Ultimate Family-Friendly Guide To Dubai With Kids (2024)

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN DUBAI:

LUXURY FAMILY HOTELS AND RESORTS IN DUBAI:

• Atlantis, Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.atlantis.com/dubai
• Caesars Palace Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.caesars.com/dubai/caesars-palace-dubai
• Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah St., Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-beach-hotel
• Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Dubai Marina, PO Box 213084, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.marriott.com/dxbms-le-meridien-mina-seyahi-beach
• The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.marriott.com//dxbmb-the-westin-dubai-mina-seyahi-beach
• Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah St., Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-mina-a-salam
• Rixos The Palm Dubai, East Crescent Plog40 Palm, Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-palm-hotel-suites
• Rove at the Park, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Jebel Ali Freezone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.rovehotels.com/en/hotels/rove-at-the-park/
• Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hilton.com/dxbpdwa-waldorf-astoria-dubai-palm-jumeirah
• Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road Al Barsha 1, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.marriott.com/sheraton-mall-of-the-emirates-hotel-dubai
• One&Only Royal Mirage Resort Dubai, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.oneandonlyresorts.com/royal-mirage
• Four Seasons Dubai, 2 Jumeirah St, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.fourseasons.com/dubaijb
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Crescent West, Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/palm-jumeirah
  
• Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, World Island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.anantara.com/en/world-islands-dubai

LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN DUBAI:

• Meliá Desert Palm, Al Awir Road, Warisan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.melia.com/dubai/hotel-desert-palm-melia-collection/index.htm
• The Address Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Boulevard Downtown Dubai, P.O. Box 31166, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/address-dubai-mall
• Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/burj-al-arab-jumeirah
• Vida Downtown, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.vidahotels.com/en/hotels/vida-downtown
• Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St., Al Sufouh 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-dar-al-masyaf
• Bulgari Resort, Jumeira Bay Island, Jumeira 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/dubai
• Armani Hotel Dubai, 1 Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.armanihoteldubai.com
• The Canvas Dubai MGallery Hotel Collection, 23 Kuwait St., Al Raffa, Port Rashid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.thecanvasdubaihotel.com
• Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dxbcdci-conrad-dubai
• Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, P.O.Box: 334221, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.marriott.com/lapita-dubai-parks-and-resorts-autograph-collection

AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN DUBAI:

• Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road 25 Adjacent To Ibn Battuta Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, www.oakshotels.com/en/oaks-ibn-battuta-gate-dubai
  
• Paramount Hotel Midtown, Al Mustaqbal St. PO box 113797, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.paramounthotelsdubai.com
  
• XVA Art Hotel, Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, P.O. Box 37304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.xvahotel.com
• Dusit Thani Dubai, 133 Sheikh Zayed Road, P. O. Box 23335, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.dusit.com/dusitthani-dubai
• Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.movenpick.com/hotel-dubai-jumeirah-beach.html
• Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, Al Seef St., Umm Hurair 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dxbsepy-canopy-dubai-al-seef/
• The H Dubai, One Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box, 125511, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hhoteldubai.com
• Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Adjacent to Dubai Marina Metro station; Cluster T, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, P.O. Box 9268 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.pullman-dubai-jumeirahlakestowers.com/
• DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St., Al Mankhool, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hilton.com/doubletree-dubai-m-square-hotel-and-residences

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN DUBAI WITH KIDS:

Meals are best enjoyed with family, even if you have a screaming toddler or young teens who eat like they are going after Lewis Hamilton. Dubai restaurants have thought of this and devised various ways to entertain children of all ages. Whether you decide to join in the fun over Sunday brunch at The Irish Village or go for dinner at Wavehouse (where there is a soft play center, a bowling alley, and a wave house - obviously), your kids will love it more than you do. Not to mention the food is divine and the service is more than you can ask for! People are raving about the food at Mondoux or if you’d like to treat your younger kids, Masha and The Bear is a sure hit! After all, this restaurant was made with kids in mind. But worry not, if you plan to eat in the hotel that you are staying at, there’s always a kids club where you can leave them or a babysitter that can look after your little ones.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants In Dubai:

• The Scene Dubai, 4th Floor, Pier 7, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates https://thescene.xyz/dubai
• The Irish Village Dubai, Al Garhoud, 31 A Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.theirishvillage.com/branch-algarhoud.php
• Sella, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club P.O. Box 7477, Arabian Ranches, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.poloclubdubai.com/dine/sella/
• Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.reformsocialgrill.ae/
• Phileas Fogg, Montgomery Golf Club Academy, 7th Street, Emirates Hills, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.foggs.xyz/
• Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/restaurants/wavehouse
• Isola Restaurant, Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.isolarestaurant.com/dubai/
• Tom & Serg, 15A Street, Al-Joud Center, Al Qouz, Near ACE Hardware and Burjeel Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://eatx.com/tom-serg/
  
• HuQQabaz Jumeirah, 291, Opposite Four Season Resort, Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://huqqabaz.com/uae/
• Mondoux, Creek Harbor and Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://mondoux.ae/home/
  
