If you are in Dubai with the kids for any part of the summer break – I’m sure you’ll be looking for something to keep the little ones occupied. The great thing about Dubai is that it is built for the heat – or shall I say, to survive the scorching summer.
See below for a list of activities to keep the little ones (and parents) entertained, in malls, hotels, restaurants and play areas in and around the Dubai Marina this summer.
Follow us on Instagram as we spend Summer here in Dubai with kids
Dubai Summer Surprises – Activities in Malls
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight at Ibn Battuta Mall
- Timing : 29th June – 29th July 2023 | 2-10pm
- Details : Get ready for exciting and interactive activations at Ibn Battuta Mall this summer that will transport fans of all ages into the iconic DC Universe. Spend 150AED for the meet and greet photo opportunity and entrance into the Batman experience.
- India Court : Cutting-edge VR experience to explore Gotham City and battle Super-Villains.
- China Court : Batman Live Show (timings, below)
- Egypt Court : Photo ops with the legendary 1989 Batmobile and the impressive Batman figurines
Details on Ibn Battuta Mall website here.
AstroLab at Ibn Battuta Mall
- Timing : 18th August – 3rd September 2023 | 2-10pm
- Details :
- Free Activities : Robot building, LEGO robotics, 3D printing, Minecraft activities, suitable for all ages.
- Mad Scientist performances – smoke vortices, floating beach balls, and soaring rolls of toilet paper.
- Location : Egypt Mini Court (outside Kidz Palooza & Stay n’ Play)
Justice League at Nakheel Mall The Palm
- Timing : 29th June – 28th July | 1-9pm
- Details :
- Meet & Greet with the legendary members of the Justice League : 3:15pm, 4:15pm, 6:00pm, 7:30pm.
- Immersive virtual reality journey : 1:00-9:00pm
Details on Nakheel Mall’s website here.
Imagination Factory at Nakheel Mall
- Timing : 21 August – 3 September 2023 | 3-7pm
- Location : Level 01
- Details : Nakheel Mall will host a series of mind-intriguing activities for the little ones. There will be hands-on crafts and science workshops, spectacular weekend Bubble Universe show, plenty of photo-ops and other interesting experiences
- 21 August – 3 September | 3-7pm : Workshops
- 21 August till 3 September | Friday-Sunday | 5pm & 7pm : Bubble Universe Show
Details on Nakheel Mall’s Website here.
Did you know Kids go Free to Motiongate and Legoland this summer? Get tickets here!
Busy Little Hands at Times Square
- Timing : 30th July – 18th August 2023 | 2-8pm
- Details : Experience a summer of free edutainment fun at Times Square Center with complimentary workshops
- Little Gardener* – 40 mins | 2:10pm 4pm 6:20pm 7:20pm
- Little Chef* – 40 mins | 2pm 3:10pm 4:50pm 7pm
- Show & Entertainment + Fun Parades | 3:00 – 6:50pm
- *Workshops operate on a “First Come, First Serve” basis. Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Full Details on Times’ Square website here.
Slide and Circus Shows at Mercato Mall
- Timing : 28th June – 3rd Sept
- Details : Prepare to be captivated daily by :
- World-class circus entertainment | 4:25 pm – 9:30 pm
- Family friendly activities and | 5:05 pm- 8:00 pm
- Slide installation | 10 am – 8:00 pm
Details on Mercato Mall’s website.
Use LILONE15 for 15% off your total bill at Organic Foods & Cafe!
Baby Shark at Dubai Festival City Mall
- Timing : 7 – 23 July | 2pm-10pm
- Details : Dubai Festival City Mall presents the Baby Shark Singalong mall show. Swim-sational entertainment for the whole family including: a stage show, themed activities and meeting Baby Shark.
Shaun the Sheep at Dubai Festival City Mall
- Timing : 28 July – 13 August | 2pm – 10pm
- Details :
- Shaun the Sheep Show | 28 July – 6 August | 4pm 6pm 7:45pm
- Shaun the Sheep Meet & Greet* | 28 July – 6 August | 4:25pm 6:25pm 8:10pm
- Get down on the Farm Meet & Greet* | 7 – 13 August | 4 4:40 6:30 8 8:45pm
- *Spend 300 AED in one receipt for the Meet & Greet ( Blue Rewards members only )
Full Details & Timing on Dubai Festival City Mall’s website.
Cartoon Network at Dubai Festival City Mall
- Timing : 18 August – 3 September | 2pm – 10pm
- Details :
- Meet The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 & Adventure Time at Dubai Festival City Mall!
- 4pm | 4:40pm | 6:15pm | 7:30pm | 8:45pm | 25 minutes sessions
- Enjoy fun games at the Cartoon Network Extravaganza
- Meet The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 & Adventure Time at Dubai Festival City Mall!
Terms & Conditions on Dubai Festival City Mall’s website.
Family Events in Hotels
BOUNTY BEETS MEETS HAPPY FAMILIES” series
Principal Lisa and Chef Holly Parnell have joined forces once again for the ‘Happy Families’ series. Every month, they will be at Bounty Beets where parents and little ones can come together for interactive and educational workshops on diet, cooking and turning your own fussy eaters into hungry little munchkins.
We have been to quite a few of these when they first launched earlier this year. It’s good fun for the parents to catch up over a few bites, plus the little ones can play as well.
- Thursday 24th August – Back to School
- Thursday 14th September – Sustainable living with a family
- Thursday 12th October – Pumpkins, eco-living and nature
- Thursday 9th November – Getting ready for festive fun
- Thursday 7th December – Gluten free Christmas cookie making, arts and crafts
For more info, have a look at the Happy Families’ Calender.
Restaurants with Indoor Play Areas
Lucky for us – there are so many Restaurant with Indoor Play Areas are in Dubai.
Our personal favourites are the following :
- Baker’s Kitchen
- Cafe Confetti, JLT
- Phileas Foggs, Emirates Hills
- Osterio Mario – Free cooking workshops (Wed & Sun – Dubai Hills Mall, Sat & Sun – Dubai Marina | 1-3pm)
For a full list of all other spots, plus details on location, timing and offers – Have a look at the Ultimate list of Restaurant with Indoor Play Areas in Dubai.
Family Brunches with Entertainment for Kids
With most family brunches on hold, we have put together a list of the ones that are still on in our Family Brunch listing here.
Featured : Into the Jungle @ Giardino, Palazzo Versace
See reel below for a list of Family Brunches with Pool Access, available this summer :
Indoor Attractions with Kids
Have a look at our Indoor Attractions Listing for inspo on where to go with the family.
There are also a handful of indoor attractions this year where Kids go Free :
- Legoland, Legoland Waterpark and Motiongate Dubai – Get tickets here.
- Aya Universe
- The View at the Palm
- At the Top, Burj Khalifa
- The Balloon at the Palm
- Madame Tussauds
- Sky Views Observatory
Oli Oli
Oli Oli is offering a FREE extra hour of play when you visit this summer.
- Dates : July 8th to August 27th 2023
- Details :
- 69 AED for 1 toddler ( 12-23 months) + 1 adult for 2 hours (standard) + 1 free hour
- 139 AED for 1 child ( 2-16 years ) + 1 adult for 2 hours (standard) + 1 free hour
More details on Oli Oli’s website.
Please check back as we add on to this list!