Taking a vacation in Dubai with the whole family is always a great idea and not only because it’s summer all year round in the UAE. We have collected the most interesting ideas for those who go to Dubai with children.
A holiday in Dubai with the whole family is always a great idea: firstly, the sun shines here all year round, and secondly, few cities in the world can compare with Dubai in terms of the quantity and quality of entertainment offers. We have compiled a list of the most interesting activities for children and their parents in Dubai. Read how to arrange a summer vacation for the whole family at any time of the year!
Relax on the beach with the whole family
Dubai is an ideal destination for a family beach vacation, especially with children. Here’s why: the Arabian Gulf offers calm waters with gentle waves, consistently warm temperatures, shallow depths, and plenty of inflatable attractions and water parks to keep everyone entertained.
According to fellow travelers, here are some of the best family-friendly beaches in Dubai:
- Aquaventure Beach: Located at the Aquaventure water park, this beach offers a fantastic combination of sun, sand, and water park fun.
- Al Mamzar Beach: This beach has been honored with the prestigious Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and excellent amenities. It also boasts a large park with children’s playgrounds, making it an ideal choice for families.
- Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): JBR offers a wide selection of coastal cafes and restaurants, making it a convenient choice for families looking to relax and enjoy the beach while having access to various dining options.
- Umm Suqeim Beach: If you’re seeking a quieter, picturesque setting not far from the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, Umm Suqeim Beach is a great option for a peaceful family beach day.
Dubai truly offers a perfect blend of family-friendly beaches and attractions for a memorable beach vacation with your children.
Have fun at the water park
In the enchanting Aquaventure water park in Dubai, a dedicated water town awaits kids, complete with exciting slides, mysterious tunnels, and inviting azure pools. It’s a magical experience designed specifically for children.
If you’re seeking flexibility and comfort for your entire family, renting a car is the perfect choice. Consider a Chevrolet Tahoe rental in Dubai for a practical and stylish option. With your own car, you can plan your route and won’t have to rely on public transportation schedules. The spacious interior of the SUV ensures a comfortable journey for the whole family during your trip.
For older children and their parents, there’s an abundance of thrilling activities. You can experience heart-pounding descents from the “Tower of Poseidon,” enjoy a high-speed ride through a transparent tube surrounded by sharks and stingrays, and take flight on the longest zipline in the Middle East. And when the excitement reaches its peak, you can relax with your entire family on Atlantis Beach or embark on a leisurely boat ride down the Lazy River. Dubai’s Aquaventure water park truly offers an unforgettable experience for families of all ages.
Visit the children’s kingdom
For any child, a trip to Dubai is like hitting the jackpot. Just imagine: there’s a colossal Legoland constructed entirely from Lego sets, Hollywood’s Motiongate where you can interact with real-life Smurfs, the fascinating world of professions at Kidzania, and the thrilling virtual reality gaming experience at VR Park. And believe it or not, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible entertainment options available for kids in Dubai.
It’s a good idea to plan ahead and decide which children’s parks will capture your child’s imagination. For instance, LEGOLAND Dubai with its fantastic water park, the cinematic wonderland of Motiongate, and the vibrant Bollywood park featuring 4D attractions based on Indian films are conveniently located right next to each other within the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex. Dubai truly offers an unparalleled playground of fun and excitement for young adventurers.
Buy everything you want
Family shopping is a fantastic way to bond, and Dubai provides the perfect setting for it. Nearly all of the emirate’s shopping centers are designed with the entire family in mind, ensuring that everyone, from infants to centenarians, will find something enjoyable to do. Dubai’s malls are more like miniature cities with beautiful gardens, diverse restaurants, ice cream parlors, mesmerizing fountains, cinemas, swimming pools, and indoor attractions. They are a far cry from mundane rows of shops.
To combine the thrill of finding new items for the whole family with entertainment for both kids and parents, look no further than City Center Mirdif and Mercato Shopping Mall. Locals often describe these malls as tailor-made for delightful family shopping excursions. They offer a one-stop destination where you can shop, dine, and have fun, making it a memorable experience for all.
Spend the whole day at the Experimental Children’s Museum
The OliOli project in Dubai breaks away from the typical museum experience where “Do not touch!” signs are a constant presence. This children’s center welcomes kids aged 2 to 11 to unleash their creativity with their hands, feet, and imagination.
This experimental museum encourages young visitors to think creatively while solving problems and features eight engaging galleries: Air, Water, Toshi’s Web, Creative Lab, Future Park, Fortress, Baby Gallery, and Cars and Ramps. In these galleries, children learn through play, guided by a friendly team of educators, psychologists, artists, craftspeople, and even engineers, ensuring they absorb knowledge while having fun. What sets this museum apart is that all exhibits are interactive, allowing your child’s imagination to run wild without any limits.
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Japanese textile artist Toshiko Horiyuchi McAdam crafted a mesmerizing macrame sculpture in the shape of a multi-colored web for the Toshi’s Net gallery at the OliOli Children’s Museum. According to the artist’s vision, it symbolizes the sense of wonder that is inherent in all children.
Visit the sea kingdom at the Aquarium
If your little one has a fascination with the underwater world, it would be a missed opportunity not to visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at The Dubai Mall. Just picture this: there are over 33,000 sea creatures residing in an enormous 10-million-liter aquarium!
At the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you’ll have the chance to encounter sand tiger sharks and graceful stingrays, all while walking through a 48-meter-long tunnel with transparent walls and ceilings. This incredible place also offers the opportunity to take a ride on a glass-bottomed boat and even try on the role of a mermaid. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the bravest souls can dive to the ocean floor in a special cage or even swim alongside sharks in an oxygen capsule. It’s an unforgettable experience for both young and old ocean enthusiasts!
