Dubai with its ever shifting sands, has been a very popular tourist destination for adults. This city has been reinventing itself to be equally popular with kids as well with its most innovative ways to entertain. Some of the attractions that Dubai offers its young visitors are given below.
Dubai aquarium and underwater zoo
Dubai Mall, one of the most modern malls in Dubai, is equipped with a 22-screen cinema; an indoor theme park called Sega World, a world for children called Kidzania and a giant Aquarium which has 33,000 different species and a shark tunnel. It also has an underwater zoo packed with every sea and rainforest creature imaginable, otters and even a penguin colony. KidZania is a child-sized city set over two levels, with paved streets, pedestrians, vehicles and every adult occupation imaginable – firefighters, pilots, pizza chefs, doctors, bankers, barbers, and even actors find their destiny here. Your ticket will include 50 Kidzos which can be used to pay for products and services such as a drivers license (10 kidzos). Meanwhile, Sega Republic, conveniently located adjacent to Kidzania, is a two-level indoor theme park featuring thrilling rides, motion-simulator adventures and adrenaline-pumping games.
Beaches and Parks
Dubai is a haven for the various parks and beaches. Children??s City is located at the Dubai Creek Park at Bur Dubai consists of over 80,000 square feet of educational area with attractions for kids, and blends activities on nature, space, science, culture and the human body, and kids will love the flight simulator and the other interactive exhibits. There are plenty of parks with children’s activities, such as Safa Park and the Zabeel Park and visit their Stargate Centre (good for kids over 7). With what seems like an endless lawn, Creekside Park is a great place for families and kids to enjoy with its botanical garden, an 18-hole mini golf course, an amphitheatre, picnic locations with barbecue equipment and a mini train and children’s play areas. The Al Nasr Leisureland offers facilities such as an ice rink, swimming pools, tennis courts and a bowling alley. There is even an amusement park with bumper cars, rollercoasters, go-karting and much more. Beaches such as AL Mamzar beach, Jumeirah beach are pleasant within themselves.
Dancing fountains
Set on the Burj Khalifa Lake right outside the Dubai Mall, this Vegas-style fountain shoots water jets as high as 50 storeys and is accompanied by music and illuminated by colourful beams. Performances happen daily at regular intervals in the evenings and are fascinating to watch.
Dolphin Bay, Atlantis
At Dolphin Bay, you really get what you pay for: a song and dance with a dolphin. Highly skilled instructors partner with perfectly trained mammals to create a seamless experience in the pool. It is a great experience for the viewers too. This is ideal for a little older kids as they would have a great time with the dolphins inside the pool.
Desert safari
Children can experience desert at its best with a desert safari. Expert drivers will negotiate towering sand dunes, some reaching up to 300m, to show you some dramatic desert landscapes. After recovering from the thrills of the drive, you and your family can even turn their hand to sand surfing.
Burj Khalifa
The tallest structure on the planet is impossible to miss from the moment you arrive in Dubai. Soaring above the city like a giant needle, it really is a wonder of modern technology and design. The opportunity to view the city from the observation deck on the 134th floor is not to be missed, and day or night the view is truly spectacular.
Tower of Arabs (Burj Al Arab)
One of the world’s famous seven-star hotel has been an icon for Dubai. Despite the many new hotels, the Burj Al Arab still is on the recommend list of many Dubai residents. From the aquariums that flank the escalator to the underwater seafood restaurant or the exotic glass elevator, it is all eye candy for new visitors.
Aquatic attractions
Perhaps it’s because of its history as a fishing port that Dubai has an array of aquatic attractions. Wild Wadi water park has 30 water rides and attractions ranging from relaxing to downright scary. Aquaventure in the Atlantis, the Palm, has enough splash-about larks to keep anyone amused for a day.There is also a fantastic children’s play area and a man-made beach to relax on. The pass for the water park also allows you free entry to the “Lost World” aquarium inside the hotel. Wonderland, which can be found at the Al Gharhoud on Bur Dubai is a combination of an amusement park (Wonderland) with water slides and other dry rides (Splashland).
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates offers a genuinely great ski experience in the middle of the desert, with the longest run at around 1,300 feet. It features a 60-meter high snow mountain, with 5 slopes for the seasoned skiers and a Snow Park for those looking to sled, toboggan or just try their snowman-making skills.You can rent all the ski gear you need, and there are plenty of lockers. Kids are sure to enjoy the snow park and sliding down the slopes on inflated inner tubes. More about Ski Dubai
Dubai Ice Rink
The Olympic sized ice-rink in the Dubai Mall is a highlight of the mall. Kids can learn ice skating and play ice hockey as if it??s a white winter outside. They also have double blade skates that can be attached to your toddler??s shoes for additional balance. Penguins are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to all these, Dubai has no dearth of new attractions, with a new Guggenheim museum, the Yas Island Race Track, and the Ferrari Theme park at a stone’s throw away.