Planning a trip to the UAE with kids? Keeping little ones occupied is a full-time task, but happily, Dubai is a super family-friendly destination with loads to offer them – here are a few of my favourite places to visit with youngsters:
LEGOLAND Dubai
Who doesn’t love LEGO? This amazing park offers rides, attractions, and live shows guaranteed to keep the whole family happy – big kids and little kids alike! A lot of the park is undercover, which makes this a great year-round option, and I also love the way that LEGOLAND Dubai emphasizes imagination and educational (but fun!) experiences. Perfect for younger kids, and LEGO enthusiasts.
Dubai Parks & Resorts
Directly adjacent to LEGOLAND Dubai is MOTIONGATE Dubai, and BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai – and both are excellent options for the whole family! The first park of its kind in the world, BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai offers up six zones that put you in the middle of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters – the shows here, in particular, are phenomenal and the park also has loads of incredible street entertainment. MOTIONGATE Dubai combines characters and settings from three massive Hollywood studios – DreamWorks, Columbia, and Lionsgate – into rides and attractions guaranteed to entertain. With more thrill rides on offer in both parks, as well as cuter characters for youngsters, these are both great days out for families with kids of all ages.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
A massive indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the perfect way to keep the family occupied during the hotter summer months. With loads of different zones themed around everything from Marvel to Cartoon Network, the 20-plus rides – including two roller coasters(!) – on offer will keep everyone occupied. The fact that this is all located undercover and in cooling AC, makes IMG a great year-round, whatever-the-weather option.
Dubai Safari Park
Home to around 3,000 species, including those native to the Arabian Desert as well as lions, elephants, and bears, Dubai Safari Park is a great day out for animal lovers! With a focus on conservation, education, and protection, the park is absolutely massive and a great way to spend a day amongst nature. As Dubai Safari Park is all outdoors, this one is only open from September – May, but if you are here during the cooler months it’s definitely worth a visit.
Aquaventure & Wild Wadi
Water parks are the perfect way to cool off and keep kids entertained! Wild Wadi, Dubai’s first water park, is located next to Jumeirah Beach and although the more compact of my two picks, crams 30 thrilling rides and a huge wave pool in its laid-back, Arabian-themed setting. Aquaventure, meanwhile, is the world’s largest waterpark (!) and offers over 79 slides and attractions including gravity-defying drops and a dedicated kids-only waterpark-within-the-waterpark! I would highly recommend both for the whole family as great ways to beat the Dubai heat.
I hope these recommendations help you with planning your next family trip to Dubai, and – as always – would recommend fueling your adventures with delicious kids and adult meals from Elli’s Kosher Kitchen!
