The UAE is an awesome family playground when it comes to kid-friendly activities. From big theme parks and water parks to indoor play areas, there’s always so much going on and so much choice for a fun family day out.
Feeling overwhelmed? Let us help. We’ve rounded up some awesome fun family days out in the UAE that might not be on your radar, but where you will have heaps of fun with the whole gang.
And with ten family-friendly activities to choose from, you’re bound to find something to suit everyone.
Have fun!
Be a soldier at Battle Park, Ajman
Battle Park is a 5,700 sq m entertainment zone in Ajman’s Al Zorah area where families can get stuck into some serious gaming and release their inner soldier. Take on the kiddos in a range of brilliant combat games including paintball, speed shooting game X-Battle and I-Battle, which combines a live-shooting experience complete with realistic sounds and noises to make it more believable.
Marina 1, Al Zorah, Ajman, www.battlepark.ae (055 971 1113).
Channel their inner David Attenborough at the Arabian Wildlife Centre, Sharjah
Budding conservationists will love learning about the different animals and ecosystems of the Arabian Peninsula here. Housing the world’s largest collection of Arabian animals – such as oryx antelopes, Arabian leopards, and flamingos – the zoo creates open and convincing examples of the animals’ natural habitats. In the main building, nature-lovers can see the animals through large panel windows, and enjoy the indoor exhibits and enclosures. For a particularly memorable sight, head to the snake section – if they dare – the colours and abundance of nature’s most slithery specimens creates quite a spectacle.
Free (under 12), Dhs15 (over 12). Al Dhaid Rd, E88, Sharjah (06 531 1999).
Educate the kids on local culture at Etihad Museum, Abu Dhabi
Want to educate the kiddos about the modern history of the UAE? While they may have their reservations about a family day out to a museum, once they arrive they will soon change their minds. Take them to the Etihad Museum where the whole family can learn more about the years after the country’s discovery of oil and the formation of the state. With seven golden pillars and a curved roof signifying the pens and paper, which signed the agreement and a library where there are some 3,000 books and tomes, there is something to quench everyone’s thirst for knowledge.
Free (kids). Dhs25 (adults). Open daily 10am-5pm. Al Mina (800 33 222).
Get back to nature at Sharjah Safari Park, Sharjah
Sharjah Safari has welcomed more than 100 new animals that kiddos can get up close and personal with. The enormous animal park within the Al Bridi Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid, has received a load of new cute, furry, creepy and scaly residents. The new arrivals make up some 121 different types of mammals, reptiles and birds including gazelles, African wild turtles, crocodiles, African rock pythons and flamingos. Sharjah Safari Park has a focus on preserving the environment and biological diversity, protecting and breeding endangered animals and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Al Dhaid, Sharjah.
Go on a culinary journey with the world’s smallest chef at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi
Le Petit Chef, which takes diners on a 3D visual journey from Marseilles to Arabia, India, the Himalayas and China, has landed in Abu Dhabi. Ray’s Grill, on the 63rd floor of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, is hosting the 58mm little chef and his theatrical culinary journey, during which you’ll take a seat at a table where visuals are projected from above on to the surface, acting as a large storybook. Performances run from Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm and 9.30pm and there are four menus to choose from, including a special menu aimed at younger diners over six costing Dhs295. Or, if you want to book a babysitter, you can book Le Petit Chef Classic or Le Petit Chef Gardener for Dhs385, or Le Petit Chef Grandioso for Dhs545, which serves up elevated versions of the classic dishes.
From Dhs295. Tue-Sat 7pm and 9.30pm. Ray’s Grill, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, www.lepetitchef.com/conradetihadtowers, etihadtowers.FBreservations@conradhotels.com (02 811 5666).
Jump around at Jump N Fun, Dubai
A brand-new trampoline park has just opened at The Dubai Mall. Jump N Fun, which you’ll find at VR Park, is aimed at kiddos seven and over. The enormous, colourful inflatable playground offers all the usual jumping fun that little ones enjoy including a climbing wall where mini Spidermen and women can test their skills safely. In addition there is a cool foam pit for little daredevils to launch themselves into as well as a huge range of various shapes and sizes of trampolines for a sport of freestyle bouncing.
Daily 1pm -10pm. VR Park, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, www.vrparkdubai.com.
Learn ninja skills at BOUNCE, UAE
Kids love jumping? There’s heaps of springy activities on offer in both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai branches of BOUNCE, 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. Little ones ca unleash their energy on the various trampolines that come in all shapes and sizes. The indoor trampoline park also offers regular parkour courses where kids over eight can learn some seriously cool ninja skills.
Make a splash at The Dubai Hills Park, Dubai
Cargo nets, monkey bars and a rope swing set to challenge the kids has opened at Dubai Hills that might mean you have to do less ‘dragging’ and more ‘trying to catch up’. With a splash park, skate park and even an ice rink, The Dubai Hills Park has something to keep the whole gang entertained for hours on end. Best of all, you don’t have to live at Dubai Hills Estate to be able to visit the park. Tickets can be bought on-site and cost Dhs85 for non-residents and Dhs55 for residents for a day pass allowing entry to all of the attractions. Alternatively, you can pay per attraction.
For more information, visit www.dubaihillsestate.ae.
Play with the kids at Creek Play, Dubai
Running along the waterfront promenade, Creek Play, which is 350 metres long, represents the seven emirates of the UAE. Kids can explore the various Arabesque style capsules where they can swing, slide, climb and have loads of al fresco fun while they burn off some energy at the same time. Always a winner. As an added bonus, the park is completely free to families.
Free. Creek Play, Dubai Creek Harbour.
Sleepover at Laguna Waterpark, Dubai
OK, so while this is more like a fun family day and night out, it had to be on our list because who wouldn’t want to camp out at one of the city’s most awesome attractions? You can camp overnight at Laguna Waterpark every Thursday and Friday. Prices are Dhs700 for a two-man tent, while a family of four in a four-man tent will pay Dhs1,200. Enjoy a barbecue, board games, a campfire sing-a-long and a movie under the stars. And the next day, you don’t have to pack up and rush off, you can check out before enjoying a full day back on the slides and in the wave pool. The perfect weekend.
Dhs700 (tent for two), Dhs1,200 (tent for four). Thu and Fri 5.30pm-10am. Laguna Waterpark, Central La Mer, Jumeirah, www.lagunawaterpark.com.
