Dubai is one of the most kid-friendly cities on the planet. Almost everything is air-conditioned, stroller-friendly, has clean public bathrooms and feels safe. Here are the 12 experiences we recommend to family travellers, sorted by the kids' age range.
Toddlers and under-5s
- KidZania (Dubai Mall): 60+ pretend-play careers. Brilliant for 4–10 year olds.
- LEGOLAND Dubai: the first one designed entirely for kids 2–12. Splash zones, kid-sized rides, no terrifying coasters.
- Dubai Aquarium Underwater Zoo: penguins, otters, sharks. 90 minutes is plenty.
- Green Planet: indoor rainforest with sloths and free-roaming birds.
Tweens (8–13)
- IMG Worlds of Adventure: Marvel, Cartoon Network and dinosaurs — fully indoor.
- Aquaventure Waterpark: 105 rides, including the Leap of Faith. Older kids will rate this top of the trip.
- Dubai Frame: 150-metre glass walk with the city laid out beneath.
- Ski Dubai Snow Park: toboggans, penguin encounters and a tubing run.
Teenagers
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: Formula Rossa — fastest roller-coaster on earth.
- Skydive Dubai: minimum age 12 with parental consent. A serious bucket-list item.
- Sky Views Glass Slide: 220 metres up with a glass slide that delivers you three floors down.
- Dune buggy at sunset: instructors take families through age-appropriate routes.
Practical tips
Get an Etihad Rail or Nol card from any metro station — even small kids will love riding the front-driverless metro car. Strollers are accepted on all metros and most attractions provide free pushchairs. Almost every restaurant has a kids' menu; expect Western and Arabic options.