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New family and kids activities in Dubai

Fri, August 25, 2023

Keep the whole family entertained with these fresh and exciting children's activities in Dubai.

Keep the whole family entertained with these fresh and exciting children's activities in Dubai.

Get unlimited indoor fun with Dubai Parks and Resorts

Motiongate

Stay cool while you're having fun for the whole of September with Dubai Parks and Resorts' latest offer, available to book until 31 August. Their Coolest Summer pass gives unlimited access to Motiongate Dubai (plus unlimited soda) and The Arcade by Hub Zero, unlimited weekday access to The Green Planet and Neon Galaxy (plus four one-hour Neon Galaxy weekend passes), and four Roxy Cinemas tickets, until the end of September for AED499 per person (with a pass for an accompanying nanny at AED199). The pass also gives a 10% discount on any retail purchases at Motiongate.

  • Dates: book by 31 August. Pass valid until 30 September
  • Price: AED499 per person (AED199 for a nanny with a child or family)
  • Booking: book online

Save the Mad Hatter at Alice in Puzzleland

Alice in Puzzleland from Escape Hunt

Oh no – the Queen of Hearts thinks the Mad Hatter has stolen her tarts! She's cancelled the Hatter's tea party, there's no-one around, and the clock is counting down to the moment the Hatter meets his fate...can you help him? Alice in Puzzleland is the new escape room at Escape Hunt – teams of two to five have 60 minutes to complete the Alice in Wonderland-themed challenge by solving clues and challenges: the game is suitable for ages seven and above. Escape Room also offers several other escape room challenges, along with VR experiences – or have a look at our guide to Dubai's escape rooms for more options.

  • For ages: 7+
  • Prices: from AED120 per person, depending on the number of players
  • Booking: by phone, in person, or book online
  • Contact: call +971 4 334 4473 or email dubai@escapehunt.com

Enjoy 50% off cakes at Shangri-la Dubai

Get stuck into a family feast of sweet treats at the Shangri-La Dubai's Lobby Lounge, which is now offering a "cake happy hour" with half-price cakes and pastries from 5pm onwards every day. The stylish hotel's lobby is an ideal spot for tea and cake – perhaps as a special after-school treat for little ones just starting term? And for an even more luxe experience, the lounge also offers its afternoon tea from 1-6pm every day.

Shangri-La Dubai
Food & Drink

    Watch Swan Lake by the Hungarian National Ballet

    Swan Lake at Dubai Opera

    An ideal experience for all budding dancers and actors – Dubai Opera is set to welcome the Hungarian National Ballet to perform its critically-acclaimed production of Swan Lake from 8-10 September. Telling the love story of Prince Siegfried and Odette – a beautiful and innocent white swan who transforms into a manipulative black swan named Odile – it is one of the troupe's signature pieces.

    Swan Lake
    Live shows
    • 8 Sep 2023 - 10 Sep 2023
    • Dubai Opera

    Bitesize Ballet brings its Cinderella show for children to Dubai

    cinderella
    Everyone above age two is welcome to experience the magical story of Cinderella at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Zabeel Theatre on 22 October. With an immersive score by Segei Prokofiev and choreography by Victor Smirnov-Golovanov from Russia, this production is perfect for those looking to introduce ballet to their little ones.
    Cinderella: Bitesize Ballet at Zabeel Theatre
    Live shows
    • 22 Oct 2023
    • Zabeel Theatre

    Camp in the rainforest at The Green Planet

    Camping at The Green Planet Dubai

    Cancel that trip to the Amazon – you can now go camping in the rainforest right here in Dubai, thanks to The Green Planet. The city's indoor rainforest is offering overnight camping on Fridays and Saturdays, with forest games, nocturnal animal tours and a feast before bed, then interactive feeding sessions and a tour in the morning. Overnight camping places are limited to 25 people, with prices starting from AED750 for a two-person tent, and junior campers an additional AED200 each.

    • For ages: 2+
    • Dates: Fri-Sat until 29 September
    • Prices: from AED750
    • Booking: by phone or book online
    • Contact: +971 800 7699

    Keep kids entertained at Dubai Mall Summer Camp

    If a four-day programme of fun sounds like something your kids would enjoy, then check out Dubai Mall Summer Camp. The camp includes everything from KidZania, Dubai Ice Rink and Reel Cinemas to At The TopDubai Aquarium and Play DXB  Designed to keep your young ones entertained, active and learning over the summer, the camp runs until the end of August, and has a packed and varied schedule. There are programmes for kids aged 3-6 and 7-14, and a four-day camp costs AED699 without lunch, or AED799 including a daily lunch.

