Dubai With Kids: Part 1

Dubai with kids: part 1

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Dubai is a perfect place if you travel with active kids – I’m sure you won’t want to just stay on the beach all time when you have a family trip.

Check my list of activities which are the summary of my several trips to Dubai and that are approved by my own kid.

Disclaimer: some of the visits were supported by Visit Dubai tourism board.

1. Aquarium and Underwater zoo

Aquarium and Underwater zoo is located on two floors of the Dubai Mall and used to be the second largest tank in the world! Now it’s outperformed by Abu Dhabi and China, but still an impressive place to visit.

Come to admire a long water tunnel, have a ride in a glass floor boat, feed a fish (some activities are included in extra packages) and admire numerous fish and aquatic animals such as penguins, otters, crocodiles and other reptiles.

2. The Green Planet

Green planet is a fantastic space for kids where you can observe birds, reptiles, insects and even some mammals from a touching distance! The core of the Green planet is a massive tree with live plants and waterfalls around it, and you follow a pathway from the tree top down meeting animals walking freely or sitting in their enclosures.

Of course, there’s a set of strict rules to follow like no touching and no teasing animals.

Besides that, for an additional fee you can also book some encounters supervised by biologists. We went for a reptile encounter and sloth feeding for instance.

3. Dubai glow park

Dubai Glow park is a large area close to the Dubai Frame which you shouldn’t miss if you’re traveling with kids.

Glow park, Dinosaur park, Magic Park, Fantasy park are all parts of the Dubai Glow Garden where you’ll be amazed by millions of LED lights and shimmering flora and fauna! You can walk there slowly for over an hour exploring paths with animals, mythical creatures, arches and flowers.

And the Dino park with moving and roaring sculptures is a must for kids too.

4. Dhow boat along Marina Dubai

Dubai Marina is a nice place for a promenade along the water watching the boats passing by and having numerous eating options as there are restaurants everywhere.

You can also pop to the Marina Mall, visit the beach promenade or explore the Bluewaters island: you have probably heard about the Ain ferry wheel.

It was the highest observational wheel in the world at the time of its opening (and we even had a ride there), and now it functions again after a break.

However you can opt for scenic views over boats and yachts: have a dhow ride along the Dubai Marina! We opted for a sunset tour which was combined with a dinner buffet.

5. Aya Universe

Aya universe is a new family friendly attraction in Dubai you must visit! It’s located inside Wafi City, an Egypt-themed shopping mall.

Aya is a multi sensory immersive space where technology provides a new dimension to visual art. The main theme as stated in a passport every visitor receives at the entrance is a cosmic journey, and some rooms will definitely remind you of visions of other imaginary planets.

There are a few areas including the entrance with Aurora, the Source with dancing flowers, the Drift with sparkling stars, silver tree of Flora, bright stream of the River, colourful orchestra of Harmonia, glimmering balls of Luna, unusual nature of Outlander, mirrored Tides.

Kids will definitely have fun here!

6. Animal encounter at Atlas village

In Dubai you can have a very special encounter: meet a sea lion or a dolphin in the Atlas village (part of the Atlantis hotel) – and in a way which is safe for animals too!

We had a dolphin encounter in the past, and this time we met Rufus, the biggest sea lion of Atlantis! Rufus and his brother Roger are two sea lions who live here-and you can buy tickets to meet them in person. During our tour, we learnt about their biology and behaviour, got a chance to speak and to touch Rufus and also visit the backstage of the village including the vet section, fish kitchen and dolphin enclosure.

The well-being of animals is a priority here, and you can also learn how their physical and mental health are protected here. And of course, you cannot take your own photos with animals so as not to disturb them – no phones, no jewellery, everything is left in the locker. But you get an official photo of your encounter anyway.

7. View at The Palm

The View at The Palm is easily accessible from the Nakheel mall: get to the roof of the shopping centre (where the Starbucks and the aquarium reside) and then to the very top of the Palm Tower. The observational desk opened just recently, in April 2021, and we visited the 52nd floor of it three years ago. Now, the visitors can even go to the 54 floor for more dramatic views!

At the beginning of the tour the visitors participate in the interactive ‘building of the palm Jumeirah’ altogether, then watch a short film and learn about the history of the man-made island construction. For instance, did you know that originally it was meant to be sun-shaped, not palm-shaped and that it’s clearly visible from space?

After that you proceed to the very top to enjoy the 360 degrees view of the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai skyline from 240 metres above. I’d suggest you visit floor 52 too just because it’s much less crowded – we were alone there.

8. ARTE museum

ARTE museum is a multimedia art museum inside the Dubai Mall. We visited it for the second time, and the space has expanded a lot! ARTE museum was designed by district, a Korean digital design company, and they have lots of other venues, for instance, in Jeju, Busan, Yeosu, Gangneung (South Korea), Chengdu (China) and Las Vegas (USA).

There are a few halls with all types of installations: mystical animals, rose garden, animals of UAE, waves, ice, art masterpieces … …and there’s an amazing installation about the Joseon period of Korea! They have interactive displays where you can colour an animal, scan your illustration and digitally upload it to a big screen with other animals. Just like in Singapore, yes! One of such zones is aquatic, for instance, and another one is dedicated to the Saudi flora.

Come with me to the most amazing multimedia experience here too! When your experience begins, a waiter puts a cup on your empty table – and suddenly a gentle beautiful flower appears in the cup. Awww that’s my favourite dessert – you probably remember me trying it back in Seoul?

9. Dubai Balloon

Dubai Balloon ride is a fun activity for all the family! It’s located within the Atlantis premises by the seashore. The views are breathtaking, all over the Palm and Atlantis hotel! But the winds could be pretty strong as in our case, and our landing was pretty rough even considering that the balloon is attached to the ground by the rope. Anyway, it was fun both for kids and adults.

You can buy tickets online or at the hotel premises. Times of flights depend on weather and winds.

I’ve already had an experience flying with hot balloons: it was about 7 years ago also in Dubai, and I loved both, but I think that the desert one is not suitable for little kids.

10. La Perle

La Perle is a show telling a story about an adventure of a girl called Pearl: she travels through space to a different kingdom, meets her love and battles an evil Prince. And everything is narrated by music, lights, water and of course the aqua-acrobatics!

The show was launched in September 2017 at Al Habtoor city and takes place in a purpose-built theatre with a large pool in the middle of the stage: you can see water coming out and in through different stages of performance as well as fountains turning on and off around the main stage. Everything here is about the water (and pearls, with a nod to Dubai history): can you imagine that for one performance 2.7 million liters of water are used?

The acrobats were spectacular: there are motorcycle tricks, dives and jumps, ballet elements, and many more. The creative idea behind the project belongs to Franco Dragone, the former creative director of Cirque Du Soleil. The show lasts for 90 min.

Where to stay in Dubai with kids

Well, of course, Atlantis the Palm would be your choice number one! We stayed there for the third time, and it’s just perfect for family trips.

Everything here is stylised as if you’re under the sea!

However, you might also consider St Regis Dubai located on the Palm. The location of it is the best because it opens up to the Nakheel Mall. There’s also a great breakfast selection, nice spa and not bad outside pool (however kids can’t access the Kuma beach).