With a wide range of attractions for all ages and a geographically central location, Dubai is an ideal destination to visit with a multi-generational family and reconnect as one. The following features some inspiring ideas to make your next multigenerational travel adventure in Dubai truly memorable, no matter the age or size of your family.
For Infants and Toddlers
Dubai ensures a hassle-free trip for parents with little ones. In addition to easy access to baby-changing stations and strollers or push cars in all major malls and tourist attractions, the city is also easily accessible for families with some places even offering qualified baby-sitting services.
Dubai is home to a number of experiences that cater to families with young children, and a majority even offer free entry to infants below three years of age:
• Play and learn at Olioli, an interactive children’s play museum of delights. It features eight galleries and over 40 exhibits inspired by the work of leading educators, artists and development psychologists.
• Spend some quality time with little ones amidst green spaces at public parks around the city – some of the quieter and more infant-friendly parks include Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Khazzan Park and Zabeel Park.
• Visit dedicated soft play areas across Dubai, including Fun City, Cheeky Monkeys, Bay Avenue in Business Bay, as well as Le Petit Palais and Caboodle Pamper and Play at The Dubai Mall.
• For an easy commute, you can choose the ‘Careem Kids’ option when booking a cab through the Careem ride-hailing app for the option of a car seat for the little ones.
For Children
There are plenty of family-friendly attractions across Dubai that will guarantee a wonderful day out, ranging from exciting theme parks to edutainment options to arts and crafts-based zones and more.
• Head to Dubai Parks and Resorts to try out over 100 incredible indoor and outdoor rides and attractions at Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park – all connected by Riverland Dubai, an entertainment and dining zone.
• Witness the Marvel Universe, Cartoon Network, and Lost Valley come alive at IMG Worlds of Adventure, which features state-of-the-art rides and multi-sensory adventure experiences across four exciting themed zones.
• Enjoy a fun time at any of Dubai’s waterparks – choose from the thrilling Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm; the Arabian-themed Wild Wadi next to Burj Al Arab, and the beachside Laguna Waterpark located at La Mer.
• For a taste of outdoor adventure, take your family to Aventura Nature Park, a one-of-a-kind rope treetop adventure destination – and try out ziplines, horizontal and vertical climbing walls, and a rope course challenge designed for families.
• There are plenty of indoor adventures to try out as well, including iFly Dubai, which simulates the Skydive experience inside a controlled environment; Jumble, an interactive maze that makes for an entertaining physical and mental challenge; Bounce and Flip Out Dubai, two massive indoor trampoline parks; and Adventure Zone, a dedicated indoor adventure facility where kids can enjoy the thrills of rock climbing, boulder walking and ziplining.
• Kids looking to brave colder temperatures are welcome at Ski Dubai, where they can learn how to ski, snowboard or even play with the resident penguins; and skate on the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall.
• Kids can conquer the pretend world at KidZania in Dubai Mall, with more than 80 role-playing activities and over 60 city establishments to help them build essential real-life skills as firemen, doctors, police officers, beauticians, or budding astronauts.
For The Entire Family
• For a truly relaxing experience, visit any of Dubai’s beautiful beaches and take in the gorgeous sight of the Arabian Gulf as you dig your toes in the golden sands. Visit The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence for a fun family day out, try out a variety of water sports at Kite Beach, or head to Sunset Beach in Umm Suqeim for the perfect photo with the iconic Burj Al Arab in the background.
• Explore Old Dubai to see a glimpse of the city’s rich and vibrant history as a fishing village. Key highlights to visit include the Dubai Museum and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding – both within the Al Fahidi Historical District – as well as the Gold, Textile and Spice souks at the Dubai Creek. Be sure to take the traditional abra when crossing the creek.
• Explore exotic flora and fauna at The Green Planet, an indoor tropical rainforest in City Walk with over 3,000 species of plants, animals and birds. Appealing to visitors of all ages, this spot is perfect for a family outing – with special interactions with resident sloths, sugar gliders and a vast array of birds.
Visitors are taken through the four levels of the bio-dome – the Canopy, the Midstory, the Forest Floor and the Flooded Rainforest – in order to learn the importance of each level in maintaining the delicate biological balance of the rainforest.
• Discover what makes Dubai’s desert truly fascinating by taking the family on a desert safari or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the desert on a hot air balloon.
• Dive into marine life like never before at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, home to thousands of aquatic animals across 140 species. There are plenty of aquatic experiences to choose from, ranging from guided tours to interactions with baby sharks and crocodiles. The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm, meanwhile, is home to sharks, stingrays, piranhas, lobsters, and the tiniest of seahorses. There are over 20 marine life exhibits in this aquarium to help visitors interact with some of the creatures and even help feed them – all guided by animal experts.
• Get in touch with your artistic side by creating artwork together at various locations around the city – such as Jam Jar, which features a Do-It-Yourself Painting Studio; and Café Céramique, a part café, part artist studio where you can paint your own ceramics.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
• Set within the lush, green surroundings of eco-friendly development Al Barari, The Farm is the perfect place for family bonding. The culinary haven in Dubai is nestled within an exquisite botanical and waterside backdrop, serving wholesome food in a relaxed and tranquil setting.
• Bustling bistro and deli Jones the Grocer offer an international menu with an Aussie twist. Lots of vegan and low-fat options can keep the grown-ups happy, while the kids can play in a dedicated area.
• At Café Bateel, a gourmet Mediterranean spot, little diners can munch on brekkie favourites such as pancakes with fresh berries throughout the day, or try out mains like pasta gratin with cheese sauce and beef fillet, and desserts including vanilla cheesecake, a mini date shake and more.
• Not that the kids would need any convincing to go anywhere called Sugar Factory, but this chain has grown to be a local favourite for all those who adore desserts – kids and adults alike.
