Things to do in Dubai with Kids

Dubai is not only about style, opulence, and luxury for adults, but also a Pandora box for kids with a blend of futuristic indoor parks, interactive museums, outdoor desert adventures, world-class theme parks, beautiful family-friendly sandy beaches, and a unique culture to explore. Here we list down some of the things to do in Dubai with kids:

Dubai has a ton of activities for kids of all ages, and one may prioritize the places to visit based on your kids' choices. The adventure lovers may start with visiting the well-known theme parks or begin with the Desert Safari. One of the most popular ones to begin with is:

IMG Worlds of Adventure :

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the perfect theme park with fun and adventurous options for both Adults and kids of all ages. Located within Dubai's limits at the City of Arabia, on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and right next to the Global Village, you may plan to spend several hours here. The IMG Worlds of Adventure is themed around four core immersive zones: Marvel superheroes, characters from Cartoon Network, the prehistoric Lost Valley featuring dinosaurs, and proprietary original concepts. The park features several high-octane roller coasters, including The Velociraptor, which launches riders from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and exits the building into the desert before looping back inside. Parents and kids can both board vehicles for a journey through themed environments, engaging in interactive battles using laser guns or experiencing detailed storylines with animatronics and special effects. Participating with your kids in the fun rides and thrilling roller coasters here gives you the best opportunity to bond with them.

The younger ones also have their share of fun and thrill with the options of gentle aerial rides, carousels, soft play zones, and obstacle courses. IMG Worlds of Adventure wouldn’t let down the accompanying adults, as it features a wide variety of themed dining options for everyone’s tastes and merchandise shops. With its restaurants offering immersive experiences that transport guests into the worlds of Marvel, Cartoon Network, and Lost Valley, the park's culinary offerings span international cuisines, from Italian and Indian to Arabic and Pan-Asian, all within highly themed environments.

Tickets for IMG Worlds of Adventure :

The tickets for the IMG Worlds of Adventure are easily available through:

• Official websites

• Travel Agents or authentic resellers that can help book tickets

• Tickets are available at the entrance gates of the parks

The types of tickets available are:

Single Day Tickets: unlimited access to all rides and attractions within one park for a full day.

Fast Track/Quick Pass: These tickets provide priority access to select rides, significantly reducing wait times. This is highly recommended during peak times.

Combo Deals: Bundle tickets are also available for entry into the parks and other attractions in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi for potential savings, which can be checked with the tour operator.

Dubai Mall Aquarium :

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is an exciting and educational attraction for children, which ensures your kids' attention and curiosity no matter what their age is. It is located in the Dubai Mall, and is one of the world's largest suspended aquariums, offering a chance to see thousands of marine animals like sharks, penguins, Sting Rays, and a pair of giant crocodiles through immersive, family-friendly exhibits and interactive experiences.

The Dubai Mall Aquarium has some of the exclusive experiences that your child may not easily experience anywhere else in the world, like:

The Aquarium Tank: A massive 10-million-litre tank with over 33,000 aquatic animals, including the world's largest collection of Majestic sharks and Sting Rays. This immense display is visible for free from several floors of the mall and lets you immerse yourself in a mesmerizing underwater world. 

Underwater Tunnel: Walk through a 48-meter-long transparent acrylic tunnel that provides a captivating 270-degree view from 11 meters below the surface, while the marine life is swimming all around and overhead.

Underwater Zoo: Located on Level 2, the zoo features three ecological zones (Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean where coral reefs shimmer and graceful sharks patrol the expanse. Also, the kids get to see animals like piranhas, otters, spider crabs, and the impressive, 750 kg King Croc. The interesting part is the opportunity to get Up Close and spend personal time with the incredible inhabitants, including playful otters and mischievous penguins!

Penguin Cove: A dedicated habitat imitating Antarctica where a colony of live Gentoo penguins are playfully waddling and swimming with zest.

Activities: For an additional cost, visitors can engage in various experiences, including glass-bottom boat rides, cage snorkeling, shark dives, and animal feeding sessions.

Tickets: The tickets for the Aquarium can be booked online, and it is highly

recommended to book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues, especially during weekends and holidays. A range of ticket options and combo passes (often with other attractions like the Burj Khalifa) are available on the official website.

Ski Dubai Snow Park :

The Ski Dubai Snow Park offers a fun and memorable winter experience for children in the heart of the desert, with a wide array of activities, rides, and even penguin encounters.

Kids can enjoy simple snow fun like building snowmen, engaging in snowball fights, and exploring a beautiful indoor ice cave. Children can glide down snow-covered slopes on traditional toboggans and sleds. Older kids can roll around inside a large transparent Zorb ball as it goes downhill. For the more adventurous older children, some packages offer one-time rides on the thrilling Mountain Thriller (a 150m descent) and the Snow Bullet dual indoor zip line. 

Penguin Encounter :

A major highlight is the chance to meet the resident King and Gentoo penguins. While special "meet and greet" sessions usually require a separate booking, guests can watch the free daily "March of the Penguins" show with a standard Snow Park ticket.

For ticket options and specific package inclusions, families can visit the Ski Dubai official website. 

Legoland Dubai : 

If your kids are Lego fans, then you might consider taking them to Legoland, which is a family-friendly theme park part of the larger Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It features over 40 interactive rides, shows, and LEGO building experiences across six themed areas, designed primarily for children aged 2-12 and their families.

Here you also have the option to check into the LEGOLAND Hotel, which is just steps away from the theme park and offers fully themed LEGO bedrooms with in-room treasure hunts and themed restaurants. 

While you are there, you would certainly want to explore the LEGOLAND Water Park - A separate, family-friendly water park, featuring over 20 water slides, interactive play areas, a wave pool, and the unique "Build-A-Raft River" where you can design your own LEGO raft.

While these are the most popular amongst the things kids would like to do while in Dubai, many more options to enjoy with your kids are the Miracle Garden, Camping at Desert Safari, KidZania, and visiting the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, which is an architectural marvel that has a gigantic children's library. Also, the Dubai Fountain Show, evenings at the Jumeirah Beach Park, or taking a stroll through the souks are all great options that cannot be missed.