Dubai, the dazzling metropolis known for its awe-inspiring architecture, luxurious resorts, and vibrant lifestyle, also offers a wide array of summer activities tailored for children. While the summer break draws to a close, parents and caregivers in Dubai are looking for engaging and entertaining ways to keep their kids entertained. There are a wide range of exciting adventures waiting for kids in Dubai, from thrilling water parks to immersive educational experiences.
This article explores a wide range of summer activities designed to captivate and inspire children of all ages in Dubai. There are endless options for a summer filled with laughter, joy, and discovery, from indoor theme parks that transport them to a fantastical world to educational encounters with marine life.
Here is our list of the best kid-friendly things to do in Dubai to help you plan your summer vacation.
1) The Green Planet
Dubai's Green Planet is a must-see for kids who love nature. There are over 3,000 plants and animals in this indoor rainforest, including exotic birds, reptiles, and insects. There is also a special area for kids where they can participate in workshops, explore different ecosystems, and learn about conservation and the importance of protecting our planet's biodiversity. Guests can explore the lush tropical rainforest environment of The Green Planet with cascading waterfalls, a treetop canopy walk, and canopies. A number of interactive exhibits and experiences can be found inside the biodome, including the chance to touch and interact with some of the animals. It is even possible to experience exotic camping in the rainforest on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm to 8am.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: 10am to 6pm
Activities: Participate in workshops, Touch and interact with some animals, Camping in the rainforest
Ticket Price:
Location and Contact Details of The Green Planet
2) Aquaventure Waterpark
Waterparks are the best way to beat the heat. Dubai hosts some of the world's best water parks, including Aquaventure, the world's largest. Located next to Atlantis, The Palm, this world-class waterpark offers 105 record-breaking slides, attractions, and experiences. With Aquaventure's new dolphin experiences, you can swim, kayak, and paddle alongside these intelligent marine mammals. The only waterpark in Dubai with a private beach, the Watersports Beach Hut offers a range of non-motorised and motorised watersports. Splashers is a separate play area for kids that provides water guns, small slides and climbing frames. During your day at the park, there are many dining options to choose from.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: 10am to 6pm
Activities: Dolphin and Sea Lion experience, Climbing frames, Watersports
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Location and Contact Details of Aquaventure Waterpark
3) OliOli
As Dubai's first experiential play museum, OliOli offers an array of interactive exhibits aimed at inspiring and educating children. The program encourages creativity, curiosity, and imagination in kids by offering hands-on activities. Various topics, such as science, art, and technology, are covered in eight interactive galleries. There's plenty to do at this museum that will keep the kids engaged and entertained. It's an excellent place to spend an afternoon with the family.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Monday - Thursday 11am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 7pm
Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 7pm
Activities: Air and Water Gallery, Toshi's Nets, Incredi-Balls, Cars & Ramps
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Location and Contact Details of OliOli
4) PlayDXB
Dubai Mall's Play DXB indoor entertainment center and VR park features a range of fun and interactive activities that will keep kids entertained for hours. Children who like to play games and experience new arcade features with their friends will love this park. There are carousels and inflatable playgrounds for younger kids, while older kids can play VR games and VR activities with their friends, making it a perfect place for kids of all ages.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: 10am to midnight
Activities: Inflatable playgrounds, Carousels, VR games and activities
Ticket Price: From AED 200 to AED 500 (depending on the activity, games)
Location and Contact Details of PlayDXB
5) Museum Of Illusions
A fascinating attraction in the heart of Al Seef, the Museum of Illusions will captivate children as well as adults. It offers the opportunity for kids to explore and learn more about the science of illusions in a space suitable both for social and entertaining tours into the world of illusions. Explore more than 60 exhibits featuring holograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to confuse the senses.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Monday - Thursday 10am to 10pm
Friday - Sunday and Public Holidays 10am to 11pm
Activities: Brain teasers, Hands-on puzzles, Optical illusions
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Location and Contact Details of Museum Of Illusions
6) Ski Dubai
Located within the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai offers both adults and children the chance to ski on snowy slopes in chilling temperatures. One of the best indoor activities in Dubai during summer is this unique resort that allows you to experience snow in a desert. This gives you the feeling of being on vacation in Europe. You can engage in a variety of activities such as snow park, slope, penguin encounter, snow cinema and more. Expert trainers can also provide an exciting meet and greet with Ski Dubai's resident King and Gentoo penguins.
