Thinking about your next family vacation? Give your kids the trip of a lifetime and travel to Dubai. From adventure theme parks and dreamlike water worlds to desert excursions, Dubai is fun for the whole family!
From thrilling theme parks and enchanting aquariums to desert safaris and the iconic Burj Khalifa, Dubai offers families seeking fun a bit of everything. In this guide we share with you some fantastic activities suitable for children, including Dubai’s most iconic attractions, such as the giant Ferris wheel and the sandy desert dunes. Ready for some family-friendly action.
1. Guaranteed fun at Dubai’s theme parks
One of the features that make Dubai an ideal destination for family vacations is the many amusement parks and theme parks.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
First on our list is IMG Worlds of Adventure. It is the largest indoor theme park in the world, with five different themed zones, including the MARVEL area, Lost Valley-Dinosaur Adventure, Cartoon Network, IMG Boulevard, and the Haunted Hotel. Here you can have fun with the whole family, and even the little ones will find attractions that suit them.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
For even more thrills, don’t miss Dubai Parks and Resorts. Covering over 16 million square meters and with more than 100 rides and roller coasters, it’s endless fun for the whole family. The complex includes the following:
- Motiongate Dubai: Here you can enjoy themed attractions like Kung-Fu Panda, Zombieland, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Madagascar.
- LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park: Lego fans, unite! At LEGOLAND Dubai children can immerse themselves in a creative world with interactive attractions and building experiences. Also, visit LEGOLAND Water Park to enjoy more than 20 slides and attractions for the whole family.
- Real Madrid World: Offers young football fans a unique experience. Here they can step into the shoes of their favorite players with interactive games and sports challenges.
- Neon Galaxy Indoor Playworld: A space-themed indoor playground where children and young teenagers can have fun with obstacle courses, slides, and climbing structures in a safe and colorful environment.
A visit to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a fascinating underwater adventure for the whole family. Children will love exploring the enormous 10-million-liter tank with over 140 species of marine animals, including sharks and rays.
Highlights include the 50m-long underwater tunnel, where you can see marine animals up close, and the encounter with the King Croc, which weighs an incredible 750kg.
A fantastic five-star resort located on one of the stunning ‘leaves’ of The Palm islands in Dubai. This famous resort boasts fun family activities with the action-packed Aquaventure Waterpark and the mysterious Lost Chambers Aquarium. Spend the day belly-laughing with the little ones on the water-slides or discover the ‘lost-city’ of Atlantis in the underwater mazes and tunnels while surrounded by 65,000 marine animals!
Besides the famous aquarium, the Dubai Mall hosts several attractions that are ideal for families with both young and older kids.Of course, it’s impossible not to mention the indoor ice rink, where the little ones can take a lesson or just have fun on the ice, and KidZania an ‘edutainment center’ where kids aged four to 16 can have fun learning and role-playing their dream jobs. Then there’s also Trampo Extreme, where children aged three and up can have fun jumping in a trampoline park, and EKart Zabeel, a go-kart track on the roof of the ninth floor, for kids aged 14 and up.
5. Ride to the top of the tallest building in the world
Visit the Burj Khalifa—a remarkable feat of engineering that offers unparalleled views of Dubai—with the whole family. Start your adventure in the ultra-fast elevators, featuring interactive exhibits and images that tell the story of other famous buildings around the world.
Arrive at the observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors, where children will enjoy exploring the surroundings with telescopes and discovering fascinating facts about the construction of this skyscraper. It’s an exciting experience that will make your family trip to Dubai truly unique.
6. Explore Old Dubai
While the first thing about Dubai to come to mind is often its modern side, there’s an ancient element, rich in traditions, colorful souks, and delicious flavors worth exploring.
A fun, family-friendly way to discover this part of Dubai is by taking a walking tour with a local guide. This will allow you to explore unique spots, hear fascinating stories and taste local delicacies.
7. Ride the world’s tallest ferris wheel
The Ain Dubai, which means ‘Eye of Dubai’, stands at 250m and is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. As you’d expect, the view from up there is breathtaking. Both during the day and at night, the 38-minute ride lets you admire Dubai’s main highlights and even distant sights from a unique perspective.
The wheel is located on Bluewaters Island, a lively spot full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
8. Experience an adventure in the Dubai desert
A desert safari in Dubai is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. The golden dunes of the Arabian desert are the perfect setting for fun and amazement in the face of nature’s beauty. There are many activities and excursions available, but a particularly family-friendly option is the desert safari with a BBQ dinner, led by a local driver. After a thrilling off-road adventure at sunset, you can end the day with a dinner at a Bedouin camp under a starlit sky, creating magical memories for both kids and adults.
If you’re traveling to Dubai between October and April, be sure to stop by the stunning Miracle Garden. The world’s largest natural flower garden, it has over 150 million blooms and features spectacular floral sculptures and flower-lined pathways that will captivate both kids and adults. The little ones will love exploring the creative installations, while parents can relax and take in the surrounding beauty. With picnic areas and play spaces, the Miracle Garden is an excellent choice for a family day in the open air.
10. Give yourself some couple time
Happy parents, happy children, so don’t forget to do something special just for the two of you. Dubai is the home of luxury and exclusive experiences, so book a dinner at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants, or spend an afternoon in complete relaxation at one of the city’s beautiful spas. You can also spend a day at one of the exclusive beach clubs, enjoying live music, sipping a cocktail and taking a dip in the pool. Whatever you choose to do, do it with love.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our suggestions on 33 things to do in Dubai.
