The 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Dubai (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best things to do in Dubai with kids in 2026 are Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, KidZania Dubai, Ski Dubai with its penguin encounter and LEGOLAND Dubai. For a quieter day, try The Green Planet, Dubai Safari Park in season or the Dubai Miracle Garden.

Dubai is built for families, but the heat decides the plan. From roughly May to September, shift to the air-conditioned options: the aquarium, KidZania, Ski Dubai, The Green Planet and the Museum of the Future. In the cooler months, October to April, the outdoor parks, the safari park and the Miracle Garden come into their own.

Check height and age rules before you go, book timed tickets for the busiest venues, and avoid weekends when you can. For more ideas, see our guides to the best things to do in Dubai, the best beaches and desert safaris.

1. Aquaventure Waterpark — Atlantis The Palm

The big waterpark on the Palm, with 100+ slides and attractions across three towers.

Best for Families · Groups

Atlantis' site describes Aquaventure as having over 105 slides, attractions and experiences across three towers, with signature rides such as Leap of Faith, Odyssey of Terror and Shockwave. It also offers marine encounters, and Atlantis The Palm guests get waterpark access.

Several rides have height minimums, so check the rules for your kids before you queue.

Good to know: Day tickets vary by season and are non-refundable; arrive when it opens and bring a change of clothes, since outside food and drink is not allowed.

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlantis The Palm, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

2. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — Dubai Mall

A huge tank in The Dubai Mall, with a glass tunnel and a glass-bottom boat option.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is on the second floor of The Dubai Mall. The official ticket page lists tiers from general entry to an explorer experience with a glass-bottom boat, up to all-access passes.

It is an easy one-hour or two-hour stop that also puts you near the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa.

Good to know: General entry is the cheapest tier; the higher passes add the boat and other extras, so pick based on your kids' interests.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

3. KidZania Dubai — Dubai Mall

A role-play city for ages 2 to 16 with more than 40 activities on Level 2.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Groups

KidZania Dubai is in The Dubai Mall and describes itself as a 7,000-square-meter venue with more than 40 role-play activities for children aged 2 to 16. Kids work jobs, earn KidZos and spend them.

The site lists a drop-off service for children under 120 centimeters, charged by the hour.

Good to know: Plan on most of a day for older kids, and check the toddler ticket for ages 2 to 3 and the current drop-off rules.

KidZania Dubai, Level 2, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

4. Ski Dubai — Mall of the Emirates

An indoor snow park with a penguin colony inside Mall of the Emirates.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · First-timers

Ski Dubai combines an indoor snow park with a colony of Gentoo and King penguins. The official site lists a 40-minute Penguin Encounter with an educational session, underwater viewing and a meet-and-greet; the basic encounter does not include snow park entry.

Bundles such as the Snow Premium pass combine the snow park and its rides, and there is a breakfast-with-penguins option.

Good to know: Book the penguin session first, then add snow park time; children under 14 need an adult with them.

Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

5. The Green Planet — City Walk

A four-level indoor rainforest with birds, sloths and a canopy walk at City Walk.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

The Green Planet is an indoor rainforest biodome in City Walk. Its site describes more than 3,000 plants and animals over four levels, from the Creatures of the Night to the Canopy, and sloth encounters on Fridays and Saturdays.

It is quiet, shaded and good for toddlers and strollers.

Good to know: Hours run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily per the site; the entry ticket validates parking at City Walk.

The Green Planet, City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

6. LEGOLAND Dubai — Dubai Parks and Resorts

A LEGO theme park with 40+ rides and a kids' water park, aimed at ages 2 to 12.

Best for Families · Groups

LEGOLAND Dubai is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and its official site describes a family theme park with more than 40 rides and a kids' water park. The rides and play areas are sized for younger children.

It is a long day out, so pick a cooler day and go early.

Good to know: Plan an early start and a full day; check the official site for current ride and water-park access.

