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Cool new family experiences in Dubai
Wed, April 20, 2022
Keep the whole family busy with this must-do list of fresh and exciting children's activities in Dubai.
Keep the whole family busy with this must-do list of fresh and exciting children's activities in Dubai.
1
Aim for sky-high fun at The View at The Palm
Enjoy incomparable views of one of Dubai’s most talked about landmarks at The View at The Palm. Located 240m high, the observation deck presents never seen before 360-degree panoramas of Palm Jumeirah alongside the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline in the distance. The View at The Palm is located on level 52 of The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, a creative exhibition, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels and a gift shop. To further elevate your sky-high sightseeing experience while here, step up to The Next Level – at 250m above ground, the private, barrier-free space is the island's highest vantage point.
2
Swing from the trees at Aventura
Treetop obstacle course Aventura Parks has unveiled a new Nature Village, complete with a Chill Zone. Old fashioned fun is on the cards with board games, beanbags to lounge on, a bungee trampoline and an arts and crafts section, among other activities. Everyone will want to splash around in the fountains, take a trip down the mini-zipline and get to the top of the rock climb. There's plenty for older children and adults too as they swing from tree to tree along ziplines and challenging obstacles. And that's not all – for the more curious nature lovers, Aventura has launched guided tours so everyone can learn more about native flora and fauna.
3
Show off your moves at Roll DXB
It’s time to get your skates on at Dubai’s first-ever permanent roller disco. RollDXB has opened its doors in Port Rashid, with disco nights, roller derby, musical skate jams and roller hockey making us reach for the leg-warmers. Skating pros keen to show off their moves can hit the floor during 90-minute open sessions, while beginners can take individual or group lessons. The whole family can join in the sliding action as the skate park is open to all ages until 7pm, after which it’s for over 14s only.
4
Slide into the Jungle Bay Waterpark
Whether you are looking for truly thrilling water-based fun or something a little gentler, the Jungle Bay Waterpark at Club Mina will tick all the boxes. This addition to the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi complex, which already offers up a kids club, sandy beach, multiple swimming pools and several restaurants, is done up in Mediterranean blue and white hues and is an additional draw for those on the lookout for kids activities. Splash pads, slides, and a six-metre pneumatic wave pool are part of the mix, plus there's a casual eatery appropriately called The Beach serving snacks all day.
5
Make a splash at Aquaventure
Dubai’s biggest waterpark just got even bigger with the opening of two new areas – Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove. These two adventure-packed towers have been specially designed for younger thrill-seekers, making it the largest children's only waterpark experience in the Middle East, with over 16 new attractions. Let them race each other on the world’s first kid’s rally-racer, or take the plunge and try out the tornado slide.
6
Visit farms with the family
You don’t need a green thumb to get back in touch with nature. There are plenty of farms in Dubai, which provide opportunities to teach the whole family about organic fruits and vegetables, and much more. My Farm Dubai is a self-sustaining eco-farm in the middle of the desert where visitors can harvest herbs, spices, and honey – and it offers indoor workshops for both kids and adults on how to tend to plants. If you're looking for a high-tech scene, then make your way to UNS Farms in Al Quoz which uses state-of-the-art technology to grow their greens, and teaches little ones everything about sustainability.
7
Bearcat necessities at The Green Planet
He's the first bearcat ever to have visited the region, which is why the aptly named Fluffy is creating such a stir at City Walk's The Green Planet. The adorable creature, also known as a binturong, has a cat-like head and bear-like body, and visitors at the indoor rainforest can spot him wandering around the foliage. Children looking for an even more immersive, educational experience can become 'zookeepers' thanks to a new three-hour programme that lets them participate behind the scenes in the laboratories and bio-dome.
8
Explore underwater worlds at Deep Dive Dubai
It's already broken the Guinness World Record for the world's deepest swimming pool at 60.02m, but Deep Dive Dubai offers aquatic fans so much more to see and do. Don your suit and float your way through an underwater sunken city, reminiscent of the lost land of Atlantis. There are also a host of courses to sign up for if you're keen on free diving and scuba diving. Make your way here, whether you are an expert wanting to plunge to new depths or a beginner keen to explore cool habitats.
