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Fun indoor activities and entertainment centres for kids
Wed, August 21, 2024
Looking for things to do in Dubai with your young ones? Pack in active play, edutainment and high-octane rides with our guide to the best indoor activities this summer.
Looking for things to do in Dubai with your young ones? Pack in active play, edutainment and high-octane rides with our guide to the best indoor activities this summer.
1
A taste of the real world at KidZania
Among Dubai Mall's wide array of extraordinary attractions, KidZania gets top marks from children. An edutainment favourite, kids aged four to 16 can enter this 7,000sqm scaled replica of a city to get a feel for real-world jobs and experiences, with fun at the forefront. They'll roleplay a heroic firefighter, master chef, television presenter, doctor or more, while learning the importance of decision-making, teamwork and creativity.
2
Explore smart spaces at OliOli
OliOli is an experiential play museum that blends jaw-dropping science with vibrant fun for children aged two to 11. Unlock the potential of positive play through educational activities that tease and test every one of your child's senses. Eight themed galleries will satisfy their curiosity through hands-on trials, as they explore the possibilities of air, water and technology.
3
Choose your adventure at IMG Worlds of Adventure
Marvel superheroes, Cartoon Network characters and fascinating dinosaurs – uncover seven action-packed zones at IMG Worlds of Adventure. Dubai's largest indoor theme park offers a mix of adrenaline-fuelled rides for older children and interactive adventures for little ones. Meet fan favourites as you roam this park in search of the next thrill, encountering live entertainment along the way. A must-try? Spin at dizzying speeds while Thor saves you from the wrath of Loki in the Thor Thunder Spin.
4
Befriend exotic wildlife at The Green Planet
The Green Planet is a prized jewel in the vibrant City Walk district's crown. Bats in the air, piranhas underwater and sluggish sloths hanging off trees – see it all in this biodome that's home to 3,000 mesmerising plants, insects and animals. Children will enjoy spotting and interacting with the remarkable creatures, including endangered doe-eyed slow lorises. A special treat? Kids ages nine to 16 can play zookeeper for a day, feeding animals and enjoying behind-the-scenes experiences.
5
Embrace a retro revolution at Fabyland
Fabyland gets its 'fab' from its neon-lit, 1980s-inspired vibe. The indoor playgrounds at Dubai Festival City Mall and Naheel Mall are a popular draw, delivering a throwback atmosphere that's complemented by a plethora of arcade games, thrilling indoor rides and attractions that will impress little ones. Knock around in bumper cars, strap into an automatic seesaw or fly weightlessly through loops and dives on the heart-pounding Air Racer ride.
6
Defy gravity at Bounce
Have fun on the go at Bounce. With 3,000sqm of interconnected trampolines, airbags and challenges, children can practise freestyle tricks in this industrial warehouse setting. The trampoline park makes active time a real treat, squeezing in a heavy dose of cardio as you hop along springy surfaces and obstacles. For more anti-gravity fun, check out Sky Zone in Ibn Battuta Mall, the world's first all-walled trampoline park.
7
Find a new dimension of fun at Magic Planet
Set in a galaxy far, far away, Magic Planet creates an alternative universe of entertainment for children of all ages. Located in malls across Dubai, this futuristic indoor park is teeming with arcade games, obstacle courses, indoor rides and bowling alleys for older kids, as well as soft play areas and ball pits for toddlers. Find something different at each location – City Centre Mirdif boasts a thrilling obstacle course suspended 13m-high, while the Mall of the Emirates branch is home to a gravity-defying trampoline park.
8
Enjoy winter wonders at Ski Dubai
Ice and snow in the desert? If anyone can do it, it's Dubai. Mall of the Emirates' Ski Dubai presents 22,500sqm of ski slopes, parks, ice sculpture caves and penguin encounters – each inch covered by real snow. Enjoy all kinds of winter fun in -4°C temperatures at this Alpine setting, with five slopes of varying difficulties, bumper cars, bobsledding and snowboarding thrills. Or, head over to Dubai Mall for an afternoon of smooth gliding at its Olympic-sized ice rink.
9
Let toddlers run wild at Cheeky Monkeys
Here's a special place just for Dubai's littlest visitors. Cheeky Monkeys is a soft play centre that pairs the science of active play with fun. With addresses throughout the city, this indoor hotspot offers toddlers a multi-sensory experience with climbing structures, an arts and crafts garden, a two-storey clubhouse, an open gym and building block stations. Parents will be pleased to know that some branches also offer a 'drop and go' service, so you can leave your kids with the expert staff and enjoy some worry-free 'me time'.
10
Storm to an adventure at Dubai Hills Mall
Teenagers looking for an adrenaline-rush will find their wish fulfilled at Dubai Hills Mall's The Storm roller coaster – a steep take-off, sharp drops and plenty of turns keep the momentum going throughout the ride. Find slightly more sedate fun at the nearby Adventure Park where younger patrons can scale walls, trampoline and conquer a rope course; just a few of the 10 different experiences on offer.
