Things to Do in Dubai with Kids

Dubai, a city of opulence and wonder, offers an array of activities that cater to families with children of all ages. Dubai in United Arab Emirates truly is a city that offers endless fun and excitement for families with children. Whether you're looking for thrilling theme parks, educational experiences, or relaxing beach days, Dubai has something for every young adventurer.

With so many exciting things to do in Dubai with kids, it’s the perfect destination for creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

What Airport Do You Fly Into in Dubai?

Dubai is served by two main airports, each offering convenient options for reaching the city.

• Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Located just 8 miles (13 km) from the city center, DXB is the busiest airport in Dubai and offers easy access to downtown. You can reach the city by taxi, car, or the Dubai Metro, with a journey time of around 20-30 minutes.

• Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) – Located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Dubai, DWC mainly serves low-cost airlines. A taxi ride takes around 40-50 minutes to reach the city center.

Navigation through Dubai is not that easy, especially when you have much luggage or children to deal with. AirportTransfer.com makes your journey easier by providing private transfers. Our service is utterly reliable to make the door-to-door journey smooth.

The group bus transfers and hotel transfer services are all great, stress-free options that get your holiday off on the right foot. Be it hotel transfers in Dubai or Dubai bus charter, these are ideal for ensuring your journey from the airport to the hotel is both easy and comfortable with children on board.

The Dubai Fountain

Philipp Katzenberger on Unsplash" />

Photo by Philipp Katzenberger on Unsplash

The Dubai Fountain is located near the two famous places: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. This is a great show of water, light, and music. Water jets rise to 150 meters high and dance with the tune of several songs from classic to modern music.

Families can be taken on a Dubai Fountain Lake Ride to see the show from a traditional boat; if you prefer to stay dry, you are able to see the fountain from the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, which is very near the water.

KidZania

KidZania is a fun, small city inside the Dubai Mall where kids can do grown-up jobs safely and educatively. The town has its streets, buildings, and a working economy. Kids could be firefighters, chefs, doctors, or even pilots. In this world of play, kids receive special KidZos by undertaking different activities or work. The Kids use this special KidZania money for shopping, activities, or savings in the virtual bank.

The main event at KidZania is its KidZania Space Centre: an opportunity to experience the discovery of space by using virtual reality and other fun interactive activities. In addition, your child will engage themselves in acting out like an astronaut in space and study how space missions are undertaken. Therefore, this encourages the love for science and a thirst for further learning in children.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is an impressive structure inside the Dubai Mall, with an opportunity to view some amazing sea creatures. It houses over 33,000 marine animals, including sand tiger sharks, giant fish, and colorful fish. The major attraction forms a huge 10-million-liter tank, one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

A 48-meter-long tunnel that visitors can walk through provides them with a close-up view of the underwater world. The visitors can also be taken on a glass-bottom boat ride to enjoy the experience of having fish swim beneath their feet. Cage snorkel and shark dive are for the more adventurous.

Upstairs, the Underwater Zoo features several aquatic ecosystems, including King Croc, one of the largest crocodiles in the world, and some adorable otters that just love to play around and entertain all guests.

Play DXB

Kate Trysh from Pixabay" />

Image by Kate Trysh from Pixabay

Play DXB is an exciting indoor amusement park in the Dubai Mall, combining virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for a fun experience for everyone. It has over 30 attractions that take visitors on amazing adventures.

For thrill-seekers, the Burj Drop is a must-try. This VR simulation makes you feel like you’re falling down the Burj Khalifa, giving you an exciting ride. Fans of action will enjoy the Walking Dead Outbreak, where you team up to fight zombies in an interactive game.

Kids can also find fun with easier games and activities made just for them. Play DXB offers a mix of thrilling and family-friendly experiences. Entry is free, and prices for activities start at just AED 15, making it a great choice for an affordable day of fun.

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts covers an area of over 25 million square feet and is perfect for families to have some fun. It contains three fantastic theme parks-Dubai Parks and Resorts, Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai, and Bollywood Parks Dubai-together with the Legoland Water Park.

Dubai Parks and Resorts brings Hollywood to life with rides based on movies from DreamWorks, Columbia Pictures, and Lionsgate. Legoland Dubai is great for younger kids, featuring interactive rides, LEGO-themed attractions, and a fun water park. Bollywood Parks Dubai celebrates Bollywood culture with thrilling rides, live shows, and special zones.

The fun spills outside the parks at Riverland Dubai, featuring park stores, restaurants, and water-side entertainment. Kids have their play time in Neon Galaxy, an indoor play area, or experience more fun in JumpX, the world's largest inflatable park.