Age Group: Suitable for kids aged 2 and above
Timings: Monday - Thursday 10am to 11pm, Friday 10am to 12 midnight,
Saturday - Sunday 9am to 12 midnight
Activities: Sliding on the zip line, Riding the chairlift, Penguin encounter, Snow cinema
Ticket price:
Location and Contact Details of Ski Dubai
7) Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, located in Dubai Mall, offers a unique experience of the wild and gets you up close with some of nature's most beautiful creatures. Sharks, rays, and exotic fish are among the 140 species of sea creatures found there. Guests can also get up close and personal with marine life through the aquarium's 48m long tunnel. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo's educational programs are designed for schools, guests, and the community. Public and private schools in the UAE can benefit from the Ocean School Education Programme, which covers a wide variety of topics.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Monday - Thursday 10am to 11pm, Friday - Sunday 10am to midnight
Activities: Feeding sharks and rays, Boat ride, Snorkeling, Scuba diving
Ticket price: AED 199
Location and Contact Details of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
8) Little Explorers Dubai
The Little Explorers program combines fun and education for children between three and twelve. Kids learn and grow through hands-on play through Little Explorers, allowing them to unlock their imagination and explore the world. It has three interactive zones - Space Zone, Play Zone, and Water Zone. These zones offer many interactive and playful activities that help children develop their skills and have fun while they do so. Workshops like culinary and arts and crafts sessions are also hosted at the venue to allow kids to participate and learn.
Age Group: 3 to 12 years
Timings: Monday - Thursday 10am to 9:30pm, Friday - Sunday 10am to 11.30pm
Activities: Pottery, Painting, Music, Gardening, Play area
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Location and Contact Details of Little Explorers Dubai
9) IMG Worlds of Adventure
The world's largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure, offers rides and attractions for the whole family. A number of themed zones are featured at the park, including Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, Boulevard, and Haunted Hotel, each with its own set of attractions. It's fun for kids to ride roller coasters, enjoy 3D cinema experiences, and meet their favorite cartoon characters. Young children have access to a new huge inflatable adventure playground. The park features over 20 rides and attractions to cater to all ages. Younger kids can enjoy the Cartoon Network zone, while older children and adults can experience thrill rides like the Velociraptor and haunted house.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Sunday - Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm to 11pm
Activities: Rides, Dining, Shopping, Meet and Greet
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Location and Contact Details of IMG Worlds of Adventure
10) Dubai Dolphinarium
A fun-filled indoor dolphinarium located in Creek Park, Dolphinarium Dubai offers all visitors an enjoyable and interactive experience. There are several dolphin shows each day featuring bottlenose dolphins, seals, and exotic birds. Kids will learn a lot about these magnificent creatures through this fantastic activity.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: 9am to 8pm
Activities: Dolphin and Seal Show, Creek Park Bird Show, Mirror Maze, 5D/7D Cinema
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Location and Contact Details of Dubai Dolphinarium
11) The Storm Coaster
The Storm Coaster is the perfect experience for kids who love adventure. It is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world, and features an exhilarating vertical drop that will thrill the most adventurous thrill seekers. It is located in Dubai Hills Mall. A trip on the coaster will be filled with speed changes, sharp drops, and an adventure that riders will never forget. Kids taller than 130 cm can only experience this ride.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: 10am to 12am
Activities: Roller Coaster ride
Ticket price:
Location and Contact Details of The Storm Coaster
12) Air Maniax
Air Maniax offers fun activities for all ages, from 2 to 65. A challenging obstacle course, zip line, and laser tag game are available for older kids and adults, while a dedicated toddler area is available for the little ones. A colour-coded, sensor-activated wristband lets competitive children compete against each other to earn the highest score. There is a minimum height requirement of 94cm for the main inflatable arena and zip zag. 107 cm is the minimum height for Meltdown, Extreme Slide, and Warrior Assault.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Monday - Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Friday 12pm to 10pm
Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 9am to 9pm
Activities: Inflatable Arena, ZipZag, Warrior Assault Interactive and Lazer Frenzy
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Location and Contact Details of Air Maniax
13) Ekart Zabeel
Families looking for an exciting and memorable day out will enjoy Ekart Zabeel, and parents can use it as an opportunity to foster a competitive spirit in their children. The first high-end electric karting experience in the UAE, EKart Zabeel, is located at Dubai Mall. There are different kart sizes to suit different age groups, and both beginners and experienced drivers can ride the track.
Age Group: Suitable for 14 years and above
Timings: 2pm to 10pm
Activities: Go Karting
Ticket price:
Location and Contact Details of Ekart Zabeel
14) iFly Dubai
Another fun thing to do with the kids in Dubai is to take them to iFly where jets of wind will shoot them into the air inside a 10m glass tunnel. It is fun to watch them perform aerial stunts safely under the supervision of an experienced instructor.
