
The Ultimate Dubai Experience: Top Things to Do with the Kids
- V1 ACCESS | DUBAI | UAE
Dubai isn’t just a playground for adults — it’s one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world. With year-round sunshine, futuristic attractions, and world-class facilities, the city offers unforgettable experiences for children of all ages. From towering water slides and thrilling theme parks to indoor rainforest adventures and imaginative play zones, there’s no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, curious school-age kids, or energetic teens, Dubai delivers entertainment, education, and excitement in equal measure.
This guide rounds up the very best kid-friendly attractions across the city — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Every spot has been handpicked for fun, safety, and family appeal, with helpful age guides to make planning easier. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, these experiences are guaranteed to keep little ones happy and big ones impressed. Let the adventure begin.
OliOli is a beautifully curated hands-on play museum that encourages curiosity, learning, and open-ended exploration. With themed galleries including water play, climbing nets, creative labs, and sensory spaces, it’s ideal for early learners and young kids to explore freely at their own pace.
What to do:
• Build in the Creative Lab and play with air cannons
• Climb through giant multi-level nets in Toshi’s Net
• Splash around in the interactive Water Gallery
Age Guide | Ideal for ages 2–10
Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm is the ultimate aquatic playground for families in Dubai. With thrilling rides, dedicated kids’ zones, and a scenic private beach, it’s perfect for both adrenaline-seekers and those wanting to unwind. The park’s record-breaking slides and rivers offer non-stop action while little adventurers splash around in safety. Parents will love the balance of luxury and fun.
What to do:
• Speed down the record-breaking Leap of Faith slide
• Let little ones enjoy splash zones and kid-friendly rides
• Relax on the private beach or float along the lazy river
Age Guide | Suitable for all ages; some rides have height restrictions (typically 1.2m minimum for big slides)
Museum of Candy is a pastel dream world filled with sugar-themed installations and photo ops. Giant candy sculptures, sprinkle pools, and whimsical sets make it a sensory overload for kids and a playground for your phone camera.
What to do:
• Jump into sprinkle pools and candy rooms
• Snap Instagram-worthy photos in every space
• Play and laugh in immersive, colourful zones
Age Guide | All ages welcome
Located inside Dubai Mall, this underwater attraction features one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. Kids can walk through a giant glass tunnel surrounded by sharks and rays, then head upstairs to the Underwater Zoo for up-close encounters with crocodiles, otters, and penguins. It’s a fun and educational experience perfect for families.
What to do:
• Walk through the 48-meter-long underwater tunnel
• Watch sharks, rays, and other sea creatures in action
• Visit Penguin Cove or take a behind-the-scenes tour
Age Guide | Great for all ages; under 3s enter free
KidZania is a scaled-down city inside Dubai Mall where kids take on real-life jobs and earn their own currency. Whether they want to be a pilot, doctor, chef, or radio host, children can role-play more than 40 professions while learning about responsibility, teamwork, and money.
What to do:
• Be a firefighter, pilot, baker or courier
• Earn and spend ‘KidZos’ for completing tasks
• Engage in team-based learning while having fun
Age Guide | Ages 4–14
The world’s largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure delivers thrill-packed rides and fun across four adventure zones. From Marvel superheroes to Cartoon Network favorites and dinosaurs in the Lost Valley, there’s entertainment for every age. The air-conditioned park is a lifesaver on hot days and packed with rollercoasters and interactive games.
What to do:
• Meet Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Hulk
• Ride pulse-raising roller coasters and family-friendly attractions
• Explore the prehistoric Lost Valley with lifelike dinosaurs
Age Guide | Suitable for all ages, although some rides have a minimum height requirement (typically 1.05m–1.2m)
Loco Bear offers beautifully designed soft play structures, creative play corners, and a relaxed, aesthetic vibe for younger children. Parents can enjoy healthy snacks and coffee while the kids explore safely.
What to do:
• Climb, crawl, and slide in safe, padded spaces
• Engage in pretend play and educational stations
• Join mini movement or music classes
Age Guide | Best for ages 0 – 6 years old.
This fully immersive indoor rainforest lets children experience an ecosystem like no other. With sloths, toucans, snakes, monkeys, and over 3,000 plants and animals, The Green Planet blends learning with discovery. Walk through the canopy, watch animals feed, and learn about conservation in a fun, climate-controlled environment
What to do:
• Meet sloths, birds, reptiles, and bugs
• Walk from the rainforest floor to the treetop canopy
• Join interactive animal feedings and nature talks
Age Guide | Great for all ages
Wild Paint House is the place where kids can get messy and make art — and it’s encouraged. Splatter paint on walls, canvases, or yourself in neon-lit rooms and UV paint zones. It’s interactive, exciting, and lets kids express themselves however they want.
What to do:
• Splatter, splash, and pour paint onto canvas
• Create glow-in-the-dark masterpieces
• Dress up in coveralls and paint freely
Age Guide | Suitable for Ages 3+
Wild Wadi is one of Dubai’s longest-running family waterparks. Located next to the Burj Al Arab, it offers a fun mix of high-speed slides, wave pools, and a relaxing lazy river. Toddlers can play in the interactive water playground while older kids take on the park’s more thrilling attractions.
