Visiting Dubai with Kids

This is a sponsored guest post.

Dubai and shopping / sightseeing or Dubai and adventure / leisure attractions – these combos go together well. Along with these, Dubai is surprisingly kid-friendly where its chock full of exciting attractions and fun experiences make it ideal for families and younger ones of all age groups. So if you’re looking for top things to do with kids on your upcoming Dubai visit, here are some of the unmissable, along with some useful info plus top tips for your Dubai travel! 

DUBAI TRAVEL GUIDE 

• November to March is the best time to visit Dubai, but summer months (June to September) are ideal if you’re planning for a budget holiday. 
• Dubai is a Islamic destination, so respect its culture and heritage 
• Dress modestly and avoid wearing any kind of revealing dresses 
• Buy a NOL card (choose from red, silver or gold card) to use Dubai’s public transport including metro, buses, ferries etc. Kids under the age of five years can travel for free in metro and other public transport. 
• You’ll have to carry your international driving license if you’re planning to drive your own in Dubai. 
• Don’t drink / smoke in public and litter the surroundings; these all cause you to pay fine. 
• Don’t dine and drink in public during Ramadan. 
• No PDAs are allowed here 
• Take prior permission before you click pictures of important government buildings and locals. 

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH KIDS 

• With so many kid-friendly activities and attractions in Dubai, make sure that you refer to our following guide and book in advance your kids’ favorite experiences. 
• You can opt for combo tickets or an all-in-one pass for maximum savings. 
• Most attractions in Dubai offer free or reduced admission fee for small kids up to a certain age. So be sure to check it prior to make bookings. 
• Dubai is a desert city with strong sunlight throughout. So always carry a bottle filled with water wherever you go and make sure that you and your kids stay well hydrated during the trip. 
• Other staples to combat desert sun are sunscreen lotion, hats, and sunglasses. 
• Have a first-aid kit handy and carry all regular medications that you and your kids take. 

DUBAI TRAVEL & COVID-19 GUIDELINES 

All iconic sights and leisure attractions in Dubai are open again with the most effective and stringent hygiene measures (against the COVID-19 spread) in place. But, just make sure that you fulfill the following things to make your Dubai travel with kids as smooth and safe as possible. You can check with a Dubai travel agency to make sure you have all of the information for your travel that you need.

• Get the right Dubai visa 
• Download the dedicated DXB app and duly enter in it all required information 
• Carry your international travel insurance offering coverage for COVID-19 treatment 
• Complete a health declaration form which states that you’ll all bear all expenses in case you’re tested positive for COVID-19. 
• Perform a PCR test maximum four days or 96 hours prior to your Dubai travel date. 
• Once you land in Dubai, present your PCR test at the airport. 
• If you don’t have a PCR test, you’ll be asked to take one at the airport. 
• Now if you show any symptom or your result come positive, make sure that you self-isolate for 14 days. 
• If your test result is negative, you can step out and discover Dubai but be sure to strictly comply with all safety guidelines (such as wearing masks, following social distancing norms, sanitizing hands regularly etc). 

1. Spend a day at Dubai Aquarium, Ice Rink, and other attractions at the Dubai Mall

Your kids would definitely adore this massive mall which is rightly the world’s biggest mall. 

Let them catch up with the 155-million-year-old DubaiDino skeleton, explore some unique marine species at the colossal Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and try their favorite professions at KidZania (perfect for kids from 2 to 16 years old). If your kids love fun and action, they would definitely don’t want to miss VR Park with virtual reality and augment reality based rides and games. 

Add some cool experiences with an ice skating session at Dubai Ice Rink; there are colorful skating aids available means even little ones without prior experience can try this. Finally, don’t forget to excite them with their favorite treats, with options such as Candylicious, Ben’s Cookies, and Cheesecake Factory, and Cinnabon, dotted all over the mall. 

2. Take to Burj Khalifa 

There are many Dubai icons, but this giant structure is the must-experience of all. And your kids would enjoy a climb to its observation deck on 124^th level or 148^th level, partly due to its astonishing height (of 828 meters) which makes it the world’s tallest building. Fastest of its kind elevator ride, marvelous sky-high views, and multi-media presentation on Dubai’s past all are sure to leave them in awe. 

3. Watch Dubai Fountain Show 

The remarkably choreographed light and water show at Dubai Fountain is another attraction which is definite to enthrall one and all regardless of their age or interests. The highlight is water which artistically erupts in tune to the popular Arabic, Bollywood or western music. With the water jetting out to a height of over 500 feet during the show, it’s the highest of its kind in the world. This is further free to watch and the best thing is that you can enjoy it as part of your Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall visit. Yes, they all are in one place in the uber classy Downtown Dubai. 

