The sleek and glittery emirate of Dubai is the absolute perfect destination for a fabulous family vacation. Yes, especially for your under-10-year-olds and teens. They’re going to love the SEGA Republic and KidZania to bits! And how about an exciting helicopter flight the incredibly scenic metropolis for the whole family? How about for some close encounters with 80-year-old turtles? All this and much, much more awaits you at Dubai, your family vacation paradise.
1- Exciting Helicopter Ride
Hold your breath as the helicopter takes off from Atlantis the Palm and passes over the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and the World Islands. Hear your kids scream in joy as you swerve over the Persian Gulf and a forest of glittering skyscrapers. Soon you’ll be eye-to-eye with the magnificent Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountains. Enjoy the views of the old town next to the picturesque Dubai Creek. It’s a 15-minute thrill to last a lifetime and one of the best things to do in Dubai with family.
2- Let The Kids Go Crazy At KidZania
KidZania is a fabulous interactive mini-city made just for kids. It consists of vehicles, offices, hospitals, police stations and everything you’ll find in a real city, only kiddie-sized. Your kids will love pretending to be grown up, holding grown up jobs, wearing grown up clothes and driving cars. Your kids can by anything they choose – doctor, postman, engineer, lawyer – you name it. A few hours at KidZania and you’ll start wondering who’s the kid and who’s the grown up.
3- Introduce Your Kids To Spectacular Desert Adventures
Take your kids dune bashing, dune driving, sandboarding, falcon feeding and camel riding. They’ll never get over it, and neither will you. Teach them to spot Oryx, foxes and other desert life. Watch as the dunes turn a bright orange under the setting sun, as you enjoy dinner with your family in a Bedouin tent. Spending a night under the stars with your family on an overnight desert safari will be one of the best trips you can take via Rayna Tours.
4- Enjoy The Views from the Burj Khalifa’s Observation Deck!
There’s nothing to compare to the incredible view of the Dubai Fountains and the entire city from the Burj’s observation deck. As you enter the Burj Khalifa, the amazing multimedia exhibits will take your breath away. After an ear-popping ride to the 124th floor at 22 miles per hour, you’ll stall tall on the deck, 1,483ft above ground level. Don’t forget to take a telescopic lens-enabled camera with you to capture some fabulous shots.
5- Show Your Kids That Age Matters At The Turtle Farm
Age matters – doesn’t it? If your kids haven’t understood this yet, introduce them to 88-year-old turtles at the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project. Here you’ll find old and ailing turtles being cared for tenderly, at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel. Your kids will love to join the feeding ritual and love petting the shy turtles in their huge shells.
6- Yes, There Can Be Ice On A Desert
How about stunning your kids with a minus zero ski lounge in the middle of the very hot city? Ski Dubai always seems unbelievable, no matter how many times you visit it. Take your kids skiing, tobogganing, and snowboarding. The penguins that waddle around muttering in the ice park with its igloo and ice sculptures are really cute. There’s always powdery snow falling, and for a while, you’ll all forget you’re actually in Dubai, Emirate of the UAE.
7- Let Your Kids Play With Friendly Dolphins
Book a dhow cruise to take your family around the Palm Jumeirah islands. Then drop off at the Atlantis the Palm and explore the mysterious manmade city of Atlantis. When you’re done, take a trip to Dolphin Bay and let your kids play with them, feed them, and pet them. From there you can take your kids to the famous Aquaventure Water Park with its own private beach. Total fun for the whole family, in just one place!
8- Take Your Partner Out For A Fabulous Gourmet Dinner
Of all the amazing things to do in Dubai, a lovely gourmet dinner at a celebrity-haunted star restaurant is the best. If you’ve been ignoring your partner with all the kiddie activities lately, take him or her to The Palace at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel, whose Beach Bar and Grill offer some of the best grilled meats and veggies you’ve ever tried.
9- Let Your Kids Go Gaga At SEGA Republic
The SEGA Republic is that kiddie destination where every kid wants to set up camp. Consider this – an indoor theme park within the fabulous Dubai Mall. A kiddie paradise complete with five zones of thrills and spills and rides of all kinds and 170 arcades and video games. Your kids will never want to go home again.
10- Introduce Your Family To Old Dubai
Give your family a break from the city’s glittery attractions; introduce them to the poignant, deep and ancient culture of the UAE. Take them for a ride on a traditional abra (water taxi) along the Dubai Creek, and get off at Bur Dubai, which is famous for its Pashmina shawls and pottery. Cross the creek again and get off at Deira, and take them exploring into the souqs selling perfumes, spices and more gold than they’ve seen before. Walk the twisting lanes of Bastakiya to the Dubai Museum which is located in the city’s oldest building, the Al-Fahidi Fort. Your family will love the displays of Dubai as it was, the dioramas of old settlements and ancient weaponry.
Don’t miss out on the cultural aspects of life in the UAE. Take the time to smoke a hookah, get a henna tattoo on your hands or feet, troll the beach-side food stalls for authentic Arabic food. Walk the promenade at the base of the Jumeirah Beach Residence and soak up the grandeur. And be sure to buy some genuine Arab handicrafts from the Dubai Heritage Village.
Author Bio
As a Mass Comm post graduate, Neha naturally has an artistic take on everything about life. This is quite evident in her writings as well. An avid trekker, explorer and a true foodie; Neha finds happiness in small endeavors of life and loves to pen them down as a cherished memory. A firm believer that “we have just one life to live and so much to do”, Neha lives every moment to the fullest.
