When you hear Dubai, it brings images of record-breaking skyscrapers, elegant fine-dining restaurants, massive shopping malls, and historical spots. While there is no denying that Dubai is known as a playground for adults, it does have many activities for kids. From theme parks and watersports to aquariums and desert adventures, it is packed with fun activities that are just waiting to be explored. Listed below are some of the best things you can enjoy with your little ones in this Emirati city.
Legoland
Legoland offers several interactive experiences and water slides that you can enjoy as a family. Most of the rides here are aimed at children aged 2-12 years. Kids can build their own structures with colorful Lego building blocks. One of the best attractions in Legoland is the build your raft activity, where children can make their own boats and sail them from the top of the water stream. Some key attractions are Lego Wave Pool, Splash Safari, Joker Soaker, and Twin Chasers. It is divided into themed zones, and in Miniland, you can see Lego models of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek, Ski Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden transports you to a fairytale land where you are surrounded by thousands of beautiful flowers in a riot of colors. This sprawling natural flower garden has more than 150 million flowers that are a visual treat. The unique installations using flowers and plants will leave you speechless. The garden also surprises the visitors with new installations made entirely with flowers and plants every year. It is spread over 72 000 square meters and has a photo booth, a souvenir shop, and an impressive butterfly garden.
KidZania
KidZania integrates education and entertainment, thereby offering a fantastic platform for the kids. It replicates a mini city where the streets are brimming with offices, fire stations, banks, stores, restaurants, and hospitals. Kids get an opportunity to role-play various adult professions, including journalists, teachers, doctors, chefs, firefighters, police officers, and cashiers. It is an excellent way to understand what their adult life would be like. The little ones get paid in KidZania currency, redeemed inside stores. The KidZania Space Center teaches the children about the universe, space, and astronauts using simulated attractions.
Motiongate
Located in the Dubai Parks and Resorts, Motiongate Dubai offers exciting rides and attractions based on some of the most successful Hollywood movies. Step into the land of your favorite movies as soon as you enter this theme park. You can meet your favorite stars from legendary Hollywood studios, including Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, Smurfs Village, Lionsgate, and Studio Central. Escape to the magical world of Madagascar, The Hunger Games, Kung Fu Panda, The Smurfs, Ghostbusters, and more. If you are a die-hard Hollywood fan, then this place is unmissable for you.
Burj Khalifa
The mighty Burj Khalifa is visible from any part of Dubai and needs no introduction. Book tickets to the top of the building from where you can enjoy a 360-degree birds-eye view of Dubai’s everchanging skyline. You can also see famous landmarks such as Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina from the telescopes placed here at strategic locations. The diverse landscape of the ocean on one side and the desert on the other is a sight to behold. The best time to visit this breathtaking structure is in the evening when you can witness a captivating sunset and the gorgeous Dubai Fountain.
Global Village
The Global Village is a massive open-air exhibition that only opens during the winter months of October to April. This incredible cultural extravaganza showcases iconic landmarks of various countries under one roof. The nations put up pavilions having the most outstanding food, rides, live shows, interactive games, handicrafts, and other local merchandise belonging to their respective countries. If you are visiting Dubai in the winter months, this is one place you must indeed visit.
JBR Walk
Situated near the posh Dubai Marina, The Walk at JBR is a delightful mile-long stretch lined with plazas, restaurants, nightclubs, high-rise buildings, and boutiques. It is an ideal place to spend an evening enjoying the fun and frolic of the place. Several events and pop-up markets are also held here from time to time, where you can buy jewelry, home decor, artifacts, handicrafts, apparel, and other knick-knacks. This beachside promenade comes alive post-sunset and is thronged by locals and tourists.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
One of the top kids’ activities in Dubai, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, offers you an excellent opportunity to observe marine life closely. The gigantic award-winning tank is amongst the largest suspended aquarium tanks globally, and you can see it as soon as you enter the Dubai Mall. Surround yourself with fascinating aquatic creatures such as giant crocodiles, jellyfish, manta rays, sharks, piranhas, and stingrays. You can also sign up for the programs to feed these animals. The aquarium also offers an internship program for kids where they can learn about the life and habits of these animals.
VR Park
VR Park provides an escape from reality into an imaginary world, blurring the lines between perception and reality. A first-of-its-kind theme park in the Middle East, this indoor virtual reality and augmented reality park offers 18 mind-blowing rides and interactive experiences in different themes such as action, horror, sports, education, and adventure. The popular rides here are Burj Drop, The Walking Dead VR Outbreak, Dubai Drone, APE-X, The Raft, and John Wick Chronicles, and they are perfect for getting your adrenaline pumping.
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is a huge indoor ski park built in the middle of the red Arabian desert. The park maintains a sub-zero temperature all year round and is an excellent place for the entire family. It features an 85-meter-high mountain with five different slopes with varying difficulty levels and an ice cave for the kids. It also has giant snowballs and climbing towers where your kids will have a blast. Other exciting activities include tobogganing, zorbing, tube slides, chairlift, snowboarding, and skiing. The high point of Ski Dubai is the March of the Penguins show, where you can interact with these adorable creatures.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is one of the most famous and colossal malls in the world. It consists of 1200 plus stores with branded, luxury, and local chains. But the mall is not just a shopping destination; it houses myriad entertainment options too. From the largest aquarium in the world and a unique virtual reality theme park to the tallest choreographed fountain system and an Olympic-sized ice rink, you can find so many things to keep you on your toes here. And believe it or not, this mall is home to an ATM that dispenses gold bars and gold coins. Isn’t it cool?
Conclusion
There are countless things to do in Dubai with your little ones that you will be spoilt for choice. Other places that you can visit are Aquaventure Waterpark, Glow Garden, Dubai Dolphinarium, Wild Wadi waterpark, the beaches, etc. If you have time, you can also plan a visit to Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi. Dubai has an impressive mix of entertainment, learning, fun, and history to keep the kids engaged.
