If you have children between the ages of one and 4, you’ll know firsthand how difficult it can be to keep them engaged and entertained. The tears, the tantrums, the Terrible Twos. We get it.
But thankfully, the UAE capital is one of the most family-friendly of all the Emirates and there are so many things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi to keep your offspring happy.
Looking for some fun things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi? You’ve come to the right place.
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We’ve scoured the entire city to find the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi from edutainment-based activities and family-friendly parks to incredible dressing up opportunities and swimming lessons.
There are so many brilliant things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi you won’t want to miss out on this month. Check out our list of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi below.
Be edutained at Orange Wheels
Looking for some incredible things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi? Parents love Orange Wheels because of its focus on play-based education, entertainment, and engagement (and for the fact that the arts and crafts section encourages messy to take place here, rather than at home). Infants from six-months onwards meanwhile will adore getting busy in the brightly coloured Junior Play area with its specially designed toddler slides, ball pit, interactive screens and activities, all overseen by trained staff. A win-win for all, we say.
From Dhs80. Open daily 10am- 9pm. Al Raha Mall, orangewheels.com (02 556 2229).
Do it all at Droplets by Caboodle
This great addition is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi thanks to its popular indoor kids play area Droplets by Caboodle, a water-based wonderland specifically aimed at babies and young children. Intended to foster creativity and encourage little imaginations to think big, highlights include the two sensory rooms, arts and crafts area, jungle gym and ball pit. You can also opt to add on activities such as cookie baking and slime making and it’s worth noting that they host birthday parties here as well.
From Dhs59. The Galleria Al Maryah Island. droplets@caboodle.aecaboodle.ae.
Embrace park life at Umm Al Emarat Park
A few al fresco hours spent at one of Abu Dhabi’s parks is a lovely way to while away the day, which is why this is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi. With its Children’s Garden boasting jumping fountains and water splash area, Animal Barn with petting zoo and pony rides, ever-popular touring train and regular community events including wintertime markets and an outdoor cinema, Umm Al Emarat Park is an absolute gem of a spot for infants.
Dhs10. 8am-midnight. Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, ummalemaratpark.ae.
Enrol in a Toddler Sense class with Baby Sensory UAE
From the tiniest of babies right through to preschoolers and beyond, the benefits of sensory play are well documented. With their highly interactive, age-specific classes run by enthusiastic trained professionals, Baby Sensory UAE is recognised as one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi, since it keeps kids entertained and amused the stimulating, educational way. Added bonus: the classes are a great opportunity to meet other parents with similar aged offspring.
babysensory.ae/.
Have a ball at Cheeky Monkeys
With its giant ball pit, zip lines and slides, interactive role play section complete with dressing up options galore and designated toddlers-only area, this soft play space is every toddler’s dream destination and the saviour of many a parent’s sanity (there’s a café on-site, for that much-needed caffeine hit). That’s what makes it one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs60. Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-10pm. Al Forsan Village, Khalifa City A (02 449 3555).
Head for the beach
Looking for some fun things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi? Sand as far as those little eyes can see, a bucket and spade, ball to kick around and the promise of an ice lolly at the end of it; does toddler life get much better than this? With so many great things to do in the city it’s easy to forget that simple things please little people too. Yes, everyone and everything you take with you will end up sticky with sand, but the joy your child gets from a morning or afternoon spent splashing about in the shallows will more than cancel out that inconvenience.
Get busy at KidZania
KidZania is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi. Why? Fuel their imaginations at this immersive mini version of the real world. The under-three set might be a little young to grasp the full concept of KidZania, but they’ll still get a real kick out of exploring the fantastically detailed streets and buildings and experiencing dressing-up opportunities on a scale that puts the toy box at home to shame.
Dhs100 for toddlers. Dhs75 for adults. Mon-Sun 10am-10pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island, kidzania.ae.
Meet the animals at Emirates Park Zoo
For animal-loving little adventurers, Emirates Park Zoo is a great shout and is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi. Smaller and therefore more manageable than some of the other wildlife parks in the region, this place is perfect for younger children keen to get up close to a whole range of animals: zebras, giraffes, monkeys and elephants included. For a special treat, it’s worth checking out one of the animal experiences, where lucky attendees can have breakfast with a gaggle of giraffes or enjoy dinner with the elephants.
Dhs40 per adult. Kids under two are free. Open Tue-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri-Mon 8am-9pm. Emirates Park Zoo, 12th Street, Al Bahya, emiratespark.ae (02 501 0000).
Plan a trip to Hamleys
Brimming with things for children to do and see (and of course, adults to potentially buy), the world’s most famous toy store is no ordinary shop. At Hamleys, stuffed toys are supersized, teddy bears talk, trains zoom about their tracks, friendly staff are happy to play along with little visitors and there are regular free events such as mini carnivals and story time sessions. This is one of the most exciting things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi.
Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12am. Level 1, Yas Mall, yasmall.ae (02 674 2043).
Relax at Heritage Park
Is there anything better to do than find one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi? Yes, there are larger, potentially more exciting parks in the city but we happen to think that the rather quaint Heritage Park is the perfect place for toddlers. Hidden away opposite Mina Port, this waterside spot doesn’t tend to get too busy and there’s plenty of shade and space, as well as food and drink kiosks and a climbing frame.
Free. Off Al Firdous Street, Corniche East.
Take swimming lessons
Particularly in the UAE, the importance of raising water savvy children who learn to swim at an early age can’t be overestimated. Which is why any activity that allows your children to gain awareness is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi. Join a parent and child swimming class and as well as enjoying a fun-focused bonding experience, know that you’ll be equipping your toddler with vital skills and hopefully initiating a lifelong love of the water.
Various locations, arabianswimacademy.com.
Think big at Little World
This excellent play centre is all about edutainment and hands-on experiential learning. For lucky toddlers and little kids, that means nine different zones to explore, with plenty of opportunity for playing, building, creating, climbing and more. Adding to the appeal, there’s an outdoor area, enchanted forest and a super-cool Touch Tank Aquarium. Lucky kids. This is one of the best things to do with toddlers in Abu Dhabi.
From Dhs63. Sat-Wed 10am-9pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. Nation Galleria, 1st Street, littleworlduae.com (02 681 8824).
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