Dubai is a great holiday destination that’s becoming increasingly popular for a family break. To cater to the increase in the number of families choosing Dubai for their holiday, a great selection of attractions and activities have sprung up, so that you and your little ones can have the holiday of a lifetime. Indoors or outdoors, on the water or heading out to the dunes, there’s lots to see and do on a holiday in Dubai. Here’s our pick of some of the best.
The Green Planet
A rainforest? In the middle of Dubai? The Green Planet is an extraordinary chance to explore the wonders of the jungle, right in the heart of downtown Dubai. This biosphere takes you into a wonderful world of plants and animals with over 3,000 exhibits to discover, including brightly coloured toucans, butterflies, and incredible plants. See if you can spot some elusive geckos, and if you look up you might catch a glimpse of the resident sloth!
The Beach
Dubai’s waterfront is famous for its glitz and glamour, but we can guarantee that the kids will be more interested in spending time at the beach than wandering along the Corniche. The wonderful Kite Beach is a favourite spot for locals and visitors, and is particularly popular with the kite surfers that have given the beach its name. Take a dip and cool off, get your adrenaline pumping with a kite surfing lesson, or simply sit back and watch the professionals show you how it’s done!
Dubai’s other main beach is the Jumeirah Beach Residence, which is close to the main hotel area of the city and a real favourite with visitors. Soft sand, a mini water park for the little ones, plenty of facilities and a great selection of restaurants and cafés make it a great day out for everyone.
Indoor fun
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever have to worry about the weather during your holiday in Dubai, but if you and the kids do fancy a bit of indoor fun then Dubai has plenty on offer. How about going for a snowboarding lesson in the middle of the city? You’ll find Ski Dubai in the heart of the Emirates Shopping Mall, where you can hurtle down real snow slopes on skis, snowboards, or toboggans. Don’t forget to say hello to the resident penguins. For a host of indoor fun, the IMG World of Adventure is a thrill-seeker’s delight. From multi-sensory play areas for the tiny tots, through to the wonders of the Marvel Universe and Jurassic thrills in the Lost Valley, there’s plenty to see and do. You can even get up close and personal with some dinosaurs, for that complete Jurassic Park experience!
High-adrenaline thrills
For older kids and adults, there’s the opportunity to go skydiving, without even getting anywhere near a plane. iFLY Dubai at Mirdif City Centre gives you the chance to go skydiving – indoors! You’re never more than three metres off the ground, so you get all of the thrills with none of the potential spills.
Dubai’s parks and fountains
Dubai has a surprising amount of green space for a desert city, and there are plenty of opportunities for a picnic. In the evening, head to the Dubai Shopping Mall to watch the incredible light and music show at the Dubai Fountains, where the water literally dances to the rhythm – a mesmerising show for the whole family.
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