Age Group: 3 years and above
Timings: Sunday - Wednesday 10am to 10pm
Thursday - Saturday 10am to 12pm
Activities: Indoor Skydiving
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Location and Contact Details of iFly Dubai
15) Magic Planet
Kids of all ages can enjoy rides, activities, and fun things at Magic Planet. Kids can enjoy pool tables, rock climbing, sky trail, or relax with a Yalla bowling session. There's also a soft-play for the little ones. A trampoline area called Gravity is ideal for budding acrobats, and there's also a merry-go-round and bumper cars. After playing arcade games, there are plenty of food outlets to replenish your energy. Magic Planet's ultimate fun and rewarding experience begins with purchasing a Magic Planet Card or RFID Card.
Age Group: Suitable for kids of all ages
Timings: Saturday - Wednesday 10am to 10pm
Thursday - Friday 10am to 11pm
Activities: Rides, Pool table, Trampoline, Rock climbing, Bowling
Location and Contact Details of Magic Planet
16) Cheeky Monkeys
A safe and stimulating environment awaits children at Cheeky Monkeys Dubai, an indoor play and party center. It attracts families in Dubai who are looking for fun and entertainment with trampolines, climbing frames, and soft play areas. Cheeky Monkeys is also a popular venue for hosting parties and events. Additionally, there is a cafe serving hot kid-friendly meals and Starbucks coffee, plus free WiFi for parents. A comprehensive party package is available that includes dedicated party rooms, decorations, entertainment, and food options tailored to the specific requirements and preferences of guests.
Age Group: 10 months to 8 years
Timings: 9am to 9pm
Activities: Trampolines, Climbing frames, Soft play area
Location and Contact Details of Cheeky Monkeys Ajman
17) KidZania
The KidZania Dubai is a popular attraction for families, schools, and educational outings, offering an educational and fun experience for children aged 4 to 16. However, babies to senior citizens are welcome as well. It is an edutainment theme park where children can role-play as adults in a miniature city designed just for them. Children can explore different careers and gain hands-on experience in this park that mimics real-life professions. In this park, parents can relax while their kids engage in independent play in a safe environment.
Age Group: 4 to 16 years
Timings: 10am to 10pm
Activities: Games, Role play
Ticket price:
Location and Contact Details of KidZania
Events Happening During Summer For Kids In Dubai
1) Peter Pan On Ice at The Theatre – Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Embark on a breathtaking journey on real ice with Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell, and the Lost Boys in Neverland from 26 to 28 May 2023. J.M. Barrie's beloved tale is brought to life in a spectacular production by the Imperial Ice Stars. As Peter Pan's story unfolds, you'll experience flying, skating, and special effects. A family-friendly show, Peter Pan on Ice will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a thrilling adventure with some of the best ice skaters around.
Event Details for Peter Pan On Ice
2) Paw Patrol at Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi
This June 8th to 11th, 2023, the heroic pups of PAW Patrol take over the Etihad Arena for an exciting family weekend. Get ready for an action-packed, Broadway-style performance featuring Ryder and his pups - PAW Patrol Live! Race To The Rescue. An unforgettable adventure awaits you as the pups embark on a mission to save Mayor Goodway, filled with exciting storylines and catchy music to get you dancing. Enjoy the thrilling journey as you interact with the lovable characters.
3) Matilda The Musical at Dubai Opera
Get ready to be enchanted by Matilda The Musical, a multi-award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) based on a beloved Roald Dahl book. Dubai Opera will present this extraordinary production from October 3rd to October 12th, 2023. The magical story of Matilda, with a script by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, is a treat for children and adults. Experience the adventures of this extraordinary little girl as she overcomes obstacles using her vivid imagination and sharp intellect. The heartwarming story of Matilda and her amazing journey will take your breath away.
Event Details for Matilda The Musical
4) Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder 2023 in Abu Dhabi
You will get a chance to see your favorite Disney characters in Abu Dhabi for the special 100-Year Anniversary edition of Disney On Ice from 11 to 15 October 2023. A mesmerizing ice-skating spectacle brings to life the magic of Encanto, Aladdin, Tangled, Moana, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and more. As you embark on a musical journey with your favorite Disney characters, you will be transported to a world of fantasy and wonder. Stunning performances will leave you spellbound as the talented cast glides across the ice.
Event Details for Disney on Ice