• Baker’s Kitchen, 160 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Wasl, and Ground floor, Dusit Princess Residences, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.bakerskitchenuae.org
  
• The Lime Tree Cafe & Kitchen, 7 locations around Dubai, www.thelimetreecafe.com
  
• Schoko Fabrik Cafe, Bluewaters Island Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.instagram.com/schokofabrik_dxb
• Cafe Confetti, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster U, Al Seef, Lake Level Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://cafeconfettidubai.com/
• Masha and The Bear Restaurant, 212 The Walk, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.instagram.com/mashaandthebear_rest
• Sanderson's, 3 locations in Dubai, https://wearesandersons.com/

Where To Get A Drink in Dubai? The Best Bars:

• Monkey Bar Dubai, 25hours Hotel One Central, Trade Center Street, PO Box 9895, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.monkeybardubai.com/
• Miss Lily’s, 5th Floor, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.misslilys.com/location/miss-lilys-dubai/
• Galaxy Bar, Unit C01, Ground Floor, Gate Village, Building 9 DIFC Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.galaxy-bar.com/
• Indochine, Gate Precinct Building 3, Dubai International Financial Centre Dubai, United Arab Emirates, http://indochinedxb.com/
• Treehouse, Taj Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, http://treehousedubai.ae
• The London Project, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://thelondonproject.com/
• Bla Bla, 5101, Messer Street, Beach by Meraas Mall, JBR, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Siddharta Lounge By Buddha-Bar, Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Al Emreef Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.siddhartalounge.com/
• Luna Dubai, Four Seasons Hotel 8th Floor, Building 9, Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.lunadubai.com/
• Electric Pawn Shop, Ground Floor, The H Dubai Hotel, One Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.electricpawnshop.com/

THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI WITH KIDS:

Whoever said that Dubai is a playground for adults is not aware of how many fun-filled activities there are for kids and teens to enjoy in this 35 square km city. Quench their need for an adrenaline rush in the numerous waterparks and theme parks around the city - from Legoland to the famous Atlantis Aquaventure, to the indoor ice rink, and aquarium - you might want to extend a week’s visit. If you come from October to April, you’ll get to enjoy cooler weather, which also means some seasonal outdoor tourist attractions are open, like the Dubai Miracle Garden and the Global Village. If you want a bit of a smaller attraction, you’d want to visit OliOli, Dubai's first experiential children’s play museum. But if you have teens, iFly Dubai, Air Maniaz, Bounce, and VR Park might be a better fit, aside from the water and theme parks.

Top Things To Do With Kids In Dubai - The BEST Activities:

• OliOli, 62 4 A St,Al Quoz 1, Dubai (Next to Oasis Centre), United Arab Emirates, https://olioli.ae/
• Legoland Dubai, Parks & Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates https://www.legoland.com/dubai/
• Air Maniax, 16/Street 1, Al Quoz Ind - Area 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, https://www.airmaniax.com/
• Museum of Illusions, Bld. 17, Heritage Area, Al Seef, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://museumofillusions.ae/
• Motion Gate Theme Park, Park and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.motiongatedubai.com/en
• Bollywood Parks, Park and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.bollywoodparksdubai.com/en
• KidZania, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://dubai.kidzania.com/en-ae
• Bounce, Building #32 4th St, Al Quoz, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://bounce.ae/venue-dubai/
• iFly Dubai, City Center Mirdif, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.iflyme.com/
• Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubaiicerink.com/
• IMG Worlds of Adventure, E311 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, City of Arabia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.imgworlds.com/
• Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates https://www.skidxb.com/
• Dubai Miracle Garden, Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubaimiraclegarden.com/ *seasonal
• Global Village, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road, Exit 37, E311, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.globalvillage.ae/en/ *seasonal
• The Green Planet, City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.thegreenplanetdubai.com/
• Aquaventure Dubai, Crescent Rd - The Palm Jumeirah - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/atlantis-aquaventure
• Wild Wadi Waterpark, Opposite Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah St, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai - United Arab Emirates, https://www.jumeirah.com/en/wild-wadi
• Laguna Waterpark, La Mer, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.lagunawaterpark.com/
• VR Park, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://vrparkdubai.com/
• Aquafun, The Beach, opposite of - Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://aquafun.ae/
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.thedubaiaquarium.com/
• Dubai Garden Glow, Zabeel Park Gate-6 50006 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubaigardenglow.com/
• Trampo Extreme, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://trampo-uae.com/

WHERE TO SHOP IN DUBAI:

You don’t take a vacation in Dubai and come home empty-handed. With its numerous malls in the city, the definition of shop til you drop comes to life here. Visit the Dubai Mall, next to the Burj Khalifa, and if shopping with the kids ain’t your thing, there are a lot of play areas where you can leave them, such as Trampo Extreme or Jumpnfun. If you are looking for souvenirs and local wares, the souks are for you, from the downtown Souk Madinat Jumeirah to the Old Souk which has everything you’d need from gold to spices, textile to lamps, and everything in between. Another favorite in Dubai is the preloved designer scene. If you are hunting for a good designer bargain, Dubai has a couple of stores specializing in preloved designer luxury goods - Garderobe is one of them. There is also an outlet mall and a flea market (location changes so check their website before going) so all shopping aspects are covered.

