A holiday with family is exciting, but the planning phase can be chaotic and overwhelming, especially when you have to decide the destination. It is important to choose a place that caters to all the members of the family, both adults and children. And Dubai is a place that fits this bill to the T. One of the most popular cities not just in the United Arab Emirates but also the entire Middle East, Dubai has everything that you seek in a family-friendly holiday destination. From theme parks to nature attractions to outdoor activities, Dubai has numerous things to get your entire family hooked. Here’s what you can do to have family fun in Dubai.
Amusement Parks
There is no shortage of theme parks in Dubai. In fact, this emirate city is home to top-notch theme parks and water parks, some of which hold world records.
IMG Worlds of Adventure: The largest indoor theme park in the world, the IMG Worlds of Adventure is a place you must not miss when visiting Dubai with your family. With interesting zones, thrilling rides, interactive activities, and innumerable dining and shopping experiences, IMG Worlds promises a day of fun and adventure. Buy your IMG Worlds of Adventure tickets in advance to enjoy the theme park to the fullest.
Aquaventure World Water Park: A part of Hotel Atlantis the Palm on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure World is considered to be the largest water park in the world. Spread around an area of 22.5 hectares, this water park has some of the coolest slides and attractions. You get to explore more than 105 record-breaking slides and attractions here. The water park also has a private beach, where you can enjoy water sports.
Dubai Parks & Resorts: Dubai Parks & Resorts is a large umbrella that holds multiple theme parks, a water park, and play areas. For a Hollywood-style experience, head over to Motiongate Dubai, while football fans should visit Real Madrid World. For families with kids between the ages of 2 and 12 years, there is Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park. Riverland Dubai and Neon Galaxy also promise a good time.
Global Village Dubai: A leisure and entertainment destination, Global Village Dubai is a seasonal attraction in the city. Running from October to March/April, Global Village Dubai is your one-stop-shop for everything from shopping to entertainment. The place is filled with pavilions from countries from all around the world. The place also has its own amusement park, where you can enjoy arcade games and fun rides. Food kiosks, fireworks, cultural shows, and dance performances are all part of Global Village Dubai.
Outdoor Attractions and Activities
Dubai is full of amazing indoor attractions, but that does not mean that there is nothing to do indoors. The outdoor attractions and activities in Dubai would blow your mind.
Dubai Desert Safari: The desert safari is the top among the list of tourist attractions you must not miss in Dubai. Filled with a series of adventure activities, the desert safari is where you can have a good time with your family. A morning desert safari includes adventures like dune bashing, sandboarding, dune buggy riding, and camel riding, while an evening desert safari includes all these adventures along with entertainment programs and a delectable BBQ dinner to go with it.
Dubai Miracle Garden: Dubai is known for its incredible attractions, but Dubai Miracle Garden is surely one of the best. It is the largest natural flower garden in the world, located in a desert city. Home to more than 100 million flowers and plants, the Dubai Miracle Garden steals the show with its extraordinary and grand floral installations. A floral clock, floral Emirates Airbus A380, floral castles, floral Disney characters, sunflower fields, floral lake, etc., are all part of this beautiful flower garden.
Dubai Fountain Show: The Dubai Fountain Show is a classic Dubai tourist attraction. What makes it even more special is that the show is free. Standing outside the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, the massive fountain of the Burj Lake performs the awesome fountain show every evening from 6 to 11, in the gap of 30 minutes. The show is a combination of tall water jets, colorful LED lights, and soulful music. The fact that the fountain jets move as per the rhythm of the music makes the Dubai Fountain Show mesmerizing.
Animal Encounters in Dubai
Kids are fascinated by wild animals, and Dubai offers plenty of animal attractions that make the perfect Dubai family activity.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: Located inside the colossal Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo attempts to give you a glimpse of the underwater world. The large acrylic aquarium tank houses more than 30,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, rays, and more. A trip to the underwater zoo will give you the chance to see otters, penguins, King Croc, reptiles, etc. Moreover, the place offers interesting experiences like cage diving, shark feeding, glass bottom boat tour, etc.
The Green Planet: Truly one-of-a-kind, the Green Planet is a vertical, indoor tropical rainforest. At the center of this rainforest is a large tree, which is divided into different sections that give you an insight into the importance of rainforests. As you explore the forest, you will get to see the flora and fauna that you typically see in a rainforest. You can meet a variety of birds, armadillos, reptiles, sloth, etc. Green Planet also offers exciting experiences like overnight camping and being a zookeeper for a day.
Dubai Dolphinarium: The Dubai Dolphinarium is an indoor center where you can meet dolphins and enjoy some unique experiences. The highlight of the place is the Dolphin & Seal Show where trained dolphins and seals entertain you with special skills and tricks. You can also meet, greet, play, and swim with dolphins here. Animal encounters, the exotic bird show, mirror maze, and art factory are some of the other attractions at the Dubai Dolphinarium.
Apart from the ones mentioned, Dubai has plenty of cultural attractions, activity centers, nature attractions, and play areas catering to families. Include these Dubai family activities in your itinerary to make your family holiday memorable.