What to do:
• Ride the adrenaline-pumping Jumeirah Sceirah slide
• Float along Juha’s Journey lazy river
• Splash safely in the kid-friendly water zones
Age Guide | Suitable for all ages; certain rides require minimum height of 1.1m
Woo-Hoo! is a vibrant indoor museum designed for hands-on exploration. With sensory rooms, water stations, art corners, and STEM labs, it’s a space where kids can touch, test, and create while learning through play.
What to do:
• Explore science, sound, and art in themed rooms
• Make a splash in the interactive water zone
• Join messy play and seasonal workshops
Age Guide | Suitable for ages 1 – 10 years old
Motiongate Dubai brings the magic of Hollywood to life with immersive zones themed around DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, and the Smurfs. Families can enjoy a wide range of attractions, from thrilling roller coasters to interactive shows and play areas, all set within a cinematic backdrop. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping rides or family-friendly entertainment, Motiongate offers something for everyone.
What to do:
• Experience the high-speed Capitol Bullet Train roller coaster in the Lionsgate zone
• Join Po on a 4D adventure in “Kung Fu Panda: Unstoppable Awesomeness”
• Explore the whimsical Smurfs Village with themed rides and attractions
Age Guide | Suitable for all ages; height restrictions apply for certain rides (typically 90 cm and above).
Part of the Underwater Zoo, Penguin Cove lets kids get closer than ever to a colony of Gentoo penguins in a chilled-out, Antarctic-inspired habitat. Visitors can learn about how penguins live, watch them play and swim, and even see feeding time. It’s a hit for little animal lovers and makes for a magical family moment.
What to do:
• See penguins waddling and swimming in an icy enclosure
• Learn fun penguin facts and conservation efforts
• Great photo ops and an educational twist
Age Guide | Ideal for ages 2+; under 3s welcome with supervision
This quirky, mind-bending museum features dozens of illusion rooms, photo ops, and digital tricks that mess with perception. From rotating vortex tunnels to Ames rooms, Illusion City is fun, weird, and completely Instagrammable — especially for kids and teens.
What to do:
• Walk upside down and shrink or grow in optical illusion rooms
• Discover mind games and rotating vortex tunnels
• Take wild photos that defy reality
Age Guide | Best for ages 5+
Air Maniax is an action-packed indoor inflatable park with ziplines, laser tag, obstacle zones, and a toddler-friendly area. The experience is interactive — kids can wear wristbands to track scores and complete challenges throughout the arena.
What to do:
• Run and jump through inflatable obstacle courses
• Glide through the Air Rider zipline
• Play laser tag and beat digital scoreboards
Age Guide | Ages 2+ and toddler zone available for under 4s
Dubai Miracle Garden is a breathtaking floral wonderland, home to over 150 million flowers in colorful, artistic arrangements. From giant teddy bears to full-sized houses made of blooms, it’s a magical spot for a walk, picnic, or vibrant photo session. Kids particularly love the Butterfly Garden nearby.
What to do:
• Visit the life-sized floral Emirates A380
• Snap photos inside the heart arch walkway
• Explore the on-site Butterfly Garden
Age Guide | Suitable for all ages
Boo Boo Land is a cheerful indoor play world designed especially for toddlers and preschoolers. With ball pits, mini rides, and sensory games, it’s a great safe space for younger kids to burn energy and explore.
What to do:
• Jump in ball pits and bounce on inflatables
• Play with ride-ons, slides, and soft climbing frames
• Relax in shaded zones with toddler toys
Age Guide | Suitable for ages 1 – 7 years old.
Dolphin Bay at Atlantis offers close-up dolphin encounters in safe, calm lagoons under expert supervision. Kids can swim or wade alongside dolphins, take part in fun interactions, and learn about marine life through educational experiences.
What to do:
• Wade in shallow waters and play with dolphins
• Swim freely in deeper waters with professional trainers
• Learn about dolphin conservation and behaviors
Age Guide | Wading suitable for ages 3+ and swimming for ages 8+
Bounce Dubai is a freestyle indoor trampoline park with high-energy zones, giant airbags, slam dunk lanes, and dodgeball courts. Kids can safely flip, bounce, and tumble in an environment built for movement. There’s also a Junior Jump area specifically for younger kids.
What to do:
• Bounce across interconnected trampolines
• Dive into giant foam pits and air mats
• Challenge yourself in the X-Park ninja course
Age Guide | Ages 3+; Junior Jump area for ages 3–6
Whether you’re planning a weekend itinerary or a longer stay, Dubai is filled with incredible moments waiting to be shared with your children. From immersive educational spaces to energy-burning adventure zones, this city redefines family fun with something unique around every corner. With so much variety, you can balance excitement, creativity, and relaxation — all in one destination.
We hope this guide helps you make unforgettable memories with your little ones. For more curated family travel ideas, exclusive experiences, and city guides from around the world, follow our lifestyle magazine on Instagram: @v1access.
Because discovering the best of every city starts with knowing where to look.
Some of our Villas are Password Protected to respect the wishes of the Owner, who require more privacy of their Villa and limited visibility.
Please enter the Password provided to you by our team in order to view the details and photos of this stunning Retreat.
Please note, the provided Password is unique to this Retreat and will only be valid for two hours.