Dubai with kids: 7 top spots beyond shopping malls

Summary

Looking to entertain your kids in Dubai without spending the day in a shopping mall? You’re in luck. We’ve rounded up 7 exciting, creative, and family-approved activities that let you skip the escalators and go straight to the good stuff. From immersive quiz games to nature escapes and cultural fun, this is your guide to discovering a whole new side of Dubai with your little squad.

🎤 Start with a bang: Quiz Room Dubai

Before diving into the dunes or kayaking with flamingos, you’ll want to kick off the day with Dubai’s most buzz-worthy indoor experience: Quiz Room.

Think of it as a TV game show for real people, where kids and adults team up, press buzzers, answer wacky questions, and try to outsmart each other — all while laughing non-stop.

Whether it’s for a birthday party, a family outing, or just an epic weekend plan, Quiz Room offers:

• A full hour of quiz battles, adapted to all ages
  
  
• Themed questions (music, movies, food... even memes!)
  
  
• A spectacular studio setting with music, lights, and drama
  
  
• Team play that brings out your kid’s inner strategist 🧠
  
  

Oh, and yes — you can even personalize questions for the birthday child. 🎂

📍 Located in central Dubai with easy access and parking.

👉 Discover our games at Quiz Room Dubai

👉 Read: Where to Celebrate a Kid’s Birthday in Dubai (Without Needing 10 Guests)

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🐪 Desert Safari - style BBQ

When in Dubai, go wild — literally. A family-friendly desert safari is one of the most unforgettable ways to connect with local heritage and nature.

Book with child-friendly tour providers like Platinum Heritage or OceanAir Travels, who offer:

• Camel rides (with photo ops!)
  
  
• Dune bashing in 4x4s
  
  
• Falcon shows
  
  
• Henna tattoos
  
  
• And a barbecue feast under the stars ✨
  
  

With separate options for toddlers and teens, it’s the perfect mix of excitement and comfort for every age.

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🦒 Dubai Safari Park: more than just a zoo

Home to over 3,000 animals, the Dubai Safari Park is divided into eco-zones (Africa, Asia, Arabian Desert), complete with themed experiences, educational tours and animal feeding zones.

Family highlights include:

• Safari village tours by bus or on foot
  
  
• A petting zoo for little explorers
  
  
• Bird & reptile enclosures
  
  
• Shaded picnic spots for breaks
  
  

It’s a day out that’s as educational as it is entertaining.

🎨 OliOli : the museum where play comes first

Forget “don’t touch the exhibit.” At OliOli Children’s Museum, the whole idea is to touch, build, test, splash and discover. Designed for kids aged 2 to 12, OliOli has 8 galleries packed with hands-on science, art, and sensory play.

Highlights:

• The Water Gallery (bring a change of clothes!)
  
  
• Toshi’s Net: a giant net sculpture for climbing
  
  
• The Air Gallery: with wind tunnels and floating objects
  
  

This isn’t just fun — it’s also cleverly STEM-focused learning in disguise. 🤫

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🛶 Kayaking in Ras Al Khor’s mangroves

Nature lovers, rejoice. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a surprising hidden gem where you can kayak through mangroves, spot flamingos, and enjoy Dubai’s wilder side.

What makes it family-friendly?

• Calm waters (ideal for beginners)
  
  
• Short tours (1–2 hours)
  
  
• Wildlife spotting games for kids
  
  

Pro tip: Go in the morning when it’s cooler and animals are more active. 🐦

🎭 The Theatre Dubai: real live family fun

It’s time for the spotlight. The Theatre Dubai hosts a regular schedule of family-friendly live shows, including musical comedies, puppet performances, and interactive plays. Perfect for young audiences (and patient parents 😉).

Bonus: Many shows are bilingual or non-verbal, so everyone enjoys the story — no matter the language.

Even though it's located in a mall, we’ll allow it... because theatre > shopping!

🧗 Adventure HQ: for your mini action heroes

Need to burn off some energy? Take your kids to Adventure HQ, an indoor adventure park offering:

• Rock climbing walls
  
  
• Obstacle courses
  
  
• Caving simulators
  
  
• Mini zip lines
  
  

It’s ideal for children aged 4+ and up. And unlike the soft play areas you find in malls, this one’s actually challenging and exciting, even for teens.

🌴 Al Barari Nature Escapes: your green hideaway

End your day surrounded by trees, waterfalls, and peace. Al Barari Nature Escapes is a lush space with botanical walks, yoga sessions for families, and healthy cafés offering organic treats.

Sometimes the best way to connect is by slowing down, not speeding up.

🎯 Final takeaway: ditch the malls, keep the memories

Dubai is so much more than designer stores and air-conditioned corridors. When you choose experiences like Quiz Room, desert safaris, or science-based play at OliOli, you’re not just filling time — you’re building lasting family memories.

Whether it’s a birthday, weekend plan, or just an escape from the usual, you’ve now got 7 mall-free options to buzz about. 😉

🙋 FAQ

1. What are the best family-friendly places in Dubai outside malls?
→ Quiz Room Dubai, OliOli , Safari Park, Adventure HQ, and more.

2. Is Quiz Room suitable for kids and teens?
→ Yes! With customized quiz sessions and themes, it’s ideal for ages 8+.

3. Where can I host a child’s birthday in Dubai?
→ Quiz Room is perfect for birthdays — fun, interactive, and unforgettable.

4. Are there nature-based activities in Dubai for kids?
→ Absolutely! Try kayaking in Ras Al Khor or picnicking in Al Barari.

5. Is OliOli Dubai worth visiting with older kids (ages 10+)?

→ Absolutely! While OliOli is designed mainly for ages 2–12, tweens around 10–12 still love the Water Gallery, Toshi’s Net, and the Air & Engineering zones. It's the perfect mix of hands-on fun and learning before they outgrow play-based spaces.

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