Where has this school year gone? It truly has been a crazy year, hasn’t it. Well well – if you’re hanging around for parts or maybe most of the summer holidays, and wondering what to do with the kids – we’ve put together a list of what’s happening in malls, attractions, cafes & restaurants and more. Lucky for us, summer also means summer offers and discounted rates, to make up for the crazy heat and humidity that we have to deal with!

Follow us on Instagram as we spend Summer here in Dubai with kids!

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Dubai Summer Surprises – Free Activations in Malls

Note : Dubai Summer Surprises starts from Thursday 2nd of July 2026 to Sunday 30th of August 2026. Entertainment Details for Ibn Battuta Mall, Palm Jumeirah Mall, Mall of the Emirates & Times Square Centre will be added when details are finalised.

Mercato Mall

Head to Mercato this summer for daily circus entertainment (see second slide for schedule), and if you haven’t already given it a go – slide down the giant indoor summer slide! Stay around to do some shopping as the sales are all on right now for Dubai Summer Surprises.

• When : Thursday 2nd July – Sunday 30th August 2026
• Cost : Free. More on mercatoshoppingmall.com
• Slide Restrictions :
  • Height : Min 120cm
  • No of pax : One person at a time
  • Opening Times : 10:00-2:00pm | 2:00-5:00pm | 6:00-8:00pm

Tip : On Tuesdays, enjoy Unlimited rides & video games for only 1 AED at Fun City for Funday Tuesdays!

Dubai Festival Plaza

Bluey is coming to Festival Plaza! Get ready for smiles, hugs, and unforgettable family moments with everyone’s favourite blue friend. Don’t miss the chance to meet Bluey, snap a photo, and enjoy a fun-filled day together!

• When : Every Friday-Sunday in July | 5pm
• Cost : Free. More on @dubaifestivalplaza

Dubai Festival City Mall

The Madagascar crew has escaped the circus train and transformed Dubai Festival City Mall into their very own roaming circus arena. Join Alex, Gloria, and King Julien for a spectacular DreamWorks adventure featuring roaming performances, music, dancing and interactive family entertainment. Families can stick around for the chance to meet their favourite Madagascar characters in person.

• When : Every Friday to Sunday | 3rd to 19th July 2026 | 4:30 – 10:00 PM
• Cost : Free. More on @dubaifestivalcitymall

Tip : Dubai Festival City Mall is also participating in the Dubai Mallathon 2.0, with doors opening from 6:00am for those wanting to join in for a walk or run. See @dubaimallathon

Wafi City Mall

Take the kids to discover a different side of Dubai at Wafi City Mall! This one-hour guided tour bring families along to uncover captivating stories, grand symbolism, and hidden details of Wafi City’s iconic Egyptian-inspired architecture and the enchanting Khan Murjan Souk. When was the last time you took the kids to Wafi City Mall?

• When : Thursday 2nd July to Sunday 2nd August 2026 | 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 PM
• Cost : Free
• Book here

Kids Attractions & Entertainment

Summer Rates at Topgolf Dubai

All Topgolf bays are fully air-conditioned throughout the summer season, so do take the kids over for a family session. Bay bookings have reduced from 160 AED to 99 AED on weekdays between 10am to 5pm and Reservation Fees are also waived before 7pm. Enjoy limited time dishes and treats for the summer like chicken shawarma pizzas and spiced beef and pineapple skewers, plus all-day Happy Hour Heineken Pints at just 45 AED!

Topgolf Dubai. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. 99 AED per gameplay per hour (max 6 players) +971 4 371 9999 Email here More on topgolfdubai.ae

Play More, Stay Longer : Cricket at Wikit Dubai

Head indoors to Wikit this Summer for some augmented reality cricket with the kids. The venue is entirely air-conditioned and they also serve food and drinks so you don’t have to go anywhere else. Every Monday to Thursday – Wikit does a ‘Play More, Stay Longer’ offer where guests get a complimentary hour when you pay for one hour. Rates start from 99 AED per batting net, with a maximum of 6 players – so that’s 99 AED for two hours of cricket with the family!

