Dubai is a playground for families, with way too many activities to try out. But choosing what to do with your energetic little explorers can sometimes feel like cracking a code. With endless options in a world of screens and gadgets, it's crucial to tap into kids' natural curiosity while igniting their sense of wonder.
15 Fun Activities to Try with Family
In this list, we've rounded up our top picks and insights from countless Dubai parents to bring you the ultimate guide to family fun.
1. VR Park
VR Park in Dubai Mall is a one-of-a-kind attraction that combines augmented reality with virtual reality through 18 immersive and thrilling activities. It's similar to the world in the movie "Ready Player One" where you can experience a fantastical utopia. Players can experience falling from the Burj Khalifa or take an airborne taxi over a futuristic version of Dubai. Other experiences include joining an elite crew of professionals trying to save a comrade, battling dragons, virtual hockey, and travelling through time and space. There are also multi-player augmented reality attractions that will be a fun activity to try with kids.
2. KidZania
KidZania is an 80,000 sq. ft. mini-city that promotes playing and learning in a fun and engaging way. Kids aged 2-16 can try out over 40 role-playing activities, where they explore real-life professions like pilots and chefs, developing essential skills along the way. KidZania facilitates activities that involve learning how to manage money and understand how the real world works by earning 'kidZos' – the currency of KidZania, for every task they perform. This is one of the most fun things to do for kids as they not only have a great time being police officers and firefighters but also acquire knowledge that they may not learn in a classroom.
3. GLITCH
GLITCH is an expansive indoor entertainment park with more than 30 indoor games suitable for both adults and children. The interior is illuminated with vibrant lights and neon accents, creating a visually appealing atmosphere. Highlights are the ninja warrior-style course made to test your strength and agility and a roller glide experience called SkySurf where you can glide across the 43000 sq. ft. venue and take in the view from above. You'll also find a retro arcade with a mix of nostalgic video games, along with modern VR games and a good old eight-lane bowling centre.
4. Air Maniax
Air Maniax is a huge indoor inflatable adventure park offering more than 15 activities for the entire family. Inside, you'll find various adventure zones, including a trampoline course, an arcade-style laser tag arena, a zip line, and an obstacle course. There is also a dedicated area for toddlers to safely enjoy bouncing fun.
5. AYA
If you are looking to witness an otherworldly experience, AYA Universe is an unmissable venue. This immersive park is a multi-dimensional space that combines high-tech graphics, art, sound, and lights creating 12 interactive zones. As you walk through dynamic environments like ‘Blooming Flora’ and ‘Aquatic Tides and Falls’, you will find each offers a unique experience. All the zones relate and adjust to your presence, ensuring no two experiences are the same.
6. Aventura Parks
Aventura Parks presents a safe and exciting outdoor adventure for families. Spanning 376,000 square feet amidst a Ghaf tree forest, this adventure park features 5 circuits spread across various tiers with 24 ziplines and 80 obstacles suitable for all ages and skill levels. If your kids feel adventurous, let them take on the 166-meter zip line or conquer the 12-meter climbing wall.
7. Dolphin Bay Aquaventure
The Dolphin Bay in Aquaventure brings an unforgettable experience of swimming with Pacific bottle-nose dolphins, allowing visitors to interact closely with these intelligent marine mammals in a safe and controlled environment. Get up close and personal with playful dolphins through deep-water snorkelling or a knee-deep encounter and experience the joy of being close to these creatures. There is ‘behind the scenes’ access with a guided tour for those who want to learn more about what goes into taking care of dolphins.
8. Ferrari World
Ferrari World, one of the UAE's most exhilarating theme parks, is a haven for car enthusiasts, speed lovers, and fans of the iconic prancing horse from Maranello. With over 40 attractions and rides, including the Formula Rossa, the world's fastest rollercoaster reaching speeds of 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, there's excitement in store for all. Inside you will also find state-of-the-art racing simulators, where your kids will have a ‘Charles Leclerc racing at Monza’ moment. With displays of racing memorabilia and iconic cars, you will feel as if you've stepped straight into the heart of motorsport history.
9. Aquaventure Waterpark
Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the world's largest waterpark and arguably the best in Dubai. Visitors of all ages are sure to feel a surge of excitement as they tackle the challenge of conquering 105 slides. It has rides to suit every level from a chilled-out lazy river to 28 record-breaking slides one of which has a 27-metre vertical drop into a tunnel that twists through the shark lagoon. When you need a break, you can relax at one of their private cabanas which come with dedicated butler service and refreshments.
10. Green Planet
Green Planet Dubai is an indoor rainforest, housing over 3,000 exotic plants and animals for an immersive journey into the wild. As the region's first bio-dome, it recreates a tropical forest and houses the world's largest man-made, life-sustaining indoor tree. Visitors can interact with exotic species like sloths, toucans, lizards, and pythons, and even snorkel with piranhas. Kids will love the "Zookeeper for a Day" experience where they get up close and personal with the animals and shadow a biologist.
11. Chaos Karts
Real-life video game, racing alongside friends and family in a virtual world where you pace through futuristic landscapes, conquer virtual obstacles, and wield fantastical weapons? – that's the Chaos Karts experience. You can race electric go-karts in a fully projected world that will thrill and excite them as they compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. With varying track designs, and in-kart power-ups and weapons, the experience takes racing to new heights. Thanks to anti-collision technology and no physical obstacles, no race suits or helmets are required.
12. Ski Dubai
The best way to beat Dubai's scorching summer is a day at Ski Dubai, the world's third-largest indoor ski resort. It features an 85-meter-high indoor mountain, equivalent to a 25-storey building with 5 slopes and a massive snow park offering attractions like Tubing Run, Climbing Wall, and Bobsleds. Here you can feel the thrill of indoor skiing and snowboarding, whether you're a beginner learning from experts or showcasing your skills with jumps and tricks at the dedicated freestyle zone. Remember to meet the resident penguins – an encounter the whole family will love.
13. Seaworld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the region's first marine life theme park, inviting guests to witness over 100,000 marine animals in their habitats. The park features 8 ‘realms,’ each showcasing different types of marine ecosystems, taking you on an immersive journey that reveals the beauty and diversity of marine life. There are over 100 animal presentations, including exciting interactions with Dugongs and Sea Turtles. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi offers the region's largest multi-species aquarium, a variety of dining venues, themed rollercoasters, and live entertainment.
14. Wild Paint House
Wild Paint House invites you to unleash your inner creativity with paint. This art jamming studio guarantees fun, regardless of skill level. Choose from 6 unique painting experiences and explore various techniques with high-quality, child-safe tempera paint. From swinging colour tubes to spinning canvases and neon splatter art to graffiti making, the possibilities are endless. Remember to return two days later to collect your masterpiece once it's dry and ready.
15. Aquafun waterpark
Although we've mentioned a waterpark before, Aqua Fun deserves its own spotlight. As the world's largest inflatable water park spread over 456,000 sq. ft. along JBR's shores, Aquafun Waterpark has a massive obstacle course with over 115 obstacles. The course features bouncy castles, slip ‘n slides, trampolines, climbing walls, a variety of slides, running walls, rope swings, and other fun water obstacles. Aquafun has ranked among Dubai's top 5 activities and in the top 100 globally on TripAdvisor, so families are going to have a blast at this waterpark.
Dubai has endless options for entertaining kids, so it is easy to face some decision paralysis. As we conclude our list of fun things to do with your kids, the only thing left is to take your pick and prepare for the inevitable ‘I told you so’ from the kids.
