Ski slopes? Check. Exhilarating safaris? Check. Epic waterparks? Check check check. When it comes to family holidays, Dubai is a destination filled with options. But beyond the obvious family hangouts is a holiday destination that is brimming with many lesser-known sights and experiences, with fun new play parks, museums and retro-inspired food stalls popping up every year.
Family Fun In Dubai
With that in mind, here are our top picks for a relaxed and fun-filled trip to Dubai.
Spend the evening at Last Exit’s fun food truck parks
Whatever food you’re craving on your trip to Dubai you’ll find it here: decadent brunches, wholesome vegan pancakes or messy burgers, there’s a restaurant to suit you, and your family. For a casual and fun-packed meal out, check out the popular food truck gatherings from Last Exit. There are four outposts dotted across Dubai, and the lively spaces, complete with live music, are filled with the best food trucks in the region.
Try crepes from the Saddle Cafe, Poco Loco for flavour-packed tacos and chicken wraps from Hot Chix, or swing by the Jebel Ali Max X location for Mad Max-themed trucks. Don’t miss Just For Kids, a truck that’s kitted out with friendly monster mascots. Find out more here: lastexit.ae
See crocodiles, hippos and tigers at Dubai Safari
More than just a safari park, Dubai Safari is a game-changing wildlife enclosure that’s the plush home of 2,000 animals representing 250 species. Along with cheetahs, giraffes and hippos, you can take in the world’s first drive-through crocodile exhibit, and the UAE’s only drive-through hippo and tiger exhibit, where you’ll see the animals roaming through their vast surroundings.
Don’t miss the Safari Village, home to the baboon canyon, where over 70 baboons live together in one large troop, and the Arabian Village, where the Dubai Safari Conservation team are on hand to tell you how they are reintroducing animals into the wild. Find out more here: dubaisafari.ae
Stimulate body and mind at Oli Oli Interactive Museum
Oli Oli may be described as an interactive children’s museum, but that doesn’t do this stimulating rainbow-hued play area justice. The two-floor indoor space is filled with natural light, has plenty of space for kids to run wild and the best bit – eight interactive zones with over 40 activities.
The themed areas – think water play, an air zone for building paper rockets and a fort building zone – encourage children to be curious and adventurous. Don’t miss Toshi’s nets – a vast room of multi-coloured nylon that’s been crocheted into climbing walls, swings and tunnels by 77-year-old Japanese textile artist, Toshiko MacAdam. Find out more here: olioli.ae
Feed turtles at the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Programme
For a fun, free and educational morning out, see the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Programme in action at Jumeirah Al Naseem. The expert team here are in charge of rescuing turtles and nursing them back to life, before releasing them into the sea. The turtles wear trackers, and the team continue to monitor their progress, letting you and your family check back to the Facebook page to see where each turtle has got to.
The enclosure is open all day every day, but visit on Wednesday at 11am for a chance to feed everything from 60kg loggerheads to junior hawksbills. Find out more here: facebook.com/turtle.rehabilitation
Go climbing at XPark Junior
Sandpits, slides and climbing ropes – children will have their fill of fun at Dubai’s newest play park. Located just off Kite Beach – a great spot for older children to try kite surfing and skate boarding – the shaded play area is made up of colourful flower beds, wood chippings and trees instead of concrete and rubber play mats. After they’ve tumbled around the playground and hurtled down the slide there’s a small petting zoo with a cute pony and relaxed rabbits to hold, plus a shaded fountain area for cooling off. Find out more here: facebook.com/xparkjr
Ride trucks at Dig It
Watch your children get behind the wheel of a pedal-powered tractor, master the art of controlling the arm and bucket of a mini digger and even explore the cabin of a real-size digger, at Dubai’s new Dig It. Located in Springs Souk, the play park has been specially designed to help children learn to team build, but that’s the half of it. Children will see their miniature trucks brought to life, and also get to try out lego car racing, driving remote control RC trucks and soft play. The only problem? When you have to drag them away… Find out more here: digitdubai.com
Visit The Yard for farm animals, picnics and outdoor yoga
Family adventures in Dubai don’t have to be expensive or extravagant, so if you’re looking for a laidback day out, then The Yard is just the place. Located in the Al Khawaneej area, the newly opened space is a great to spot to indulge in simple family pleasures, from having a picnic in the beautiful meadow area, to petting the furry farm animals.
There are plenty of family photo opportunities, too, whether it’s next to the 18m-tall windmill, in front of the the colourful murals or on the Promise Bridge, where you can declare your love for your partner and attach a padlock – like Paris, but better, of course. Find out more here: theyarddubai.ae
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