Wikit Dubai. Play More, Stay Longer Offer : Daily 12pm – 12am. Complimentary Hour with every hour booking. Starts from 99 AED per batting net per hour (max 6 players) +971 4 371 9950 More on wikit.ae

Electric Carnival at House of Hype

The Electric Carnival takes over House of Hype for one whole month this summer – where the whole park comes alive with a riot of colors, sound and rhythms. Explore 25 Immersive Worlds with the family. One minute you’re deep in the Electric Jungle where the whole forest glows – and the next, you’ve slipped through a secret door in a laundromat into an infinity room. Kids will love the roaming carnival characters, and choreographed dance shows. Best bit? It’s entirely indoors!

Electric Carnival at House of Hype, Dubai Mall. 23rd July – 30th August 2026. 10am – 10pm, Daily. 110 AED per ticket (from Age 3+) – Get Discounted House of Hype tickets More on house-of-hype.com

📸 See : Our Instagram Reel capturing our experience of the Electric Carnival

Restaurants with Indoor Play Areas & Cooking Masterclasses

If you just want to head to a restaurant with an indoor play area to chill – there’s lots in Dubai, to include :

• The Garden Project in Emirates Hills
• Ribambelle in Bluewaters
• Cafe Confetti in JLT
• Osteria Mario and Shvili who also do kids masterclasses

Check Restaurants with Indoor Play Areas in Dubai for these, and 18 other venues – with details and links to the masterclass schedules!

Gelato Making at Cucina the Palm

Scoop up the sunshine and master the art of gelato this summer at Cucina the Palm! Sign the kids up for this unique guided experience, where the gelato chef will show the kids how gelato is made. Let the little ones measure, pour, stir and churn out gelato before tasting their very own cool creations!

• When : Every Friday, Saturday & Sundays | 2:00-3:00 PM & 4:00-5:00 PM
• Where : Gelateria by Cucina
• Cost : 99 AED per child | Gelato-making session
• Book : Call 04 666 1408 | Email here
• More on cucinadubai.com

See : Our Gelato Making Experience Instagram Reel

Kids Pizza Workshop at Organic Foods & Cafe

Organic Foods & Cafe is carrying on their very popular kids’ pizza workshops through July across their various branches at The Greens, Cityland and Golden Mile. Little ones will have the opportunity to create their own delicious pizza from scratch with fresh ingredients, fun toppings, and all the tools they need.

• When : Various Dates between Friday July 10th to Friday July 24th
• Cost : 30 AED per child | Kids Pizza Workshop
• Book on @organicfoodsandcafegcc

Tip : Order your groceries from Organic Foods & Cafe online this summer. Use Code : LILONE15 for 15% off first three orders.

Indoor Zoos & Aquarium

Want to take the kids to see animals but don’t want to be stuck in the heat? Take them to an Indoor Zoo and Aquarium in Dubai this Summer. Most venues have discounted entry tickets for the summer season and it will definitely be quieter than the rest of the year, which can be a nice thing if you don’t like the crowds!

• 🐠 Lost World Aquarium – From 72 AED 
• 🐊 Dubai Aquarium – From 135 AED [35% OFF]
• 🦥 The Green Planet– From 102 AED [32% OFF]
• 🦋 Dubai Butterfly Garden – From 40 AED [33% OFF]

Thinking of heading to Abu Dhabi?

•  🦭 SeaWorld Yas Island – From 375 AED

🚨 See also : Top Indoor Attractions for Kids in Dubai for more inspo, Kids Go Free Offers, and link to Discounted Tickets

Theme Parks

With quite a few theme parks closed this summer, there really is just IMG World that’s open in Dubai. Good thing is, IMG Worlds of Adventure is completely indoors! Watch Hulk Epsilon in 3D, swing through the city at Spider-man’s Doc Ock’s Revenge, and defy gravity at Thor’s Thunder Spin! Most rides require guests to be at a minimum of 1.05m, so check the kids before taking them over!

•  💥 IMG Worlds of Adventures – From 255 AED | or 365 AED [ Buy 1 get 1 free with Entertainer ]

Thinking of heading to Abu Dhabi?

