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Traveling with kids is both exciting and overwhelming. On one side, you are excited about exposing them to new places, people, and cultures. On the other side, you are worried about whether the places you are visiting are interesting and engaging for them. If you are searching for such a place for your next family holiday, then you do not have to look beyond Dubai. The golden city of the United Arab Emirates has been designed to accommodate the interests and inclinations of children. From unique animal attractions to thrilling amusement parks, Dubai ensures that no kid has a dull moment in this emirate. Here are some of the best kid-friendly attractions of Dubai. Most of these attractions are included in popular Dubai packages.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
In most places, the only thing that shopping malls have for kids is a play area or sometimes a theme park. But not Dubai! The largest mall in the UAE, Dubai Mall is home to an indoor aquarium as well as an underwater zoo. The aquarium has over 33,000 marine animals like stingrays, manta rays, sharks, etc. The underwater zoo here is home to some interesting animal species like the King Croc, penguins, otters, etc. You can also enjoy experiences and animal encounters like scuba diving, shark feeding, cage diving, King Croc encounter, penguin encounter, etc.
KidZania Dubai
KidZania Dubai is a mini city where kids can take up some adult jobs, learn about responsibilities, and earn money too. An indoor theme park located in Dubai, KidZania is spread around an area of 7000 square meters. Here, kids can choose among more than 40 professions like doctor, shopkeeper, delivery person, news presenter, radio jockey, chocolate maker, firefighters, etc. After completing each activity, kids earn KidZos money, which they can spend at the retail store. KidZania is a theme park that is fun and at the same time educational.
Green Planet Dubai
Green Planet Dubai, an indoor rainforest, is one of the most fascinating attractions of Dubai. This indoor forest is located in a biodome, with a large tree in the center, which is divided into four levels, each emphasizing the importance of the rainforest for our planet. As you move up the tree, you will get to meet animals, amphibians, birds, plants, etc., that are usually seen in a rainforest. Kids would have fun trying some of the special encounters with birds, reptiles, armadillo, sloth, etc. Green Planet also gives kids the opportunity to enjoy camping and even become a zoo keeper for a day.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
The largest immersive, indoor theme park in the world is a place you must visit when in Dubai with kids. IMG Worlds of Adventure is a treasure chest of thrill rides, fun attractions, delicious diners, and interesting retail stores. The place is divided into six worlds: IMG Boulevard (the welcome zone), Lost Valley (all about the world of dinosaurs), Marvel (a world of Marvel heroes and villains), Cartoon Network (rides and attractions inspired by characters and shows of CN), IMG Kids Zone (a play area dedicated to the little ones), and the Haunted Town (an eerie world filled with ghosts, zombies, and scary situations. Each of the worlds has to rides, attractions, restaurants, and retail stores inspired by the theme. You also get to meet your favorite cartoon characters at these zones.
Legoland Dubai
If you are traveling with young kids, the theme parks of Dubai may not seem suitable with most rides and rollercoasters designed for older kids and adults. In this case, you must head to Legoland Dubai, a Lego-based theme park, meant for kids between the ages of 2 and 12 years. Legoland is a part of Dubai Parks & Resorts and is divided into different zones, which are Factory, Miniland, Lego City, Imagination, Kingdoms, and Adventure. Apart from enjoying the numerous kid-friendly rides, children can also have some special experiences at the Factory Tour, Boating School, Miniland Light Show, Driving School, City Airport, Sea Port, Police Headquarters, and more. If you have time, you can stay at the Legoland Resort here and also visit the Legoland Water Park next to the theme park.
OliOli Dubai
If there is a place in Dubai where kids learn while playing, it has to be OliOli Dubai. Knowing as an interactive play museum, OliOli is spread across two floors and has eight interesting galleries. The names of the galleries include Air Gallery, Toshi’s Nets, Future Park, Water Gallery, Cars & Ramps, Incredi-Balls, and more. At each of these galleries, kids have to use their imagination, creativity, and curiosity to learn new concepts and skills and at the same time have a fun time. Apart from the regular exhibits, OliOli also hosts winter and summer camps and such other seasonal attractions regularly.
Aquaventure Water Park
If you want to have some water fun with your family, your Dubai itinerary should include one of the largest water parks in the world, the Aquaventure Water Park. A part of Hotel Atlantis the Palm, located on Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure Water Park is spread around an area of 22.5 hectares of land. This water park has something for everyone, right from kids to adults who are looking for a thrilling experience. The gravity-defying and adrenaline-inducing rides like Leap of Faith, Surf’s Up, Odyssey of Terror, Medusa’s Lair, Shockwave, River Rapids, etc., would definitely satisfy the adventure-seeking adults and older kids. The younger ones would have a good time at Splashers Kids’ Play Area, which is equipped with slides, tunnels, climbing frames, tubes, and so much more.
Ski Dubai
One of the largest indoor ski resorts in the world is located in Dubai’s ‘Mall of the Emirates’. With sub-zero temperatures and real snow, Ski Dubai & Snow Park is a true winter wonderland. It is spread around 22,500 square meters and has the biggest indoor ski mountain with five varying slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and zorbing. There is also a snow park, where you can enjoy zipping down the ice slide, have a snowball fight with your family, climb towers, and indulge in tobogganing. Ski Dubai also gives you the chance to meet Gentoo and King Penguins. Two of the experiences you must not miss here are the chairlift and zorbing. Kids would also love visiting the Ice Café for a cup of hot chocolate while admiring the snow-covered paradise.
Dubai Dolphinarium
Dubai has numerous animal attractions, but there is something special about Dubai Dolphinarium. An indoor attraction, Dubai Dolphinarium is where you can enjoy interactive experiences with not just dolphins but also seals and exotic birds. The Dolphin & Seal Show is the main highlight here. Lasting 45 minutes, this show gives you the opportunity to see dolphins jump, swim, flip, paint, play games, and interact with their trainers as well as some of the audience members. There is also a Creek Park Bird Show, which features exotic birds like falcons, parrots, hornbills, etc. An exclusive experience you can enjoy here is the chance to swim with the dolphins.
A few other kid-friendly places in Dubai are Neon Galaxy, House of Hype, Wild Wadi Waterpark, Motiongate Dubai, etc. If you want to explore the kid-friendly attractions outside Dubai, you can check out Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah packages. In fact, all of the UAE is a family-friendly attraction with plenty of things to see and do for kids.