11
Climb into the Tr88house
This fun-filled emporium on Bluewaters Island comes complete with a multitude of interactive play zones to suit all ages. Toddlers can explore mazes and ball pits at the Munchkin Monster soft play area, while older kids can jump into the trampoline park, get gaming at laser tag or perfect a hole-in-one at the glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Regular shows featuring outrageous neon characters and a gourmet food hall finish the package.
12
Build your own city at Bricobilandia
What could be more fun than being let loose in a room filled with Lego sets? Brightly coloured bricks are at children's disposal to build a brand new city powered by their imagination. Catering to kids over three, you can leave them to construct to their heart's content or join in the fun with your own housing project at both the Nakheel Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall locations. And, if you're looking to follow this up with something more spirited, the Trampo Extreme trampoline park is just around the corner from the former.
13
Prepare to Ready Set Go!
A jungle-themed playground teeming with things to do for those under 12, Al Quoz's Ready Set Go! is a sprawling indoor space which will capture the hearts of kids of all ages. Toddlers have a dedicated space to indulge in soft play while older ones can run wild amid climbing frames, foam cannons, rope bridges and lots of slides. There are even five private rooms that can be pre-booked for dress-up and parties with small groups of friends.
14
Learn new skills at the Playtorium
Aimed at toddlers to pre-teens, once you take your kids to Playtorium in The Meadows, you'll find it difficult to drag them out again as they won't want the fun to stop. Net mazes, a digital trampoline zone, climbing frames plus tubes and slides are just some of the draws. Role playing areas and workshops keep little ones engaged, while an excellent cafe ensures adults are happy to relax here too. An added bonus? They will take care of children over three if you need to run errands.
15
Lots of interactive play at Oktopus Park by We Play
Located in Cityland Mall, Oktopus Park by We Play has a lot to offer for your little ones. From an interactive area with simulation games, swings, trampolines and more to a massive ball pit with slides for different age groups and a small, dedicated toddler section, hours will go by having fun here before your kids agree to leave. Plus, friendly staff members are dotted around the venue to help the children with whatever they need so parents can relax at the in-house cafe.
16
Trick your eyes at Museum of Illusions
Looking for a magical way to beat the heat? Enter a world of visual and sensory wizardry at the Museum of Illusions, located at Al Seef along Dubai Creek. With over 60 exhibits, this collection of optical illusions and immersive installations is perfect for entertaining the whole family. Visitors can snap photographs and have a laugh at each exhibit, with several taking over social media feeds thanks to their picture-perfect illusory set-ups.
17
Embark on VR adventures at Dreamscape
Fancy getting lost in an alternate reality? Dreamscape is your portal to another world, where incredible VR adventures await. The venue in Mall of the Emirates combines theme park vibes, Hollywood-style storytelling and cutting-edge technology to create a mystical experience that will blow you away. The innovative attraction is state-of-the-art, so you can fully immerse yourself. Travel to the depths of the ocean to rescue whales, visit an alien zoo in a distant galaxy or search an ancient temple while solving riddles.
18
Get close to famous faces at Madame Tussauds
Make a beeline for Bluewaters Island and join the waxworks at Madame Tussauds. Pose with stars on the red carpet at the air-conditioned museum, known worldwide for crafting lifelike replicas of high-profile figures and celebrities. You'll not only be able to mingle with 60 international stars like Taylor Swift and Vin Diesel, but see figures of 16 regional heavy-hitters too. Record-breaking singer Balqees Fathi is the centre of attention at the A-List Party Room, while Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan shares the spotlight with Nancy Ajram and Maya Diab.
19
Get lit at Neon Galaxy
Riverland Dubai has been given a boost of energy with a multi-level indoor adventure playworld. Neon Galaxy is spread across 860sqm and designed for children and young teens to enjoy. The park features exciting ninja courses, slides, a rope climbing area and ball pits, as well as a wipe-out challenge and space-themed educational activities. There’s fun for the little ones too, with a dedicated area for toddlers.
20
Have a good time at GLITCH
An entertainment destination in Al Ghurair Centre, GLITCH features over 30 indoor games for all ages. Take on a ninja warrior-style course, zoom down a 10m-high slide or defy gravity on their climbing walls; there's something for everyone. Round up the family for a round of bowling or buckle up for SkySurf, the city's first roller glider experience where you can 'float' around the venue.
21
Break a sweat at Activate
Test your mental and physical agility at this fun-filled attraction in City Centre Mirdif. The experience combines high-tech gaming with physical activity, and features more than 50 challenges including the TikTok sensation Mega Grid. There are 10 levels, from easy to extreme, and you can either collaborate with your fellow players or compete against them. See how far you can climb the scoreboard!
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