Joanna James
As one of the Middle East’s most dynamic travel hubs, Dubai is a veritable playground for those travelling with children. Here are six activities every family should add to their travel itinerary during a stay in the desert metropolis.
While Dubai is home to a great many theme parks and amusement centres, IMG Worlds of Adventure is perhaps the city’s most popular and expansive recreational hotspot to date. Families visiting Dubai for the first time can’t afford to miss the exciting rides and cartoon-themed characters accessible at IMG Worlds of Adventure that not only include Marvel heroes but also The Powerpuff Girls and other iconic figures in children’s entertainment. Occupying a vast expanse that’s nearly the size of 28 football fields, this is the type of theme park that takes days to experience in full due to the sheer number of activities and attractions on-site.
Families who are fortunate enough to stay at sea-facing resorts, the likes of JA Ocean View Hotel Dubai must also venture over to the city’s beaches to uncover Dubai’s best water-based activities. Travellers making the most of Dubai 5-star hotels special offers can not only experience the sun, sand, and surf of Jumeirah Beach and Kite Beach but also explore the more than 1000km of coastline lining the city state.
As the Dubai Mall’s most popular activity hub for families, KidZania is a one-stop edutainment hub that travellers with kids must experience during a getaway in the desert city. Offering children of all ages the chance to role-play different career paths, from becoming doctors, perfumers, firefighters, and chefs to disc jockeys and police officers, the main enclave and the adjoining KidZania Space Centre provide children with the opportunity to learn and grow, all while having a grand old time.
While it is an area of the city that is often overlooked in favour of more modern and awe-inspiring entertainment hubs, Old Dubai is a cultural district families can enjoy at their own pace. Whether it’s a wish to uncover the historic buildings that are part of the Al Fahidi Neighbourhood or the souks that are found on the banks of the Dubai Creek, families with a passion for cultural immersion will hardly find a more dynamic precinct to explore during a trip to Dubai.
Those looking to spend some quality time with their offspring away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai’s top attractions and landmarks will find an array of lush, green oases ideal for family picnics. Whether you choose to pack picnic baskets full of treats and head to the Zabeel Park, Al Mamzar Park, or Musharif Park, the city’s verdant, wide-open spaces will provide the perfect respite from the warm weather and the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.
As an excursion that’s accessible to visitors of all ages, desert safaris also offer families a practical way to create memories during a vacation to a truly exotic part of the world. Although some children may not be old enough to take part in ATV rides or dune bashing expeditions, a drive across Dubai’s arid landscapes on a 4x4 with nothing but mountains of sand at every turn is likely to be an experience your brood won’t soon forget.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
