Want to know what the best indoor activities are for kids? You’ve come to the right place.
If your little ones are feeling the heat (and let’s face it we all are), you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re looking for places to go and things to do in the summer with the kids we’ve got you covered.
As some places are still closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend calling ahead to check timings and prices.
Abu Dhabi Children’s Library
Take a trip to Qasr al Hosn and visit the Cultural Foundation where little readers can explore this brilliant children’s creative hub will harness their love for literature.
Free. Open Sat-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri noon-10pm. Cultural Foundation, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Al Hosn (02 657 6348).
Bounce
There’s heaps of activities on offer in both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai branches, including the capital’s “super tramp”. This beast is four times the size of a standard trampoline and can generate a force of over 14Gs, which is what a fighter pilots feel. X Park is a brilliant way to find your inner Spider-Man and jump around its many obstacles and pipes to work up a sweat, from its spider wall to its climbing wall. Kids can unleash
all their pent up energy in this parkour zone.
From Dhs75 (per session). Times vary. Marina Mall, Al Marina, Abu Dhabi, www.bounce.ae.
Caboodle
Super cute and colourful venue, Caboodle is a multi-purpose spot where the environment is both educational and stimulating. Kids can learn through play and exploration, and if mums wants to indulge in a spot of retail therapy while they do that, little ones can be left to play in the supervised play area (from Dhs55 per 30 minutes, kids three and above). In addition, Caboodle features a kids’ salon, healthy café, crafts and role play areas. Plus, it also hosts musical themed mum-and-tot classes filled with activities, crafts, games, stories and sing-alongs.
From Dhs45 (first hour), from Dhs20 (every additional hour), Dhs190 (day pass). Open Sat-Wed 9am-10pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, caboodle.ae (02 679 8019).
Cheeky Monkeys
A world of colour and fun awaits little explorers at the Cheeky Monkeys soft play centres. Innovative neon-lit slides, mini zip lines, brilliant dressing up area and an enormous ball pit provide endless entertainment that energetic tots love. Plus there’s a café serving hot kid-friendly meals and Starbucks coffee for the mums and dads.
Dhs55 (first hour, Dhs30 (subsequent hours). Times vary. Al Forsan Village Khalifa city A – Abu Dhabi, www.cheekymonkeys.com (02 449 3555).
CLYMB Abu Dhabi
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This impressive structure is home to the world’s biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall. Children from as young as three are able to try the flight chamber, that measures a massive 10m by 26m. A range of climbing experiences will be on offer to cater to people of all abilities and if you’re up for it you can take on the SUMMYT, a 43m climbing wall that is the largest in the world.
From Dhs95 (climbing), From Dhs 215 (skydiving). Sun-Thu noon-9pm, Fri and Sat noon-11pm. Yas Island www.clymbabudhabi.com.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
This massive Abu Dhabi attraction is a fantastic white-knuckle ride all-round. The theme park boasts more than 20 rides and activities, but the one you will want to strap yourself into is the record-smashing Formula Rossa. It’s not for the fainthearted, however. A recently opened family zone is perfect for little thrill-seekers, with various tamed down versions of the park’s fast, white-knuckle rides. There are heaps of less terrifying rides suitable for mini thrill-seekers such as the car carousel, driving school and an awesome super car museum – we can but dream as we gaze on the gorgeous motors.
From Dhs230 (kids), Dhs295 (adults). Open daily 11am-8pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com (02 496 8000).
Kidzania
There’s just something fun about pretending to be a doctor, a fireman, a chef or a builder. KidZania is a magical world of make believe where children can role play more than 40 professions and earn their own KidZania money, which they can then spend on their way out in the on-site shop.
From Dhs94.5 (kids two-three), from Dhs166.5 (kids four-16). Times vary. Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, www.kidzania.ae (800 382246255).
Louvre Abu Dhabi
From super cool exhibitions to awesome holiday camps, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a hot pot of learning and fun for inquisitive little minds. With its own museum dedicated to the youngest members of the family, there is always plenty going on to keep even the smallest of visitors entertained.The Children’s Museum hosts family-friendly experiences and workshops in both Arabic and English throughout the year, and the latest one to take residency is “A Costume Adventure” that is running until July 2020 – so catch it before it’s gone.
From Dhs30. Open Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed 10am-8pm; Thu-Fri 10am-10pm. Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565 566).
Orange Wheels
Little adventurers between the ages of six months to eight years have free rein to run, jump and explore the mega soft play destination where they can burn off energy in a safe environment. Billed as a learning destination, they will be garnering new skills, without even realising. Little princes and princesses can book themselves in for a quick trim – or something more drastic if they are feeling daring – in the on-site hair salon, or get that all-important Abu Dhabi mani-pedi in the spa where a rainbow of nail varnish colours are at their fingertips. Pampered expat kids, much?
Dhs65 (first hour), Dhs40 (additional hours), Dhs200 (day pass). Open 10am-9pm Sun-Wed, Thu-Sat 10am-10pm. Al Raha Mall, Abu Dhabi, orangewheels.com (02 556 2229).
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
This indoor (which is why the middle of summer is a great time to go) mega-park brings superheroes, villains, cartoons and favourite characters from your childhood to life on Yas Island. Split into six distinct and vibrant zones – Bedrock, Warner Bros. Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction and Dynamite Gulch – there is plenty to keep even the smallest of adrenalin junkies entertained for hours, while the real thrill seekers risk the faster, white-knuckle rides.
Dhs295 (adults), Dhs230 (kids up to 1.1m), free (kids under three). Open daily 10am-9pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.wbworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115).
Xtreme Zone
The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi has opened a brand-new family entertainment centre. Xtreme Zone promises a whole host of entertainment and activities for all the family from the little kids up to the big ones… And mums and dads, too. The third location of this cool family destination is a sizeable 44,200 sq ft of entertainment for tiny tots, kids and teens, plus any parents who are keen to get in on the action. Team building anyone? There’s a 12-lane bowling centre, a trampoline park, billiards tables, climbing walls for mini spidermen and arcade games zone. Plus, with the region’s first Tag Arena, there’s plenty to keep even the most energetic kiddos happy. Don’t worry mums and dads, there is an on-site café where you can get your all-important caffeine fix.
Prices vary. Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, www.thegalleria.ae (02 628 9050).
