With a reputation for being a millionaire's playground and one of the shopping capitals of the world, Dubai may not seem like an ideal place to take the children on holiday. However family holiday-makers will find that there is, in fact, plenty to keep their little tykes entertained. From water parks and theme parks to playgrounds and parks, Dubai will cater to just about any child. The beaches in Dubai are also fantastic, but visitors should take care what time of year they choose to travel - the temperatures can be searing and children will wilt in the heat. Dubai has endless parks to choose for a fun day out, all with something different to offer, from picnic tables and mini golf to fishing, amusement rides and rollerblading. It's unlikely that the weather will be too cold to go outdoors, but when it's scorching hot and over 113°F (45°C), parents will do well to stay indoors, where the air conditioning is cranked on full, and perhaps even attempt a spot of shopping. Most shopping malls in Dubai have children's play areas and nurseries and the world's largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall has an indoor SEGA theme park and children's 'edu-tainment' centre, KidZania.
With a variety of sports to choose from, Al Nasr Leisureland offers facilities to cater to just about every sport under the sun. From an ice rink to swimming pools, tennis courts and a bowling alley, children will have a great time trying their hand at everything. There is even an amusement park with bumper cars, rollercoasters, go-karting and much more.
Address : Off Umm Hurair Road
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.alnasrll.com
Telephone : 04 337 1234
Opening times : Open daily 9am-10pm.
Admission : AED 10 (adults); AED 5 (children).
This 82,890-square-foot (7,700 sq-metre) education park is located in Dubai Creek Park and offers a wide range of activities geared towards kids, making the educational process fun. Children can learn all about the human body, science and space and the park also features a theatre, café, souvenir shop and wonderful views of the creek.
Address : Dubai Creek Park
Website : www.childrencity.ae/CHCITY
Telephone : 04 334 0808
Opening times : Open Monday to Friday 9am-8:30pm. Closes 3pm Fridays.
Admission : AED 15 (adults); AED 10 (children)
With what seems like an endless lawn, Creekside Park is a great place for families and kids to enjoy while on holiday in Dubai. Boasting botanical gardens, an 18-hole mini golf course, an amphitheatre, picnic locations with barbecue equipment and a mini train and children's play areas, kids will be beside themselves with the endless amount of activities to enjoy here.
Telephone : 04 369 082
Opening times : Open daily 8am-10pm. (Wednesday: women and children only)
Admission : AED 5
Located in the enormous Dubai Mall, the recently-opened Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is fast becoming one of the Emirates' most popular attractions. Featuring the largest viewing panel and one of the biggest tanks in the world, visitors have the opportunity to experience the incredible underwater domain of thousands of creatures of the deep. Highlights include feeding time for the enormous Sand Tiger Sharks and the majestic Stingrays. The aquarium and zoo is home to over thirty-thousand types of sea life and provides an exciting, educational day out for adults and children alike.
Address : Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road (Interchange 1), Dubai
Website : www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Telephone : (0)4 448 5200
Admission : Aquarium Tunnel: Child AED 20, Adult AED 25. Aquarium Tunnel & Underwater Zoo: AED 50
The Dubai Dolphinarium offers guests the chance to interact with these gentle aquatic mammals and watch them perform tricks with their trainers. The Dolphinarium is home to four Black Sea Bottlenose dolphins as well as four Northern Fur Seals. The dolphinarium allows visitors to swim with the dolphins in a pre-arranged session, and also features a restaurant and gift shop.
Address : Al Ain Fun-City and Dreamland Aquapark
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.dubaidolphinarium.ae
Telephone : 04 336 9773
Opening times : Dolphin and seal shows run Monday to Saturday 11am-8pm. Swimming with dolphins can be arranged daily 1pm-7pm.
Admission : AED 100 (adult); AED 50 (children); Concessions available.
One of the most advanced water theme parks ever designed, the five-hectare (12-acre) water park at Wild Wadi offers families and thrill seekers hours of fun, relaxation and adrenalin-pumping action. Designed like an Arabian wadi (oasis), the park has an Arabian folklore theme and features some of the highest and fastest water rides outside of North America with 24 state of the art, high-adrenaline rides and slides. Rides for thrill seekers include Jumeirah Sceirah, a 108ft (33m) free-fall at 50 miles per hour (80km/hr), Master Blaster slides that are water roller coasters propelled uphill by high-powered jets, the white-knuckle ride at Rushdown Ravine or the high waves at Breakers Bay.
Address : Jumeirah Beach Road, between the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Burj Al Arab Hotel
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.wildwadi.com
Telephone : (0)4 348 4444
Opening times : Open daily from 11am. In January and February it closes 6pm; March to May 7pm; June to August 9pm; and September to December 5pm.
Admission : AED 215 (age 13+); AED 175 (children 4-12); reduced admission after sunset. For individuals staying either at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel or Burj Al Arab, access to the Wild Wadi Water Park is free.
Wonderland Theme and Water Park in Dubai Creek Park is a must for children struggling with the heat in this scorching city. The Caribbean-themed park offers thrilling rides and slides such as the Red Baron, the spinning-coaster, the Action Arm, Lazy River and Surf Hill. The attached water park is low-tech, but provides cool entertainment for the whole family. Wonderland is a great way to spend the day with the family and a must for children of all ages.
Address : Dubai Creek Park
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.wonderlanduae.com
Telephone : 04 324 1222
Opening times : Open daily 10am-7pm; Theme Park 4pm-10pm. Closed Sundays.
Admission : AED 40 (adults); AED 25 (children). Concessions available.
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