Best Shopping In Dubai With Kids - MALLS:

• Dubai Mall, Financial Center Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://thedubaimall.com/
• Ibn Battuta Mall, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Jebel Ali Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.ibnbattutamall.com/en
• Dubai Marina Mall, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubaimarinamall.com/
• Wafi Mall, Oud Metha Rd, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.wafi.com/
• Dubai Outlet Mall, Route 66, Al Ain, Dubai Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubaioutletmall.com/
• Covent Garden Market Dubai, The Walk at JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://coventgardenmarketdubai.com/
• Mercato Shopping Mall, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.mercatoshoppingmall.com/

Souks And Markets In Dubai:

• Souk Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.jumeirah.com/en/article/experiences/dubai/souk-madinat-jumeirah
• Old Souk, 18 28B Street, Deira, Al Ras, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.dubai-online.com/malls/souk/
• Dubai Gold Souk, Gold Corner Building, 3rd Floor, Gold Souq, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/the-gold-souk
• Dubai Flea Market, location changes every now and then, https://www.dubai-fleamarket.com/

More Shopping Fun In Dubai:

• Boxpark, Al Wasl Rd, Al Wasl, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://boxpark.ae/
• Retold, Shop 5, Avenues 93-94, Al Barsha, https://www.shopretold.com/
• Garderobe,Villa 12242 Al Wasl Rd, Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://garderobe.ae/
• City Walk, Al Wasl and Al Safa road junction, Accessible from Sheikh Zayed road, Via exit D71 towards Jumeirah. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.citywalk.ae/en

TIPS FOR A 4-DAY ITINERARY IN DUBAI WITH KIDS:

Day 1:

* AM: water park + museum visit

* PM: spa

Day 2:

* AM: Dubai Mall - shopping + indoor aquarium + indoor park

* PM: watch the Dubai Mall fountain + Dubai garden glow

Day 3:

* AM: amusement park + chill by the pool after

* PM: dinner and drinks

BEST SPAS IN DUBAI:

No trip is complete without pampering time for mom (and dad too!) and luckily, Dubai has no shortage of spas and award-winning wellness services. It may not be evident as the city is always pulsing with energy and there is always something to do and somewhere to be. If you have a chance to include a spa booking in your itinerary, do so. Your eyes will devour the decor, your ears will welcome the sounds of water dripping and splashing and the background music, your nose will smell the most relaxing scent there possibly could be, your mouth will taste and drink some special delights in the relaxing area, and most importantly, your body will be relieved of tension. Whether it's relaxing in the Turkish hammam area of the Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or avail of the massages of the world treatment at the ShuiQi Spa in Atlantis - you are not going to regret it.

Best Spas In Dubai:

• Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.mandarinoriental.com/dubai/jumeira-beach/luxury-spa
• Timeless Spa at Al Maha, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Dubai, Al Ain Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.marriott.com/al-maha-a-luxury-desert-resort-and-spa-dubai
• ShuiQi Spa at Atlantis Hotel, Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/shuiqi-spa-and-fitness
• One&Only Spa at the Royal Mirage, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Sufouh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/royal-mirage/experiences/wellness
• Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.jumeirah.com/jumeirah-zabeel-saray/signature-talise-ottoman-spa
• Ahasees Spa at Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha Road, Dubai Healthcare City Riyadh Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.hyatt.com/spas/Ahasees-Spa-and-Club
• Saray Spa at JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://marriott.com/dxbjw/13701345/home
• The Spa at Address Boulevard, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/address-boulevard/wellness/spa
• Amara Spa at Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai Creek Resort, Port Saeed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, https://dubaicreekresort.com/amara-spa

TIPS FOR EXPLORING DUBAI WITH KIDS:

Tips For Parents By Parents: Visiting Dubai With Kids:

• Friday and Saturday is their weekend, not Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is their Monday, which means malls and other places will definitely get crowded on Friday. Use this to your advantage and come on a Sunday, when the locals and ex-pats are back to work and school.
• Dubai can get really hot outside. While water parks provide areas with shade, walking around outdoor amusement parks can get taxing, so make sure the kids are wearing light summer clothes, sunblock, and have water handy.
• Check if you are coming during Ramadan. If you are, please be aware that people are fasting and you cannot eat in public until the fast is broken. Also, the openings of establishments are affected by this, especially if coming during Eid.
• Most establishments are open until late at night. For example, the Dubai Mall is open until 1 AM.
• Reservations are almost always needed, especially when dining in restaurants and hotel restaurants.