Our guide to Dubai's best indoor attractions

Head to IMG Worlds of Adventure, one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks and Dubai's ultimate adventure destination. This  playground for visitors young and old is fully air-conditioned so you can enjoy it all year round. Younger children can take on exciting adventures featuring popular characters like Ben 10, Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls and LazyTown, while older kids can enter the fascinating world of Marvel and play alongside their heroes, such as Spider-Man, Avengers, Iron Man and Thor. 

Dubai Parks and Resorts is a thrilling labyrinth that's home to mega theme parks, including Motiongate, Legoland and Legoland Water Park. Just one of the many indoor highlights here is Miniland at Legoland, an air-conditioned space where 20 million LEGO bricks have been used to recreate Dubai’s iconic skyline and other landmarks. Plus there's a fully immersive Legoland Hotel on the premises that comes complete with whimsical rooms, play areas and creative workshops.

Situated in the lifestyle district of City Walk, The Green Planet simulates a tropical rainforest in the heart of Dubai. This living museum features 3,000 species of exotic plants, birds, reptiles and animals in a bio-dome that's  designed around the world's tallest manmade and self-sustainable tree. The vibrant ecosystem is a treat for little ones, with lots of educational elements weaved in. Don't forget to take a selfie with the cute, sleepy sloths.

See fascinating sea creatures at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, located at one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, The Dubai Mall. Admire the beauty of nature's underwater spectacle from a distance, as you spot over 300 sharks and rays in the world's largest suspended tank. Take a closer look by strolling through the 48m walk-through tunnel or, for the ultimate thrill, dive straight in and feed the sharks yourself!

If you thought a trip to Dubai means all sand and no snow, think again. You can find ice-laden slopes at Ski Dubai, located at the Mall of the Emirates. The first indoor ski resort in the Middle East is a treat for the whole family, with little ones spending time with the resident penguins, or learning how to ski at the on-site school, complete with gear rentals and expert instructors. Those who don't fancy the slopes can take on the Snow Bullet, a 150m zipline suspended high above the snow park.

Get close to over 65,000 marine animals as you tour the glass tunnels of the Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Inspired by the lost city of Atlantis, the aquarium lets you explore shipwrecks and city ruins teeming with the most colourful collection of aquatic life, including sharks, stingrays and jellyfish. Book a behind the scenes tour to learn from the experts and even help feed some of the animals yourself.

In the interactive, role-playing world of KidZania at The Dubai Mall, kids can take on their dream job and earn 'kidzo' money in a city designed just for them — complete with paved streets, cars, a hospital, a beauty salon, a bank, a television station, pizzeria and more. Parents can watch as their children get a taste of adult life with a range of professions to try. It's edutainment at its finest and you just might see the next superstar singer or aviation expert in the making.

Jump for joy across more than 100 interconnected trampolines housed within the huge Bounce trampoline park in Al Quoz. Aside from freestyle fun, the indoor playground has a range of themed activities to try, such as the Slam Dunk, Dodgeball, Quick Drop, and Zip Line. Whether you test out some new tricks on the Big Bag, run up The Wall, or shoot some hoops in the basketball area, there is an exciting activity for every skill level.

Exhilarate your senses at Dubai’s ultimate virtual reality and augmented reality attraction, Play DXB. Spanning 7,000sqm across two levels, this is officially the biggest indoor attraction of its kind in the world. Discover more than 30 game-changing rides and experiences for all ages themed around a range of immersive and educational journeys. Whether you are looking for individual or multi-player fun, there's plenty to choose from at The Dubai Mall hotspot.

Spark your little one's imagination at OliOli, a multi-sensory entertainment space that is as fun as it is educational. Wander through eight different rooms, featuring everything from colourful climbing nets and toddler toy areas to a water-based splash zone. This cutting-edge concept encourages exploration and interaction with an expert team available to guide children through all the different activities. 

Thrill-seekers won't be disappointed with the activities on offer at the Dubai Hills Mall. Tighten your seatbelts for the city's fastest indoor rollercoaster, The Storm – a ride that is not for the faint-hearted and includes plenty of twists and loops, and an exhilarating vertical drop too. And if you are looking for an exciting experience closer to ground-level, head to Adventure Park by Emaar, where young ones can explore 11 different play areas with trampolines, rock climbing, slides and a lot more.

If you are looking for some fun indoor activities that will get your heart racing, then head to Adventure Zone at Galleria Mall. From rock climbing, high-rope thrills and a ninja course to a trampoline and skate park, this spacious venue has it all. Anyone above the age of three is welcome here, as long as you are ready to put your balancing skills to the test. Adventure Zone is also known to host fantastic birthday parties and summer camps for young children.