Tip: For a special stay, you can book a room at the Lapita Hotel, a beautiful Polynesian-themed resort, or the Legoland Dubai Resort, a family-friendly hotel designed just for kids.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Alix blanc from Pixabay" />

Image by Alix blanc from Pixabay

IMG Worlds of Adventure is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world, spanning 1.5 million square feet, equal to about 28 football fields. It is an amusement park meant for visitors of all ages, with a number of exciting rides and other amusements in various themed areas.

It houses two areas: The Marvel Zone caters to all the superhero lovers, as it has the Avengers Battle of Ultron and Spider-Man Doc Ock's Revenge. Lovers of cartoons will visit the Cartoon Network Zone, which has characters like The Powerpuff Girls among others, offering fun-filled rides such as Ben 10 5D Hero Time.

For the more adventurous, there is the Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure Zone with more thrilling rides such as the Velociraptor roller coaster, which whisks one through a dinosaur jungle. Younger ones can safely enjoy their time at the IMG Kids Zone, a playground for kids designed for fun and creative play.

Visitors can also enjoy themed restaurants and buy unique souvenirs that will remind them of this adventure. So much to see and do-which means you're going to be there all day-make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

Jungle Bay Waterpark

Max Romulus from Pixabay" />

Image by Max Romulus from Pixabay

Jungle Bay Waterpark, located at the beautiful Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, is a great place for families to enjoy a fun and relaxing day. The park has a charming Greek-island look with white and blue buildings, creating a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.

For those looking for excitement, the park has thrilling slides like the high-speed Aqualoop and the Family Wave slide, where you can race against others. Younger kids will love the Splash Zone, a safe area with small slides and gentle water features just for them. The wave pool adds even more fun, offering a place for everyone to splash and play.

Parents can relax in private cabanas while keeping an eye on their children. The park also has plenty of dining options, so families can enjoy tasty snacks and meals without leaving the fun.

Aquaventure World

Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay" />

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Aquaventure Waterpark, located at the famous Atlantis, The Palm, is one of the most exciting waterparks in Dubai, offering adventure, relaxation, and fun for everyone. Covering 22 hectares, it features record-breaking rides and attractions for all ages.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy exciting rides like the Leap of Faith, a nearly vertical slide that takes riders through a shark-filled lagoon, and the Aquaconda, the world’s largest water slide tube. For group fun, Poseidon’s Revenge has twists and turns that will leave you gasping for breath.

Younger kids can have fun in the Splashers Children’s Play Area, which is full of mini slides, water cannons, and splash pads. Families can relax on the Lazy River, a peaceful 2.3-kilometer waterway, or enjoy the park’s private beach with beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf.

For extra comfort, private cabanas are available for rent, giving you a quiet place to relax between rides. There are also plenty of dining options offering snacks and meals, so no one will go hungry during the day.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

anthony4370 from Pixabay" />

Image by anthony4370 from Pixabay

Wild Wadi Waterpark, located at the base of the famous Burj Al Arab, is a top attraction for families looking for fun and excitement with a breathtaking view. The park features over 30 thrilling rides and attractions, making it one of the best waterparks in the region.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Jumeirah Sceirah is a must-try. It’s one of the tallest and fastest free-fall slides in the world, offering an unforgettable experience. Other exciting rides like Tantrum Alley, a water roller coaster, and the Burj Surj slides, which defy gravity, will get you splashing down in no time.

Kids can enjoy the Juha’s Dhow and Lagoon, a play area with small slides, water jets, and splash zones designed for safe fun. For a more relaxing experience, the Lazy River lets you float along calmly while enjoying stunning views of the Burj Al Arab and the surroundings.

The park also has themed dining spots, shops, and relaxation areas to ensure visitors can take a break and recharge between rides.

GLITCH

hartono subagio from Pixabay" />

Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay

GLITCH is an indoor play hub right at the hub of Al Ghurair Centre, packed full of adventure for families. Boasting over 30 activities, one is well catered for in high-energy fun down to those who seek a bit more relaxedness.

While there is a full-on obstacle course in very Ninja Warrior-like style for thrill-seekers to challenge their agility and strength, visitors can take an adrenaline rush further by racing others down the 10-meter slides. One of the star sights, SkySurf, Dubai's first-ever roller glider experience, lets one fly through the air, fusing roller coaster thrills with hang gliding.

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, the park also has bowling alleys and climbing walls, making it a great place for families to enjoy together. Whether you are young or old, GLITCH offers fun for all ages.

OliOli

Astrid Pereira from Pixabay" />

Image by Astrid Pereira from Pixabay

OliOli is a playful, interactive museum located in the vibrant area of Al Quoz, intended to inspire creativity and curiosity in children between the ages of 2 and 11 years. The museum contains eight themed galleries that merge play with learning, hence making it an ideal destination for families in search of an educational yet entertaining outing.

The highlights of OliOli include Toshi's Net, a colorful hanging system of play so that kids safely climb, bounce, and explore amidst the most amusing environment. Many kids' darling is the Water, where they enthusiastically experiment with running cannonballs round and controlling systems of water streaming. 

