Families in the UAE are lucky to have so much choice when it comes to indoor play centres.
From soft play for toddlers and edutainment centres for little learners to action zones where older kids can burn off some energy, there is something for all ages and all bravery levels all year around.
Here are some of our favourites.
Action Zone
This is one of Abu Dhabi’s most fun-filled play centres, with plenty of zones hosting different activities to suit different tastes. Kids can try out any of the zones, including Kidzone, which houses ball pools, obstacle courses and climbing areas, while tots will enjoy the Little Stars zone, fully equipped with a motion sand table, dress up area, reading corner, VR colouring games, and more. There’s also a trampoline zone for kids aged three and up, and a VR zone for older kids with the latest
in gaming.
From Dhs50 per child. Times vary. Various locations in Abu Dhabi including Capital Mall and BOUTIK Mall (02 419 9000).
Air Maniax
This colourful, bouncy hangout is a huge hit with energetic kids. Spread over 23,000 square feet, Air Maniax’s biggest zone is an inflatable arena for kids of all ages – and adults too. Older kids will love the challenging obstacle courses, the zip line and laser tag game, while the littlest bouncers have their own dedicated toddler area to go crazy in. The colour-coded, sensor-activated wristbands are an added bonus that allow competitive children to go up against each other to get the highest scores. A fun thing to do in Dubai for kids.
From Dhs80 (general access). Sat-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Fri 9am-9pm. Street 1, Al Quoz 1, www.airmaniax.com (04 348 8981).
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 pilot feels. 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. Al Quoz, Dubai and Marina Mall, Al Marina, Abu Dhabi, www.bounce.ae.
BOUNCE X
Covering more than 5,000 sq m, BOUNCE-X is a world-first, and the massive Dubai venue is calling itself the “global home of freestyle”. The world’s first terrain park is made up of loads of adventure-challenge obstacles, which are connected across two levels into one giant adrenaline playground and are sure to keep you entertained and active.
Dubai Festival City, www.bounce.ae.
Caboodle
There are heaps of activities and experiences for little explorers to discover at this edutainment centre in the luxurious mall, including a soft play zone, dressing up area for role play, a mini city, climbing pit and jungle gym, plus themed arts and crafts. As an added bonus, everything they get stuck into is aimed at promoting physical, social and cognitive development. Best of all, it›s a fab family day out because there’s something to keep all members of the gang entertained from the tiniest of tots (as young as six months, right up to the tweens of 12.
From Dhs45 (first hour), from Dhs20 (every additional hour), Dhs190 (day pass). Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi (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. Various locations including J3 Mall and Arabian Ranches 2 in Dubai and Al Forsan Village, Abu Dhabi (04 276 0011).
Dig It!
A play space that’s based on a real-life construction site, kids can dig, move, tunnel, climb, build and create here. They can also drive a remote-controlled truck, pilot a mechanical arm and even try out a full-size digger while building their skills.
Dhs125. Sat-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri 9am-10pm. The Springs Souk (04 438 4479).
Extreme Fun
This is a popular soft play hotspot not just with the little ones, who can play safely in the separate toddler area, but with older balls of energy up to ten years old who love the climbing, exploring and sliding. The arts and crafts zone is always a huge hit too, with everyone.
Dhs50 (first hour, kids six months-12 years). Times vary Various locations including Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai and Deerfields Mall, Abu Dhabi (04 452 5543).
Fabyland
The name says it all – well sort of. With an array of amusement rides, attractions, and games, any child will tell you that they love spending time at this indoor attraction. Spread across 75,000 sq ft, the entertainment centre has 15 major rides, a MyTown area for kids to play and learn, more than 100 game machines, and a 30×30 trampoline, making it one of the largest family entertainment centres in UAE for children aged three and up.
From Dhs125 (entry game card). Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight, Sat 10am-11pm. Deerfields Mall (02 666 9772).
Fun City
A play area for kids aged 1-12 years old, Fun City is known to provide hours and hours of fun for energy-filled kids in a safe, happy environment. The Play Zone consists of a soft play structure with a variety of colourful and attractive elements to engage children. It’s a safe and clean environment for each and every one of them to engage in constructive play, developing their physical, social, mental and emotional skills. Attractions for older kids are also available.
