Visiting Jeddah with little ones in tow? While there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, as well as museums and shopping malls to discover and explore, most kids will only tolerate those sorts of things for so long.
Which is why we have pulled together this list of top family activities in Jeddah to keep the little kids as happy as the big kids.
Fun for the whole gang, from water parks and theme parks to edutainment centres and playgrounds, these fun things to do as a family, will keep everyone happy. Until it’s home time that is… we all know how that ends.
Al Shallal Theme Park
Spread over 60,000 square meters on Jeddah’s Corniche, Al Shallal Theme Park is a must-visit for adrenaline-junkies of all ages. As well as plenty of hair-raising rides such as The Train (one of the the largest double-looped roller coasters in the world), arcade games and a dedicated zone for kids, the theme park houses an ice-rink. There’s something oddly magical about ice-skating in the desert.
Sat-Wed 4.30pm-1pm, 4.30pm-2am, 1.30pm-2am Fri. Ash Shati, Jeddah, www.alshallal.com.sa (012 606 3993).
Atallah Happy Land Park
This is one of Jeddah’s largest amusement parks where little kids and big kids (we’re looking at you mum and dad) can enjoy more than 100 rides. But it’s not just about the rollercoasters and thrilling attractions, there are also video games, a bowling centre, an ice-skating rink, climbing walls, a musical fountain and even a 6D theatre with special effects.
5pm-midnight Sat-Wed, 5pm-1.45am Thu & Fri. Al Kurnaysh Road, Ash Shati, Jeddah, www.atallahpark.com (012 699 1189).
Cheeky Monkeys
Innovative neon-lit slides, mini zip lines, brilliant dressing up area and an enormous ball pit are just some of the things that kids (eight and under) love at this colourful and fun edutainment centre. A dedicated area for the tiniest tots means they can play safely while their odler siblings burn off some energy – and you know that means mums and dads? Tired kids and easy bedtimes… winner.
10am-11pm Sat-Wed, 10am-midnight Thu, 3pm-midnight Fri. Prince Sultan Road, Al Zahra, sultan Mall, Jeddah, www.cheekymonkeys.sa (092 003 3569).
Chuck E Cheese
With its bright lights and constant bleeping from arcade games, this is most parents idea of a nightmare. On the flip side, kids absolutely love it. There are over 220 games for little ones to play with and on including a huge tube slide, bumper cars, camel racing, a carousel and more. Plus, there is bowling and ice-skating on offer, an option when the bleeping and lights become too much, perhaps?
Time vary. Various locations including Al Marwah and Al Naeem, www.chuckecheeses-sa.com.
Fakieh Aquarium
This is Saudi Arabia’s only public aquarium and is home to over 200 marine species including sharks, stingrays, sea lions, and seahorses. There are plenty of residents that have come direct from the Read Sea, too. Head off on a deep sea tour to spot as many fish and other aquatic creatures as you can – see if you can find Nemo – and then see if you ca get out through the souvenir shops without buying anything, we are guessing not.
Open daily 1pm-1am. Al Nawras, Jeddah, www.fakiehaquarium.com (012 606 6144 ext 202).
Jungle Land Theme Park
Located in Mersal Village, this jungle-themed park will give you a taste of the tropics without even leaving the Middle East. What can you expect from your family day out? Circus performances, some exciting fairground rides and attractions, plus you can embark on an African jungle safari… watch out for the giraffes!
5pm-11pm Sat-Wed, 5pm-1am Thu & Fri. www.jungleland.com.sa (012 288 1111).
KidZania
Located at one of Jeddah’s biggest shopping malls, the globally-recognised (if you’re under 14 or a parent of a child who is under 14) KidZania is 8,000 square metres of edutainment that little ones love. Designed to be like a child-sized town, kiddos can take on a variety (over 70 to be exact) of professions including being a firefighter, a doctor, a cook, a pilot or an artist.
11am-midnight Sat-Thu, 3pm-midnight Fri. Mall of Arabia, Nuzhah District, Jeddah, www.jeddah.kidzania.com (012 655 4115).
Sail Island
When the weather is as good – and even when it’s as hot – as it is in Jeddah, a water park and the chance to swim and get wet is ideal. Sail Island is situated on the Red Sea Corniche and offers rides, a sandy playground and a swimming pool. Plus entrance tickets, which cost around SR60 for adults and SR40 for children, can be redeemed at any of Sail Island’s numerous restaurants.
4pm-2am Sun-Thu, 2pm-4am Thu & Fri. Ash Shati, Jeddah, www.sail-island.com (012 699 1000).
Silver Sands Beach
Grab the buckets and spades, as well as plenty of suncream, and head to this little stretch of idyllic coastline where the sand is powdery white and the sea is crystal clear. When the little people get hungry – and if bringing a picnic on top of all the other beach paraphernalia was a sandy step too far – there is a pizza restaurant serving up a quality margarita that will satisfy rumbling tummies.
Open daily 9am-6pm. Prince Abdullah Al Fiasal Street, Al Lulu, Jeddah, www.silversandsksa.com/beach.
