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Things to do in Dubai: Fantastic Family Activities in Dubai this Spring Break
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Dubai is one of the most family friendly destinations in the world and is jam-packed with fun things to do with children both big and small.

If you’re planning what to do with the rest of your Spring Break 2023, here’s our run-down of the most exciting things happening in Dubai over the next couple of weeks…

Lego City Heroes event at Legoland Dubai

Legoland is the ultimate theme park destination for any child aged between 3 and 13 (although Lego fans of all ages will love it), and boasts an array of fun rides, thrilling rollercoasters and STEAM-inspired Lego-themed attractions and challenges. From 24 March to 23 April 2023, Legoland Dubai theme park is hosting an exclusive Lego City Heroes event. Through a series of fun, interactive Lego-themed activities – including ‘Firefighter Training Academy’, ‘Aviation Adventure’ and ‘Police HQ Repair Shop’ – children will get a taste of the life and challenges of these everyday heroes, learn some new skills, and ultimately graduate to become a Lego City Hero themselves! All graduates will receive a badge, Lego minifigures, and a Legoland Hotel discount voucher. Plus, children eat free all day at Caesar’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant!

DETAILS: City Heroes activity available during spring break from 24 March to 23 April 2023. Please note: Height restrictions for rides vary between 80cm, 90cm, 95cm and 105cm, so be aware that if your child is petite they may not be able to go on all the rides – see here for details. Although there are activities inside, most rides require walking outside to reach them, so bring sunscreen! Tickets from Dh295 per person booked online in advance (adults and child tickets are the same price, kids under 3 years go free). Book tickets here.

Mini Chefs Camp at woo-hoo!

We love woo-hoo!’s bright and airy warehouse bursting with galleries dedicated to different science, technology, art and engineering-themed hands-on activities. Designed as a ‘play museum’ – where children learn through interacting with the open-ended exhibits – there’s everything from a rain and water-play room, to a music room , art room, fossils and gemstones, cave exploration, climbing area… and so much more.

There’s also a toddler section especially for the tiniest visitors. But that’s not all – this Spring Break woo-hoo! becomes a place to unleash children’s taste buds and explore the world of cooking in its Mini Chef Spring Camp. Campers will discover the science behind cooking, and use different ingredients to create their own delicious snacks and treats.

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DETAILS: 27th March – 7th April 2023 (Monday – Friday), 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Pricing: 1 week: AED 990 per child; Daily: AED 225 per child; Sibling discounts available upon request. Best for children 4-9 years old. Learn more and Book here.

Hello Spring! Event at IMG Worlds of Adventure

If you’ve got older children or teens to occupy this Spring Break, IMG World of Adventures is the theme park for you. There’s no need to worry about the heat as everything is indoors, and the four adventure zones – encompassing the super-hero-themed Marvel world, dinosaur-themed Lost Valley adventure land, the Cartoon Network zone and The Haunted Hotel (for ages 15 and up only) – ensure there’s something for everyone. From high-octane, exhilarating rollercoasters like the vertical-plummet of Predator, to family friendly thrills like Avengers Balltle of Ultron, to gentler rides like The Amazing Ride of Gumball, there’s even a sandpit and soft play area for the tiniest tots. Over Spring Break the park is hosting its Hello Spring event. Don’t miss the parades under the Flower Street and Flower Tunnel and a host of other Instagram worthy memories. Share a shoulder with Ironman and all the other superheroes. Check out the live entertainment, magic shows and the street side souks. During Ramadan, IMG Worlds will also transform to reflect the lights of Ramadan lanterns and create the perfect ambience for delightful Iftars at Flavours of Arabia.

DETAILS: General admission from Dh345 per ticket (adults and children tickets are the same price). Admission is free for children 105cm and below. Minimum height requirements start from 90cm for the gentlest activities – see here for details. Book tickets here.

The Creative Kids’ Atelier at OliOli

We are huge fans of OliOli’s fantastic STEAM-themed play museum, which features interactive galleries containing fun, open-ended play and experimentation activities that children of all ages – from toddlers to teens and even adults – will love. Curious minds and aspiring creators are in for a particular treat this Spring Break with the launch of OliOli’s new Atelier: a maker space designed for tinkering, where kids can explore the concepts of electricity, light, motion and balance to build meaningful artefacts that engage both their hands and minds!

In this hands-on space, families can also work collaboratively on projects through sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge – it’s the perfect way to bring the entire family together for wholesome and engaging fun this Spring break! There are 4 different sections to explore, where kids can experiment and learn through trial-and-error:

  • Circuit Boards – using real electrical components to create electrical circuits and understand how electricity works.
  • Scribbling Machines – building small motorised contraptions that move around in surprising ways, leaving you with beautifully artistic patterns.
  • Balancing Sculptures – whimsical artefacts that are built by sliding, tilting and suspending ordinary objects in unexpected arrangements.
  • Light Play – seeing how everyday objects interact with light sources to create incredible light and shadow scenes.

