20 Things to do in Dubai with Kids | 2024 (with Photos)

Originally a desert outpost, Dubai is a metropolis of skyscrapers and malls that has developed into a popular vacation destination. 

Dubai attracts tourists with its year-round hot climate, the promise of luxury, and family-friendly activities. In fact, there are dozens of fun things to do in Dubai with kids on your family vacation.

You might be under the false impression that Dubai is not the ideal holiday for families with children, but this is not the case.

Below, we have provided a list of family-friendly activities for your vacation in Dubai. So, whether you are interested in visiting theme parks, spending time at luxury hotels, or taking a thrilling ride in a hot air balloon, you should find some options on this list.

Table of Contents

1. Visit the World's Tallest Building

2. Take a Trip to Dubai Mall

3. Go to Kidzania Dubai

4. IMG World of Adventures

5. Take a Trip to Ferrari World

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1. Visit the World's Tallest Building

The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is the world's tallest building. Visiting this colossal building is an exciting experience for children and adults alike. 

Ride up to the observation deck, 500 meters from ground level, in the world's fastest elevator and feel the magnitude of the building.

At the base of the skyscraper is the Burj Khalifa lake, and on the lake sits the Dubai Fountain. 

Designed by the creators of the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas, the Dubai Fountain is the biggest choreographed fountain in the world. With dramatic lighting and music, it is a spectacle to behold.

2. Take a Trip to Dubai Mall

Epic shopping malls with built-in aquariums and indoor ski slopes are just one of Dubai's famed tourist attractions. 

The Dubai Mall is a great spot to spend the day with your family. It is a sensible alternative to being in the midday heat when you're in Dubai with kids.

The Dubai Mall boasts more than 1,200 stores, so there is something for everyone, regardless of personal tastes and budgets. 

Moreover, you will find awesome restaurants, a skating rink, a rooftop terrace, a VR park, and a kids' theme park called KidZania.

3. Go to Kidzania Dubai

If you are visiting Dubai with kids, this is an unmissable experience. KidZania is much more than just a "playground" for kids. It is an entire city built for kids to role-play as adults in a safe environment.

This constructed city contains life-size buildings, kid-friendly entertainment, and educational role-playing activities.

KidZania was created as a transitional tool to help children prepare for the challenges and opportunities of life as an adult. In the world of KidZania, children are in charge and adults are absent.

4. IMG World of Adventures

IMG Worlds of Adventures is the world's largest indoor amusement park. Just a short drive from the city center IMG has several adventure zones dedicated to different themes, including Cartoon Network, the "lost valley" dinosaur park, and the IMG kids' zone.

This child-friendly inflatable playground spans over 17,000 square feet. Children below 90cm tall need to be under adult supervision at all times in the kids' zone.

Check online for the current IMG World Tickets Price and purchase now so your family can secure its adventure with IMG.

You can also visit Warner Bros World during your Dubai family vacation.

5. Take a Trip to Ferrari World

Ferrari World UAE is located in Abu Dhabi, the second-largest city in the United Arab Emirates. This day trip from Dubai is a great treat for the whole family.

This thrilling theme park boasts various attractions and activities. For instance, kids as young as 10 years old can take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime junior Ferrari driving experience.

Moreover, you can enjoy the world's fastest roller coaster, try go-karting or ziplining, and have a go at the Ferrari driving simulators.

Children under 3 can enter the park for free, while kids aged 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult with a valid admission ticket.

6. Go on a Desert Safari

A Dubai desert safari trip is a must when you visit the UAE. 

Take priceless photos of your children on camel rides, marvel at the sand dunes and surrounding mountains, and experience a thrilling ride through the sand in a buggy.

Whether or not they are visiting Dubai with kids, every tourist should take the time to do a desert safari. This is a magical experience for children and adults alike. 

Tours are available in multiple languages, including English and Arabic.

7. Visit the Dubai Ice Rink

Visiting an Olympic-sized ice rink in Dubai with kids is a surefire way to make your vacation unforgettable. 

The Dubai ice rink offers a figure skating course, ice hockey games, and even DJ nights when the rink turns into a dance hall.

You can spend time with your children learning a new skill, dance the evening away, or get sporty on the ice any time of year in Dubai. 

This is fun for the whole family and a chance to shelter from the sun on your action-packed Dubai trip.

8. Take a trip to Dubai Creek

The Dubai creek is a natural saltwater creek that extends 9 miles inland and forms a natural port. 

You can get a unique perspective of the city from a traditional wooden boat and see both sides of the water: Deira and Bur Dubai.

There is also Dubai creek park, which is a large public park offering lovely, shaded walks, landscaped gardens, and family attractions. 

When you are visiting Dubai creek park, don't forget to check out Children's City, an educational center for kids with hands-on exhibits.

9. Visit the Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort is the oldest remaining building in Dubai, dating back to the 1700s. Once a fortress, armory, and prison, The Dubai Museum boasts artifacts from Dubai's Bedouin heritage.

Before oil was discovered, Dubai was just a small fishing settlement, battling intense desert conditions. Now, it is a metropolis. 

With kids in tow, this museum can be a great option for avoiding the piping hot sun, having educational fun, and learning about other cultures.

