Best Family Activities in Dubai | Outdoor Attractions

Best Family Activities in Dubai

holiday in dubai

When searching for a place to spend your holiday, it is not easy to find a destination that gives delight to people of all ages. Even if you can find a place that can attract everyone, safety is another critical concern, especially while going with your family.

Dubai is the best destination that everyone in your family will enjoy equally, and you can go anywhere in the city at any time without any safety concerns. The following are the best places to visit in Dubai.

City Walk

City Walk is Dubai’s new shopping, dining, and leisure destination. It is an open-air shopping experience with 34 low-rise buildings and a tree-lined esplanade where you can stroll for hours. This sprawling area at Al Safa is continuously undergoing development as new shops sprout up frequently.

It is the ideal destination for a family outing in Dubai. Walk along the avenue with your loved ones and grab a bite from plenty of restaurants. You can find cafes and restaurants that offer fine-dining snacks. When it comes to the sundaes, the kids are spoilt for choice. 

city walk dubai

The walls of City Walk are adorned with street art by some famous urban artists. The murals and dozens of creative art ensure a visual treat for the visitors. Don’t miss the rainbow, Banksy-style mural by renowned UK artist Eelus which grabs all eyes at City Walk. From here, you can also gaze upon Downtown Dubai and the esteemed Burj Khalifa. Movie buffs can watch a blockbuster at Roxy cinemas. It has 20 screens giving you a lot of options to pick from.

Another entertainment destination at City Walk is the Coca-Cola arena. The stage hosts live entertainment shows, including concerts, tournaments, and family shows all year around. It has a cylindrical design and lights in various hues at night. Another exciting spot is the Green Planet, which takes you to an indoor tropical forest with around 3000 plants and animals.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is the one-of-a-kind indoor aquarium at Dubai Mall, which can gift a delightful day to everyone in your family. The 10 million liter tank has more than 33000 aquatic animals of 140 species. The aquarium lies on the ground floor of Dubai Mall. You can view a part of it from outside, but you must buy tickets and step inside for some thrilling activities.

You will walk through a 48-meter tunnel offering a fish-eye view of the jellyfish, stingrays, and sand tiger sharks as you enter Dubai Aquarium. You can easily spend a day inside as there are a lot of activities to try in the mysterious marine world. Try daring adventures like shark encounters, ray encounters, or crocodile encounters.

Dubai aquarium

You can enter a diving cage and see the Shark Feed Divers feeding the predators. The kids will be pleased to see King Croc, one giant reptile, live in a protective environment. The considerable crocodile weighs around 750 kg.

Visit Miracle Garden

Take your family to a world made of flowers and full of fragrance. Dubai Miracle Garden is the most extensive natural flower garden globally, with more than 100 million flowers. Once inside the floral arena, you will be overwhelmed by the varied hues and fragrances. Miracle Garden is open only in winter, from Mid-November to Mid-May.

Considering the desert climate of Dubai, it is a miracle to see a vast natural garden like no other in the world. Different structures and patterns are made wholly with flowers. A floral clock, beautiful castles, and a whopping aircraft are the main attractions among the exhibits. Every year, it will have new surprises for the visitors.

miracle garden dubai

The floral structure of Burj Khalifa also adorns the garden, and it is undoubtedly the tallest structure here. Hearts Passage is the most featured attraction at Miracle Garden. Your visit is incomplete without taking a selfie in front of it. It is an enticing walking passage with dozens of heart shapes.

Love Lake is another spot where you can spend time capturing pictures. A small lake and a fountain give a refreshing experience. Kids can see the floral versions of their favorite cartoon characters. 

Go shopping at Global Village.

Who doesn’t love shopping? Buying things for your loved ones may lighten your wallet, but it is worth it when you can bring a smile to their face. Shopping in Dubai can be expensive if you are not careful enough. However, Global Village is a destination where you can find unique souvenirs at all prices.

You can pick your favorite thing from the extensive collection per your budget. Global Village is not just about shopping; it is a melting pot of varied cultures. Walk along the promenade and see people from around the globe, the various attractions, and rides. Pavilions are designed, and each is a door to a specific country.

Taj Mahal, Burj Khalifa, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be seen in one place. Each pavilion is designed to resemble the local iconic landmarks or architecture of the concerned country. Global Village is somewhere between a theme park and a market.

Enjoy a leisure cruise on Traditional Dhow

The Dhow cruise is a popular family activity in Dubai to plan to dine out in the city or wish to spend a great night at Marina a Dhow cruise. Dhows are wooden boats offering leisure rides through Marina and a delicious dinner. It is a blend of sightseeing, entertainment, and food.

dhow cruise marina

Dhow cruise Dubai Marina will start from Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR) and pass by Marina Walk, Marina Mall, and Bluewaters Island. Don’t miss Bluewaters Island, home to Ain Dubai, which will be the world’s tallest Ferris wheel once it starts working.

A professional artist will perform the Tanoura dance, a spectacular treat to the eyes. Tanoura is an Egyptian folk dance with a colorful skirt as the main prop. As you reveal the sights and the live performance, a dinner buffet will be waiting for you. Dhows are the famous floating restaurants in Dubai that offer Arabic, Asian, and Continental dishes.

Dubai Fountain show

This is one of the most popular free family activities in Dubai. Dubai Fountain, which lies near the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, attracts tourists from around the globe. The place is always crowded during weekends, so be the early bird. The fountain jets water up in the air in different patterns and shapes. It will start dancing to the rocking music, thereby making you groove.

Dubai Fountain is at the fantastic location of Burj Khalifa Lake in Downtown Dubai. The show takes place every half an hour after nightfall. Once you have enjoyed a show, you will undoubtedly wait for another half an hour to see the next.

Dubai fountain

Another best option is hiring an abra, taking a ride through Burj Khalifa, and revel the fountain show at close quarters. Don’t miss the chance to witness the world’s largest performing fountain. A light show at Burj Khalifa accompanies the fountain show. You can have the best view of the show from the bridge leading to Souk Al Bahar.

Perks of going for a family trip to Dubai

You have chosen Dubai as the destination for your family holiday. Have a look at the parks in Dubai.

  •         The city is safe: Dubai is a safe city by every means. You can go out with your family at any time of the day. Crimes against tourists are rarely reported here.
  •         The city never sleeps: There is no time limit for your trips. Plan your journey as per your preference. The town is seldom deserted at night as most of its attraction becomes livelier after nightfall.
  •         Added facilities for women: Dubai gives priority to women. All the public transport provides priority seats to women, and many public parks and tourist attractions have specific days devoted to women or families.
  •         Numerous activities for kids: The city has many activities to attract kids. All prominent places have play areas and theme parks exclusively for kids.
  •         Strict rules ensure hygienic food: No worries about eating out in Dubai. All cafes and hotels have clean food as per the strict health guidelines.