DETAILS: The OliOli Atelier is included in all Standard PLUS tickets starting from AED149 for 1 Child + 1 Adult. Book tickets here.

Splash in the shade at X Park Jr

This tree-filled adventure playground based near Kite beach in the coastal Jumeirah area of Dubai is shaded and cool all year round, featuring sprawling wooden climbing frames set within lush vegetation, natural rocks for climbing, mud kitchen, a splash pad area, planting area and a mini animal sanctuary featuring ponies, goats, chickens, ducks and tortoises. It makes for an excellent day out with little ones big and small, and after a morning here you can pop over to Kite Beach to browse the many eateries or market stalls by the seaside. This is perfect for tiny tots all the way up to 8 or 9 year olds, but older kids might prefer the skate park X Park next door.

DETAILS: Dh80 per child, including one accompanying adult. Tickets are sold in two-hour slots, so check the timing before you go. Bring swim gear and towels if your child is likely to enjoy the splash pad area. Book tickets here.  

See lions and tigers and bears at Dubai Safari Park

The spectacular Dubai Safari Park boasts a burgeoning menagerie of wild and wonderful creatures, including elephants, rhinos, bears, lions and giraffes. Serving both as an animal reserve and an educational centre, the new Dubai Safari includes a wide range of new interactive, educational and entertainment experiences for kids, including giraffe feeding, birds show and a dedicated kids’ farm. From gorillas to hyenas, lions and tigers to hippos and lemurs, kids can marvel at the majestic wildlife relaxing on the eco-friendly facility’s specially cooled rocks, while learning about their habitats and conservation.

DETAILS: There are multiple exciting packages available, but tickets start from: Adults Dh50, children Dh20, under 3s free, Dubaisafari.ae.

Get your skates on at Dubai Ice Rink

You might be in the desert but Dubai is also the perfect place to get your skates on! Little ones from the age of three are welcome to try their hand at learning to ice skate at Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall; smaller kids can rent a seal skate support, which functions as a ride for them to sit on while you glide them around the rink. Meanwhile older kids who are just getting use to their ice skates can use a snowman or penguin support to lean on as they find their feet.

DETAILS: Dh40 per child under 100cm; Dh75 per adult, additional supplement for the Snowfall experience, check when you book your session online at www.Dubaiicerink.com

Cross the Creek by boat

Do something a little bit different that also only costs pennies this Spring Break by hopping on an abra (which means ‘to cross’ in Arabic), one of the traditional-style water taxis that run every few minutes from 6am across from Deira to Bur Dubai. The creek was once the historical centre of the city’s commerce and it remains an amazing opportunity to show your kids a different side of Dubai. Harking back to a simpler time, youngsters will love the novelty and adventure of this experience. Plus, boat rides don’t get much cheaper than this (be warned: the traditional abras are not very stroller-friendly, but the air conditioned abras have more space).

DETAILS: Dh1 per ride (Dh2 for air conditioned abra), Bur Dubai (Creekside), daily 5am to midnight. Read more or see RTA.ae for timetable details.

Catch a free fountain show

If you’re looking for an activity that will impress but not break the bank, Dubai is home to two of the world’s most impressive fountain shows – and they’re totally free to watch! There’s the Dubai Fountain’s spectacular, choreographed water and light show, taking place in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai throughout the day and evening. And then there’s The Pointe’s record-breaking world’s largest dancing fountain, situated on The Palm Dubai (pictured). This has a super shooter that reaches heights of 105 metres, and is illuminated by more than 3,000 LED lights.

DETAILS: The Palm Fountain is free to view and has 20 bespoke shows, with five different shows running daily between sunset to midnight (7pm to 12am), each of which lasts for three minutes and is performed every half hour. The Dubai Fountain next to the Burj Khalifa is free to view, with showings Saturday to Thursday 1pm, 1.30pm, and 2pm; Friday afternoon 1.30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm; Evening shows every 30 mins 6-11pm (times may vary).

© SchoolsCompared.com. A WhichMedia Group publication. 2023. All rights reserved.

About The Author
Tabitha Barda
Tabitha Barda is the Senior Editor of SchoolsCompared.com. Oxbridge educated and an award winning journalist in the UAE for more than a decade, Tabitha is one of the region's shining lights in all that is education in the emirates. A mum herself, she is passionate about helping parents - and finding the stories in education that deserve telling. She is responsible for the busy 24x7 News Desk, our Advisory Boards and Specialist Panels - and Parents United's WHICHPlaydates - a regular meeting place for UAE parents to discuss the issues that matter to them, make friends and network with others. You can often find Tabitha too on Parents United - our Facebook community board, discussing the latest schools and education issues with our parent community in the UAE - and beyond.

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