    • For ages: 3-14
    • Timings: Mon-Thu, 9am – 3pm
    • Dates: 3 July – 31 August
    • Booking: online or in-person at Dubai Mall

    Enjoy two months of family fun with Dubai Summer Surprises

    Dubai Summer Surprises is back, and is packing the city full of exciting events from 29 June to 3 September 2023. All across Dubai, you and your family can enjoy fun activities, special DSS events and great deals – including Kids Go Free offers at some of the city's top attractions. There are also plenty of shopping deals on offer and more events on the way, so keep an eye out for those – and see below for some DSS highlights.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: 29 June – 3 September
    • Booking: see individual events for details

    Shop, dine and celebrate at the iconic Dubai Festival City Mall

    Emirati kid riding a bike outdoors

    Dubai Summer Surprises is taking over Dubai Festival City Mall. The waterfront shopping destination is a must-visit for families with incredible family-friendly activities planned throughout the summer. LEGO NINJAGO runs from 26 June to 10 July, then sing and dance along with Baby Shark from 7-23 July. After that, look forward to a jam-packed summer calendar with Trolls, Cartoon Network and IMAGINE all making Dubai Festival City Mall the ultimate hotspot for families this summer.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: 26 June – 3 September
    • Booking: no booking required
    • Contact: +971 800 332
    The Ultimate Summer at Dubai Festival City Mall
    Dubai Summer Surprises
    • 26 May 2023 - 3 Sep 2023
    • Dubai Festival City Mall

    Enjoy fantastic 'kids go free' offers this summer

    Save on entry to some of Dubai’s best attractions with these special 'kids go free' offers – the best way to see Dubai this summer. From attractions including Dubai Parks and Resorts, At The Top, Burj Khalifa, the thrilling Sky Views Observatory and the world-famous Madame Tussauds waxwork museum, young ones can get in for free when accompanied by adults. And there are plenty of great 'kids go free' hotel offers too, with properties such as Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Atlantis, The Palm, Legoland Hotel and JA Hatta Fort all letting kids stay, and often eat, for free.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: 29 June – 3 September
    • Booking: see listings for details

    Head to the woods with Peppa Pig and family

    Peppa Pig in Dubai

    Pack your bags for an exciting camping trip with Peppa, George and their friends Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe, played by life-sized puppets that will enchant fans of all ages. Everyone’s favourite TV character, along with their friends, are making their way to the Coca-Cola Arena from 16-17 September for six back-to-back musical shows over two days – don't miss out on this highly popular event.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: 16-17 September
    • Prices: AED125-320
    • Booking: by phone or online
    • Contact: +971 800 22 33 88
    Peppa Pig’s Adventure
    Live shows
    • 16 Sep 2023 - 17 Sep 2023
    • Coca-Cola Arena

    Book tickets for an award-winning production of Matilda

    Matilda at Dubai Opera

    After winning hearts and wowing fans across the globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning musical Matilda The Musical is making its way to Dubai Opera from 3 to 12 October. The story of the extraordinary little girl from Roald Dahl’s beloved book will be brought to life on stage for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Come, join in the fun as Matilda uses her vivid imagination and sharp mind to change her destiny.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: 3-12 October
    • Prices: AED325-695
    • Booking: by phone or online
    • Contact: +971 4 440 8888
    Matilda The Musical
    Live shows
    • 3 Oct 2023 - 12 Oct 2023
    • Dubai Opera

    Buy from local artisans at Ripe's pop-up market

    Ripe Market

    Take the family to the Ripe Retail Pop-Up at Festival Plaza, Jebel Ali, the latest iteration of the popular local market, which runs every Saturday until 30 September 2023. There's plenty to browse and lots for little ones to enjoy, with homegrown brands selling a diverse range of products including fashion, art, homeware, jewellery, food, organic goods and more.

    • For ages: all ages
    • Dates: every Saturday until 30 September
    • Timings: 10am to 9pm
    Ripe Retail Pop-up
    Shopping
    • 30 Sep 2023
    • Festival Plaza

    Find cracking new packages at The Smash Room

    the-smash-room-website-v2

    If you've ever had an uncontrollable urge to hulk out and smash things, The Smash Room is for you - go in there, put on protective gear and smash printers, computers, glassware and more. The best thing is that it all gets recycled. The Smash Room's new packages include Whoopee for kids aged five to 13, where they can smash glassware and a DVD. Families with kids aged 14 and over can enjoy The Smash Room's full range, including its Ecstasy and Euphoria packages - along with X, where you can bring your own smashables for just AED69.

    • For ages: 5+
    • Prices: AED69-299
    • Opening hours: 12:30-10pm Mon-Thu, 12:30-11pm Fri-Sun
    • Booking: in-person or online
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