Besides this, OliOli does have a birthday party package in store for its families so they can share those sweet special moments in this area with full force in a creative environment. Interactive exhibition in this museum will definitely lead children to receive important lessons from the field of science, art, and innovation during fun sessions.

Air Maniax

小满 郭 from Pixabay" />

Image by 小满 郭 from Pixabay

Located in the heart of Al Quoz, Air Maniax is an exciting indoor adventure park perfect for children and families looking for active fun. This venue features a large inflatable arena with trampolines, inflatable slides, and obstacle courses, giving kids plenty of space to jump, bounce, and climb.

For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, Air Maniax offers thrilling activities like laser tag, where kids can team up and battle in a futuristic setting, and zip lines for an exciting aerial experience. Younger children can enjoy the dedicated toddler zone, which has age-appropriate inflatables and soft play areas for safe fun.

A unique feature of Air Maniax is the high-tech wristbands, which track scores and capture fun moments throughout the visit, adding an interactive element to the experience. Whether aiming for the highest laser tag score or racing through obstacle courses, the wristbands help preserve memories and make the adventure even more exciting.

AYA at WAFI City

hartono subagio from Pixabay" />

Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay

Located in WAFI City, AYA is an exciting and modern experience where art, technology, and interaction come together. This amazing attraction takes visitors into a futuristic world full of lights, sounds, and stunning visuals.

AYA has 12 unique zones, each offering something new and exciting. These zones change and react to your movements, making every visit different and special.

One popular zone is Flora, where colorful, plant-like lights and designs create a magical setting. Another favorite is Tides, a calm, water-inspired space where the visuals move with you, creating a peaceful feeling.

What makes AYA so special is its real-time interaction. The advanced technology responds to what you do, turning the entire space into a living, moving, and changing work of art. It’s a place where kids and adults can feel amazed and connected to the magic around them.

Wild Paint House

Pexels from Pixabay" />

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Wild Paint House is the fun and most creative studio situated in the heart of Dubai. It's a very nice place where families get to enjoy doing paint works or making art. You can engage in splatter painting, use spray paints, or even try graffiti. This is all in the name of having maximum fun and stretching your imagination.

No need to stress over getting messy; Wild Paint House gives you aprons and gloves for protection. Take this colorful art home at the end as a special memory.

This studio is perfect for kids and adults, a cheerful studio to spend time with the family, having fun and making something unique.

The Green Planet

Catalina Mejia from Pixabay" />

Image by Catalina Mejia from Pixabay

The Green Planet, located in City Walk, is a unique place to feel the beauty of a tropical rainforest in the middle of the city. This breathtaking biodome is home to over 3,000 plants and animals, hence serving as a fun-filled yet educative place for families and nature lovers.

Inside, you will find tall trees, waterfalls, and thick greenery, almost like a rainforest. You can see sloths, colorful tropical birds, reptiles, and many other interesting animals close by, as well as a variety of rare plants.

The interactive zookeeper program is one activity kids love the most. This involves children being able to play the role of wildlife caretakers and learn much about animals and protection of their habitat. A fun way into nature to learn about its conservation.

The Green Planet is a perfect venue to learn, have fun, and get the feeling of being inside a real rainforest without leaving Dubai.

Desert Adventures: Sand, Camels, and More

Tran Thanh from Pixabay" />

Image by Tran Thanh from Pixabay

The Arabian Desert is also one place that makes a trip to Dubai complete. In fact, a family can take advantage of so many exciting things that make this destination unforgettable.

Camel Rides: Take a leisurely camel ride across the golden sand dunes. Considered "ships of the desert," camels provide a very peaceful and traditional mode of transportation across the vast desert.

Sandboarding: If you are looking for more thrill, try sandboarding! Sliding down a board on high dunes-thrilling with the wind whizzing by. It's like snowboarding but on warm, golden sand.

Desert Safari: Go on a desert safari for some real adventure. Companies like Platinum Heritage are trusted to take guests on 4x4 rides across the desert, stopping at various beautiful spots where one can click pictures. This safari is an excellent way to get close to the landscape of the desert.

Kite Beach

Miguel Muñoz Hierro from Pixabay" />

Image by Miguel Muñoz Hierro from Pixabay

Located along Dubai's beautiful coastline, Kite Beach is a lively, family-friendly spot that offers both fun activities and stunning views of the iconic Burj Al Arab. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, this beach has something for everyone.

Kite Beach has a variety of activities for younger visitors. There are outdoor trampolines for jumping and bouncing, as well as a skate park for kids who love to skate. The beach is also a great place to go shell-collecting, with families often spending time walking along the shore to find treasures from the sea.

For those looking for more excitement, kitesurfing shows are a common sight, with expert surfers gliding through the waves in a beautiful display of skill.