From theme parks to childrens’ museums, Abu Dhabi has so many incredible things to do with the kids. Check out these fun attractions and experiences that will keep the whole family entertained.
BOUNCE
There’s heaps of activities on offer at this super cool indoor trampoline park, 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 pilots feel. 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. Plus, billed as one of the most effective exercises you can do, trampolining is a fun, low-impact workout that tones muscles and improves coordination.
From Dhs75 (per session). Times vary. Marina Mall, Al Marina, Abu Dhabi, www.bounce.ae.
Caboodle
Super cute and colourful venue, Caboodle is a multi-purpose spot where the environment is both educational and stimulating. Kids can learn through play and exploration, and if mums wants to indulge in a spot of retail therapy while they do that, little ones can be left to play in the supervised play area (from Dhs55 per 30 minutes, kids three and above). In addition, Caboodle features a kids’ salon, healthy café, crafts and role play areas. Plus, it also hosts musical themed mum-and-tot classes filled with activities, crafts, games, stories and sing-alongs.
From Dhs45 (first hour), from Dhs20 (every additional hour), Dhs190 (day pass). Open Sat-Wed 9am-10pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, caboodle.ae (02 679 8019).
Clymb
Little adrenaline junkies will love Clymb, where they can reach dizzy heights in world’s biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber and on the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall. Not for the faint-hearted – or vertigo sufferers – kiddos from as young as three years old will be able to experience the thrill of the flight chamber, which measures a whopping 10m by 26m.
But it’s not all about coming down, with a range of climbing walls for all abilities you can go up, too. Reach for the skies on SUMMYT (if you’re brave enough), which at 43m high is the largest climbing wall in the world (naturally). Get ready to reach for the skies.
From Dhs95 (climbing), From Dhs 215 (skydiving). From Nov 29 2019. Sun-Thu noon-9pm, Fri and Sat noon-11pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island www.clymbabudhabi.com
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Super-fast cars and even faster roller coasters – when the kings of Italian motoring style get involved, you already know it is going to be good.
This massive Abu Dhabi attraction is a fantastic white-knuckle ride all-round. The theme park boasts more than 20 rides and activities, but the one you will want to strap yourself into is the record-smashing Formula Rossa. It’s not for the fainthearted, however. There are heaps of less terrifying rides suitable for mini thrill-seekers such as the car carousel, driving school and an awesome supre car museum – we can but dream as we gaze on the gorgeous motors.
From Dhs230 (kids), Dhs295 (adults). Open daily 11am-8pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com (02 496 8000).
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. Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, kidzania.ae (800 382246255).
Little World Discovery Center
Education meets fun at this centre that is all about experiential, play-based activities for kids. Playing, creating, designing, building and role-playing, kids aged zero to three come in with a caregiver, while kids aged four and above are checked in for some supervised fun. And with an impressive nine zones all offering something different. From role play and soft play to an enchanted tree house, there’s even an outdoors play area little ones won’t get bored, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, they will be enjoying themselves so much, they won’t even realise they are learning anything. Mums and dads can get a caffeine injection at the on-site café too – win, win.
Dhs99.75 (kids aged two and above, per hour), Dhs63 (kids under two, per hour). Open Sat-Wed 10am-9pm, Thu & Fri 10am-midnight. Nation Galleria, 1st Street, Abu Dhabi, littleworlduae.com (02 681 8824).
Louvre Abu Dhabi
From super cool exhibitions to awesome holiday camps, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a hot pot of learning and fun for inquisitive little minds. With its own museum dedicated to the youngest members of the family, there is always plenty going on to keep even the smallest of visitors entertained.
The Children’s Museum hosts family-friendly experiences and workshops in both Arabic and English throughout the year, and the latest one to take residency is “A Costume Adventure” that is running until July 2020 – so catch it before it’s gone.
From Dhs30. Open Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed 10am-8pm; Thu-Fri 10am-10pm. Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565 566).
Mad Science UAE
Calling all Albert Einstein wannabes because this science-focused organisation brings the education to you. Kids aged four to 12 can sign up to an eight-week programme (taking place at various schools around Abu Dhabi) that fuels their passion for all things science from engineering and physics to chemistry and biology. The themes of the progammes, which are tailored to school curricula, change regularly and include making slime in the Crazy Chemworks session to learning all about the universe in the NASA Space Explorers class. Plus birthday parties can be arranged at the Mad Science HQ. Whatever they end up doing, their minds will be blown.
From352 (after-school programme). Various locations across Abu Dhabi, including American International School of Abu Dhabi, Airport Road, madscience.org (02 444 4333).
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?
And for mums and dads who fancy indulging in a spot of retail therapy the ‘drop n shop’ option (priced at Dh80 per hour) is a win for the whole family. Or parents who want to keep an eye on their mini mes can stick around and kick back in the café where the great coffee tastes even better before 3pm because it’s free.
Plus, plenty of regular offers such as kids eat free, Wednesday super saver deals and Tuesday Play Date discounts mean regular visits won’t break the bank.
Their future is bright, their future is Orange Wheels.
Dhs65 (first hour), Dhs40 (additional hours), Dhs200 (day pass). Open 10am-9pm Sun-Wed, Thu-Sat 10am-10pm. Al Raha Mall, Abu Dhabi, www.orangewheels.com (02 556 2229).
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
This indoor park – that has been given the official title of “largest indoor theme park in the world” by Guinness World Records – brings superheroes, villains, cartoons and favourite characters from your childhood to life on Yas Island. Split into six distinct and vibrant zones – Bedrock, Warner Bros. Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction and Dynamite Gulch – and there is plenty to keep even the smallest of adrenalin junkies entertained for hours. While the real thrill seekers risk the faster, white-knuckle rides.
Dhs295 (adults), Dhs230 (kids up to 1.1m), free (kids under three). Open daily 10am-9pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.wbworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115).
Yas Waterworld
The park, uniquely based on the Emirati “The Legend of the Lost Pearl”, theme is divided into four thrill levels: Adrenaline Rush, Exciting Adventure, Moving and Grooving and, finally, Young Fun. Each zone caters to different age groups and with 40 exhilarating rides and slides there really is something for the whole crew to enjoy. The Tot’s Playground is a popular spot for parents with tiny ones who are just looking to splash about, plus there are plenty of dining options for keeping little tummies satisfied.
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yaswaterworld.com (600 511 115).
