one of its gorgeous beaches. All children will want to explore one of Dubai’s top beaches like Jumeirah Beach Park or Al Mamzar Beach Park for their water fun.
Water Parks
Apart from all these, there are some good indoor water parks as well like Adventure Island, Wet’n’Wild etc. which are safe for kids to play around. They offer a good time filled with lots of entertainment and a variety of rides including slides, a lazy river, a wave pool etc. If you are planning a trip during the summer months it is recommended that you have an overnight stay at these water parks so that kids can enjoy for longer hours without feeling tired or irritated due to sun rays. Plus these water parks do not get overcrowded which makes them very ideal for family outings without worrying about long queues at amusement park rides.
Entertainment Shows
Jumeirah’s entertainment shows are entertaining for everyone. From dancing fountains at The Burj Khalifa to oceanarium performances at the Mall of The Emirates, there is something here for all ages. If you are travelling with kids, Jumeirah has family-friendly entertainment on every corner: from a butterfly garden show that brings an insect’s life cycle to life at Madinat Jumeirah; to roller coaster rides and magic shows for children at Aquaventure Waterpark or Wild Wadi Waterpark. You can also enjoy mermaid dives at Atlantis or have your fortune told in an authentic Bedouin tent overlooking The Palm Islands.
Aquariums, Museums and Zoos
There are a number of aquariums, museums and zoos around Dubai that kids will enjoy. There’s Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which offers interactive exhibits (for an additional fee) along with daily educational shows; Dive With Sharks, where you can interact with up-close species like stingrays, groupers and octopuses; Wild Wadi Waterpark, home to whitewater rafting rides, lazy river floats and family-friendly beaches on its backside; Mall of Emirates’ KidZania City—where children pretend to be grownups for a day as they get a taste of what it’s like to fly an aeroplane or drive a taxi.
Playgrounds
Most of Dubai’s public parks have playgrounds, but there are a few worth seeking out. Kidspace at Jumeirah Beach Park is amazing—there are two playgrounds full of equipment that goes way up high. Umm Suqeim Beach Park has a fabulous playground right on their lakeside beach. And The Gardens park is huge; we walk around it every day and it never gets old. They also host special events like Easter egg hunts. You can find more information about all of these parks on TripAdvisor, which lists what’s inside each park—including whether or not they have baby changing facilities!
Old Souks
One of Dubai’s oldest markets, The Gold Souk, was originally an unorganized collection of small shops near Dubai Creek. The name Old Souk doesn’t refer to its age, though—it comes from a more literal translation: Souk al-Tijara means souk of moneychangers. Over time it became more organized and eventually became one of the most important trading centres for gold in the region.
Equestrian Center
If you are visiting Dubai with kids, one of their most wanted destinations is the Equestrian Center. Located near Al Warsan Village, it offers an array of equestrian activities for every age group. From a toddler’s ride on a pony to actually competing with other riders, it provides enough entertainment for everyone at all levels. The horse riding competitions are also very interesting especially if your child has a knack for horse riding. It keeps them occupied and gives them something new and exciting to learn about. You will also enjoy spending some quality time here!
Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Mall Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a great place for visitors of all ages. It’s an indoor, air-conditioned facility and it’s free for children under 3 years old, who are admitted free anyway. There are 33 different kinds of fish swimming around in some 10,000 gallons of water. The Aquarium also has an underwater zoo, where you can view sharks, rays and sea turtles swimming overhead or nearby. Located on Level 1 (Dolphin Lagoon) between Space Mirror Hall and World Of Disney Store).
Jumeirah Beach Park
The best way to relax in Dubai is on Jumeirah Beach, a half-mile stretch of powdery sand that runs along one side of the Palm. There are more than enough chairs and umbrellas for everyone; water sports including surfing, parasailing, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing; pedal boats; banana boat rides; ice cream stands serving Turkish Delight sorbet; shisha (hookah) cafes (nargileh), beachside restaurants/bars with plenty of kids’ menus…this place has it all. The only problem is you can’t get there on foot. Most hotels have shuttles that run every 20 minutes or so, making getting there easy. This is definitely a family-friendly must-see!
Conclusion
For families travelling to Dubai, there are a lot of wonderful attractions that your children will love. While there are plenty of activities for them, you can feel free knowing that these attractions are also family-friendly so you can spend more time enjoying yourself instead of trying to keep your kids happy. Make sure you take advantage of some incredible opportunities when visiting one of the best cities in the United Arab Emirates. Whether it’s time for an adventure or relaxing on the beach is more your speed, there’s something for everyone! Explore our guide above and get ready for fun-filled days filled with fun things for your whole family!