From Dhs100 (online, credit-based). Times vary. Various locations including Mercato Mall, Dubai, Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi and Safeer Mall, Sharjah (02 644 2588).
Funky Monkeys
Quite what the attraction is with children sliding into a ball pool, crawling through aerial assault courses or just banging their heads against padded crashmats for an hour or two we still don’t know. Despite years of research there really is no reasonable explanation. Yet they love it. There is a loose jungle theme at this Sheikh Zayed Road facility, lending it a slight outdoorsy feel. Working on the assumption that it is too hot to play outside and you may as well play inside, it is unsurprising that this is a popular summer spot for birthday parties. Oh, there›s a laser arcade for older children, too.
From Dhs40 (per child, 1-hour access). Times vary. Various locations including Business Bay, Dubai and Al Forsan Village, Abu Dhabi (04 388 4114).
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. The Dubai Mall, Dubai and Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi (800 382246255).
Magic Planet
Magic Planet houses rides and activities for all ages. There’s a soft-play for the little ones, and pool tables for the not-so-little ones (hello, Mum and Dad). Fancy some bowling? There are 12 ten-pin lanes for that, too, plus plenty of food outlets to refuel in, after some arcade games. Gravity, a trampolining area, is ideal for budding acrobats, plus there’s a merry-go-round, bumper cars and more. Phew.
From Dhs105. Times vary. Various locations including Mall of the Emirates, Dubai and Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi (04 341 4444).
OliOli
Passionate about positive play and the power of imagination, there are eight galleries and more than 40 exhibits inspired by the work of leading educators, artists and development psychologists. It’s an interactive adventure that stimulates a child’s body and mind.
Dhs126 (kids two-16), Dhs63 (kids one-two), adults are free with every child admission. Sun-Wed 9am-6pm, Thu 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm. OliOli, Al Quoz 1, Dubai (04 702 7300).
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). Times vary. Locations include Al Raha Mall and Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi, (02 556 2229).
Trampo Extreme
With spots at Dubai Mall, Al Ain Mall and Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah, this high-octane park is almost 4,000 sq ft of bouncing fun with 16 different jump activities ideal for tots of three up to teens of 13. Older kids will love the combative elements of Extreme Dodgeball and the challenge of the warrior obstacle course, while breaking their PB times on the interactive climbing wall will keep them occupied for hours. A huge foam pit and free jumping areas are great fun for all the tribe to enjoy together, while the internationally themed Kids Zone takes little adventurers through a series of 12 cool activities across three levels of multi-fun for different ages. A Western-themed shooting arena, electric-car race track, role play arena and toddlers only area are all waiting to be discovered.
Dhs55 (kids aged two), Dhs75 (kids three-five), Dhs85 (kids six and above). Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. Locations include Nakheel Mall and Dubai Mall, Dubai and Al Ain Mall (04 580 4411).
Xtreme Zone
Expect loads of entertainment to keep tiny tots, kids and teens, plus any parents who are keen to get in on the action, busy. 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. Times vary. Locations include The Galleria Al Maryah Island and Deerfields Mall, Abu Dhabi (02 628 9050).
The Museum of the Moon
As part of its third birthday celebrations, OliOli has bought ‘The Museum of the Moon’ to Al Quoz. Budding astronauts can visit the installation any time over the next six months until April 2021.
The breath-taking exhibition by artist Luke Jerram is a five-metre lifelike replica of the moon by fusing imagery from detailed NASA pictures of the lunar surface.
A spellbinding atmosphere and fully-immersive experience has been created with moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones. Your mind will be blown. Mini moon gazers can also take part in some fun (and educational, of course) lunar-inspired activities.
To infinity and beyond… or maybe just to OliOli.
Dhs126 (kids two-16), Dhs63 (kids one-two), adults are free with every child admission. Until April 2021. Sun-Wed 9am-6pm, Thu 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm. OliOli, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, wwwolioli.ae (04 702 7300).