4. Enjoy Dubai’s best theme parks 

Whether your kids are a fan of Marvel superheroes, cartoon characters or larger than life Hollywood or Bollywood protagonists, they will find here rides, attractions and games based on their all-time favorite movie, cartoon or comic book idols. So depending on your Dubai holiday duration, make sure that you add one or two theme parks in your Dubai program. There is the colorful Mattel Play! Town, the massive IMG Worlds of Adventure (with four zones) and even bigger Dubai Parks and Resorts (inclusive of three theme parks (Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Dubai, and LEGOLAND Dubai) and a water park (LEGOLAND Water Park))

5. Desert Safari 

A veritable combo of untouched desert sands, death-defying dune bash (in 4X4 vehicle), and other thrilling activities (such as camel ride, sandboarding, and quad biking), promises your little ones a super amusing and entertaining outing on a desert safari. For a wholesome desert experience, go for an overnight or at least choose an evening desert experience inclusive of BBQ buffet dining, cultural experiences, and traditional shows (such as Tanura and belly dance). Morning desert safaris (including sunrise safari or hot air balloon ride) are most appropriate for those with limited time in Dubai. 

6. Let your little ones bounce to their heart’s content 

With so many kid exclusive attractions in every corner, keeping your little nippers active throughout is never a difficult task in Dubai. One of the most exclusive among them is Bounce-X which is perfect for all age-groups. It’s the world’s first freestyle terrain park and obviously one of the largest trampoline parks in the region. Its many gripping sections along with several interconnected trampolines and trampoline walls, guarantee both you and your kids some untainted thrilling and fun-filled moments. If you’re looking for more alternatives in this department, you can visit Flip Out, Jump Boxx, and Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ. 

7. Don’t miss Dubai’s museums 

Museums in Dubai appeal to all ages and interests. There is Dubai Museum within the oldest of its kind Al Fahidi Fort, Coffee Museum, and Coin Museum. However, it really doesn’t matter if you kids don’t enjoy historical or cultural museums. Take them to Museum of Illusions where they get to delight in its many mind-bending displays, puzzles, games and experiences including Hollow Face Illusion, Kaleidoscope, Head on the Platter, the Chair Illusion, True Mirror, Ames Room, and Anti-gravity Room. They will equally enjoy museums such as Dubai Police Museum and the upcoming Museum of Future and Madame Tussauds Museum. 

8. Take a Wonder Bus Tour 

There is no better way to surprise your kids than by taking them on a Dubai sightseeing tour aboard the amphibious Wonder Bus. This gives them the unique chance to experience the city’s marvelous attractions from both land and water. Be sure to try this to see your kids amused and enthralled like never before. 

9. Discover a historic neighborhood 

Each of Dubai’s neighborhoods has its own charm and character, but its amazingly preserved Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood or Al Bastakiya Quarter is truly special and unique of all for its historical and cultural significance. But, is a quaint neighborhood really a great place to travel with little ones? Yes, it’s; there are so many art galleries, interesting museums, and quirky cafes in the region that there is minimal chance that your children will get bored here. There are souks or traditional bazaars (with budget shops) which add to the experience. 

10. Dhow Cruise 

A Dubai holiday with your kids is incomplete without taking them for a dhow cruise along the historical Dubai Creek or the stylish Dubai Marina. Whichever location you opt for, it gives your kids a taste of the ancient Dubai as dhows were once used for pearl farming and fishing during pre-oil era. Best views, finest foods and mind-boggling traditional entertainment all make dhow cruise a must-experience in Dubai.

11. Get wet and wild with Banana Boat Ride

Dubai’s water parks including Wild Wadi, Aquaventure and the newest Laguna Water Park are some of the best. But for sheer water thrill and laughter moments with your family and kids, nothing comes closer to a supremely fun-filled session of banana boat ride, donut ride, speed boating and seabreacher, among other water activities. 

12. Visit Dubai’s coolest spot

Dubai may be hot with strong sunlight year-round, but that doesn’t stop it from being cool throughout. Experience and believe it for yourself as you trip to some of its chilling spots, especially Ski Dubai where you can participate in all activities which you thought only possible in Antarctic or other winter wonderlands like Whistler, Switzerland, Prague, and Harbin. 

Conclusion 

So don’t just book two tickets for your Dubai holiday; after all, traveling to Dubai with kids is undoubtedly a great experience. Just take inspiration from this post, plan in advance, and get ready for an unforgettable vacation in Dubai with your little ones.