The Dubai Mall is the largest in the world with over 5.4 million square feet and more than 1,200 stores. And it is certainly the most popular place to shop in the world too with more than 54 million visitors a year. They even have over 200 eateries as well as an aquarium, zoo, ice rink, and cinemas.
Once you’ve shopped and seen the excitement of the mall, it’s time to venture elsewhere. Having fun with your grandkids in Dubai is easy to do with all the fantastic children’s attractions like Funblock, Magic Planet, and Bricks4Fun. And with warm temps all year long, there are plenty of beaches too. Before heading out for more adventure, drop shopping bags and heavy backpacks at a luggage storage site near Dubai Mall.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
If you and the kids cannot decide whether you want to go to a water park, Legoland, or ride coasters at a theme park, just go to Dubai Parks and Resorts where you can do all of those and more. In fact, there are three theme parks and a water park with a total of more than 100 rides and live shows.
Motiongate boasts shows, rides, and games at Smurf Village, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, and DreamWorks. Bollywood features six different areas based on the best Bollywood shows. Legoland is an entire park full of attractions featuring Legos. And Legoland Waterpark is the best place to cool off in Dubai.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
For fun with the characters of Cartoon Network and Marvel, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest indoor theme park in the country. First, take the little thrill-seekers to Cartoon Network where they can enjoy the Powerpuff Girls Mojo Jojo Robot Rampage, Lazy Town, and the Amazing Ride of Gumball.
Everyone will love the Marvel Zone but some of the rides are only for the older kids. Lost Valley is full of dinosaurs and there is even a Dino carousel for the littles. Let the kids over 15 go through the Haunted Hotel while you take the other kids to the Popcorn Factory on IMG Boulevard for some sweets.
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is for everyone, and you will all be amazed when you see some of these rooms that will bend your mind and trick your eyes. In fact, 20 rooms are tricky, to say the least. The Chair Illusion is simply unbelievable but true and the Ames Room turns you into giants and dwarfs.
The Rotated Room will have you standing on the ceiling and the Anti-gravity Room twists and turns you and makes water flow uphill. Swap noses with your real self as you see what others see when they look at you. The Tricky Stick will have you in awe too. But the Head on a Platter is a hilarious photo op.
The Green Planet
Teach the kids all about the environment at the Green Planet bio-dome with more than 3,000 plants and animals. The brave adventurous kids will love snorkeling with piranhas while they enjoy their dinner of chicken and turkey. But don’t worry, they won’t be in any danger, and it is available for those six and up.
Creatures of the Night is a bit milder yet still exciting with all the nocturnal animals. You will have the chance to see the loris family, carpet pythons, kookaburras, wallabies, toads, and geckos. You may even get to see a tropical thunderstorm indoors. Or get hands-on experience as a Zookeeper for the Day.
Aventura Park
Get them exercising in the fresh air at Aventura Park where they have more than 80 obstacles, six circuits, 24 ziplines, and 1,640 games. You can all enjoy the nine acres of Ghaf tree forest by climbing, jumping, and swinging through the canopy. Little tykes will enjoy the Discovery Course with mild activities.
Then you can take them off to the Rangers Course with a variety of short and easy challenges at a nice low height. This is also good for adults with a fear of heights but still want to join in. The Explorador Course is for the whole family with zip lines and bridges. Then get some souvenirs and food at the café.
Hit the Beach
You really cannot go to Dubai and not visit at least one beach. There are more than three dozen beaches around the city to enjoy with many of them boasting fun play for kids. Kite Beach is a great family beach and is known for kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding as well as volleyball and concessions.
Marina Beach is actually two beaches, and they are both great for the family. The huge inflatable water park is a thrill for the older kids, and they have a place to ride trains for the little kids too. And you can all ride the camels. If you would rather swim in a pool, they have one of those too.
Magic Planet
Where can the kids go on Alien Boogie Patrol, ride Cindy Scooter, and take the Garfield Pizza Rush? Magic Planet has these and more for everyone to enjoy. In fact, there are 14 rides for the little ones including the carousel, Hello Kitty Fun House, Flintstones Fred Fly, and the Smurfs Up & Down.
The older kids will love the thrilling G-Force, XT360 Simulator, XD Dark Ride, LED Bumper Car, and the Trident Simulator. Then you can all hit the game room. Some of the favorites include Mario Kart, Halo, Jurassic Park, and The Walking Dead. Or play some ski ball, milk jug toss, and other games to win prizes.
Learn Something New
Oli Oli is a new kind of museum for kids that allows them to interact with 45 different exhibits. It was inspired and designed by psychologists, artists, and educators from 12 countries to conceive the best way to entertain kids while encouraging them to learn. They will build things, make crafts, and play on Toshi’s Net.
At Woo-Hoo, the kids can make huge lighted artwork with a ginormous Lite-Brite, walk through underground caverns, make music electronically, and explore 10 galleries with more than 50 exhibits. They learn executive functions, gross motor skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking while having fun.
Be sure to grab some food before going back to the mall because even though they have more than 200 eateries, they can be a bit pricey. For a meal that nobody will forget, stop at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes. The burgers are great, but the shakes are phenomenal. You have to see it to believe it.