7 bargain family days out in Dubai: what to see and do

Bargain family days out in Dubai? Yes, they do exist. And they’re pretty spectacular, as it happens.

As brilliant as a family day spent at one of Dubai’s theme parks, water parks, theatres or all-bells-and-whistles soft play centres can be, once the tickets have been purchased, gift shop navigated and requests for snacks sated, the cost adds up.

For those times when you want to entertain the clan without busting the budget (read the upcoming half term holiday), these bargain family days out in Dubai are just the cheap-as-chips ticket.

For some great value breakfasts, click here

For things to do in Dubai for under Dhs30, click here

For all the free things to do in Dubai, click here

Head to the park(s)

Never forget that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to parks in Dubai. For the purpose of this piece we’re talking traditional green, rather than theme (not that the city doesn’t have some utterly enthralling theme parks, they just tend not to fall under the bargain umbrella).

From sprawling old-favourite spaces loved for their playgrounds, picnic areas, bike tracks, and boating lakes to quieter, lesser-known grassy patches and all-new spots with splash pads, rides and edutainment centres, Dubai has a park for every weekend of the year (well, those weekends of the year when the weather is suited to al fresco adventures at least).

And you know what the best part is? Many of them are free to enter or charge a nominal entry fee (around Dhs5).
Find our round up the best parks in Dubai here and the best free playground for families in Dubai, here.

Make it a beach day

We wax lyrical about the many amazing benefits of living in Dubai often and a constant on our appreciation list is being so close to the beach. After all, when it comes to wholesome family fun, it doesn’t get much better than a morning, afternoon or even an entire day spent paddling in the shallows, rock pooling and collecting shells, building sandcastles, swimming and consuming more ice cream than might be considered advisable.

While there are plenty of fabulous paid-for beach day options out there, the city has a stunning selection of sandy stretches that you can enjoy for free.
Find our round up of the best free beaches in Dubai for 2022 here.

Do Dubai Mall differently

Yes, you read that right: we’re suggesting that you head to one of the biggest malls in the world for a bargain day out. There’s method in what might seem like madness though and it all comes down to the approach: in short, this is absolutely not a shopping trip.

With that in mind, the moment you arrive at the mall head for that gigantic aquarium. While exploring the aquarium and underwater zoo proper comes at a fee, you can stand in awe of the giant fish tank and still spot all manner of different species as well as the occasional shark diver for free.

From the aquarium, march through the mall – eyes firmly on the prize, rather than any form of window shopping – and check out Dino Dubai, the 24-metre long, 150-million-year-old skeleton found in the Souk Dome.

Having worked up an appetite, it’s now time to visit one of the food courts, where you’ll find wallet-friendly options to please every member of the family (including the person paying the bill). And finally, as dusk falls make your way outside to the waterfront promenade and watch the spectacular all-singing, all-dancing Dubai Fountain do its thing.
thedubaimall.com

Have a Marina day out

Dubai Marina Walk provides 7km of palm tree-lined, family-friendly pedestrianised walkways with plenty of free (or cheap) things to do, see and enjoy.

Encourage the kids to bring their bikes/trikes/scooters/roller skates/hoverboards and work off some energy gliding around the marina perimeter or, alternatively, hire bicycles from one of the automated stations. Little ones will of course want to stop to explore the under-bridge playgrounds and why would you stop them – they’re free to use after all.

When it comes to refreshments, try one of the many al fresco cafes dotted along the sparkling waterfront or stock up on snacks from nearby Spinneys and have an impromptu picnic. After that, hop on a Dubai Water Taxi and take in the stunning Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah skyline views from the deck (from Dhs3 per trip).

Learn all about turtles

The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) offers visitors the chance to get up close to turtles that are being rehabilitated ahead of their re-release into the UAE’s waters. Every Wednesday at 11am visitors can join a free-to-attend turtle feeding session at Jumeirah Al Naseem, learning more about the animals themselves and the part they play in maintaining our ecosystems at the same time.

Given the conservation theme of the day, why not head to the beach afterwards for a litter picking walk, with an ice cream reward at the end of course.
Wed 11am, Ongoing. Turtle Rehaibilitation Lagoon, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah, www.jumeirah.com/turtles (04 301 7198).

Embrace the old school

There’s much adventuring to be done and myriad wallet-friendly experiences to be had in old Dubai. First up, take a tour around the Dubai Museum, then explore the winding alleyways and narrow pathways of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Pick up a bargain at the textile souk (haggling head firmly on), stop for lunch at a cheap street side spot (hello, samosas), then journey across the creek on an abra (just Dhs1 per person!).

Go into the desert

Heading into the sand doesn’t necessarily need to involve a full-blown desert safari trip or camping expedition. Drive half a kilometre or so out into the desert (4×4 still recommended) just beyond the Al Qadra roundabout and you’ll still capture that splendid isolation feel, with minimal hassle. From there you can build fires, stargaze, sandboard and make s’mores to your heart’s content and still be home for bedtime (having hardly spent any money at all).