10. Get Active at Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is an indoor skiing resort located in the Mall of the Emirates. The resort offers over 22,000 square meters of indoor ski and snowboarding area. The slopes are graded easy, intermediate, and difficult.

This is a great place to spend your time in Dubai, with kids or without. You can try your skills at skiing or snowboarding at the snow park, meet penguins and go to the snow cinema.

You can also try out zorb balling at the Ski Dubai snow park. This is when you roll down a slope inside a large inflatable ball. As you can imagine, Ski Dubai is a hit with adults and kids alike.

11. The Burj al Arab Hotel

The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is a hotel on its own island, which offers suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sea view, nine top-quality restaurants, and a luxury spa.

Just because you are in Dubai with kids, doesn't mean you have to miss out on luxury. 

Spend time at the Burj al Arab by booking the 90-minute tour or by reserving a table at the hotel's family-friendly restaurant, Al Iwan. You can still enjoy downtown Dubai with kids in tow!

12. Wild Wadi Water Park

Located in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab, the Wild Wadi Water Park offers over 30 rides and attractions for the entire family to enjoy. 

The park's theme is the traditional Arabic story of Juha, "the wise fool", which is also known and loved in the Middle East and North Africa.

Escape the notoriously hot summers of the Middle East at this super fun water park located near the Dubai Marina. An iconic water park in the UAE, Wild Wadi offers exhilarating rides for all ages and a surfing simulator.

Note that AquaVenture Water Park is another popular option. AquaVenture has Dubai's longest lazy river, various restaurants, and a private beach.

13. Go to Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is a district in Dubai. This artificial canal city spans 3 kilometers of the Persian Gulf shoreline. 

You can stay at a hotel in the Dubai Marina or visit for the day and check out the activities and tours on offer.

Dubai Marina is home to the world's longest urban zipline, Xline. Dubai Marina beach and Kite beach are also very well-known, the latter being a popular spot for kite surfers.

Finally, sharks and whales have been known to enter the marina, so take a boat tour and see if you can spot some marine life!

14. Dubai Miracle Garden

Going to the Miracle Garden in Dubai with kids is a beautiful experience, as the whole family can get in touch with nature and take gorgeous photos for the family album.

The Dubai Miracle Garden is home to over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. With dramatic floral displays and sculpted gardens, this incredible tourist spot is truly breathtaking.

There is also a butterfly garden and a lot of opportunities to eat at the Miracle Garden. Add this to your Dubai trip itinerary - it's a must!

15. Visit Global Village

Global Village festival theme park is fun for the whole family. Over 90 cultures are represented by the rides, shows, and food at Global Village.

From great events and games to Ripley's Believe It or Not family-friendly exhibition, Global Village is an absolute winner for families who visit Dubai with kids.

Purchase a skip-the-line ticket before you go to Global Village, so you don't need to queue to buy tickets when you arrive.

16. Go to Legoland Dubai

This is one of many Dubai theme parks, with rollercoasters, water rides, and even a hotel. 

Enjoy the Lego-themed attractions, kids eat free promotions, and VIP shark feeding tours at this awesome park. Just be prepared for plenty of walking.

You can even build your own Lego raft and float down the lazy river. It is a given that the whole family will enjoy Legoland Dubai. 

With many lands, attractions, restaurants, and VIP experiences, your family holiday is not complete without a trip to Legoland Dubai.

17. Check out Jumeirah Beach Park

By far the nicest beach in the city, Jumeirah is another awesome choice for families visiting Dubai with kids. You can hire sun loungers and umbrellas and there is a lifeguard on duty from 8 am to sunset.

Moreover, your whole family can stay at the Jumeirah beach residence, where there is a kids' club.

18. Go to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a perfect day activity for young kids. Some of the activities on offer are diving with fish, sharks, and stingrays, watching shark trainers, and walking through glass tunnels to view the impressive array of sea life.

This is fun for the whole family. As well as the Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo, there is also the Lost Chambers Aquarium in Dubai, which offers interactive experiences with sea life.

19. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai

If you really want to make the trip memorable, why not book a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Dubai? Glide over the red sands of the Dubai desert, take in the incredible views, and watch the sunrise over the horizon.

You can choose tours that offer breakfast, a camel ride, or a land rover sand dune ride included. If you want to take on Dubai with kids, this is a great trip to keep in mind.

20. Go to an Indoor Trampoline Park

When you are looking for new and exciting ways to keep the kids busy on holiday, you cannot beat a trampoline park, such as Bounce. 

Not only is this great exercise, but it is fun and an opportunity for kids to freestyle and let loose.

Hours of jumping and running around will make sure your little ones use up all of their energy and have a long deep sleep at night. This is a win-win for parents and children!

Summing up: Things to do in Dubai with Kids

So, there you have it. There are a whole host of ways to plan your trip to Dubai with kids. From water parks and theme parks to hot air balloons and the Dubai Mall, there is something for every member of the family in this vibrant city.

This has been a list of things to do in Dubai with kids, but this list is not exhaustive. The opportunities are endless. So, start planning your trip to the Middle East today, and try to include a day trip to Abu Dhabi if you can.

Even if you are traveling with very young children, you can still have an unforgettable family vacation in sunny Dubai