9
Go celebrity spotting at Madame Tussauds
Want to pose with the stars on the red carpet? Madame Tussauds let's you do just that. Visit the famous waxwork museum, known for crafting lifelike replicas of high-profile figures and celebrities, at Bluewaters Dubai. You'll not only be able to mingle with 60 international stars but see figures of 16 regional heavy-hitters too. Record-breaking singer Balqees Fathi is the centre of attention at the A-List Party Room, while Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan shares the spotlight with Nancy Ajram and Maya Diab. Football fans can see their hero Cristiano Ronaldo, while social media queens can take a selfie with Kylie Jenner or Cara Delevingne.
10
Meet the Smurfs at Dubai Miracle Garden
Fans of the diminutive blue-hued cartoon characters will be thrilled to see the Smurfs, admittedly larger than life and decked out in blooms, at Dubai Miracle Gardens' tenth winter edition. Walk among the well-loved mushroom houses made famous by the Belgian comics as you enter Smurf Village, then try to spot Smurfette in the topiary before making your way to the activity area. You'll also get to explore the gardens' many iconic figures, like the giant teddy bear and floating lady. Don't forget to stop by the adjacent Butterfly Garden too.
11
Make time for Ready, Set, Go
Ready, Set, Go is a sprawling, jungle-themed playground that comes complete with soft play area, trampoline park, a mini-town and a zone specially for toddlers. From foam cannons to balance beams, tunnels and rope bridges plus lots of slides, children from the ages of one to 12 have lots of different routes to check out at the Al Quoz-based indoor space. There are even five role play rooms ranging from a princess theme to a disco one, so it's the ideal place to keep them entertained.
12
Find thrills at Dubai Hills
Whether you have teenagers looking for extreme thrills via The Storm Coaster or kids looking for indoor frolics at Adventure Park, the Dubai Hills Mall has plenty to occupy all ages. Become a storm chaser via the state-of-the-art coaster, with a vertical launch, sharp drop and multiple twists and turns. Just nearby is Adventure Park with ten different experiences, including climbing walls, a trampoline 'jump park', plus caving tunnels and a rope course for hours of non-stop fun.
13
Book a stay to remember at Legoland Hotel
If you're a fan of Lego you're in for a treat as the region's first ever Legoland Hotel has opened its doors at Dubai Parks and Resorts. Expect a dramatic Ollie the Dragon entrance, brightly-coloured interiors plus rooms decked out in five whimsical motifs, including pirates and Lego Friends themes. Little ones will be kept busy as there's a schedule of imaginative activities and workshops at the hotel, and guests also get free tickets to the nearby theme parks and water park.
14
Ride thrilling rollercoasters at Motiongate
Two new record-breaking rides have roared into town at the Lionsgate zone in Motiongate Dubai. Adrenaline-seekers can hop on board the first rollercoaster inspired by the action blockbuster John Wick, while fans of the heist flick Now You See Me can embark on twists and turns intrinsic to the movie as they try out the fastest single-car spinning rollercoaster in the world. So if big thrills are your thing, then head to Motiongate as it has also secured the accolade for having the most rollercoasters in the region.
15
Climb into the Tr88house
Whether you are looking to grab a bite at the gourmet food hall or while away time at interactive play zones, you'll find a lot on offer at the Tr88house indoor play emporium in Bluewaters Island. The littlest patrons can explore multi-storey mazes and ball pits at the Munchkin Monster soft play area, while older kids can jump into the trampoline park, opt for a game of laser tag or master glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Shows where brightly-hued characters mingle add to the excitement.
16
Fast forward at the Museum of the Future
Multi-sensory experiences are at the heart of the Museum of the Future, so the young and young-at-heart will find plenty to explore. From a 'DNA vault' housing thousands of special species to a digital rainforest and a dedicated kids area, little ones are guaranteed to be enthralled. The beautiful landscaped gardens outside are another draw. An added bonus? Children enter for free.
17
Check in at Deira Islands
Those looking for an eventful family stay can head to Centara Mirage Beach Resort, which presents warm Far Eastern hospitality and plenty of adventures thanks to a waterpark, shoreside souk and seven dining venues. Hotel Riu Dubai at Deira Islands is another top contender – the 24-hour all-inclusive resort offers pools, a spa, themed restaurants and the Splash Water World waterpark.
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