• 🦸🏻‍♂️ Yas Island Multi-park Tickets – Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros & Seaworld – From 395 AED

Waterparks & Splash Pads

When was the last time you took the kids to the waterparks? It’s a little too cold in the winter, and then before you know it – the school year’s over. Plan a day and take them over while school is out! Just remember pool shoes for the hot floors, slap on loads of sunscreen and of course – rashvest for full sun protection. Note that this summer, Wild Wadi & Legoland Waterpark will remain closed but thankfully there are other options for the kids!

Al Barari Playground 

Al Barari Playground tickets are 50% off over the summer season, from 89.50 AED for 1 child and 1 accompanying adult.

🍃 Get Al Barari Playground tickets here

On Tuesday 14th July, Dubai Mums’ Meet is hosting an Indoor Play & Splash Playdate at Al Barari from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Enjoy sensory play, hands on child support, access to all splash, picnic and sand play areas, climbing rope zones plus pop-ups from your favourite brands in the Majestic Room where you can shop while the kids play. Tickets are 50% off and can be purchased directly. You can also prebook the clay workshop.

Aquaventure Waterpark

Aquaventure World, the world’s largest waterpark, extends weekend opening hours until 8:00pm with live DJ entertainment and vibrant challenges. If you didn’t get the chance to do all the rides on the first day, don’t worry – as you will get complimentary second day on selected tickets, valid until 30th September 2026!

Rates for UAE Residents below :

• Summer Weekends : From 4pm to 8pm, Friday – Sundays | Junior : 160 AED, Adult : 170 AED
• Day Pass – 2nd Day Free : Mon – Thurs, 10am – 6pm | Fri – Sun, 10am – 8pm | Junior : 220 AED, Adult : 240 AED

💦 Get Aquaventure tickets directly from aquaventureworld.com

Junglebay Waterpark

This family-favourite waterpark is running throughout the summer, and you can access it when you purchase a day pass to Le Meridien and Westin Mina Seyahi. Good thing is it also includes access to all the many pools across the property so if you want to take a break from the slides and splash bucket, you can take the kids over to a pool to chill out!

🫧 Tickets start from 150 AED, Fully Redeemable in F&B on weekdays, and can be purchased across the counter at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.

Tip : Junglebay Waterpark is also accessible via a Viya Access Membership

Thinking of heading to Abu Dhabi?

• Yas Waterworld – From 295 AED

Kids Movies & Football Screenings

FIFA Viewing

If you’re planning to take the kids to watch the FIFA, here are a few family-friendly bars and fanzones that allow kids :

• Footy Central, Emirates Golf Club
• Spike Bar, Emirates Golf Club
• Crafty Fox Jumeirah Golf Estates
• Fanzone Topgolf Dubai
• Garden on 8 Media One Hotel
• McGettigans JBR
• Farina Bar & Grill Address Beach Resort
• Bar1 Rixos the Palm Dubai
• Origins Vida Emirates Hills
• The Courtyard Vida Creek Beach

⚽ For booking details and more, see : Where to Watch FIFA World Cup Dubai 2026 in Dubai

Kids’ Movies

An easy option is taking the kids along to watch a movie in the cinema. Most credit cards have a Buy 1 get 1 free so make use of that when you purchase your tickets online.

What’s on right now? Minions & Monsters, Toy Story 5, and Moana is playing and for those who haven’t watched it yet – Super Mario Galaxy Movie & Hoppers is still on! For those of you with older kids (age 13+), there’s also Supergirl, Disclosure Day, Michael, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Star Wars : The Mandalorian & Grogu.

🎦 Check sessions at : Roxy Cinemas | Reel Cinemas | Vox Cinemas

Summer Camps

Topgolf Academy Junior Camp

Sign the kids up for Topgolf Academy’s Junior Camp this summer break. Kids will be coached by a Topgolf Academy professional, and have access to Topgolf games and Topracer technology. There will be fun games and exciting daily activities for all skill levels, plus lunch is included so you don’t have to stress about packing it for the kids!

