Arabian Wildlife Park
Head to the renowned Sir Bani Yas Island to witness more than 10,000 free-roaming animals, includin endangered species. The Anantara-operated hotel on the island can organise tours.
www.anantara.com.
Abu Dhabi Children’s Library
Ideal for your junior JK Rowlings, 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).
Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ
If your little ones have a head for heights, let them tackle The Climbing Pinaccle (it’s more than 9m tall). There are also rope courses, zip-lining, biking and even caving adventures to be had.
From Dhs75. Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Yas Mall, Yas Island (02 565 0996).
Al Ain Zoo
Visit more than 4,000 animals with majority of the species coming from desert environments: Arabian sand cats, hyenas and Arabian oryx, to name a few. The zoo is also home to more than 25 percent of the world’s endangered species.
Dhs28.25, Dhs9.45 (kids aged three-12), free (under three). Open daily 9am-8pm. Al Ain, www.alainzoo.ae (800 966).
AquaFun
The capital’s premier inflatable water park is both a wonderful workout and whole world of fun.
Dhs150 (adults and over-11s), Dhs120 (ages six-11). Open daily 9am-sunset. A’l Bahar, Abu Dhabi Corniche (050 588 1215).
BOUNCE
Put a spring in your kids’ steps with a trip to this terrific trampoline park and let them enjoy a dozen activities that are as gripping as the safety socks.
From Dhs75. Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Marina Mall, Al Kasir (04 321 1400).
Ferrari World
An ode to the Italian supercar manufacturer and home of Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, which takes daring riders from 0-240kph in just 4.9 seconds. Oof.
From Dhs295. Open daily 11am-8pm. Yas Island (600 511 115).
Hili Fun City
Providing children’s entertainment since 1985, the ‘Disneyland of the GCC’ is packed with 30 amazing attractions and remains a thoroughly fun day out.
Dhs10. Free (kids under 3ft). Open Jun-Sep: Mon-Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-11pm; Oct-May: Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-10pm. Al Hili, Al Ain (03 784 5542).
KidZania
Fresh for 2019, this ‘edutainment’ zone provides more than 40 role-playing activities, giving your kids the chance to be (among other professions) a doctor, firefighter, chef or builder for the day.
From94.50 (under-ones go free). Open Sat-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Fri 10am-10pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island (800 38224 6255).
Louvre Abu Dhabi Children’s Museum
From interactive workshops in both English and Arabic, special exhibitions and educational programmes there’s always something to do here. The museum is designed for kids between six and 12 years old and the current exhibition, which runs until July 2020, is themed around costumes and clothing.
Free (kids under 13). Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, www.louvreabudhabi.ae.
Marina Eye
See the sights of Abu Dhabi from a different perspective. The 60-metre high Ferris wheel, which dominates the skyline in front of Marina Mall, gives you an entirely new and unique view of the capital.
Open Thu-Sat 11am-1am, Sun-Wed 11am-11pm. Dhs50 (adults), Dhs30 (kids under 12). Abu Dhabi (02 681 8300).
Murjan Splash Park
Your adventurous little ones will have a splashing time on each of the four aquatic attractions here. Water Wars are particularly popular for the more boisterous among the young visitors.
Dhs50 (cash only). Free (kids under 1m). Open Sun-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Sat noon-9pm. Khalifa Park, Ministries Complex (052 408 5232).
Orange Wheels
Let your under-eights loose on the huge soft play area, climbing walls, role-play toddler village, arts and crafts studio or hair and beauty salon. Learning has never been so much fun.
From Dhs65. Sun-Wed 10am-9pm, Thu-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 10am-10pm. Al Wahda Mall (02 667 4411).
Saadiyat Beach
This 400m stretch of beach is a great spot for a day out where you can enjoy Abu Dhabi’s clean, warm turquoise waters and the slew of eco-friendly watersports such as windsurfing and sailing, as well as beach yoga classes that are all available for an extra fee. The Beach Café offers snacks and drinks that can be delivered straight to you on your rented sunlounger…
Dhs25 (adults), Dhs15 (kids six-12), Free (kids under five). Daily 8am-sunset. Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi www.bakeuae.com (800 8342).
Wadi Adventure
Surfing, rafting, kayaking, wakeboarding, swimming, climbing or zip-lining. Whichever adventure you choose, the adrenaline (and the water) will be flowing all day long.
From Dhs195. Open Sat-Wed 11am-6pm, Thu-Fri 11am-7pm. Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain (03 781 8422).
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
With 29 rides spread over six immersive indoor worlds, this unique place brings all your favourite Warner Bros. characters to life. It’s a nostalgia trip for grown-ups, a real buzz for your youngsters.
From Dhs295. Open daily 11am-8pm. Yas Island (600 511 115).
Yas WaterwoRld
Choose from 40 rip-roaring rides set to four varying thrill levels and dive into a world of watery wonder fit for all ages. ‘The wetter the better’, you’ll soon be screaming.
From Dhs250. Open daily 7am-10pm. Yas Island (600 511 115).
Yas KARTZONE
Kids with the need for speed? The Yas Kartzone is now bigger than ever. The 1km track has sessions for kids aged five to seven years old, and juniors aged eight to 12.
Dhs55 (kids), Dhs80 (juniors), Dhs120 (adults). Daily 9am-midnight. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, www.yasmarinacircuit.com.