LEGOLAND Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

7. Dubai Safari Park — Al Warqa

A seasonal wildlife park with around 3,000 animals; it closes in summer.

Best for Families · Groups

Dubai Safari Park describes itself as home to about 3,000 animals, with a safari journey and themed areas. It runs by season: it closes in summer and reopens in autumn, and its site says new season tickets go on sale around October.

It is a better choice from October to spring, when the walking is comfortable.

Good to know: Check the season dates and book on the official site; weekday mornings are calmer.

Dubai Safari Park, Al Warqa'a 5, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

8. Dubai Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden — Al Barsha South

A flower garden with 200 million blooms and a covered butterfly garden, open October to May.

Best for Families · Couples · Photos

Dubai Miracle Garden describes itself as the world's largest natural flower garden, with more than 200 million flowers, and it is open October to May. Next door, the Butterfly Garden is a covered garden listed with 8,000 to 10,000 butterflies.

It is a pretty, easy stop for a cooler-season afternoon.

Good to know: Go in the late afternoon in winter, when the light and temperature are best; it is closed in summer.

Dubai Miracle Garden, Al Barsha South 3, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

9. Museum of the Future — Trade Centre

Hands-on exhibits and a play space for young children inside a calligraphy-covered torus.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

The Museum of the Future is a ring-shaped building covered in Arabic calligraphy, with immersive exhibits and a play space for young children. Tickets are timed, so book ahead.

It is an indoor, air-conditioned option for a hot day.

Good to know: Buy a timed ticket on the official site and check which spaces are open for your kids' ages.

Museum of the Future, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 2, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

10. Dubai Frame — Zabeel

A 150-meter frame with a glass walkway and a cheap child ticket (ages 3 to 12).

$ BudgetBest for Families · Couples · Views

Dubai Frame sits in Zabeel Park, and its site lists child tickets for ages 3 to 12 at a lower price than adults, with infants under 3 free. The glass walkway and the views make it a short, low-cost stop.

Pair it with a walk in Zabeel Park in the cooler months.

Good to know: Buy tickets on the site or app to skip the line, especially at weekends.

Zabeel Park, Gate 4, Sheikh Rashid Road, Za'abeel, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What are the best indoor things to do in Dubai with kids?

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, KidZania in The Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, The Green Planet at City Walk and the Museum of the Future are all indoors and air-conditioned. They are the safest bets in summer.

What is the best waterpark in Dubai for kids?

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is the largest, with more than 100 slides and attractions according to Atlantis, but several rides have height and age limits. LEGOLAND Dubai has a smaller water park aimed at younger children.

Which Dubai attractions are best for toddlers?

The Green Planet and the Dubai Aquarium are easy with strollers, and KidZania has a toddler ticket for ages 2 to 3. LEGOLAND Dubai is built around younger children, and Ski Dubai's penguin encounter suits curious preschoolers.

When is Dubai Safari Park open?

It is seasonal. The park closes in summer and reopens in autumn; its site says new season tickets are released around October. Check the official site for the current season dates and prices.

Is Dubai good for kids in summer?

Yes, if you plan indoors. Pools, malls and indoor attractions work, but avoid outdoor sightseeing between about 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and plan beach time for early morning or evening.

Do kids need tickets for Dubai attractions?

Most attractions charge for children, with free entry for under-twos at many of them, but the age cutoff varies by venue. Check each official site for child pricing and height rules.

1. Aquaventure Waterpark — Atlantis The Palm

2. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — Dubai Mall

3. KidZania Dubai — Dubai Mall

4. Ski Dubai — Mall of the Emirates

5. The Green Planet — City Walk

6. LEGOLAND Dubai — Dubai Parks and Resorts

7. Dubai Safari Park — Al Warqa

8. Dubai Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden — Al Barsha South

9. Museum of the Future — Trade Centre

10. Dubai Frame — Zabeel

Frequently asked questions

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