Topgolf Dubai. Weekday 8:30am to 2:15pm, until Friday 28th August. 265AED a day or 975AED a week. Ages 5 to 13 years old +971 4 371 9999 Email here More on topgolfdubai.ae

Kids Only Adventure Pass at One&Only Royal Mirage

One&Only Royal Mirage unveils the KidsOnly Adventure Pass, a children’s programme that reimagines the traditional kids’ club experience into a fully supervised, educational camp environment – designed to complement modern homeschooling approaches while offering families greater flexibility.

One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai. Daily 10:00-1:00 PM or 2:00-5:00 PM. 250 AED per child per session. Ages 4 to 11 years old +971 4 315 2186 Email here Book here

Summer Daycation Offers

With temperature and humidity at its high – wouldn’t it be nice to spend the day in a hotel and make use of its facilities? Consider doing a family brunch with pool and beach access as well as kids’ club access, or an all-inclusive day – which means, absolutely everything is included, minus a night’s stay!

Here are some of our recommendations :

All-Inclusive Daycation at Rixos The Palm

An all-inclusive daycation experience at Rixos is one for the Dubai bucket list. Start off with a sumptious buffet breakfast in A La Turca. Right after, go for a dip at their family pool which has shallow steps on the edges for the younger ones, and slight shade from the overhanging palms and by the swim-up bar. Younger ones would enjoy the shaded kids pool with mini slides and splash bucket. If you need some quiet time, drop the older kids off at Rixy Kids’ Club and head off for a swim at the adults-only pool, or attend a yoga or sound healing class in their Indoor Wellness area. Yes – alcoholic drinks are included – all day long! See our Instagram Reel, on how a pool day at Rixos the Palm is like.

Daily 9am-6pm – Rixos the Palm Dubai. 449 AED All Week | 50% for Kids 6-12. +971 4 457 5454 Email here More details on rixos.com See also Apres-Sun Pass

Weekends at Address Beach Resort

Address Beach Resort has two fabulous offers running over the weekends. Saturdays is when their Address Beach Brunch happens – with kids’ club access included right across The Restaurant, so parents get some quiet time. On Sundays, sit back and relax over a classic Roast Dinner served to table for sharing, and help yourself to starters and desserts on the buffet spread. Both offers, comes with Pool & Beach Access after so don’t forget to bring swimwear!

Address Beach Brunch : Saturday 1-4pm 275 AED* Soft, 375 AED* House, 475 AED* Prosecco, 775 AED* Bubbly | 75 AED Kids 4-11

Sunday Family Roast : Sunday 1-5pm 195 AED 1 to 2 Pax, 390 AED 3-4 Pax, 585 AED 5-6 Pax, 780 AED 7-8 Pax | 75 AED Kids 4-11

The Restaurant, Address Beach Resort. +971 4 879 8866 Email here Whatsapp here More details on addresshotels.com

*All Guests get 30% off the Address Beach Brunch Adult Packages when booking directly with the hotel | See : Our Instagram Reel of the Address Beach Brunch

Sign up to Viya Access Family Pass

If you’re going to be around for most of the summer – and don’t want to stress about finding things to do every single day, just sign up to Viya Access Family Pass. It’s a lifestyle membership that not only includes pool and beach access, but also entertainment centres likes Topgolf, Wikit, Tiger Strikes and even Green Planet!

Prices start from only 1,083 AED a month for a family of 2 Adults 2 Kids, and varies according to the duration of your membership ie 1 month, 3 months, or 12 months.

For the month of July & August, you will get 1 extra month complimentary when you sign up to the 3-months membership which costs 3,890 AED. It basically works out to be 486.25 AED per parent a month! Email Viya here, or Call 800 8492

Read more : 5 Reasons to get Viya Access Family Pass in Dubai

See Also :

• Best Family Brunches in Dubai 2026 : What’s On Right Now?
• Dubai Pool and Beach Day Passes 2026
• Enjoy A Family Getaway : Summer Staycation Offers 2026
• Top Summer Dining Offers in Dubai 2026

More to be added to this listing – Please Check Back!